Why Ultra-Trail socks are essential equipment
When you take part in an ultra-trail—long distances, hours of running, varied terrain, elevation changes, descents, climbs, technical ground, weather variations—the strain on your feet is much greater than during a simple jog: muscle fatigue, slight swelling of the foot, repeated friction, moisture, overheating or cooling, uneven footing, impact from rocks or roots.
Standard socks are often unsuitable: lack of support, insufficient moisture wicking, poorly protected friction areas, poor fit in the shoe. Ultra-Trail socks offer a high level of technical performance: support, comfort, moisture wicking, reduced friction and morphological adaptation — essential elements for ensuring comfort, performance and protection for your feet over tens or even hundreds of kilometres.
What Sidas ultra-trail socks offer
- Support, stability and bone/joint protection — With its heel + metatarsal strapping system, reinforced ankle support and a ‘wide toe box’ to allow room for the foot to swell naturally at the end of the race, the sock helps to stabilise the foot, limit micro-movements and prevent injuries or irritation.
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Sock/sole synergy + internal grip — Internal non-slip grip strips improve foot-sole adhesion, optimising energy transfer and stability in the shoe and reducing internal slippage — essential on unstable terrain or technical descents.
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Moisture management & breathability — Technical fabric, ‘In&Out’ construction, ventilated zones and anti-odour treatment wick away perspiration, keep the foot cool and dry, limit friction, and prevent blisters or irritation, even on long runs or under heavy use.
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Long-lasting comfort + adaptation to changing feet — During an ultra, the foot ‘works’, can swell and adapt. The wide toe box and structured support provide sufficient space while maintaining good support — preventing compression, pressure points or loss of comfort at the end of the race.
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Durability & technical features for intense effort — Designed with strong technical materials, flat seams/no internal seams, and a construction designed for the long term, these socks are resistant to wear, friction, and moisture, while maintaining comfort and support — essential criteria for ultra-trail running where equipment is put to the test.
Who are these Ultra-Trail socks for?
- Regular trail runners or ultra-trail runners — committed to long distances, technical trails, ultras, mountain or endurance races.
- Runners who are prone to blisters, irritation, friction and swelling of the foot — especially on long or demanding runs.
- For those looking for comfort, support, hygiene and performance — an essential combination when running for hours, changing terrain, and facing different weather conditions and elevation changes.
- For those who want durable and reliable equipment — to rack up the kilometres without compromise, in varied conditions, without having to constantly change equipment.
Expert advice & best practices
- Find the right size — snug fit without compression: the sock should follow the contour of the foot, without creases or slipping, but without compressing — this is a key factor in avoiding blisters or discomfort.
- Combine socks + suitable shoes + insoles: ultra-trail socks are only fully effective when combined with suitable shoes and (possibly) high-quality insoles. The foot/sock/insole combination is the true trail ‘setup’.
- Wash carefully, without fabric softener, and dry in the open air — to preserve the technical fibres, breathability, elasticity and durability.
- Alternate if necessary on long runs/ultras — for ultras or very long trails, having two pairs can be a plus: changing socks after a certain number of hours can help maintain comfort, wick away moisture and protect your feet.
- Monitor wear and tear — replace when cushioning, support or breathability decline — even the best sock has a limited lifespan depending on use.
