title: The aerodynamics of running socks: Reality or rhetoric?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this study was to test the aerodynamic properties of a selection of running and general sports socks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven pairs of socks were tested in a specially constructed rig which was inserted into a fully calibrated wind tunnel. Wind test speeds included 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 45m/s.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between any of the socks tested for their aerodynamic properties. The drag coefficients calculated for each sock varied proportionally with the Reynolds number. No particular sock was more aerodynamic than any of the socks tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no evidence that a sock that is "aerodynamically designed" will help an athlete go faster. This may be more product rhetoric than reality, and further work is justified if such claims are being made.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK. robert.ashford@bcu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ashford
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Indramohan
mesh_terms: D000392:Air Movements; D003020:Clothing / Q000592:standards*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012420:Running