PROTECT iT Socks – General FAQs
Can PROTECT iT socks protect me from shoe friction and irritation?
Yes. Firstly, different thicknesses and different fibres are used in each part of the sock, providing optimum
comfort and protection for each area of the foot. (Special production techniques had to be designed in
order to achieve this highly-complex final product.) Secondly, PROTECT iT socks provide extra protection
against chafing where the Achilles tendon meets the shoe. This is an important area to protect when
breaking in new shoes and for people with sensitive feet. Thirdly, the unique fabric used in PROTECT iT
socks is wrinkle-free and self-straightening such that irritating folds and wrinkles will never appear around
the foot. Lastly, unlike most socks, which contain a visible protruding seam where the toe area of the sock
is sewn closed, PROTECT iT socks feature the ultimate toe closure, which cannot be felt even in tight-fitting
shoes. This hand-looped (hand-knitted), ridge-free closure completely eliminates the friction and pressure
that other socks inflict on the sensitive toe area.
Do PROTECT iT socks have any internal seams which can irritate my feet?
No. Unlike most socks, which contain a visible protruding seam where the toe area of the sock is sewn
closed, PROTECT iT socks feature the ultimate toe closure, which cannot be felt even in tight-fitting shoes.
This ridge-free closure, made possible by slowly and carefully hand-knitting every sock one at a time,
completely eliminates the friction and irritation that other socks inflict on the sensitive toe area.
How can PROTECT iT socks help relieve the pressure from swollen or wide feet?
Firstly, the cuff of the sock can stretch open wider than 27cm/10", far more than other socks, helping to
avoid any chance of leg constriction even when the foot or angle are swollen. The cuff includes a special
fibre (used nowhere else in the sock) which allows it to grip the leg firmly, yet comfortably, with minimal
compression. Additionally, Delayed Elastic Recovery (DER) technology allows the sock to comfortably adapt
to your foot and its movements without resistance. Other socks use regular Lycra or elastomeric fibres so
that when they are stretched, they resist and immediately stretch back. These can place excessive pressure
on the foot, restricting blood circulation and causing skin irritation. PROTECT iT socks’ DER technology is
much more advanced: the unique blend of fibres in PROTECT iT socks do not resist when stretched, but
instead exhibit delayed elastic recovery. The result is a sock that acts like a “second skin,” which constantly
adapts to the shape and movements of each unique foot.
How do PROTECT iT socks adapt to your foot anatomy and movements?
Other socks made for diabetics use regular Lycra or elastomeric fibres so that when they are stretched,
they resist and immediately stretch back. These can place excessive and harmful pressure on the foot,
particularly when swollen, restricting blood circulation and causing skin irritation. PROTECT iT socks employ
a much more advanced Delayed Elastic Recovery technology: the unique blend of fibres in PROTECT iT
socks do not resist when stretched, but instead exhibit delayed elastic recovery. The result is a sock that
acts like a “second skin,” which constantly adapts to the shape and movements of each foot.
How do PROTECT iT socks help prevent foot problems from developing?
PROTECT iT socks were developed specifically to address all the risk factors which impact the feet of
diabetics, based on years of research in cooperation with a panel of medical specialists and people with
diabetes. This intensive research and development produced a unique sock which functions like a second
skin, perfectly adapting to the anatomy and movements of every unique foot. This sock completely
eliminates foot/shoe friction and irritation, actively draws moisture away from the foot, combats odourand infection-causing bacteria and fungi, does not place excessive pressure on the skin and stays perfectly
in place all day long. The result is maximum foot protection, comfort and health. Read more about the
unique features of these amazing socks on the PROTECT iT Technology page.
How do PROTECT iT socks help prevent odour?
Foot odour is the result of bacteria multiplying on the foot. The polymer of the sock’s synthetic fibres
incorporate silver ions (Ag+) which disrupt the ability of bacteria to multiply, preventing the odour caused
by bacteria on the foot. Also, since bacteria require moisture to thrive, the Moisture Pump Action and
Ventilation Zone technologies described in the previous answer help the foot remain dry, thus preventing
the growth of odour-causing bacteria. In fact, even people with sweaty feet can even wear PROTECT iT
socks for a few days in a row before any odour would become apparent!
How do PROTECT iT socks help prevent sores, blisters and ulcers?
Skin irritation and calluses can easily become nasty blisters and then ulcers, especially on the feet of people
with diabetes. Causes of the skin irritation that start this chain of events include friction between the foot
and the shoe (especially in the areas of the ball of the foot, the heel and the toes) and raised seams inside
the sock rubbing against the foot. Also, when walking on sock fabric which has become wrinkled, folded or
bunched up, foot wounds may result. PROTECT iT socks eliminate these concerns by ensuring a smooth,
wrinkle-free and anatomically-adapted fit at all times. This “second skin” is accomplished by a number of
technologies built into the sock: (1) unique wrinkle-free fabric, (2) anatomical padding zones which provide
the exact amount of padding desirable for each portion of the foot without allowing bunching, (3) “arch
support” elastic anti-slip band and (4) “Y Heel Pocket” heel grip.
How do PROTECT iT socks keep moisture away from the foot?
Maintaining a dry foot is critical to both the comfort and health of the foot, and PROTECT iT socks
accomplish this with two distinct built-in technologies: (1) Moisture Pump Action is the natural result of the
sock’s dual-layer construction. An inside synthetic layer wicks moisture away from the foot, while an outer
cotton layer “breathes,” allowing moisture to dissipate and escape away from the skin. (2) A Ventilation
Zone stretches across the area above where the toes meet the foot. This clearly-visible “air vent” directs
moisture up and away from the foot and toes, and prevents it from collecting in areas that could contribute
to bacterial growth.
How do PROTECT iT socks make my hot feet feel better?
Firstly, highly-breathable cotton comprises about 2/3 of the sock, preventing heat from becoming trapped
within the sock. Furthermore, a Ventilation Zone stretches across the area above where the toes meet the
foot. This clearly-visible “air vent” directs heat up and away from the foot and toes, greatly reducing the
temperature of the air around the foot.
How do PROTECT iT socks stay in place all day without bunching or creeping?
PROTECT iT socks are constructed with two special features which ensure that they stay in place all day
without the “bunching” and “creeping” which can cause discomfort and medical problems: (1) “Arch
support” is an elastic anti-slip band around the centre of the foot which keeps the sock firmly in place while
constantly adapting to the shape and movement of the foot, without undesirable compression. (2) The “Y
Heel Pocket” design locks the sock heel in place using differing thicknesses of material, which align the heel
within the sock, and a Y-shaped elastic mechanism which gently holds the rear of the sock in place around
the heel.
What is special about the materials used in PROTECT iT socks?
PROTECT iT socks are made with a blend of the world’s finest cotton and uniquely-formulated synthetic
fibres. This combination results in an exceptionally soft and flexible material which excels at keeping
moisture away from the foot: the synthetic fibres wick moisture away from the foot while the outer cotton
layer “breathes” allowing moisture to escape away from the skin. This cotton-synthetic blend is
recommended by many members of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American
Association of Diabetes Educators (ADE), including advanced practice diabetes nurse Jessie H. Ahroni in her
well-known book, 101 Foot Care Tips for People with Diabetes. Furthermore, the synthetic fibres contain
silver ions which combat the growth of bacteria which cause odour and infection.
Why do people with healthy feet need PROTECT iT socks?
Many people open their sock drawer every morning looking for their favourite, most comfortable socks.
People who have worn PROTECT iT socks for just one day typically decide to throw out all their other socks
and wear only PROTECT iT from then on! The fact is that these unique socks feel so good, and provide so
many benefits, that they are simply the most comfortable socks you will ever wear.
Why is it important for people with diabetes to wear PROTECT iT socks?
People with diabetes are more prone to develop various foot problems due to reduced feeling in the foot, a
condition known as neuropathy. Small irritations in the shoe have the potential to quickly become serious
medical problems. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, slowing the healing process and
weakening defences against infection. As a result, sores and blisters may develop into non-healing wounds
which can lead, in the worst cases, to amputation.
PROTECT iT socks feature all the characteristics of socks as recommended by leading health organizations
such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Diabetes UK, the Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO):
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contain cotton which help keep your feet dry
are lightly padded and fit well
are seamless
don’t wrinkle
are not too tight