Favourite: Workout Socks
This past December my family knew I was planning to make a loooong overdue return to getting (and hopefully staying) in shape, so for Christmas I was lucky enough to get some gifts along the fitness lines: a yoga mat and workout clothing, including socks. Specifically the Ultimate No Show Run Sock and the Ultimate Padded Run Sock from Lululemon.
I got a pair of each to see which I preferred. I like both but found that when wearing them inside my winter boots on the way to the gym the Ultimate No Show would always fall off inside my boot (and give me a blister) and the Ultimate Padded never did. If you're just wearing them in sneakers that obviously won't be an issue. Overall, however, I definitely prefer the Ultimate Padded.Best is the tight part around the middle that hugs your arches and provides support. It delivers on its name and really is noticeably cushier, softer and more comfortable than a regular sport sock.I notice that these also keep my feet drier, cooler, and less stinky than regular socks. That's thanks to "breathable mesh inserts and wicking nylon yarns," according to the Lululemon website. After wearing them the first time I also noticed the cute detail of words on the inner lining. I'll take encouraging words from anywhere when I'm working out, including from my socks!I had a bit of sticker shock when I went to buy more of these socks and saw that they're $14 (CAD) per pair. But that's mainly because the socks I was wearing before were from a 10-pack that cost $10. They work just fine, and I still wear them, but there's no comparison. After starting to run longer distances I realized that these cushy ones are worth the extra dollars because they make it just that much easier and more enjoyable. For me, however, there's no need to own a heap of them. I try to exercise five times per week so I own five pairs which gets me through to laundry day. I still wear Lululemon pants that I bought over a decade ago, so I have a feeling I'll get a lot of mileage (pun intended) out of these as well.
Do you have a favourite kind of sock that makes a hard workout a little softer? If there are others you'd recommend please pass it on!