Product: Swiftwick Pursuit Zero Compression Socks (low ankle height)Pricing: $14.99 per pair, available online at Swiftwick.com or locally at Fleet Feet Sports Huntsville
Details: Made from Australian Merino Wool
Technology Information: Merino Wool is a nature’s original technical fiber and has proven insulating and wicking qualities.
Impressions: I recently wore a pair of Swiftwick Pursuit socks at a local 5km race. The last two miles of this 5km were run on an open field that had some pretty sloppy and muddy sections. Because of the wet muddy conditions I wore my trails shoes and put on my brand new pair of socks. My immediate feel for the socks were unbelievable!! It was as if I had wrapped my feet in the softest material ever. Swiftwick describes the sock as “itchless,” I think they are down playing it!! I am a big fan of merino wool but I would not typically describe it as extremely soft. I laced up my shoes tight; I was almost paranoid my foot would move around in the sock. The first mile of the race was on sidewalks and I immediately forgot all about my feet and socks. It was not until I started running through water and mud and felt my feet get wet that I gave them any thought. However, just as expected, the wet and cold feel quickly left and my feet were dry and warm. Despite having trudged through two miles of water and mud, my feet were very comfortable at the end of this race. I even kept the socks on for the cool down!
Suggestion: My only suggestion, and this may simply be a function of the low height version, is that they could use a bit more compression around the top of the sock.
Summary: Swiftwick merino wool socks have to be the softest most comfortable pair I have ever put on. Even with all that comfort, the merino wool performed flawlessly and kept my feet dry and warm so I could focus on the race. I have worn them on several trial training runs since.
Tim started running in the spring of 2006 to get fit and healthy and since then has run every distance from 5km to 50km. He is heavily involved with Fleet Feet Racing and in the promotion of running in his hometown of Arab, Alabama where he holds the distinction of being the fastest man in Arab. His team biography can be found here.