1. Health

X-Hale Cool Lo Running Socks

From , former About.com Guide

Updated: August 15, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Guide Rating - rating

The Bottom Line

These socks are comfortable and well-made unless you have trouble with heel blisters. These socks may be cut too short, allowing your heel and show to rub painfully.
Pros
  • Cool on feet
  • Wicking action keeps feet dry
  • Durable
Cons
  • Too low cut

Description

  • "No show" height
  • 3-year, no-hassle Enduring Comfort guarantee
  • WoolFusion technology for durability and wicking
  • Anatomical padding to protect foot and match natural contours

Guide Review - X-Hale Cool Lo Running Socks

Overall, this is a great sock, but it has an unfortunate side effect on some runners. So, let me start by telling you why this sock didn't get 5 stars. While the sock was designed to prevent heel slippage (where your sock moves around in your shoe and gets uncomfortably scrunched up), it was also designed to be "no show" which in some shoes can be a problem. Basically, if you have had any trouble with your heel rubbing the back of your shoe and are getting blisters from it, this is not a good sock for you. In fact, it is a terrible, painful sock. Personally, I'd rather have my sock showing than heel rips (those painful abrasions and rips that can be caused by your shoe rubbing your heel and Achilles area).

However, if you haven't had any trouble with your shoes, and think that vanity is worth the risk, the X-Hale Cool Lo is in all other ways a wonderful choice. It is lightweight and cool, great for summer running. It even dries quickly if you happen to run through water. It has good padding in all the right places without becoming heavy or warm and it comes with a 3-year guarantee. (So if you do blister, you can get your money back.)

Many runners may feel that the risk here is worthwhile, but I personally would recommend other styles of Bridgedale socks that are even better (because you don't risk blisters). Women should try the X-Hale MultiSport Sock and men should try the X-Hale men's.

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