1000 Mile Socks
Socks. I love them now, but I’ll start with some pessimism to balance out my embarrassing excitement over a pretty mundane item.
When I was a child, the concept that all my dad wanted for his birthday was something like socks or a tie was completely alien to me. Birthdays were a time of receiving and capitalist greed; not socks. Socks were depressing. Functional. Essential. Not fun.
Fast forward to about 6 years ago. Socks were still just socks. I was running a lot, but as a huge cynic of marketing spin, I dismissed running socks as a chance to put a really high price tag on a pair, despite the fact that they remained simply socks. The Emperor’s new socks, if you will.
I had upped my mileage a fair bit at that time and had begun to suffer with blisters on the inside of the arch on my right foot, just behind my big toe. Someone suggested not using Sports Direct’s most budget trainer socks. I pointed out that I had in fact bought the pair in question from Asda, thus winning and losing the argument simultaneously.
After being bought a pair of proper running socks by said friend as a present, I was furious. After a long run, I didn’t have a single blister and was proved entirely wrong. They had single handedly made me excited about receiving socks as a present and simultaneously killed part of my childhood.
Perhaps I’m being a bit dramatic. Moving forward; I love a good pair of socks now.
I recently got two pairs of socks by a company called 1000 Mile. I had heard some extremely positive noises about them from friends in the military and hiking fraternity, but so far hadn’t heard much regarding their running kit. Runners rarely talk about socks (unlike hikers) - they tend to bang on about trainers and races a lot more.
1000 Mile Socks have been around for a good 20 years, are UK based and a leading brand in hiking, military use, running, cycling, golf, general sport and health socks (diabetic and compression). Even a cursory google search for blister free socks show that they have this market pretty well cornered, with a huge range of specialist fabrics and their anti blister ‘double sock’ design.
Thinking back to my earlier sock defeat, I decided to test another of my preconceptions - my mistrust of compression socks. More on that later.
After some time looking at their extensive range (over 60 different socks on offer, with varying levels of fabric, drying time, padding etc. for even the most discerning customer), I opted for the 1000 Mile Fusion Sock and the 1000 Mile Compression Sock.
Upon first inspection, the Fusion Sock appeared no different to other running socks I have, however it’s actually a double sock. A sock within a sock. The two layers are made to move independently of each other in order to stop friction occurring against your skin. The outer layer (57% Nylon, 41% Tactel® 2% Spandex) is more padded for support and the inner layer is thinner and more breathable (100% Tactel®).
If I’m entirely honest, it felt a bit weird when I played with them; almost as if they were going to bunch up, but went on just fine and didn’t bunch even once.
After about two months of solid running in varying conditions, I can safely say that they’re a fantastic running sock. They’re extremely comfortable, I haven’t had a single hot spot or blister. A major concern of mine was whether the double sock would cause my foot to slide and therefore bang my toenails against the front of the shoe (this happens when I lube my feet and subsequently lose toenails), but this didn’t happen at all. I’ve done several 30 mile runs in them and my feet are still good as new (well, as good as a runners feet should be anyway). Fantastic.
The 1000 Mile Fusion Sock fared well in wet conditions and even pretty well in muddy runs through a forest, which surprised me. I wouldn’t wear them for a muddy obstacle race as although they’re extremely well designed, I honestly believe that mud and grit would find a way into that double layer. Still, they aren’t designed for that purpose.
All in all, a fantastic running sock and I’ll most likely be using them at the Calderdale Ultra next week.
The 1000 Mile Compression Sock was a mental obstacle to overcome.
I’ve always been skeptical of compression gear. Sure - the science supports compression gear for aiding in recovery, reducing discomfort, swelling and the risk of embolisms. This is why they’re used in hospitals.
There is a lot of marketing about compression gear reducing muscle oscillation (bounce, causing micro tears) and increasing blood flow to the muscles making them more efficient. There is little in terms of empirical evidence to support this. I also believe that your body can’t be made more efficient by things such as compression gear and “detox smoothies”. If your feet swell up on a long run, surely they’re supposed to in order to better cushion vulnerable muscles? Also, I’m slightly scared of what they other boys will say when they find out I wear tights. Compression socks too.
Still, I gave them a shot - what harm can it do.
It turns out, none. The 1000 Mile Compression Socks are extremely comfortable and are fantastic to run in. They’re comfortable, they don’t ride down and I only have good things to say about them.
Do I believe they made my legs more efficient? No. I’m still not sold on that concept, but they’re still a great running sock and I also found a good alternative to running tights in hot weather as an effective barrier against stinging nettles, for those of us who like forest runs.
The real revelation came to me after running. I had tested out the compression socks first and when I moved on to the Fusion Socks, I decided to try using the compression socks for recovery.
This could be placebo, or it could be compensation bias as I trust in the peer reviewed studies that confirm that compression socks aid in recovery. Still, I am now a convert. They feel great after a long run.
I don’t wear them after every run, but I do wear them after every long run. Regardless of whether it’s imagined or real, I genuinely seem to recover a little faster and my aching legs seem to ache slightly less when they’re on. Hugs for your calves. Great stuff.
All in all, I’m impressed with 1000 Mile’s Socks. Two very different designs but two extremely well made socks. I’ll be trying out some others in their range in future and you might see me in tights more often.
I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. 1000 Mile have given me the confidence to wear tights in public and the world is a better place for it.
