Blister Cycle

Foot blisters are most common on the toes, heel, and ball of the foot. Blisters caused by socks usually occur when socks do not fit, their seams irritate the skin, and/or the socks become wet. Wet socks soften and weaken the skin, making feet vulnerable to blisters. Heat, moisture and friction work together to cause blisters, each heightening the severity of the others. This creates a Blister Cycle.

HEAT

Excess heat normally radiates away from bare feet, but wearing shoes traps heat, elevating the temperature of the skin. Heat generated by physical activity can further raise the temperature inside shoes 20 degrees or more.

MOISTURE

With higher than normal skin temperature, the body produces sweat to cool the skin by evaporation. Wearing shoes prevents evaporative cooling from effectively taking place, leaving socks and feet wet.

 

FRICTION

Moisture significantly increases friction between socks and skin. Higher friction limits skin surface movement, but still allows inner tissue movement. This shearing effect physically separates the two layers, creating a void. This void fills with fluid and forms a blister.

 

 

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Drymax Socks Actively Prevent Blisters

Drymax technology socks were designed to actively prevent blisters.

1) Drymax socks fit because they come in 5 sizes, and were developed on special 3D foot shaped models which accurately represent the human foot.

2) Drymax socks do not irritate skin because they are soft and seamlessly smooth on the inside.

3) The inner layer of Drymax fibers, along with vents built into the socks, allow liquid & vaporized sweat to pass through to the separate outer layer of the sock, then to the shoe lining. Blisters caused by sweat vapor or liquid sweat are prevented because Drymax fibers stay dry, breaking the Blister Cycle.

 

Friction Free® Blister Guard® System

Selected Drymax socks incorporate the patented Blister Guard® System.

Chemically known as expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), Profilen® has the lowest coefficient-of-friction of any fiber. This makes Profilen® the best to keep friction low, between the skin and sock.

 

Combining Super Hydrophobic (non-wicking) Drymax fibers with the Friction Free® Blister Guard® System keeps feet drier, cooler and more comfortable, significantly reducing the chances of hot spots and blisters.

The Friction Free® Blister Guard® System is protected under US patent numbers 5,590,420 & 5,752,278. Blister Guard® and Friction Free® are registered trademarks of Friction Free Technologies.

Preventing Blisters Can Prevent Further Injury

A study to determine the association of blisters with subsequent injuries was conducted by RS Bush, SK Brodine & RA Shaffer with 2,130 male US Marine Corps recruits participating in initial physical training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. The study found that recruits with blisters were 50% more likely to experience an additional training-related injury.

Blisters are the #1 sports related injury.