San Marcos — Most runners take great care in selecting the right shoe that fits their particular running style and the shape of their foot. Getting the right shoe can make a difference in enjoying a pain free run or a run that leads to a foot or knee pain.

While getting the correct shoe is important a majority of runners probably don’t think much about the part that fits inside the shoe.

Before the shoe goes on the socks are put on first. I basically thought socks were of a few options such as the height of the part that covers the ankle or calf and maybe the color.

According to an article in the May 2011 issue of Runner’s World, there is more to selecting socks than I thought imaginable. Other than sock height the survey included the no-show style, the arch wrap, a gender style, the anatomical fit, wool fabric, a bargain classification, color, of course, and then cushioned and open mesh.

Of the twelve socks surveyed, the range for classification went like this: Long runner, fit to hold, hard wearer, soft touch, bare essentials, short and sweet, endurance king, pillow like, second skin, ground breaker, snug hug and foot armor. Some of these styles were self explanatory but the fact that each sock had a rating regarding the initial types of socks made me realize that there is more to putting on a pair of socks before a run than I thought.

For instance, there are some socks that are gender specific. In other words the socks are designed either for a man or a woman runner. I can’t imagine what would happen if a man put on a women’s sock and went for a run and the consequences that might occur.

For some of the more serious runners there are socks that are made specifically for the right or left foot. At the toe you will find a little “L” or an “R” to designate the correct foot to put it on.

There are socks that have good cushion in the toe and heel areas and others that are designed to hug the foot and not slip down inside the shoe during the run. When the sock is made out of hi-tech material the advantage here is that it neutralizes sweat that may build up on the feet during the run.

Socks such as the ‘Asics Kinsei Classic Quarter’ rated a comment of, “a must for long runs.” The mesh panels keep the feet fresh and dry for hours.

A similar comment for the ‘Smartwool Phd Running Light Mini’ sock that stated, “can be counted on to feel good after 10-plus miles.”

If fit is a quality that a runner wants the ‘Tekopoly Ultra Light Low’ sock was, “felt smooth all over and was truly seamless.” This thin sock won raves from marathoners for neutralizing sweat during long runs.

The ‘Feetures Elite’ hugged the feet so well that test runners said that they fit so well that some testers forgot they were on.

The big difference between these socks that are designed for runners and the cotton anklet socks that you can buy at chain department stores as I can see is the price.

At chain department stores, you can buy packs of five or six pairs for a price of $10 or so. The runner specific socks range from $11 to $17 per pair. Eight out of the 12 pair cost over $14 and more with only four styles below that range.

Aside from price the comfort and feel are worth the extra cost. I have several pair of runner designed socks and once you wear a pair on a walk or run it is difficult to go back to the cotton anklet style for anything else but casual wear.

If having runner designed socks is not enough for a run, then the next step is a sleeve for the arms. If the runner likes to wear a short sleeved T-shirt or a tank top on a cool or cold morning run the tight fitting sleeves that hug the arm and keep it warm and help remove sweat.

While some are designed for warmth there are other that can be used in the summer to act as a sun screen protection without having to put on a lotion. The ability to wick sweat away also works to keep a runner cooler during hot days without wearing a long sleeved shirt.

Dr. Maurice Johnson is a professor at Texas State University in the Department of Health and Exercise Science. His column appears every Sunday in the Daily Record.