Note: The author is not at this time affiliated with the Balega brand at all, though he most certainly loves their product. Putting them on gives him a ‘footgasm’.

Socks. Typically an afterthought on most occasion. Something simply to help keep your feet from getting sweaty and to keep your shoes from getting overwhelmingly stinky due to that sweat. Any ol’ pari will do, right?

But then, when you get to running, socks become a bit more important. Now it becomes increasingly important to find socks that won’t slide down your feet as your feet slap the ground, which could cause un-fun blistering of the feet. (Ouch.)

Still, as socks have become more and more important to me as a runner, I’ve found it difficult to rationalize spending more than, say, $3 per pair. Anytime I’d go out and purchas socks for myself, it was whatever sports socks I could find in a multi-pack and on sale. They’d do pretty well for a while, but the bottoms would wear out not-too-far down the road and holes would form in the toes. I’ve picked up some “specialty” running socks ove the years, but only becuase they were the decorative kind, with coffee/beer mugs on the cuff or an argyle pattern, and that was usually only because they were on sale and fun looking. Or because I’d felt bad at a specialty running store after spending 30 minutes tryin on shoes only to find nothing I liked, so picked up some socks with that store’s logo to ease my conscience.

Otherwise, the nicest running socks I’ve accumulated over the years have all been gifts from family for birthdays and at Christmas. I remember the first time receving running socks as a gift was from my little brother for my birthday in 2008. Why do I remember the year? Because that was the year that I really took up running, and they were the very first pairs of actual running socks I’d ever gotten. They were a pair of Balega Hidden Comofort tabbed socks. I remember putting them and being shocked at just how comfy they were; I mean like comfortable in the same way that a brand new hooded sweatshirt is comfortable (yeah, I know, impressive).

Well, those had been the only Balega socks I owned. And they’re still one of my go two pairs of socks whenever I’m heading out for a run, or just for a day at the office. So what if wearing no-show socks with dress shoes and slacks is an awkward look, they’re comfy as hell. But, they are beginning to show their first signs of real wear, which is pretty impressive for a pair of socks that have been used heavily for nearly three years now.

So, a couple of weeks ago I ponied up and picked up a few more pair of Balega socks at SockGeek.com. And believe you me, I am more than happy that I did. I’ve now added a pair of Balega Merino, Ultra and Enduro socks to my lineup, and they’re all tickling my fancy the same way that the Hidden Comfort has been doing for the last three years. I get it now, the whole spending a little extra moola on a good pair of socks - it’s totally worth it. And that’s something that no other pair of specialty running socks has ever made me say before.

After receiving my new socks, I checked out the Balega website for the first time, and now have even more reasons to love Balega. Out of South Africa, they are an exceptionally responsible and community-oriented company, giving back in so many ways. As a bonus, Balega has led me to some great South African music, as Freshlyground has beome a fixture in my daily shuffle of music at work. What other sock company is going to steer you towards good musc? I can’t think of one.

Now to completely un-serious for a moment if you’ll be so kind as to allow me that, I’d like to write an actual ode. Defined as lyrical poem intended to be sung, I thought I’d write an ode to Balega to the tune of YMCA.

“Runner, take a good look straight down
I said runner, your feet will no longer frown
I said runner, get your feet of the ground
And into some new socks

Runner, there’s a sock you can wear
I said runner, your feel will give a great cheer
You can by them, and I’m sure you will find
That your feet will not whine

It’s great to wear B-A-L-E-G-A
It’s great to wear B-A-L-E-G-A

They are everything that your feet will enjoy
Your feet will sing and shout, “Oh Boy!”

It’s great to wear B-A-L-E-G-A
It’s great to wear B-A-L-E-G-A

They will make your toes smile, they won’t blister your heel
The best you’ll feet will ever feel”

Yea, that’s what I got. Sorry, I’d delete that but then it would fee like wasted time. If only person chuckled at that, that’s good enough for me.