Our Technology

The Thorlo Difference

Everyone is born with thick pads of fatty tissue on the bottoms of their feet that protect the bones, blood vessels and nerves commonly called "fat pads." It's the only fat you don't want to lose. But by the time many of us have reached the age of 40, we've lost as much as 50% of those fat pads due to the effects of walking and running. This fat loss is primarily due to the shearing forces that come from walking and running on smooth, unyielding man-made surfaces. And it's compounded by wearing poorly designed and fitted shoes and socks. Thorlo protect the fat pads by providing exclusive, protective, cushioning fabric under the your heels and balls of the foot. The shearing force is then transferred from the foot to the sock. If your socks break down over time, you can get a new pair. But you can't replace those natural fat pads. If the fat pads are already broken down, Thorlo specially engineered cushioned fabric helps to replace the function of the natural fat pads. The result is better protection and better feeling feet.

 

Engineered Padded Technology™

Engineered variable-density padding is our core technology and is the basis for Thorlo protective properties. This unique padding is precisely placed in the anatomical locations where the foot is subjected to repeated friction, pressures and impact forces in order to provide the protection your feet need to assure maximum performance. This is how Thorlo foot protection goes beyond what you might expect from regular thick socks or even doubling up with two pairs of socks. Thorlo clinically-tested padding provides a highly protective buffer or gasket between your feet and the hard surfaces inside the shoes.

 

NanoGlide®

The coefficient of FRICTION is 0.1 or less, which is the second lowest of any solid material known to mankind. Our Experia® ProLite socks offer maximum abrasion control, virtually eliminating the chance for blisters. It’s the friction from the sock on the skin that produces heat; your body reacts by producing sweat to help cool the skin. If that sweat is not quickly wicked away, blister-causing conditions increase amazingly fast.

Extremely hydrophobic fibers wick away moisture to keep your feet cool, comfortable, and dry, while maintaining softness throughout your activity.

 

CuTEC® Copper Ion Technology

Permanently incorporated into the fibers, CuTEC® provides exceptional ANTI-ODOR and ANTIBACTERIAL properties for healthier looking skin.

 

Proprietary Fiber Blends

The basic element of our padded socks is our proprietary THORLON® acrylic yarn. It’s the result of 30+ years of research, development and testing. Cotton, wool and silk, all natural fibres, absorb moisture and hold it close to the skin of your foot; for this reason we never use 100% natural fibres, but they tend to “flatten” and mat down after several hours of use, Typical acrylic yarns wick moisture away from your feet. But THORLON goes beyond the performance characteristics of typical acrylic yarn because it’s exclusively spun to create the highest possible combination of softness and resilience. The designs were patented by Thorlo and have yet to be duplicated--wicking and durability that lasts until the day is done.

 

Activity-Specific Design

The density and placement location of Thorlo protective clinically-tested padding varies by activity to make sure you have protection where you need it--not where you don’t. Although it would be more efficient from a cost/production standpoint for us to use one design for all activities, the reality is that foot kinetics differ among these activities; therefore one design cannot provide you with the best possible foot protection and performance enhancement. That’s why we have invested in the research and development of different applications of our padding for different activities. We know of no other brand that goes to this cost and effort to help you be at your best. We go beyond the normal because after 30 years of taking care of all kinds of feet for all kinds of athletes and those who's feet hurt, to prolong their active life in comfort and to keep them doing the things they love while staying mobile.

 

The Right Level of Protection

Lite Padded Socks

For feet that don’t hurt during or after you participate in your activity, Thorlo makes thinner or Lite padded socks that provide protection with less weight. Thorlo Lite Padded and Experia® Lite Padded socks offer more protection than other thin socks on the market. Experia is a real hybrid when it comes to sock design, a design that goes beyond anything in the market. Experia starts with an ultra-lightweight frame. Specially sculpted Thorlo pads are placed in the ball and heel to provide protection from impact and friction in the foot's strike zones. Experia eliminates all but the most essential padding. Thorlo Lite padded socks and Experia have not been clinically tested.

 

Clinically-Tested Padding

Our clinically-tested Foot Protection socks are made in activity-specific designs (e.g., running, golfing, walking, hiking, tennis) and are for any activity that puts significant stress on the feet, or are for people who experience pain or soreness during or after activity. Thorlo clinically-tested padding provide the most protection available to reduce the chances of injury and to protect the fat pads on your feet. They are perfect for a person who wants to protect their feet from blisters, pain, soreness, as well as excess moisture that can set the stage for serious foot conditions. Wearing Thorlo will allow you to play more and retain your mobility longer and in comfort. 

To our knowledge Thorlo are the only sock manufacturer with a body of peer reviewed published clinical tests, CTPS (Clinically Tested Padded Socks) benefits.  You can review this research at www.ipfh.org/resources/research?fbclid=IwAR0fWF8gmwlxs-K12gkqXcxLRXASCbB4-AreDjECgkIJOvGjOSabtJDl_kc