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This year I signed up for the trail race of a lifetime, The Leadville Trail 100! It is known for it’s brutal ascents and strict time cutoffs at high elevation in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. There is no time for blisters and discomfort with your feet. They have a lot of work to do! My past experience with Swiftwick has been positive so I decided to get some stylish new Swiftwicks to try out during my training. I needed the perfect socks to get me through the race. I knew that I had river crossings and mountains to climb so my socks would really need to perform. Can the right socks save your race?
I looked through Swiftwick’s online store and chose 4 styles of socks that fit my needs. I chose the styles based on the described fit and function. They all received a thorough testing during my months of training. I was determined to find the best socks that would help me perform at my best while protecting my feet.
The Swiftwick Contenders
- FLITE XT TRAIL CREW: This is Swiftwick’s poster child of trail running. It offers light compression and many features for stability and blister control.
- VISION IMPRESSION NATIONAL PARKS CREW: I have to admit, I chose this one a little more for the style but liked that it has Swiftwick’s moisture wicking properties, breathability and prevents slippage.
- MAXXUS NO-SHOW: The Maxxus provides light compression and a snug fit. Despite being a short, no-show sock, it has a high tab in the back to prevent blisters.
- ASPIRE CREW: Designed and marketed as a cycling sock, I love the thin profile of this sock and firm compression. I envisioned wearing these late into the race when my feet and ankles needed a hug.
Now lets dig deep into each of these socks and how they performed. While each person’s preference in fit and style may vary, I will share my experience and impression of each of these styles and whether they made the cut for the LT100 race day and how they were used.
Sizing:
I ordered all of the socks in a size medium which were perfect for my size 10.5 women’s feet. Swiftwick has a very nice sizing chart for both men and women that will help you select the right size for you.
Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Crew
I’ll start this by saying that the Flite XT Trail sock comes in other heights besides the crew height. You can also order it in a no-show or a mid-crew height. I ordered the crew and no-show. I decided against the no-show sock for race day only because I decided it wouldn’t keep out the dirt and grit well enough for my purpose. Otherwise, it functioned equally well to the crew height.
The very best and most notable feature about the Flite XT Trail sock is the tacky section on the ball and heel of the foot. This is the most common area for blisters to develop in a 100 mile race. Swiftwick calls this their GripDry Fabric. It has tiny micro-treads to hold your foot stable inside your shoe and prevent slippage. I can tell you first hand that IT WORKS! With these socks on, my feet don’t move inside my shoes. After the first time I wore them, I knew they were going to be my go to for the biggest climb in the LT 100, Hope Pass.
Swiftwick’s Anklelock Technology of this sock offers medium compression which not only keeps your feet and ankles feeling fresh, it further helps this sock stay in place. The last thing I wanted was a sock that was sliding around and bunching up which can cause blisters and hot spots. The arch also has a slight compression further supporting your foot and keeping this sock perfectly in place. They are made of 38% Nylon / 24% Merino wool / 22% Olefin / 13% Polyester / 3% Spandex.
Honorable mention to the No-Show Flite XT Trail
Just because I decided against the no-show height doesn’t mean I didn’t give these socks a test run. Despite being shorties, they worked great. I used them in a yoga class and loved that the slight grip kept my feet perfectly in place on my mat. They fit snuggly and really performed. Color and height options at swiftwick.com.
Swiftwick Vison Impression National Parks Crew
I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the Vision socks since I really ordered them for the cool Arches National Park design. They are available in many different styles to commemorate your visit to your favorite national parks. They possess the same moisture wicking properties that Swiftwick is known for. The Vision socks didn’t have much compression but they fit nicely and didn’t slide around in my shoes. I used them several times during long training runs and they treated my feet well. I never felt a hot spot or developed a blister and knew they would be good for the beginning miles of my race when the course wasn’t as brutal and I needed fast, light socks.
The designs on the Vision socks are a 360 degree design created in partnership with Anderson Design Group. Proceeds from the sale of these socks supports the National Park Foundation. They are made of 75% Nylon / 21% Polyester / 4% Spandex. Design options at swiftwick.com.
Swiftwick Maxxus No-Show
The Maxxus No-Show socks are marketed as Swiftwick’s most cushioned running sock. I ordered it for the training days when I’m doing speedwork and road-runs. It performed exactly as advertised providing light compression and cushioned sole. It has a seamless toe-box to prevent rubbing and bunching. The upper is thin and breathable and the varied thickness of the Maxxus make it the perfect sock for cushioning and breathability.
The Maxxus has relaxed compression. It is made of 52% Recycled Polyester / 44% Nylon / 4% Spandex and has Swiftwick’s Fiber First moisture wicking technology. Color and height options at swiftwick.com.
Swiftwick Aspire Crew Sock
Designed for cycling but a rock-star on the trails! The Aspire Crew is a firm compression, thin sock. It is made with a v-shaped heel which gives it a lot of movement and flexibility when climbing and descending steep hills. The channeled pattern on the upper of the sock keeps you cool and aids in the moisture wicking. This is a great sock if you don’t like tall compression socks (which I hate!) but want the compression and support for your endurance sport. These socks fit snugly and don’t move. I love them and quickly knew these were going to be the socks to finish out my race.
The Aspire Crew is made of 79% Nylon / 17% Olefin / 4% Spandex and shed moisture like a champion. Color and height options at swiftwick.com.
Swiftwick and the Race Day Performance
Race day requires careful planning, studying of the course and knowing what gear will work best. I knew the first 40 miles, while moderately hilly, were going to be the easiest for me and my feet. I decided on the Vision Crew to get me rolling and keep my feet cool and dry. They worked perfectly and I came into the aid station at mile 39 with perfect feet.
The next section is the most brutal on the course. A long, steep climb, up and over Hope Pass, out to a turnaround and then back over the mountain a second time. In this section of the race, you start out with a river crossing which means you do the brutal ascent/descent twice in wet socks and shoes. I chose the Flite XT Trail Crew sock for this section in hopes of preventing slippage and blisters despite having wet feet. Much to my amazement, I made it to mile 62, up and over the mountain twice, without a single blister. If you know any ultra-runners, you know that blisters are par for the course. Not today! I was so happy.
Once I made it to the mile 62 aid station, I changed my socks into the Aspire Crew. Dry socks felt wonderful at that point and the compression refreshed my feet and ankles and I continued on. I wore the Aspires to the end of my race and couldn’t have been happier. Thank you Swiftwick, for a great race experience and for protecting my feet during this grueling race.
Final Thoughts about Swiftwick
I titled this article “Swiftwick Socks: Can the Right Socks Save Your Race?” because of the importance of a blister-free, comfortable experience while racing. Swiftwick does a great job of tailoring their socks to particular activities. I was so glad that I had chosen different types and styles to try during my training. While it may be a bit pricey to try out many pair of socks, it is worth it. The socks are truly made to perform and not something you get from poor quality running socks. Do the socks really make a difference on race day? Absolutely! As I watched other runners getting their feet taped up battling blisters, that was the least of my worries. I’m sure your experience will prove equally as wonderful. Check out Swiftwick’s website and all they have to offer. Regardless of your sport, you are sure to find the socks that are just right for you at www.swiftwick.com.