The Difference Between a Smart Wool Walking Sock & a Running Sock
Smartwool (smartwool.com) socks are a highly developed brand of socks designed to provide assistance with odor control, sweat and temperature, among other things. Smartwool socks are designed to be perfect for different activities such as walking, running, snowboarding and skiing. Each sock has a slightly different proportion of merino wool, and is built in a different way to address the varying pressure your foot comes under when doing each of these activities. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Size
-
Smartwool running socks are much shorter and thinner than Smartwool walking socks. This is because Smartwool socks are designed to fit both the shoe and activity for which they are designed. Smartwool's running socks are mostly "mini" sized or trainer sized, helping runners keep their feet as light as possible and giving them a sock that is the ideal shape and size for their running shoes. On the other hand, walkers and hikers tend to require a more robust sock, meaning that most of Smartwool's walking socks are "crew" sized (above the ankle) or taller. They also have a thicker feel to provide a layer of insulation when worn inside walking boots.
Cushion
-
Smartwool's walking and running socks have cushioning on different parts of the sock according to the areas of shock each activity imparts and the support needed for doing each activity. Smartwool's walking socks are fully and heavily cushioned to absorb the shock of walking in walking boots. Smartwool's running socks, on the other hand, have cushioning on high density impact zones of the foot, which are the heel and the ball of the foot.
-
Proportion of Wool
-
Smartwool's walking socks tend to have a higher proportion of wool than its running socks. For example, Smartwool's Trekking Heavy Crew socks have 80% merino wool, 19% nylon and 1% elastic. Smartwool's PhD Running Ultra Light Mini socks have 66% merino wool, 31% nylon and 3% elastic. Both types of socks are merino wool-based to take advantage of the material's characteristics, such as being odorless and reducing moisture caused by sweating. The walking socks are made with a higher proportion of wool to provide more temperature control. This is because walkers may use their socks in hot and cold environments, whereas runners who wear their socks while running do not need any extra warmth. Having less wool in the sock also saves valuable space in a runner's shoe.
Structure
-
A defining factor of Smartwool's walking socks is that they have an arch brace, which both holds the sock in place and lends more support to the foot. This is often especially helpful to walkers, who wear heavy hiking boots instead of the lightweight trainers that runners wear. Smartwool's running socks feature the "4-Degree Fit System", in which support bands are inserted into the sock to protect more vulnerable areas of the foot, which include the ankle, arch and instep. This structure is designed to give support to runners' feet in exactly the right places.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
