Recently I’ve been experiencing calf cramps during and after training runs and needless to say with longer runs, blisters are a runner’s worst enemy. To combat both of these issues, quality socks are a must. During my weekend 7-miler I gave Stance Fusion socks a test-run to see if they would help my calves and keep my feet blister free.
Stance comes in a few different heights and a variety of fun colors/patterns. I tried out the Heartbeat Crew sock ($18) which comes up to my lower calf. I opted for the super bright pink and orange pattern. Sunday was one of the first really warm days so I wasn’t sure about the extra coverage but luckily these socks are built with thermo regulation and sweat-wicking fibers that allow your feet to vent and avoid overheating. The socks have graduated compression and keep your feet snug and comfy. The socks are labeled right and left which is how I know they mean business.
[promise I’m wearing shorts…maybe they are um, just a bit too short though]
[Ollie ruining the shot of the socks but hey, there are my shorts!]
After 7 miles around Central Park, my feet were definitely still cool and I wasn’t thinking about my calves at all. I could feel the tiniest start to a blister on my inner right foot but I’m guessing that’s in part because this was my longest run in months and my feet need to adjust. I would absolutely wear these socks for my shorter runs, especially my speed ones. On a shorter Tuesday am run, I gave the taller version, the Dreadmill OTC ($36) a try for 4 miles plus 6×10 second uphill sprints.
As soon as I pulled on the OTC socks, I could feel my calves relax. Maybe it was mental but whatever it was, it felt better than no support on my calves. The socks were a litlte too tall for my shortie legs so I folded down the top portion. After my 4 miles my legs felt good. A few hours later I could feel a slight soreness in my calf, which I’ve been experiencing for a while. PT might be in my future to figure this out.
Years ago when I started running I didn’t think about how much a quality sock will affect your run. Now I know better and invest in well-made socks with just the right material. What’s fun about these is they aren’t your typical white running sock, Stance wants you to have fun with your look as you pound the pavement. There are SO many options and while the socks maybe (ok, definitely) clashed with the rest of my outfit, i still loved running in them!
