product review: adidas formotion running zone socks

back in april i ran in a local 5k and somehow came in first place overall. i scored a free pair of brooks shoes for the win, and sweet-talked a guy at the awards table into giving me a pair of running socks as well. (apparently they were for the raffle prizes, oops). actually, it was a pack of two pairs, even better.

formotion running zone cushion running socks by adidas

as with many of the new pieces of technical gear for our legs/feet, these socks are anatomically designed for each foot to "enhance the natural movement of the foot". i always wondered about that until i actually saw some "anatomical" products. i didn't know how one would tell them apart - all my socks look the same (since they're all plain white), none of this right/left discrimination. what do you do when the dryer eats one?

my feet are so not pampered at all. let's face it, i run. they're never going to be model material. i have been running in cotton socks that come like 8-pairs to a bag from walmart/target for ever. i never got the dorky running socks in high school like everyone else on the team because i didn't want a sock tan line 3 inches up my ankle. (the patterns/pictures on them were pretty fun though, i almost gave in.)

putting on cotton socks is not very exciting. they don't give an "ooh-la-la" feeling, but i've never had trouble with them causing blisters or retaining sweat/water so much that it bothered me. i've gotten blisters, but in my opinion the shoes have been the culprit each time - too tight of a toebox, back of the shoe rubs against my heel, etc. the adidas socks felt rather nice when i first put them on, but again, my feet have never been treated to such luxury. (well, other than my sugoi race + recovery socks.)

i took the socks out for a run after work thursday. it was 75*, breezy, and a storm was rolling in. i'm not sure if it was the socks, having taken a rest day wednesday or knowing i needed to outrun the storm, but i easily churned out 9 miles at a (once again) better-than-easy pace and decent hr. the socks felt fine the entire time, and the blister-tumor on my pinky toe (yes it's still there, though smaller) has not worsened since i've been running in "performance socks". perhaps part of that problem is due to my cotton socks, but it's on the inside of my toe so i'm not buying into that 100% just yet. the socks have worked well for me so far, and if they bring me a new pr i'll like them even more.

these socks retail for about $20.00 (for two-pair). you can also purchase them online from running warehouse ($14.95 with free two-day shipping).