SmartWool’s new Spring 2015 PhD® Run sock construction is the first to address the needs of men’s and women’s feet independently—helping runners run more efficiently and more comfortably than ever before. Engineered from the inside out to amplify the benefits of Merino and maximize performance with the foot in motion, the new gender-specific PhD Run sock constructions provide many benefits, allowing wearers to connect more directly with the shoe and respond more quickly over technical terrain.

Overall, Spring 2015 PhD® Run socks improve performance through enhanced breathability and a frictionless fit. To this end, thousands of hours were spent abrasion testing the new 200-needle fabric composition in addition to months of wear testing by SmartWool Fan Field Testers and globally ranked trail runners Jason Schlarb and Darcy Piceau-Africa. By designing products for true elite athletes, SmartWool’s testing efforts have produced the toughest socks SmartWool has ever made and all SmartWool® products are 100-percent satisfaction guaranteed.

Nowhere is this new sock formula more apparent than in the women’s collection. While women’s run socks have traditionally been smaller versions of male or unisex constructions (shrink and pink), all of the new 2015 SmartWool Women’s PhD® Run socks feature the first-ever women’s specific fit with a smaller heel pocket and toe box that enhance a tapered construction. Female-friendly ventilation—as determined by thermal body mapping technology—mitigates heat and moisture through strategic mesh and elasticity placement.

This research also heavily influenced cushion placement on the socks, which not only helps regulate the internal climate of the shoe, but also minimizes friction and impact over long distances, climbs and descents. The result is an entirely female-centric sock line with variable sock cushion positioning tailored to a woman’s foot—amplifying performance through a decidedly feminine fit.

No stranger to pioneering new technology in Merino socks and apparel, SmartWool’s Spring 2015 sock lines will also be the first to scale true white wool innovation. Available across the PhD, Performance and Lifestyle collections, this brilliant white Merino fiber, developed in partnership with Austrian textile brand Schoeller, blends the natural performance attributes of Merino with a classic white aesthetic. White wool will also be featured in SmartWool’s performance and compression accessories.

Image courtesy SmartWool