Whether I’m running a 50 mile trail race or grinding up the side of Mount Impossible there is one piece of gear that I believe is the most critical. Socks! Socks! Socks!

In my experience it’s the little annoying pains that really hamper my performance. Compensating for the hot spot, blister, absent toenail, or other foot malady chips away at my concentration like the drip drip drip of a leaky faucet on a hot night. Enter the super sock! Socks have come a long way in the last few years. Not long ago your options included cotton, cotton, and… more cotton. Today we have cool max, merino wool, and various other performace fabrics with thick, thin, and cushion sole options. I never really paid much attention to socks until I wore my first pair of merino wool socks during the Mountain Masochist trail race. Previously I assumed any time I was going to run more than 20 miles I would get blisters… period. I was amazed not only at my lack of blisters at the end of the race, but also with the general lack of discomfort I had endured during the race. I was sold.

Many of you may be in the same situation as I was, or maybe you are trying to find the perfect performance sock for your next mountain bike excursion. If that is the case stay tuned. DarnTough has sent some evaluation socks for us to put through the ringer, and hopefully we’ll be getting a few more in the coming days.

If you have experience with a particular sock (good or bad) please let me know, and I will attempt to include it in the evaluation process.