Thermal Response in Two Models of Socks with Different 3-D Weave Separations

Socks with the same three-dimensional plantar design but with different compositions in the separation of their weaves could have different thermoregulatory effects. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the temperatures on the sole of the foot after a 10-km run using two models of socks with different weave separations. In a sample of 20 individuals (14 men and 6 women), plantar temperatures were analyzed using a Flir E60bx® (Flir Systems) thermographic camera before and after a run of 10 km wearing two models of socks that had different separations between the fabric weaves (5 mm versus 3 mm). After the post-exercise thermographic analysis, the participants responded to a Likert-type survey to evaluate the physiological characteristics of the two models of socks. There was a significant increase of temperature (+4 °C, p < 0.001) after the 10-km run with both models of sock. However, the temperature under the 1st metatarsal head was higher with the AWC 2.1 model than with the AWC 1 (33.6 ± 2.0 °C vs. 33.2 ± 2.1 °C, p = 0.014). No significant differences were found in the scores on the physiological characteristics comfort survey (p > 0.05 in all cases). The two models presented similar thermoregulatory effects on the soles of the feet, although the model with the narrowest weave separation generated greater temperatures (+0.4 °C) under the first metatarsal head.