Nothing cheers me up like a new pair of socks. That feeling as you slip your tootsies into an as yet unsullied sock is a feeling like no other.
When I opened up my 1000 mile Breeze Lites and Trainer liners and saw that they GUARANTEE no blisters within a year, or a thousand miles, of purchase, I felt like it was some kind of personal challenge.
Photo credit: 1000mile.co.uk.
Breeze Lites
Features
- NILIT ® BREEZE inner layer for extra cool feel
- Ventilation mesh for superior breathability
- Flat toe seam
- Arch bracing for firm grip and support
- Men’s and Ladies fit – sizing by UK shoe size
Content:
- Outer Layer – 46% Nylon, 23% Polyester, 21% Tactel® & 10% Lycra®
- Inner Layer – 100% NILIT Breeze
- RRP £11.99
These were very comfortable when I put them on. They are twin skinned so I took time to adjust the toes and the heels and to make sure the lining was aligned with the outer layer. Then I set off and forgot all about them for the next couple of hours.
I was covering rough terrain with some severe hands-on-quads climbs and similar downhills and then a long area of flatter rolling country.
The socks worked reasonably well but as I then had to wade through a river, nothing was going to keep them dry. They didn’t rub when wet though.
The length up the ankle effectively kept out grit and rubbish from dipping into my trainers.
However, on the tough ascent the inner layer slipped away from the outer and I had that irritating feeling of the socks crinkling up. I stopped and re-adjusted and they stayed in place after that.
My feet felt good and protected and the socks were super comfy.
| Scores | |
| Design | 8/10 |
| Features | 8/10 |
| Performance | 7/10 |
| Value | 7/10 |
| Total | 7.5/10 |
Photo credit: 1000mile.co.uk.
Tactel Trainer Liners
Features
- Top venting for superior breathability
- Arch braced for extra support
- Available in men’s and ladies fit
- Heel Power technology – keeps the sock firmly in place!
- Sizing by UK shoe size
Content:
- Outer layer: 76% Cotton, 22% Nylon & 2% Elastane Lycra.
- Inner Layer: 100% Tactel®
- RRP: £9.99
These socks are also double skins but the inner material is Tactel rather than NILIT Breeze. I also found them extremely comfortable when I put them on. Could I tell the difference between the two materials? No, not really.
They both seemed to do the job of wicking away moisture and keeping my feet in good condition equally well.
Almost everything I wrote above pertains here too. The socks were comfortable, protective and felt good. However, these ones too slipped back when I was going up very steep climbs and I had to stop and readjust.
Also, the shorter length meant I did get grit slipping down into my trainer. I was using them in nasty, wet conditions.
I like these socks for my gym training as they keep my feet relatively cool which is a big bonus.
| Score | |
| Design | 7.5/10 |
| Features | 8/10 |
| Performance | 7/10 |
| Value | 7/10 |
| Total | 7.3/10 |
Conclusion
I’ve actually used these socks a lot when I am out on longer distances with less extreme ascent. I wouldn’t use them if I knew I had lots of vertical-ish ascents coming up and I was going to be on a time schedule as I would be worried about having to stop to adjust.
I find them very comfortable and I do feel like my feet are being looked after. No blisters! Also, they are effective at keeping the sweat moving outwards. They are training standards and also great for the gym, a good all round sock.
Other socks you may want to try:
Compressport compression socks
Have you used the 1000 Mile Breeze Lite socks and Ultimate Tactel liners? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment to this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.
Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community and share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.
We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown.
Disclosure:
We use affiliate links in some of our reviews and articles. This means that if you purchase an item through one of these links we will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through our links but the income will help us to keep bringing you our free training guides, reviews and other content to enjoy. Thank you in advance for your support.
