Here we are again on my running journey 🙂 . So far I’ve talked about how I started this new hobby: From Hate To Love: How I Became A Runner and I recently celebrated 1 Year Of Running: My Progress and Revelations. Now it’s time to take it to the next level with legit running gear!
Up until this point, I have been running in my regular Bombas socks. It wasn’t until I went into a running store a month ago to get my feet analyzed, that I heard that I should not be running in cotton socks…Oops! I should have done some more research.
Hilariously, the employee mentioned that running in cotton socks can cause blisters and I had gotten my first blisters only a few days earlier. Double oops. It was time to get some more appropriate gear! So first I bought actual running shoes based on my specific foot needs:
And after that, I started researching running socks and discovered that my favorite sock brand, Bombas, sells 3 types of them! Let the experiment begin:
I bought all 3 types of @Bombas ankle running socks (regular, lightweight and wool) to see which I like best before purchasing more of my favs. Let's test these puppies out🏃🏾♀️🧦😍! pic.twitter.com/YIMVvbzkUe
— A Purple Life (@APurpleLifeBlog) September 9, 2022
After posting the above, a few people asked for my review of these socks, which is why I’m writing this very post 🙂 . So let’s see what a relatively new runner and a non-sock expert (me), thinks of these new socks. Here are the 3 types I bought along with the materials they’re made of:
- Lightweight Running Ankle Socks: 54% Polyester, 28% Nylon, 13% Cotton, 5% Spandex
- Performance Running Ankle Socks: 51% Polyester, 33% Nylon, 12% Cotton, 4% Spandex
- Merino Wool Running Ankle Socks: 51% Wool, 45% Nylon, 4% Spandex
Lightweight Running Ankle Socks
These lightweight socks, live up to their name. I already thought regular Bombas socks were light, but these are even more so. They’re noticeably thinner and lighter than the regular socks – in a good way. They’re so light and airy that I didn’t even realize I was wearing them while running. I totally forgot, which is what I wanted.
They also dry ridiculously fast. In fact, I never noticed they were wet at all even though I was sweating a lot when I got home. I took the socks off and they were dry, unlike the previous cotton ones I had been using. Moisture-wicking for the win!
I also really like that the front of the foot has a tab cushion similar to the back, which prevents the sock from falling. I’ve started wearing these while walking long distances as well because my regular Bombas started slipping when I walked that far in my new running shoes (this didn’t happen with my previous shoes). I guess these are my running AND walking socks now 🙂 .
Performance Running Ankle Socks
These socks seem similar to regular Bombas in their weight and thickness, but the material obviously feels completely different than the regular cotton. They’re understandably thicker than the lightweight socks, but have the same double tabs in the front and back to prevent slipping. They also have right/left designations on each sock, which is unlike regular Bombas or the lightweight running alternative. Overall, this sock performed just like the lightweight one, but with more thickness. It was very comfortable and dried ridiculously fast.
Merino Wool Running Ankle Socks
After hearing from the running store employee that I should check out Merino Wool socks, I discovered: I know nothing about wool 🙂 . I thought it was an itchy substance that you wear when it’s really cold, but that is apparently not the case. Wool socks (and especially Merino Wool) are great for running and are not just for cold temperatures, but keep feet dry and warm on cold days and dry and cool on hot days. It has properties that moves moisture away from the body. It’s also not itchy at all.
So I put on these wool socks and went for a run on a hot day. Once again, I didn’t even notice I was wearing them, which I was double surprised by since they feel thick in my hands, but not when I’m wearing them on my feet. Everything felt good on my run.
When I returned, my socks were wet, but my feet in them were dry…what is this magic?!? These socks also have the double tabs like the two previous ones and have right/left designations for each sock. Color me surprised at the versatility of Merino Wool 🙂 .
Conclusion
And those are my thoughts! I love these socks, no longer have any blisters, and even use them while walking since the double tab prevents ankle sock slip. Wins all around! I originally planned to see which of these three socks I preferred and buy more of that specific type to create a complete set for a week of running, but so far I like them all for different reasons.
I think instead, I’ll use them all based on the weather conditions – lighter socks when it’s hotter and wool when it’s colder (even though they work well in warm weather as well). Or maybe I’ll use them at random 🙂 . We shall see, but currently I’m super happy with these comfy socks. Until next time 🙂 .
Have you discovered any awesome hobby gear recently?
We LOVE Bombas in my house! We all exclusively wear them.
I wanted to share my trick for making Bombas non-slip (so they stop sliding down into your shoe): 100% silicone caulk inside the ankle tab! You can grab a little tube at any hardware store for about $5. Once it dries (give it 24 hours), it’s safe to have against your skin. It’s clear, although mine usually gets a bit cloudy.
To apply it, put a thin bead along the part of the upper sock tab that rests above your shoe but still touches your skin. Then (and this is the fun little trick most people don’t know), dip your finger in Windex, and rub your wet finger across the silicone until it’s nice and smooth and flat. THE SILICONE *WILL* STICK TO YOU UNLESS YOUR FINGER IS COVERED IN WINDEX, so this step is not optional. I do this religiously to every single pair of Bombas I own, and my socks never slide no matter how active I am.
The silicones tubes are awful so it will probably dry out after one use, unless you open it by cutting the outer corner and then resealing that corner with packing tape that is fully airtight. I mention that because whenever I get new Bombas that need de-slipping, I grab any clothing that need better grip (jeans that slide, bras that won’t stay in place, etc) and I have a little silicone de-slip project hour while the tube is still good.
Also, merino wool is incredible. My sleep pants are merino and were an investment I was willing to make to have a pair of pants that keep me cool on a 90° summer night and warm on a 0° winter night (the joys of living in the Northeast!). I plan to get merino shirts eventually, for sun protection in the summer that also keeps me cool, but they’re not cheap so I’m still doing my homework.
Great post, as always!
Awesome to hear from another Bombas house! And WOW this is LEGIT pro-tip. Thank you so much!! Also you’ve inspired me to look more into Merino Wool clothes that aren’t on my feet 😉 .
I’m here to rave about wool too! It doesn’t get stinky which is key for travel gear.
I’m heading out on a 6-ish-week 4-country every-temperature trip next week, and I’m challenging myself to pack as lightly as I can. Wool shirts, wool dress, and wool leggings are a pivotal part of my packing pile!
Another great point! Thank you 🙂 . And that sounds like a fun challenge! So happy wool is helping out.
Thank you for sharing this, I always wondered about these sock….Do they still send a pair to someone in need when you buy a pair? Was thinking that was their promise… Maybe thats changed? Thats a cool deal if its still the case, the socks are too!
Of course and yep they still donate one-to-one for everything purchased. They go into that in detail on their website if you want more info.
I love Bombas! Not only are the socks fabulous, but they donate a pair for each pair you buy.
Yeah that’s one of the things I love about them too 🙂 .
For colder weather running I found that I need something a little higher up than the ankle. I can’t stand having a little bare strip of skin between the ankle sock and the 7/8 legging. I ultimately got 2 pair of Smartwool Women’s PhD Run Cold Weather Mid Crew (yep they have a lot of wool). I started out with an Icebreaker wool habit more than a decade ago (and I still really like their stuff — my winter running vest is Icebreaker, favorite running tank, many shirts for travel) but I recommend these socks for freezing-ish weather (I’m mid Atlantic so it’s not like I’m a winter-in-Michigan runner).
Very good to know!! I do enjoy Smartwool and will keep my eye out for that type. Thank you!
Hello! Do you have an updated referral code? I went to use yours and it told me to ask you for a new one 🙂
Hi! Here’s a new code: https://refer.bombas.com/x/6pLZUw. I think I’m going to just remove the code and offer from this post since they keep making them invalid. Easier all around 🙂 . I hope you enjoy your socks!