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Teko Socks: Best Socks On and For the Planet

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

If you're into Winter sports, you've got to wear socks that wick moisture away from your feet since wet toes mean cold toes. In my opinion, socks made of merino wool are the best, but since they can tend to be a little itchy some people can't wear them. If your skin is sensitive to wool, you've got to try these ski socks made by Teko ($18.95). Made with a wool/poly/nylon/lycra blend, they're super soft.

Not only are they kind to your toes, these socks are kind to the planet. They are made with EcoWool that comes from one sheep farm that uses environmentally sound practices. This wool is also shrink-resistant and dyed with non-toxic dyes. These socks are also made with EcoPoly (recycled polyester), which makes them super soft and durable.

Not only do I love that they keep my tootsies dry when skiing or snowshoeing, but the extra cushioning under the ball of my foot and heel made these sock feel comfy in my shoes. One of the best parts is that the little bit of lycra in them kept these socks from becoming loose and falling down in my boots – I hate that. If you're in the market for some new Winter socks, look for Teko socks at your favorite gear store or you can buy them online from Teko. Not only does the company make great high performance socks, but you can feel good knowing they're made with the least amount of impact on the environment.

Wicking Socks All Active Women Need

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Your feet take a lot of abuse from all the pounding, stomping, kicking and leaping you do. It is a fact that if you are on the move, your feet are too. This means they get hot. This means they get sweaty. All that extra moisture can cause some nasty blisters. Cotton socks stay wet, so you need socks made out of merino wool, which wicks. The wool pulls moisture away from your skin, keeping your feet dry and comfy.

Here are some of my favorites made by Darn Tough and Smartwool. You can choose the amount of thickness and cushion you need, and the height of sock. All the pairs come in some wonderful colors too, many more than the ones shown here.

Darn Tough No-Show Sock	SmartWool Running Ultralight Micro Socks
Darn Tough Hiking Sock	SmartWool Saturn Socks
SmartWool Light Hiking Socks	Darn Tough Socks On-Mountain Socks

Wicked Awesome Wicking

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:58:08 -0800

Do you get blisters when you work out? Sweat can soften your skin, which will make you more prone to blisters when your foot rubs against your shoes. Then the friction can tear softer skin and cause blisters -- Ouch!

A sock that keeps your foot drier will help to prevent blisters from forming. Socks with wicking will help to wick (or draw) the moisture away from your foot to keep your tootsies dry and blister free.

I like: Patagonia's Lightweight Endurance Ankle Socks ($14.50) are lightweight and airy, with enough ankle coverage to stop the sock from slipping in the shoe. Buy them here.

Or you can try: Nike's AirMax 360 Dri-Fit Tab Sock ($7). Dri-FIT properties wick away moisture for rapid evaporation and cooler, drier wear and Air Max technology cushions feet against impact. Buy them here.

Fit's Tip: If you're blister prone then pre-treat problem areas. So say you always get blisters on your heels, pad them with moleskin prior to working out.

Ditch the Cotton Socks

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Nothing beats the feeling of running or biking outdoors - the fresh air, soft breezes, and beautiful scenery make you feel so energized and alive. Now that the air temperature is heating up, you're going to find that as soon as you step outside, you're going to begin to sweat.

I'm sure you're sporting a wicking sports bra, underwear, and tank top, so what about your feet? They're stuck inside your sneaks, and they probably get more hot and sweaty than the rest of your body. You need a good pair of socks that will wick moisture away from your feet, so you can stay dry and prevent blisters.

When you're active, cotton socks just don't belong on your feet. There are plenty of options that are just as soft but the material will keep your feet more comfortable when they get hot.

These are one of my favorites made by Darn Tough called the Back Road Series. They're made with 71% merino wool so they wick sweat away from your skin and into the wool fibers. The heel and toe are reinforced where you need it, and there is elastic support around the arch. I also love the mesh knitting on top of the foot to keep your tootsies even cooler.

Fit's Tip: You can order them from backcountry.com for $12.95. They're more expensive than your basic cotton sock, but they'll last longer and keep your feet cool and blister-free.

Wool Socks - These are Darn Tough

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

Merino wool really is the way to go when it comes to active wear, and socks are no exception. I just found this sock company named Darn Tough. They're a small company - they make all of their socks in their mill in Northfield, VT.

Their socks are made with a combination of warm and breathable merino wool, and soft and strong Coolmax fibers. They insulate to keep you warm, and the wool is great at wicking moisture away from your foot when you sweat.

Plus, they're on-mountain socks to cover your entire calf and shin, keeping them warm and cushioned from the pressure of your ski boots.

These socks, although made from wool, aren't the slightest bit itchy. They also make shorter socks for running and hiking.

I'm a huge fan of Darn Tough (as are a ton of other people) mostly because they make one awesome, comfy and durable sock, but also because I like to support smaller companies. Find a pair nearest you and I'm sure you'll agree.

Running Tips: From Treadmill to Trail

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:50:06 -0700

Blistery hot Summer weather is cooling down, so those of you who were running in air-conditioned gyms can now move your workouts outside. Not only can you can advantage of the fresh air and nonexistent monthly fee, but if you opt for trail running instead of hitting the sidewalk or bike path, you'll end up burning 10 percent more calories. Keep these tips in mind when switching from the treadmill to the trails.

Buy some trail running shoes. Their soles are more rugged so they can handle slippery or uneven terrain. Trail runners also tend to be sturdier to support your foot while moving on the softer surface.
Wicking socks are a must. Sweat and wetness in your socks that may spray up from the ground can lead to blisters, so wear socks made of Merino wool or some other wicking material to pull moisture away from your skin.
Start off slow and easy. Trail running is much harder than running on a treadmill because of the hills, unpredictable terrain, and natural obstacles, and because your muscles are propelling your body forward instead of a moving belt. Run at a slower pace and for shorter periods of time. Don't be afraid to walk if you need to, and gradually build up your endurance as you're ready.

For more essential tips, keep reading

Drip Tips: Exercising in Summer Rain

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:55:00 -0700

For many of us, exercising in the Summer weather is no picnic. The heat and humidity can make it unbearable, not to mention, it can be a health risk. So when the clouds roll in and rain starts to sprinkle from the sky, it can offer relief. What's that? You've never considered exercising in the rain? It's time to give it a try since it be a really exhilarating experience. You just need to arm yourself with these tips.

Check the weather map. A little drizzle is much easier to run in than a full on downpour. Be patient and wait for a bad storm to pass before heading outside.
Just because it's raining, doesn't mean you need to get wet. Wear a lightweight raincoat like this one from REI ($119). It's made of breathable material, so it'll keep you dry on the outside and cool on the inside.
Get a pair of shorts or pants made of waterproof material that will repel water.

For more essential tips keep reading

You Asked: Are Blisters Unavoidable For Running Newbies?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I just started running and was all fired up to get into it this Summer, but painful blisters have quickly extinguished my excitement. A close friend and runner said it comes with the territory since I'm new to running. Are blisters something I have to put up with or is there something I can do to prevent them?
- Blister Sister

First of all, I think it is great that you have been bitten by the running bug. It's the perfect way to work your heart and tone your legs and booty. It stinks that blisters have dampened your enthusiasm, and no, just because you're new to running, that doesn't mean you have to put up with sore tootsies. To learn how to prevent blisters when running, read more.

Many factors can affect your feet and cause painful blisters, such as:

New sneakers: It can take several weeks to break in a new pair of kicks, so start off slow. Wear your sneaks to do errands or around the house when you're not running. This will speed up the time it takes for your shoes to mold to your feet. Do short runs at first and gradually increase the duration of your workouts as your sneakers feel more comfortable.
Poorly fitting sneaks: If your sneakers are too big, they'll shift as you run and rub against your skin, which will lead to blisters. Your sneakers should fit snugly, not too loose and not too tight. There should be about a half inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe.
Wrong shoes for the activity: If you know you'll be running on the sidewalk in your neighborhood, don't buy a pair of trail runners.
Your socks: When feet get sweaty, the moisture is sure to cause blisters. So wear a pair of wicking socks when you run to draw moisture away from your skin. I also find thicker socks make my feet more blister-prone, so choose a thin pair instead.
Wet feet: Avoid running in puddles, and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes. If your feet are naturally sweaty, try sprinkling talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your wicking socks, or spray antiperspirant on your bare feet (I have runner friends who swear by this).
Doing too much, too soon: Running long distances when you first start running can be hard on your feet. So stick with runs that are 30 minutes or less. Gradually increase the length of your workouts so your feet can get used to the new demands you're putting on them.
Sensitive feet:If you find that you've tried all this and a certain part of your foot continues to get blisters, protect that area by taping it with sports tape or apply moleskin padding.

Source

Gear Review: Teko Socks

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

I feel a little like a gear geek, but I have to admit wearing wicking socks makes me excited to work out. If my feet are happy, the rest of me tends to be happy too. This is important for Winter running as well as indoor workouts. I have started wearing Teko Poly MiniCrew ($12) for spin class. Not only are these socks made entirely out of recycled polyester, which makes them super green, they keep your feet super dry. Spin class can get pretty hot and sweaty, but my feet stay cool in these socks.

I have been running in the Teko merino wool Ultralight Micro ($14). My favorite feature of this sock, aside from wicking away all the sweat and being made out of organic wool, is that the sock is just a bit higher in the back. Many sports shoes are cut high right on the Achilles tendon and if your socks are low all the way around the ankle your shoes rub on the tendon, and voila, a blister.

These socks make it through the wash just fine, but I like to air dry them to help them keep their shape and wicking properties. I think if you are trying to decrease your carbon footprint, you can't go wrong with Teko socks. They are great for the planet and great for your feet too.

If you want to slip your feet into a pair of Teko socks, you can buy them online directly from Teko or find a store near you using their handy store locator.

ECOWEEN: Witch Craft With Recycled Items

babysugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:51 -0700

What do haunted houses, tombstones, spider webs and ghosts all have in common? They are a few staples that make Halloween come to life and they're traditional! Show your tot that old is better when it comes to the festive October holiday by crafting costumes with recycled household products.

First up - a witch! Broom Hilda and the Wicked Witch of the West can be whipped up in no time with some careful consideration of mom's wardrobe, craft products and a cereal box!

To see how to craft your creation, read more.

Empty cereal boxes
Black construction paper or poster
Pen or pencil
Scissors
Tape or stapler
Foil or glitter
Two 12 inch pieces of ribbon
Glue (hot glue is preferable)
An old pair of fishnet pantyhose
A black dress or shirt and skirt
Tights or long socks
Makeup or face paint to turn that adorable face into an equally wicked mug

Before you get carried away with the wardrobe, work on stewing up a wicked cap and wand for the lil witch:

Supplies you'll need:

Take an old cereal box and deconstruct it carefully so it is a flat board.
Curl the box into a cone shape that fits the size of your tot's noggin. Once the circumference is decided, use a pen to mark the spot where the two meet and draw a circle around the base directing you where to cut the excess material.
Using scissors, remove excess trim off the bottom to create a clean finished look.
Next, glue your black construction paper onto the box and make sure your line for taping or gluing is visible. Allow your tot to decorate with glitter, foil shapes, etc.
When the images are dry, reshape the box into the cone shape and either hot glue or tape it into place.
For additional trim, you can cut out star shapes and sprinkle silver glitter on them. When they dry, you can attach them to the base of the hat for a magical touch.
Itty bitty witches who may have a tougher time keeping a topper on their head may benefit from two ribbons to wrap around their chins. Simply hot glue the attachments onto the inside of the hat at the base of their ears.
For the wand, give your child a black marker and one chopstick or pencil. Let her go to town painting it black with a Sharpie marker and allow it to dry.
Take some old, but clean recycled foil and shape it into a star shape. Stick the star atop the chopstick and shazam! she's got herself a wicked wand.

Now for the apparel:

Take a clean pair of old fishnet hose and cut the feet out of them. Depending on your child's arm span, you may want to keep the stockings attached at the seat and allow her to put the tights on like a shrug. You can cut the excess off leaving the attached panty portion running across her back. Otherwise, you can cut the tights off and use a ribbon or twine to attach the loose ends across her back.
Next, slip a short sleeved black dress or shirt and skirt over the netted ensemble. Put on tights or long socks to keep her wee limbs warm for trick or treating. If you've got stripes or polka dots, give them a go as they will add some spunk to the ebony do.
Complete the look with a funky pair of shoes, some creepy makeup and the new fancy topper!

To read all of our ECOWEEN coverage, click here.