battle tested: SUGOI R+R sock

GPS watches were so last year. If you didn’t pick one up in ’09, it’s cool we can still be Facebook friends. But, mark my words-2010  is the year of compression wear so pick some up.  With all the hype surrounding the benefits of wearing compression wear in races or as a way to speed recovery one apparel company is leading the pack: Sugoi.  This brand has a superior design and unparalleled comfort in their Race+Recovery sock.

I have put these socks through multiple tests so far including 15 mile trail run, a 14k road race even a few nights spent lounging in them after a hard speed workout. Whenever I seek out a race sock I always demand ones that have excellent cushioning due to the amount of time spent on my feet. The sock has a comfortable reinforced footbed for key areas of impact during a workout. In the past, I have come away from a race with blisters despite the size and type of shoe I competed in. The Sugoi R+R sock allowed me to be blister free after Saturday’s race  and my calves were in perfect shape. Despite running four minutes faster than last year.

Focused areas for the compression include each side of calf which provides a decrease in muscle fatigue. This is a big plus for me, because I always tend to have shin problems. Let’s not kid ourselves many of us are always cursing our shins.

In my opinion the sock is a better investment than shin sleeves/guards because they allow blood flow throughout the lower part of the leg into the foot, thus flushing out the lactic acid buildup. The sock is also made of very light weight breathable fabric allowing my legs not to feel bogged down. Quick tip: the extra thin layer might help ultra runners from getting cut up as they blaze down the trails.

For your feet and calves sake, let’s hope Sugoi is fully stocked on your local running store’s rack or you can pick up a pair: here.  The R+R socks runs $40, but they are worth every penny. Especially when you cross the finish to see a PR on the clock or wake up the next morning feeling refreshed after wearing them to sleep.

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