Monday, July 12, 2010

Sof Sole Review and Giveaway!

Airr (I want to add some extra "rrrr's" and talk like a pirate when I see the name of these) insoles and Coolmax Trainer socks!

I was very excited to get an email recently from Whitney at Sof Sole, offering to send me free products because I am a runner - you know that my ego practically exploded and I couldn't say "yes" fast enough! She sent me a pair of Airr shoe insoles and a three-pack of Coolmax Trainer socks to try out.

The Airr insoles feature air chamber technology in the heels and arch, with a Coolmax cover. I've always wondered about performance insoles but never felt that I really needed them (and therefore didn't want to spend the money), so this was a nice opportunity to give them a try. First, I matched up the insoles from my Brooks running shoes and trimmed the Airrs to fit. Then I tried the shoes on...and boy was that a tight fit - too tight for me. My running shoes are Forrest Gump thick, and I don't think that they are made to have such a cushion-y insole. Next, I tried them in my old Asics workout shoes and hello, that brought those shoes back to life! Having just retired those shoes, I can see being able to wear them again - the extra cushion felt great, and I gave my feet a true pounding with box jumps, burpees and some treadmill time. I'd recommend these, but with a bit of caution - if your shoes are already pretty snug, you may not have room for the insoles (and of course you know that you remove the insert that comes with the shoe before putting in the Airrs, right?).

Onto the socks. These are super soft - in fact, I felt like I was surrounding my feet in cotton batting when I put them on. They do have some cotton in their makeup - 30% - and I was a little concerned about that since I've read that cotton socks are a no-no when it comes to running. Anyway, I gave them a try on a run recently, and while the cotton didn't bother me, they were a little low cut and might have slipped down on my heel a little...all I know is that my shoe rubbed the back of my ankle, and that doesn't normally happen. I took pictures with both the Sof Sole Coolmax Trainers and what I usually wear, which are Thorlo Experia socks. You can see the height difference - again, it could be partly due to my running shoe style.

Coolmax Trainer socks barely start out above the back of my shoe.
Whereas the Thorlo Experias have more room above my shoe, which protected my ankle.

So while I wouldn't run in the Coolmax Trainer socks, I would use them for normal use with sneakers. Keep in mind that this is just my experience with them - your mileage may vary.

Now onto the giveaway: One lucky person will win, courtesy of Sof Sol, their Training Package, which consists of several pairs of socks (Coolmax Trainers and Anti-Friction) and a pair of insoles! To enter, just go to www.sofsole.com and then leave me a comment letting me know which product you would like to try. That's it - easy as pie! Open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person - I'll have random.org draw a winner Thursday night and post it on Friday, interwebs-willing. Good luck!

FCC Disclaimer: Giveaway will be fulfilled by Sof Sole, who sent me socks and insoles to try. Review of said products is all my opinion.

35 comments:

  1. Oooooh enter me I want to try those socks please:)!
    I am the queen cheap skate when it comes to buying expensive running socks and I have the callouses to prove it!

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  2. yay.
    I sit here reading and thinking SHE SOOO POSTS THIS AT THE CRACK OF DIZZAWN SO I CAN SEE BEFORE I HEAD OFF TO DO CARDIO.

    NOW.

    right now.

    Im going ON with my BAD SELF.

    sans fancy socks.

    but youll have that....

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  3. I'm not a runner, but I walk for exercise...and my right heel is giving me some trouble...so I think the gel heel cups would be great!!! Thanks for the give-a-way!

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  4. I'm a newbie runner so I can use all the gear I can get. I'd like to try the Coolmax Lite. Thanks for this opportunity!

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  5. Neat giveaway! I was just reading about the multi sport cushions on another blog and I would be interested in giving them a go.

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  6. What an awesome giveaway! I am fairly new at this running thing and to my surprise I really love it! And I love trying new products. I would love to try the coolmax trainer socks. Enter me please!!!! thanks!

    Jennifer
    http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

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  7. Sneaker balls, all the way, baby!

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  8. I would love the athlete insoles! The socks also intrigue me. I have become very particular with the socks I wear when running. (I never would have thought that a year ago :)

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  9. Awesome giveaway. I've been following your blog for a few weeks now. I've lost 60 lbs in the past year and am just now getting back into running, so you are a great inspiration!

    Anyhoo, I'd love to try the AIRR or ARCH insoles - I've got crazy high arches which results in a lot of forefoot soreness. My Nikes are starting to not feel as cushiony as they used to and I was just thinking that if I got a cushioned insole, I might be able to eek a few more months out of them before I have to pop for a new pair. Seems like the AIRR or ARCH would do the trick! Fingers crossed & thanks for the wonderful blog!

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  10. Awesome giveaway! I'd love to try the anti-friction socks, I'm always looking for new socks to try. Thanks for the chance to win a pair.

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  11. Thanks for the fun giveaway! :)

    I think the socks would be great for me because my arches are not that high and thus I need some extra support.

    Yay fun! :)

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  12. I love really cushionny socks for running!

    That's a great give-a-way!!

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  13. The Coolmax Lite looks great! I just started the Couch to 5k program so these would come in handy!

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  14. Thank you for this contest. I would be interested in trying the Coolmax Trainer Socks. I've been a lurker on your blog for a few months now. These socks would be used for the 3x week bootcamp class I attend.

    Suzanne

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  15. Those insoles sound fantastic. I think I'd like to try them out at work, where some extra cushion would be very welcome.

    Pushing my luck to try to win another giveaway on your blog, I know!

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  16. Wow free socks I love it. I like a sock to come up a little higher though. I like the look of them. I would also try the insoles it might help make my shoes wear better. Thanks.

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  17. Nice giveaway Shelley! Best of luck to the winner.

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  18. They sent those to you because your are a runner - soon you'll accept that new title! :D

    Sneaker balls. My feet sweat like nobodies bizness (TMI!) so I would love those for my gym bag.

    Happy Monday!

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  19. The Coolmax Runners look very lite and comfy. I've got to get away from my cotton socks but I'm barely a jogger much less an official runner (but someday I will be).

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  20. I need some new socks! I hope I win! I would like to try the ones your tried plus the anti-friction socks.

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  21. No cotton socks for running? Oooops... I must have missed that memo.

    I would like to try the trainer socks.

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  22. Happy Monday, no socks, no winning please.
    I think 10 grams sugar is max. I'm not sure what other people would say...you know the people in the know?

    Anyway, wanted to stop by and see what the heck you were forcing people to win.
    I'm going to be giving away some old underwear soon and any large size clothing I won't need.

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  23. I use Superfeet all the time in my beloved Asics. I wonder if this is the same idea. I use them because I need more of an arch.
    I can't decide if I would want the Arch or the Athlete. I think I would choose the Athlete, for fear that the Arch would be too high of an arch, this being of course when I win :)

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  24. They have some excellent products! My brother, who lives with us, is a runner and gets special shoes, socks and insoles so I will forward this website to him. I admit, I wouldn't mind a special pair of socks, I liked the sound of the coolmax ones. Thanks for a great giveaway!!

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  25. Cool give-away!! I run, bike and walk for exercise, so I'd love to win Sof Sole's "Training Package". When I visited Sof Sole's website, I really liked the Anti-Friction performance sock! Plus, it comes in extended sizes- I wear a woman's 11. Thanks!

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  26. The massaging gel inserts look interesting. I stand on a concrete floor all day and think these would be wonderful.

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  27. I was just about to email you and ask you about your Thorlo's you like. Still blister issues over here. I've tried Wright Socks and they are way too thick and my feet feel like they are on fire. Your Thorlos look nice and thin. Let me know if you like them. Might have to try the Cool Max too. I bet I've spent $1000 on sock testing :)

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  28. What a fun give away. I love socks. I would like to try the multi sport lite.

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  29. Great give away! Coolmax socks would make my feet happy. Thanks Shelly

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  30. I want to try the Coolmax socks. I am a firm believer in good socks. I know they make a HUGE difference.

    Thanks! What a cool giveaway.

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  31. Living in Texas the cool max runner sock sounds like what I'd need.

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  32. I am currently on the search for the perfect socks!! I would like to try the cool max runner socks!!!

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  33. Oh, I would love to win!

    I love socks...so definitely the same socks you got would be great!

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  34. I would lOOOVE to try the anti-friction scoks and the athlete insoles!

    Run, Shelley Run! Way to go!!

    Love ya,

    LINDA

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