photo courtesy of Swiftwick
My feet are happy. As I sit here at my computer, my feet are snuggly wrapped in possibly the most comfortable socks I have ever put on. Coming from a self-admitted sock addict, this claim says quite a lot.
Might I take a brief moment to emphasize my feelings to the kindhearted souls (soles?) at Swiftwick: I. Love. These. Socks.
If you haven’t noticed, the sock market has literally exploded over the past few years, especially with regard to performance socks intended for active lifestyles. Just take a look at the selection of socks next time you visit REI: so vast that it warrants its own section of the store. Honestly, though, if you’re going to outfit yourself from head to toe for your next adventure of choice, you have to start with the basics. Those $400 La Sportiva hiking boots won’t do you much good if you pair them with cheap socks you found in a bin at Costco. Besides, once you make the leap toward top-shelf-sockdom, you’ll never go back.
Swiftwick’s claim reads like this: The Best You Will Ever Wear, Guaranteed. A bold, but thus far true statement. Their secret lies in their construction, using a high needle count. Listed on the packaging you see, for instance, 168 Needle, or 200 Needle, which, according to their website, “creates a second-skin feel, prevents shifting or bunching and eliminates the risk of friction blisters while making your shoes fit more comfortably. The higher the needle count, the tighter the knit. Our high-gauge construction produces a softer, denser, and more durable garment.” 
So far I have tried Swiftwick’s Sustain One and Pulse Zero. Sustain One boasts a 200-needle construction and out of the whole line, best represents the company’s commitment to sustainable, carbon-neutral development. Made from post-industrial recycled nylon, Swiftwick pays its respect to Mother Earth by refusing to use chemicals, reducing energy use, and limiting water consumption in its manufacturing. Oh, did I mention these socks are all made in the USA? With a pricetag of $12.99, what’s not to love?
Moving on to Pulse Zero, my personal favorite of the two. Still all of the goodness of Sustain, but with a little more compression. I happen to like to have my socks hug my feet. And these deliver. This particular version rides a little lower on my ankle, which I also appreciate. They look amazing: black with red stripes. Matches (literally) everything I wear. If I didn’t have to wash these things (which, by the way, is super-easy), I’d wear them every day.
Speaking of — and this may border on TMI — I did test this pair out by wearing them for 2 days in a row (hey, I’m trying to review socks here, okay?). They looked no more worn on Day Two than they did when I first opened the package. Better yet? NO SMELL. Unfortunately, a lot of socks on the market made with synthetics have a huge stink factor these days. Bless them, but the last thing I want is to take off my shoes at the end of my day and run to the bathtub to wash my feet. So far the Swiftwicks have no smell. At all. Amazing. Maybe it has something to do with its anti-microbial-silver-ion, anti-odor materials?
I am stoked to have found this company. With their responsible, earth-friendly approach and their — shall I say? — perfect product, I have found my new favorite sock. Give ’em a try. You’ll love them, I promise. Check them out at www.Swiftwick.com 
Jodilyn Stuart is the Health & Sports Senior Staff Writer for 303 Magazine, owner of ModaBody Fitness, and has been a professional fitness geek since 1997. If you have questions, feel free to email at: Jodilyn@303Magazine.com