How to choose the right trail running socks
How can I find the right trail running socks? What are the different models on offer? Which features should I take into account to buy the socks that are best suited to my feet and my sport? These are all questions you need to ask yourself to track down your ultimate trail running socks! You can find all the answers in this buying guide, which breaks down the advantages of each of our pairs.
While all of our trail running socks meet the highest standards in terms of technical features, performance and comfort, each design has its own unique characteristics.
Whether you're looking for technical socks designed for ultra-trail, breathable socks that offer maximum lightness, comfortable socks with even more integrated reinforcements, or high-performance socks designed specifically for runners who suffer from blisters, you will find them in this buying guide, created to help you choose the best trail running socks for your needs!
"A buying guide designed to help you choose the best trail running socks for you! »
WHAT ARE THE BEST TRAIL RUNNING SOCKS? HOW CAN YOU CHOOSE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS? WHAT ARE THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHNICAL TRAILING RUNNING SOCKS?
There is no such thing as "the best trail running socks", but there is a model out there to meet your needs and keep pace with your running style. Whether you run short trails or ultra-trails, whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or a top-level athlete, whether or not you are prone to blisters, and whether you prefer rolling terrain or technical trails, you can find your perfect socks.
The different technical elements to consider when choosing your socks are therefore as follows:
- Thinness, which makes your socks imperceptible in your shoes and lets you forget about your feet, allowing you to concentrate solely on the pleasure of being outside.
- Breathability, because moisture is your feet's worst enemy, be it perspiration or water from the great outdoors.
- Composition, which ideally should include natural and sustainable fibres.
- The positioning of the integrated reinforcements, which play a vital role in keeping you comfortable in a sport that is particularly hard on the feet.
- Whether there is an anti-friction grip, to limit micromovements of the socks in the shoes and thereby prevent overheating.
"There is no such thing as "the best trail running socks", but there is a model out there to meet your needs and keep pace with your running style."
HOW CAN YOU AVOID BLISTERS IN YOUR TRAIL RUNNING SOCKS?
To avoid blisters when trail running, you need to:
- Choose a pair of technical trail running socks specifically designed for this discipline. No, your tennis socks, football socks or other cotton socks will not do the job. Leave them in the drawer!
- Opt for thin and breathable trail running socks. Otherwise, the moisture will create a breeding ground for blisters by attacking the skin on your feet. And blisters form all the quicker if your socks are thick and take up a lot of space in your shoes.
- Select trail running socks with an anti-slip grip strip, designed to reduce the micromovements of your socks in your shoes, thereby limiting the friction that causes blisters.
"An anti-slip grip strip designed to reduce the micromovements of the socks inside the shoes, thereby limiting the friction that causes blisters."
HOW IMPORTANT ARE COMPRESSION AND SUPPORT IN TRAIL RUNNING SOCKS? ARE ANATOMICAL DESIGN & INTEGRATED REINFORCEMENTS EQUALLY CRUCIAL?
The answers to these questions lies in two keywords: comfort and performance. Over the course of almost 50 years in business, we have acquired a high level of expertise in these two concepts.
Over the kilometres, muscle fatigue causes your feet to lengthen, the arches of your feet to fall, and your metatarsals to spread. Thanks to their anatomical construction, wide toe boxes and light compression to improve blood circulation, our trail running socks act like an exoskeleton, compensating for the consequences of fatigue and preventing injury.
The same goes for the integrated reinforcements, which are specially designed to protect your feet. That's why they are strategically located at the most vulnerable points of your feet: the toes, which are often prone to black toenails; the ankles; the malleoli; and the heels.
"Over the kilometres, muscle fatigue causes your feet to lengthen, the arches of your feet to fall, and your metatarsals to spread."
WHICH TRAIL RUNNING SOCKS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? OUR BUYING GUIDE:
Now you know all the elements that make up good trail running socks: technicality, breathability, and a thin and comfortable design. We now invite you to discover our 5 models, each with its own unique features and advantages:
T-FREE® TRAIL SOCKS
Let's start with the "game changer" in the world of trail running socks. Developed in collaboration with our British athlete Jonathan Albon, one of the world's top trail runners, the T-FREE® TRAIL socks have really raised the bar in terms of comfort and performance.
Why are these the trail running socks for you? Because the T-FREE® TRAIL socks feature advanced technology that frees the big toes and allows them to move independently, allowing the feet to regain all their natural stability and dynamism. The big toes play a fundamental role in the body's balance, alignment and propulsion. However, in conventional trail running socks, these capabilities are severely limited.
The other technical characteristics of the T-FREE® TRAIL socks:
- In & Out construction, i.e. no cut threads and therefore no ill-placed seams that can cause unpleasant chafing.
- Support bands at the ankles for a secure and stable fit.
- Integrated reinforcements and protection zones in strategic areas such as the ankles, toe box and heels.
- Ventilated, breathable mesh positioned under the arches of the feet to keep your feet cool and protected from moisture.
- Fibres derived from Polygiene Stayfresh technology for long-lasting freshness and improved odour management.
- Anti-slip grip strips to prevent micromovements of the socks inside the shoes and thus limit the microfriction that causes blisters.
- Reflective strips, for increased visibility during your runs in town, or during long nights spent outdoors participating in ultra-trail.
The T-FREE® TRAIL socks are available for men and women, in 3 different colours that you can discover here:
TRAIL DOUBLE SOCKS
The TRAIL DOUBLE socks are an ultra-technical trail running model with a purpose: to limit the risk of blisters, particularly over (very) long distances.
Why are these the trail running socks for you? Because the TRAIL DOUBLE socks, as their name suggests, feature a double construction, meaning that friction is trapped between the two layers of the socks rather than between the socks and the feet. As a result, you can enjoy unparalleled comfort and keep blisters at bay.
The other technical characteristics of the TRAIL DOUBLE socks:
- In & Out construction, i.e. no cut threads and therefore no ill-placed seams that can cause unpleasant chafing.
- Support bands at the ankles for a secure and stable fit.
- Integrated reinforcements and protection zones in strategic areas such as the ankles, toe box and heels.
- Ventilated, breathable mesh positioned under the arches of the feet to keep your feet cool and protected from moisture.
- Fibres derived from Polygiene Stayfresh technology for long-lasting freshness and improved odour management.
- Anti-slip grip strips to prevent micromovements of the socks inside the shoes and thus limit the microfriction that causes blisters.
- Reflective strips, for increased visibility during your runs in town, or during long nights spent outdoors participating in ultra-trail.
The TRAIL DOUBLE socks are available for men and women, in a unisex design that you can discover here:
TRAIL ULTRA SOCKS
The TRAIL ULTRA socks are a technical, lightweight and breathable ultra-trail model designed to support your changing feet over every kilometre that makes up your (long) adventures.
Why are these the trail running socks for you? Because the TRAIL ULTRA socks don't have a single stand-out feature, but a whole range of remarkable qualities that make them the perfect ultra-trail socks. For example, their construction based on Ultra Fit technology allows them to function like an exoskeleton, compensating for the consequences of muscular fatigue over hours of running, thereby limiting the risk of injury.
The other technical characteristics of the TRAIL ULTRA socks:
- In & Out construction, i.e. no cut threads and therefore no ill-placed seams that can cause unpleasant chafing.
- Support bands at the ankles for a secure and stable fit.
- Integrated reinforcements and protection zones in strategic areas such as the ankles, toe box and heels.
- Ventilated, breathable mesh positioned under the arches of the feet to keep your feet cool and protected from moisture.
- Fibres derived from Polygiene Stayfresh technology for long-lasting freshness and improved odour management.
- Two anti-slip grip strips on each sock to prevent micromovements of the socks inside the shoes and thus limit the microfriction that causes blisters.
- Reflective strips, for increased visibility during your runs in town, or during long nights spent outdoors participating in ultra-trail.
The TRAIL ULTRA socks are available for men and women, in 3 different colours that you can discover here:
TRAIL PROTECT SOCKS
The TRAIL PROTECT socks have become the benchmark for trail socks over just a few years. Often imitated, never matched, the TRAIL PROTECT socks are an ultra-reliable and versatile trail running model that has established itself as one of the most popular options among runners on the legendary UTMB.
Why are these the trail running socks for you? Because the TRAIL PROTECT socks offer unparalleled comfort for your feet thanks to their strategically located reinforcements, which are perfectly integrated into the socks' construction. So you can run and forget about your feet, focusing on the joy of the trail.
The other technical characteristics of the TRAIL PROTECT socks:
- In & Out construction, i.e. no cut threads and therefore no ill-placed seams that can cause unpleasant chafing.
- Support bands at the ankles for a secure and stable fit.
- Integrated reinforcements and protection zones in strategic areas such as the ankles, toe box and heels.
- Ventilated, breathable mesh positioned under the arches of the feet to keep your feet cool and protected from moisture.
- Anti-slip grip strips to prevent micromovements of the socks inside the shoes and thus limit the microfriction that causes blisters.
- Reflective strips, for increased visibility during your runs in town, or during long nights spent outdoors participating in ultra-trail.
The TRAIL PROTECT socks are available for men and women, in many original colours that you can discover here:
WINTER TRAIL PROTECT SOCKS
The WINTER TRAIL PROTECT socks are a winter version of the legendary TRAIL PROTECT socks, designed to protect your feet and ensure optimal performance and comfort, even in winter!
Why are these the trail running socks for you? Because the WINTER TRAIL PROTECT socks are made from 22% organic merino wool, a precious, natural material renowned for its breathable properties and soft texture. In fact, merino wool has the power to absorb 33% of its weight in moisture without appearing wet!
The other technical characteristics of the WINTER TRAIL PROTECT socks:
- In & Out construction, i.e. no cut threads and therefore no ill-placed seams that can cause unpleasant chafing.
- Support bands at the ankles for a secure and stable fit.
- Integrated reinforcements and protection zones in strategic areas such as the ankles, toe box and heels.
- Ventilated, breathable mesh positioned under the arches of the feet to keep your feet cool and protected from moisture.
- Fibres derived from Polygiene Stayfresh technology for long-lasting freshness and improved odour management.
- Anti-slip grip strips to prevent micromovements of the socks inside the shoes and thus limit the microfriction that causes blisters.
- Reflective strips, for increased visibility during your runs in town, or during long nights spent outdoors participating in ultra-trail.
The WINTER TRAIL PROTECT socks are available for men and women, in a unisex design that you can discover here:
VERSATILE SOCKS FOR ROAD & TRAIL RUNNING
Some of our running socks are versatile enough for running on both the road and the trail. Trail runners love them for their technical qualities, thinness and lightness.
These are the two running socks most commonly found on the trails:
RUN ANATOMIC LIGHT CREW SOCKS.
Lightweight and technical, these running socks are designed to optimise breathability and increase comfort throughout your run. The RUN ANATOMIC LIGHT CREW socks are available for men and women, in 3 different colours that you can discover here:
RUN ANATOMIC CREW SOCKS.
The star of medium-high running socks. Understated, elegant and high-performance, these socks are a safe bet and one of our bestsellers. The RUN ANATOMIC CREW socks are available for men and women, in 2 different colours that you can discover here:
"Some of our running socks are versatile enough for running on both the road and the trail."
WHY USE INSOLES IN YOUR TRAIL RUNNING SHOES?
At Sidas, foot comfort is our business. And feet are certainly the most important tools for every trail runner. That's why we have poured so much of our expertise into this discipline.
We believe that foot comfort and performance can only exist when there is perfect synergy between the socks and insoles, which is often overlooked.
On the trail, insoles provide greater precision, stability and support for your feet.
We have designed two ranges of insoles specifically for trail running:
- The 3D TRAIL + running insoles developed in collaboration with the Team Salomon champions.
- The 3FEET® TRAIL insoles, for targeted arch support.
"On the trail, insoles provide greater precision, stability and support for your feet."
