Today I walked 5.8 miles but my intention was to walk 13.2 miles. My goal was to complete 25 total miles for the weekend as a tribute to the Facebook 25 Random Things phenomenon, oh well. I ran into a little problem - blisters.

Yesterday, I purchased 8 pair of Under Armour socks from Dicks Sporting Goods. Yes, that’s right, 8 pair. For some crazy reason, I decided to switch from my normal socks to a new brand - Under Armour.

This morning, I put on one pair of those Under Armour’s Men’s All Season Gear Crew Sock 4-Pack sold for $19.99 and went on my walk. After 2.0 miles, I had to stop to adjust the left sock because it was rubbing under my big toe. I realized while sock adjusting, that the Under Armour’s Men’s All Season Gear Crew Sock 4-Pack had two ’seams’ both cutting across the top and bottom of the toe area. This is bad placement of the ’seams’ because this placement tends to cause blisters. Well made socks have just one ’seam’ running across the top of the toe area well back from the front of the toes. Cheap socks usually have two ’seams’ in the toe area.

The bottom line, I now have blisters on the top and bottom of my big toes thanks to Under Armour’s lack of thought in creating and manufacturing theses athletic socks. I did return them to Dicks Sporting Goods store today which took them back, no problem. Thanks Dicks Sporting Goods for all the help.

The bottom line, if you are in the market for socks and you intend to swim laps in them, these are the socks for you.
Otherwise stay away from the Performance Under Armour Crew socks or the Men’s All Season Gear Crew Sock 4-Packs sold at $19.99.
And shame on me for switching socks without testing them first. What is testing? Testing is buying one pair then walking a very short distance to see how they feel.

If you do buy these socks and you’re planning to do any sports activity that requires movement while on your feet - don’t wear these socks, they stink. This is a disappointment because Under Armour usually makes a nice product. Maybe they better stick with shirts, shoes, outerwear and underwear. Or go back to the drawing board in the sock department. Anyone know a good sock designer?

My socks of choice are the Thorlos Thick Cushion Running or Wigwam Sport socks. These are thick socks and I know a lot of people don’t like thick socks, I do. Socks and shoes are personal fitness products and require testing. This is the only way to determine the best product for you and your feet. My advice is to test lots of socks and shoes until you find the brand that you like, then stick with that brand.

MikeZ_”enjoy swimming in the Under Armour socks“

Open Comment:

Under Armour:

Please don’t comment or email me telling me you stand behind the quality of your products and that they are manufactured to the highest standard. This tactic is so weak and these socks truly suck! Except for swimming or maybe biking.

Man up and admit this product is and was a mistake, thus taking care of the most important part in your business model - THE CUSTOMER.

Please do continue, creating quality products, building a quality reputation and managing a growing brand rather than trying to pass off something cheap, in the name of momentary profits.

ZumeWalk has a strict, no pay for play policy!

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