Running Accessories

Recent Running Accessory Reviews

Swiftwick Pursuit Four Sock

Swiftwick is as good as it gets for scent-free, blister-free comfort, wicking and durability. I have owned Swiftwick socks of one variety or another for five or so years now.  I've worn them up and down several Cascades Volcanoes and they are now my go-to light hiking and running socks. Test Conditions: I received two almost identical sets of Swiftwick socks about four months ago and I have included them in all my fitness, trail runs, gym workouts and hikes in the hills.  Its been long-pants season… Full review

Balega Blister Resist Quarter

Balega's Blister Resist Quarter is a hybrid mohair and synthetic sock from a company that does a great job with running socks. Great wicking properties help keep your feet comfortable. Smooth material doesn't tend to chafe. They tend to show wear by looking "fuzzy" but that's cosmetic—no notable thin spots or wear. Slightly more bulky than a typical running sock. OVERVIEW By calling this a "blister resist" running sock, Balega is pretty clearly pushing the narrative that this sock is somehow better… Full review

Louis Garneau Arm Coolers

Costly. Fit well if sized correctly. Cool and sunburn-free. Info tag pokes. Latex! LATEX: If you have a latex allergy, do not use these. Info tag pokes your underarm soft skin if you don't fold correctly. Otherwise, they keep the sun off and feel cool. Rather expensive. Full review

Lily Trotters Signature Compression Socks

Great sox! Great for during a hike or after for recouping. Made for women, but work perfectly well for men. These socks are AWESOME! I am a larger male and I know these socks are made for women, but as a member of another website, I was given this product in exchange for a review. I tried these on after getting the largest size in black, and surprisingly they fit well. I used them as my sock liner for an 11-mile backpacking test hike and after an 11-miler the day before. They worked out all the… Full review

Injinji Performance Mini-Crew Sock

Injinji makes some comfortable, durable merino wool socks that might just aid in preventing blisters between your toes. Injinji makes some comfortable, durable merino wool socks that might just prevent you from getting a blister around your toes. For some people this is a real problem and these socks seem to solve the problem brilliantly. I'm evaluating these socks against five other pairs of socks that I've worn over the last few years. These socks look great and fit great—no excess, no bulging,… Full review

Darn Tough Merino 1/4 Sock Cushion

A comfortable, cushioned, and durable merino wool sock that might just last a lifetime. Darn Tough makes some comfortable, cushioned, and durable merino wool socks that might just last a lifetime. I'm evaluating these socks against five other pairs of socks that I've worn over the last few years. These socks look great and fit great—no excess, no bulging, no binding, just a great fit. They are comfortable right out of the packaging. I typically like to wash my clothing before using, but on one… Full review

Barefoot Company Free Your Feet (Classic Swiss)

Don’t believe in advertising. I feel painful when I wear sock on the road that full of rock. Terrible product. Terrible. I feel I‘ve been ripped off. Full review

The Elixir UV Arm Sleeves

Arm covers to protect you from the sun. Sun protection using lightweight arm sleeves that have numerous color choices. In the hot summer, a long sleeved shirt may make you feel too warm. While wearing a short sleeve shirt, the arm covers prevent sunburn and help keep your arms cool. In the shade, take them off it you want. They compress to a baseball size. I have another pair from a bike gear company that costs $30+ and liked them a lot. I looked online and found lots of black ones that seemed they… Full review

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Chroma Sun Gloves

Sun protection for hands, with reinforced palms. I got these gloves after trying out the regular OR ActiveIce Spectrum sun gloves, finding them very good at their intended purpose as an alternative to applying sunblock to protect busy hands from harsh sun. However, I wondered about their durability with heavy use. This Chroma model improves on that score with reinforced palms, and stretch-adjustable wrist straps. These features help with grip/stability (and hopefully wear) when using tools like… Full review