With the rain over the past couple of days, we've had a few calls on what to do with your wet feet and shoes. It basically comes down to GOOD SOCKS & NEWSPAPER.
WHAT KIND OF SOCKS?
Smartwool socks are a great addition to your sock collection when it comes to moving outside when it's wet.
Merino wool breathes and manages moisture better than any other fiber.
Time for a little science:
Breathability is the ability of a fabric or fiber to transport moisture in the vapor state from an area of higher humidity to an area of lower humidity. In other words, the more breathable a product is the better it is at removing moisture from the microclimate (the space between your skin and the garment).
As your body heats up, the moisture vapors will be absorbed by the wool fiber, and released to the drier environment outside of the fabric; releasing heat and keeping the wearer dry and comfortable.
A Merino fiber can absorb and retain up to 30% of its own weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch.
NEWSPAPER?
Asics had some great tips on their website and the staff at the Extra Mile all use the newspaper method to dry out our wet shoes so they are ready to go for our next run.
If you're running outside, your shoes come across everything from mud and puddles to leaves and grit. All of this dirt can make your shoes look worn out before they really are.
So once in a while your shoes just need a makeover:
- Wash the sockliner or insole separately if you're able to remove them. This will help make the inside of your shoe fresher.
- Laces can be washed or just replaced.
- Remove surface dirt such as mud and grit. Use an old toothbrush or nail brush, a little warm water and a gentle, anti-grease soap. This should take care of the dirt, and is fine to do once in a while.
- Dry your shoes naturally and don't place them near a radiator.
- Direct heat will alter the shape of the shoe.
- Open out the shoe and then stuff the inside with kitchen paper or newspaper. The paper will absorb the dampness inside the shoe. A shoe takes about twelve hours to dry out.
- If you're a frequent runner, you may want to use two pairs of shoes for running, so you can alternate between them as each pair dries out.
What Socks Do You Carry @ EXMI?
We have a wide variety of socks to meet your needs. Here are the brands that we carry:
- Balega
- Feetures
- Smart Wool
- Injinji
- Swiftwick
- Fitsock
- CEP
Come in and talk to our staff about any issues you are having with blisters, chaffing or looking to get out of your cotton socks!