Product Review: Recovery Socks

I've been wearing Recovery Socks for the past few weeks and posted a review here. I thought I'd share my review with you guys again on my blog, since Friday OFFICIALLY marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. Do you like our ghetto Christms tree? Anyways, here's the review:

After running several half marathons, I finally decided it’s time to knock the full 26.2 off my bucket list. Consequently, I’ve been on the look out for products that will help me remain injury free while logging more miles than I’m accustomed to. I read about Recovery Socks on several different blogs and forums, but decided I needed to check out the hype when I read in “Advanced Marathoning” that Paula Radcliffe, the Marathon World Record Holder, swears by compression clothing. Wearing Recovery Socks, may never give me her abs or talent, but if an elite athlete like Radcliffe believes in similar technology, I’ll take her at her word.

According to the Recovery Sock website, these socks are “not simply a graduated compression sock.” The site claims that “the Recovery Sock’s advantage is that it’s compression socks incorporate a Patented Graduated Compression design that enhances and stimulates circulation in the lower leg - making it a superior sock.” That sounded good to me, so I decided to put Recovery Socks to the test for a few weeks to see if they improved my performance and recovery.

I wore the socks during and after 3 runs above 10 miles, and only after a few other runs. Judging from the few weeks I’ve used the socks, I believe that the benefits of Recovery Socks increase when used for both running and recovery. My legs felt fresher following days I used the socks in my training. Furthermore, as I increase my mileage, I’m concerned with preventing cramps and lactate acid build up, and it seems the socks have helped prevent both of these problems. That being said, Recovery Socks are not a supplement for stretching and proper training. I still feel the minor aches and pains of someone preparing for a marathon. However, I think these socks are well worth the price and would be beneficial to any runner currently running medium to long distances.

My only beef with Recovery Socks is that they don’t come in more colors. I ordered mine in black but they also come in white, grey, fuchsia, and lime green. I like the grey socks as well, but would like to see more colors offered. (Not all chick runners want to rock Barbie pink.) My black socks kind of look like business socks, but my husband thinks I look good in them and frankly, so do I.;) If my Recovery Socks keep living up to all they're claimed to be, this runner won’t be bashful to wear them on race day.