People who adore spending time outdoors, undergoing strenuous physical endeavors, and getting down and dirty might have heard of Spartan Race and Tough Mudder. Now, how do you prepare for a race of that caliber? What are you supposed to wear? What are the best socks for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder?
Obstacle course races seem to have taken the world by storm. With the staggering popularity of CrossFit, people seem to have uncovered the endorphin rush that comes with pushing yourself to perform things you’ve never performed before.
While there was never anything wrong with running a marathon or working out outside, people figured out that there was a blank space that needed to be filled with a bunch of mud, man-made walls, barbed wires, electric wires, and onerous obstacles.
Spartan Race and Tough Mudder seemed to have emerged out of the mud (pun intended!) overnight and now we’re here. Whatever you wear to a Spartan Race or a Tough Mudder, know that you’re going to be mud brown within the first few minutes.
For starters, wear something that’s going to protect you from bruises, blisters, and bleeding wounds.
Opt for race gear that’s synthetic, lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking to ensure you don’t carry a pound of mud on your clothes while you’re running. Choose synthetic socks that won’t soak up as much water.
At the end of the day, you aren’t supposed to wear regular socks to a Spartan Race or a Tough Mudder because they’re guaranteed to give you soggy feet – but, that’s when OCR socks come to play. What are OCR socks? What are the best socks for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder? More on that down below!
OK, what are OCR socks?
Oh, there’s a myriad of things to keep an eye on about Spartan Race and Tough Mudder before enlisting to ensure you’re safe and secure, however, socks don’t seem to be on top of anyone’s priorities.
Socks play a bigger part than you might think considering they’re the ones keeping your feet fresh, dry(ish), and protected during the race.
Socks you wear on a regular aren’t going to work, though, because they’re typically made of cotton. Cotton’s great when you’re searching for comfort, but for a wet, muddy race, cotton’s going to soak up the mud within minutes and bother you for the rest of the race.
OCR socks, however, are meant to prevent these things from happening. OCR stands for obstacle course race, and as you might have guessed, these socks are specifically designed for races such as Spartan Race and Tough Mudder.
Whether they’re tall, quarter, or short socks, they’re made with added padding around the areas that might take a beating during the race.
They’re thicker around the shin and down the back of the calf because those are the areas that are likely to get bruised, burned, or wounded. They’re made with lightweight, breathable fabrics to allow airflow and wick away sweat.
On top of that, they’re super soft and comfortable, too, to ensure you aren’t distracted by anything during the race.
How to choose the right OCR socks?
When choosing the best socks for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder, pay attention to characteristics that are bound to make these endeavors easier. MudGear socks might have been pioneers made by and for obstacle course racers, but they’re not the only ones available on the market nowadays.
Moreover, don’t forget to keep an eye out for OCR socks that are an amalgam of everything you’re searching for – whether that’s a creative design, breathable fabrics, or compression.
Comfort, fit, design, durability, and protection are the characteristics most racers focus on. Contrary to the popular belief, the price plays a big part, too. MudGear socks tend to be quite pricey, but we’ve managed to gather an array of OCR socks that don’t require you to break the bank, too.
What are the best socks for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder?
1. MudGear Tall Compression Socks
Compression socks are great for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder because they’re guaranteed to offer you more protection than the ones that don’t cover your calves and shins.
Out of the OCR compression socks available on the market at the moment, the MudGear Tall Compression Socks are the most popular ones – for a reason, too.
First off, they’re equipped with drainage, ventilation, and cushioning. Furthermore, they’re made with moisture-wicking fabrics. They are also one of the most durable socks on the list, backed by MudGear’s lifetime replacement guarantee. MudGear for the win!
2. MudGear Quarter Crew Trail Socks
On the off chance that you’re not a fan of compression socks, you might be wondering whether MudGear offers short socks, too.
MudGear Quarter Crew Trail Socks are the best socks for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder for racers who don’t want to go through the trouble of trying to figure out how to wear compression socks the right way (they literally come with instructions!).
With MudGear Quarter Crew Trail Socks, you don’t have to worry about anything. Not only are they waterproof, sweatproof, and even slip-resistant, but they’re made with soft fabrics and strategically placed padding to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the race.
They’re durable, safe, and secure. Their Y-Heel design and the ribbing around the ankle ensure your socks stay on even when you’re running over harsh vegetation and stiff obstacles.
3. CEP Athletic Compression Run Socks
Back to compression socks, you can’t go bigger and better than CEP Athletic Compression Run Socks.
That’s because CEP focuses on creating medical-grade compression socks that are bound to keep you supported and protected, whether you’re competing or doing something completely unrelated to obstacle course races.
Though they might not appear any different from other socks, the CEP Athletic Compression Run Socks are even more lightweight and breathable than you might think considering the amount of compression they’re able to provide you with.
On top of that, they’re equipped with ankle and arch support, as well as an asymmetrical toe box. Oh and, we can’t forget that they’re some of the most attractive OCR socks out there, too.
4. Injinji Trail Mini Crew Toesocks
OK, what do you think of toe socks? We couldn’t skip over the Injinji Trail Mini Crew Toesocks because they carry an array of characteristics that are guaranteed to support your feet and toes. We suggest trying them out because they’re going to separate your toes, prevent them from getting sweaty, and put a stop to blisters.
Additionally, these socks allow your toes to spread naturally which affects your comfort, posture, and performance. They’re made with thin fabrics to ensure they don’t drag you down and they’re also padded around the right areas.
5. Balega Enduro V-tech Quarter Socks
Balega socks are stylish, supportive, and protective, and we’re here for that. We would go as far as to argue that Balega designs the most attractive socks out there, whether you’re searching for compression or non-compression ones.
Balega Enduro V-tech Quarter Socks are on the short side, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t one of the best socks for Spartan Race and Tough Mudder.
When you’re planning on running a marathon or running through a bunch of mud, you need socks that are equipped with a compression band around the ankle, ribbed fabric that ensures your socks stay up, and an extra deep heel pocket – and, that’s exactly why you need to try these out.
Sure, they’re a little pricey, but they’re worth the money.
6. Spartan / Craft Compression Knee Socks
What better way to shout out Spartan Race than opt for a collaboration sock Spartan created with Craft? Wear the Spartan/Craft Compression Knee Socks during the race and you’re probably going to earn extra points for creativity and great taste.
But, these socks deserve to be mentioned because they’re made with high-quality fabrics, strategically placed padding, and compression that promises to keep you protected. They’re perfect for die-hard fans that want to make sure they’re geared up for the race.
7. Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Xtralife Socks
Now, these socks are the taller version of the Injinji Trail Mini Crew Toesocks we mentioned beforehand. Needless to say, the Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Xtralife Socks are reminiscent of gloves for your feet that are designed to secure each toe.
Not only are your toes going to appreciate the added comfort and protection, but they’re also going to remain chilly, fresh, and dry for longer thanks to Injinji’s Coolmax technology. Wear and tear around the toes might be a concern, but that’s something that shouldn’t sway you away from these socks.
8. Drymax Maximum Protection Trail Run Quarter Crew Socks
Finally, the Drymax Maximum Protection Trail Run Quarter Crew Socks. Drymax socks are popular among marathon runners, but they’re great for Spartan and Tough Mudder races, too.
According to Drymax, you can count on strong and sturdy socks that aren’t going to break apart under pressure. Additionally, you can forget about blisters and bruises because of the added padding around the areas that experience the most chafing and rubbing.
You can also choose between a bunch of colors to ensure you look as fresh as you feel.
