Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 105, April 2018 | Page 36

B
alega means “to move with speed,” which is a most appropriate name for a range of high-performance running socks, with Balega stating its
goal is to provide foot solutions to help runners perform at their personal peak in comfort. These highly popular socks are designed, tested
and manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa, from top-quality performance yarns made in the United States (with some socks also produced
in Hickory, North Carolina), and the company prides itself on the terrific community spirit of ‘ubuntu’ that it has built with its staff and local community
as well as the running community.
Who Stocks them: Balega socks are available at running and outdoor specialists around the country.
Web: http://www.balega.com
The Tech
The key technology you’ll find in Balega socks.
Deep heel pocket
Moisture-management
Socks creeping down in your shoes
is a definite no-no, so Balega knits up
to 30% more stitches into the heel or
adds more heel branches to deepen
the heel pocket and ensure your heel
is fully cupped and protected, and
that the stretch in the arch of the sock
fits to the foot perfectly.
Supersoft Drynamix moisture-management fibre
allows free movement of airflow and wicks moisture
away rapidly, keeping your feet cool and dry. It’s an
air-conditioning system for your feet.
Ventilation
Strategically placed ventilation panels in the arch
and across the top of the foot aid in the cooling and
wicking process.
Arch support
One of the most important
performance areas for a sock is
the arch, where the fit needs to
perfectly match the contours of the
foot without constricting it. Balega’s
V-Tech arch support system gives
you exactly that – a snug, structured
fit, not too tight, just right.
Seamless Toes
Seams cause friction, which in turn
causes blisters, so Balega socks have
hand-linked seamless toes for ultimate
comfort.
Quality Control
Every pair of Balega socks is hand-inspected by dedicated
quality inspection teams, and pre-washed before packing.
Different Styles Sizing Curve
Balega has various styles within each model, notably No Show, Quarter and
Crew styles. The No Show, as the name indicates, is a hidden sock style,
often with a small padded tab in the collar to provide cushioning for the
Achilles and ensure the sock stays in place. The Quarter style has a collar
that extends a short way above the shoe collar, while the Crew style offers a
longer collar that will extend mid-way up the leg. Balega socks are packaged in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large sizing,
and you can use this guide to check which size would best suit your foot.
Small Men’s 4.5-6.5 US, Women’s 6-8 US
Medium Men’s 7-9 US, Women’s 8.5-10.5
Large
Men’s 9.5-11 US, Women’s 11-13 US
X-Large Men’s 12-14 US, Women’s 13.5-15.5 US
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ISSUE 105 APRIL 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za