Archive for footwear
Best Socks For Plantar Hyperhidrosis
Posted by: · on November 10, 2010 | Comments
I had been meaning to search out the best socks for you for quite a while when Melissa (click on her name if you want to read a memory she shared here) made a reference to her favorite socks while we were chatting by text over the weekend.
I had not really taken the category of socks very seriously, as to me, a sock is a sock. What have I been missing out on?! That’s what I get for being squeamish about feet my whole life (There. Now you know another Secret of mine.). Even the words “sweaty feet” still make me cringe. Must. Get. Used-to-it.
Sweaty feet. Sweaty feet. Sweaty feet. Sweaty feet. Sorry– still curling upper lip… Anyhoo,
Herewith, a list of 4 brands of the Best Socks for Moisture Management I could find on the Big Bad Web:
Thorlos (approx. $12-$16 per pair) This company has a very large selection of socks engineered specifically for just about any activity you can think of. They focus on fit, padding, and moisture management. These socks all have padding and are made with acrylic fibers that wick moisture away from the foot. It is difficult to find a review of any of their products that is negative. The only complaint I have seen is that they are a bit pricey– but as my mother says, “You get what you pay for”. Amazon.com has an entire Thorlos Store.
Balega (approx. $9-$14 per pair) This South African company makes socks primarily geared toward running. These socks feature padding on the footbed as well as a moisture management system called DryNamix that helps to move moisture away from the foot. Because this company focuses primarily on one sport, the selection is good but not as varied as Thoros. Amazon.com has a full selection of Balega Socks
SmartWool (approx $8-$25 per pair) Made of merino wool, SmartWool reportedly developed a special process to manufacture socks that are extra-absorbent, odor-resistant (both natural properties of wool), soft, and not itchy (un-itchy? itch-free? non-itchy?). Special care should be taken in washing and drying these socks, cuz, they’re, like, wool. I have seen many positive reviews of these socks being warm yet not stifling as well as very absorbent and quick-drying, yet I remain unconvinced they can really absorb enough sweat for US. A big positive? They come in an amazing array of styles and fun colors and patterns. Again, Amazon.com has a huge selection of SmartWool socks
DryMax (most styles under $10 per pair) This is the company that seems to take moisture management most seriously, even declaring on their website in all caps, “MOISTURE IS THE ENEMY” (hey, I like these folks!). They have what they call a Moisture Removal System in which they use two different fibers to knit the sock, then use what they call a Dual Layer Sweat Removal System in the design to ensure moisture stays away from your skin. These socks are Melissa’s Sock of Choice. They are available in mainly white and black (with a smattering of other colors) in a variety of styles. This brand was even mentioned in “Dermatology Times” (2007) as a recommended product for managing hyperhidrosis. So there ya go. Once again, our pals at Amazon.com have the best selection of DryMax Socks
HONORABLE MENTION: While we are on the subject of umm… sweaty feet…. Read up on Summer Soles absorbent inserts on my page for Footwear.
Did I mention? All of the socks listed come in Men’s, and Women’s styles, and also Kids in some cases.
Ugh. Could use a pair of DryMax right now after writing about this subject all afternoon… Sweaty feet…Sweaty feet… Sweaty feet… Nope. Still not helping.
HyperhidrosisAndMe Weekly Spotlight: Hyperhidrosis-Friendly Footwear
Posted by: · on July 19, 2010 | CommentsThis week’s spotlight features picks from my Footwear page that I have found to be especially “friendly” to those of us who must be very careful about the choices we make– especially now, in the dog days of summer.
My very favorite “find” for Hyperhidrosis is the absorbent flip-flop. As this type of sandal became wildly popular a few years ago, I felt really sorry for myself that I could not participate. They looked so comfortable. EVERYONE was wearing them. Remember the Northwestern Ladies LaCrosse Team, who went to the White House and were photographed shod in flip-flops en masse? I remember looking at that photo and realizing how truly different I was from pretty much everyone else. These young girls, looking cool and confident in their sundresses and flip-flops, posing with the President… wow, I would have been hiding in the bathroom wearing all black, shoes and socks. Oh, boo-hoo. If you’re reading this with a knowing smirk, you know what I mean. I know, OK, I’m over it!
A teeny, tiny taste of redemption came my way when I discovered that Adidas makes flip flops (and slides too) with an absorbent footbed called FitFOAM. I’ll tell you, it was so great to be able to actually wear flip-flops and not have one bit of worry that anyone would know! You can find them at Amazon
Another shoe brand worth mentioning is Geox, available at Amazon in Women’s
). I also have a pair of flats, which I wear without socks (because I am brainless and partially in denial). When– not if– I have an episode while wearing them, they do tend to get swampy, of course (eeew) but they will, amazingly, dry out in a short amount of time, and often while I am still wearing them (unless the sweat appears again). Just a hunch, but I would stick with flats or athletic wear… I can’t see how a high wedge could really breathe, and I don’t know if the sandals are absorbent enough to be worn with a bare (sweat-prone) foot. As for the rest, they are a bit pricey, but it may be worth splurging on a pair or two.
I also discuss Summer Soles
So, there’s a snapshot of my picks for footwear! Used in conjunction with Summer Soles
Hyperhidrosis Footwear and Women’s Tops That Don’t Show Sweat!
Posted by: · on May 17, 2010 | CommentsOhhh, I went shopping today. This was not such an uncommon occurrence Back In The Day, as my sister and I call it. But, since money has been a bit tight, I have limited my shopping trips to quick runs to Old Navy for the kids and such. However, a friend recently told me that she saw several tops made of nylon mesh in our favorite department store near my house. I’ve had a few friends on the lookout for nylon mesh ever since I realized that my favorite top from last summer is made of it. This particular top has never shown any sweat marks, is cool and comfortable, repels water, and is gorgeous. I talk about it on my page for Women’s Clothing options.
So I felt that it was my duty to do Research for This Blog and follow up on those leads. Indeed, my friend was correct! There were at least 10 tops there made of nylon mesh by the brand Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati. They were colorful and beautifully cut. I bought one that is cream with a black floral design (ok, the least colorful but I loved the drape-y neckline) for $68. Not cheap, but not exorbitantly expensive, either. I have contacted Sweet Pea to find out if there is a website I can link you to if you wanted to shop for them online. The patterned tops passed the water bottle test, but do be careful of solid colors 
One more major find was the Reevana flip flop by Adidas. This flip flop has the absorbent fitFOAM that I live in during the summer, but the thong has a really CUTE ribbon that loops onto the thong. Sorry, hard to describe, but look at my Footwear page, it’s on the Amazon Carousel. I believe I actually squealed when I saw it.
Shopping for you people was such a chore. You’re welcome.
