Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews Jogology socks in this installment of gear reviews. Barber enjoys the trails near her home in Boise, Idaho, and also travels to compete in races near and far like the 2023 US Snowshoe Nationals.
Socks. The only more unsung hero in running than regular socks are ankle socks. They’re completely overshadowed by the shoe du jour, and that’s if they’re visible at all. Which they might be. Barely. Think about it. Underwear? Nope. Not many people run in undies. Sports bra? Nope. People wear them as a top all by themselves all the time.
Universally necessary yet…ignored
Clearly, ankle socks have no competition for relative invisibility in the running world. Ironically, truly wonderful socks will go unacknowledged, while truly terrible socks will ruin a perfectly good run. Ever had a blister? Or sweaty, soggy feet? So, yeah, you know what I mean. Socks are almost universally necessary, but almost universally ignored.
The best socks are the ones that the runner is not even aware of. They should be no more than a barrier between the foot and the shoe, silently and odorlessly doing their job, lasting for thousands of miles, surviving hundreds of cycles in a washing machine, and protecting skin and toenails from the untoward effects of long-distance training.
Enter…Jogology
Not only has Jogology produced a noble creature that accepts this thankless duty, the new company has created three different versions of its splendid ankle socks. High, medium, and low cushion options ensure that even Goldilocks will find a pair that’s just right. Additionally, the anatomically correct design with extra protection around the big toe makes a liar out of anyone claiming to have two left feet. Seamless construction eliminates excess fabric, allowing the socks to fit almost like a second skin, only better.
But who is Jogology? It’s a company who knows running and knows socks. The three founders (Bert and Tanya Pictor and Luke Rowe) are subject matter experts, having also founded Balega and held executive roles with industry leaders Brooks and Fleet Feet. In other words, Jogology socks are “made by runners, for runners.” In order to find retail success in this era, sustainability must be prioritized. Jogology satisfies this requirement by using recycled yarn to feed its 200-needle machines that produce the comfiest knit. They also use recycled paper in their packaging and almost zero plastic.
Importance of socks
Despite what my earlier comments suggest, I admit to being a bit skeptical when it comes to the importance of socks. I’d like to believe that any old sock will do, but Jogology has changed my way of thinking. For starters, it never occurred to me that the phrase “easy to use” could apply to socks. However, Jogology’s ankle socks pull on and strip off effortlessly, effectively shaving seconds off my daily routine.
At any given time, I might have a half-dozen different running shoe models in the rotation, and having socks of variable thickness means any shoe can fit like a glove if the right sock fills the space. And although the amount of cushion differs, the arch support and mid-foot ventilation panels are ever-present.
Jogology medium-cushioned socks.
Paradox of choice
I found Jogology’s low-cushion socks well-suited for the summer heat and for the lightweight kicks I wear during track workouts or races. The high-cushion variety were the perfect companions for longer runs, particularly on trails. Interestingly, they didn’t make me sweat the way wool socks do, but they sure felt like cozy insulation against the chilly concrete floor of my kitchen while I chugged a pour-over and searched for my sneakers. And the medium-cushion socks? Praise the versatility of something to fill the gap when the others are in the laundry.
Anyone familiar with the paradox of choice will agree that Jogology is onto something with their approach to socks. Give people too many alternatives, and they’ll be paralyzed by indecision. But give them just the right number of options, and they’ll confidently choose their best fit. Or they’ll be like me and choose all three!
