14 replies to this topic

[HouseDad]

As I've been training for my first 6-Foot Track, I've decided to shell out and buy a pair of X Socks. After searching the Sydney CBD for a pair, a running buddy informed me that our local running shop sold them. Great I thought, because If I can support our local shop, then that's a bonus.

So this morning I paid them a visit and told them that I am training for the 6-Foot Track and will back that up with The Canberra Marathon. I made it clear that the distances that I'm running are about 30 plus kilometers. The Assistant read the size inside my running shoe, which is 10.5 UK and sold me a pair of RUN SPEED ONE socks. I was so excited and rushed home to try them on.

As I excitedly wore them, while reading CoolRunning, I thought I'd read the packaging, as my wee boy was still asleep. On the packaging it says especially suited for sprints or medium distance. I was a bit stunned, as I'd clearly told the Assistant that I was running 30 to 42k distances.

So just to be sure I went to the X Socks website, that informed me that I should have been sold a pair of RUN SKY RUN as they are the perfect sock for marathon runners.

Confused I rang up the local running shop and asked if they stocked RUN SKY RUN. They did, but not my size. I then informed the Assistant that I was the guy who have been in 30-minutes ago to buy the X Socks to use at marathon distance. The Assistant told me: "To be honest, it's a marketing trick, as both pairs are the same." The Assistant then said "The RUN SKY RUN ones are about $39", to which I replied "Money is not and issue, I just want the right socks for the right conditions." I was then told something about both have the silver lining and that they are the same.

Now I'm confused. Have I been sold the wrong socks, been misinformed or was the Assistant being really honest and saving me some money? As I've only been running about 18-months now, I'm still quite unsure about some of the technical bits involved in running, so thought I'd ask the good folks of CoolRunning.

So yeah, please help me out as I was hoping to use them this coming weekend at The Megalong Massacre. I have two-days before then, so advice on whether to keep them or take them back would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and please excuse any grammar of spelling mistakes, as the boy is now awake and trying to touch the keyboard. Don't you love that?

Lee

[runningaway]

I didn't know that they made different ones for different distances- but I have a pair of RunSkyRun x-socks and they are great- I have never had a blister while wearing them (and I have worn them in every half I have run!).

I do know that you can get them for $25 online from activestride.com.au

Sara

[Bellthorpe]

Sorry I can't help you with your specific question, but thought I'd mention that I buy my socks when they're on special at Woolworths. Rio brand, about a buck per pair.

And I've never had a blister whilst wearing them.

[FakePlasticTrees]

I thought I was special when the socks I bought had L and R written on them. Now I know that I have to buy the right sock for the right distance? What happens, do they break down if you run more than 25k in the middle distance sock?

[Gronk]

Not every sock has a silver lining it seems.

[scurry711]

Get your sox from Aldi

[alec]

Lee

I've run marathons in Run Speed One socks and had no problems at all with them. I think that the Run Sky Run's have more padding, which I guess is why they're marketed as being better suited for longer runs. In my opinion though a thicker sock isn't necessarily better for longer distances - just depends on your personal preference - I'd generally choose a thinner sock over a something with more padding.

alec

Edited by alec, 28 January 2009 - 04:39 PM.

[sfGnome]

We have only ever used the runspeedrun variety and found them good over the long distances. Don't panic.

[TFive]

Lee,
I find I need thick socks for distance and have been using injinji socks for runs over 20km.
I have worn Xsocks for long runs, I found them to be too thin and ended up with bruising on my toes. I wore injinji socks on Monday for the Fatass 33km and they were extremely comfortable.

[Kandingo]

how good can they be??
all that money and they can't even name them...... X socks ??
I use A socks
A sock on the left and...

[Hermie]

PersonallyI eckon you've been ripped off.I buy my socks from Target and get the Coolmax sport socks.Completely synthetic,nocotton.Usually buy lots of the same ome one so they mix and match.I use these for training and runs over moderate distance up to 50ks.I've heard the socks from Aldi are also good and cheap also.For really long distances I reckon Injinji are the best.I never get blisters on distances up to over 200ks.

[Miss Gazelle]

Hi HouseDad,

Paul's Warehouse currently have X socks on special.... 5 for $22. All varieties (golf, walking, running) and all varieties and sizes for running (I got a mixture of the running).

Cheers,
Miss G.

[RWO]

Miss Gazelle, on Jan 29 2009, 02:19 PM, said:

Hi HouseDad,

Paul's Warehouse currently have X socks on special.... 5 for $22. All varieties (golf, walking, running) and all varieties and sizes for running (I got a mixture of the running).

Cheers,
Miss G.

I have used the Sky runner socks for ironman and marathon for years. The speed one sock is NOT the same!! I have a pair of speed ones and use them on the bike, but they are of a similar quality and feel of a basic 'coolmax' sock. The sky runner has a silver footbed which aids in better heat dissipation and moisture = better for longer distance stuff.

The salesperson was less than honest with you, i would ask for an exchange...

[miners]

geez, and I thought we get a little over excited about shoe types over here No offence intended to anyone, but socks aren't ever going to be a silver bullet. As the guys above have mentioned, the Target & Aldi socks are going to do just as good a job as the over-priced Kayano, Thorlo or X-sock type brands. Socks will never provide you with any form of shock absorption, no matter how thick and fluffy. And if you're a blister sufferer, then you would have already discovered the beauty of bodyglide, sportshield, powder or vaso, whichever works best for you. Blisters are invariably a result of an incorrect shoe fitting, not the sock itself

(nice post btw gronk

[HouseDad]

Thank you everyone for your honest and funny replies. To be honest, I've been fine with my regular $5 socks, but Adrienne wanted to buy me a present for being a good Dad over the school holidays. I'd exhausted all the options of running toys, as I'm one of the most gadgetry equipped runners out there, thanks to my wonderful Wife and Children. So yeah, there was only new socks to consider.
I do feel ripped off though, as I still think, as others do, that the Sales Assistant was less than honest with me. So I've decided to keep the socks, as they will get used, but won't be going back to that running shop. It's a shame, as I've never heard a bad word said against them, but for me, my first and last experience wasn't good. On the upside, I have been recommended a running shop over in the Eastern suburbs, so next time I need some socks, I'll take the drive over from the Inner West.
So in closing, again, thanks everyone for the GREAT advice - CoolRunning rocks

Edited by HouseDad, 30 January 2009 - 10:45 AM.