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Are Dry Max [http://www.amazon.com/Drymax-Maximum-Protection-Mini-Single/dp/B001NNX4OC Drymax socks ] better than the competition? I decided to find out by comparing them to my favorite combination of socks, the [[Injinji ]] liner with the Wrightsock Coolmesh. Other sock comparisons and reviews can be found at [[Blister Prevention and Socks]]. ==Why Dry MaxHow are Drymax socks different?==Dry Max Drymax socks have hydrophobic (water–hating) fibers next to the skin, and traditional technical fibers on the outside. The idea is that the sweat is pushed away from your skin to the outside of the sock, keeping your feet dry. In addition, the ‘maximum protection’ socks have The hydrophobic fibers are made of PTFE (Teflon) to reduce friction. ==Does it matter if my feet are dry?==The unholy trinity of [[Blister Prevention|blisters]] is heat, moisture and friction. Keeping your feet dry will reduce the chance of blisters. If your feet are wet for long enough, they become ‘macerated’'macerated'; white and wrinkled. In this state, blisters become far more likely. ==The Reigning Champion==My preferred combination of socks is the [[Injinji Liner Socks| Injinji Liner]] with a Wrightsock Coolmesh. The two socks are thin, and is are about the same thickness as the Dry Max ‘maximum protection’ Drymax 'maximum protection' sock. The Wrightsock is made up of two separate socks sown together, giving three layers of material to reduce friction. I have worn this combination on many races and suffer from few blisters, even though I have [[Epidermolysis Bullosa]]. =The Types of Drymax socks tried=Initial Feel * Hot weather running* Maximum protection running* Running* Hyper thin running* Maximum protection trail runningMost of my testing use the maximum protection running and the hot weather running stocks.=Fit==After I found all of the Injinjis, the Dry Max Drymax socks ‘maximum protection’ socks feel strange as my toes are not used to rubbing together. The Dry Max socks also seem much too large for their stated size. I’m I'm a 9.5-10.0 shoe size, and the Dry Max ‘Large’ Drymax 'Large' is supposed to fit 8.5-9.5, but either the heel comes up my ankle or the toe is hanging off the end of my foot. In the end I ordered a pair of the latest ‘maximum protection’ 'maximum protection' in a Medium 6.0-8.0 and they fitted nicely. ==Comparison on Different Runs=Approach=I alternated wearing wore the Injinji/Wrightsocks on one foot and either the Drymax 'maximum protection' or the 'hot weather running' socks on the Dry other foot. I would alternate which foot had the dry Max ‘maximum protection’ socks on different days. I was running between 16 and 26+ miles in various conditions that were , from cool weather when my feet did not sweat much, through moderately warm enough that when my feet would damp but not soaked, and even hot humid conditions where my feet were soaked with sweat (squelching) for at least the last hour. The Dry Max socks seemed to reduce the maceration of feet slightly. ==Direct Comparison=Results=To remove the difference due to running with the socks on different days, I tried wearing the Injinji/Wrightsocks on my right foot and the Dry Max ‘maximum protection’ socks on my left foot. This felt slightly odd to start off, but I got used to it quickly. Sadly, the weather broke the day I did this comparison, so while it was hot enough to be soaked with sweat, I was not dripping and my feet were not squelching. Therefore this comparison is not under the extreme conditions of earlier tests. While running there was relatively little difference in feel between the socks. The main factor was the lower friction from the Injinji/Wrightsocks, which is not surprising given the three layers of material. After I finished running, a visual inspection Regardless of the weather there was no detectable difference in how wet my feet were. In extremely hot humid conditions my skin indicated had a similar level of maceration, though I think the Dry Max were slightly better. After removing the socks, I stepped onto absorbent paper to see how wet the skin was, and again, the result was remarkably similar. Weighing the socks before and after the run revealed the following measurements (combined weight different to the sum due to limitations of the scales)

| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Dry Max Drymax maximum protection'''

==Other Tests=Injinji Liners with Drymax=I did try experiment with the combination of the Dry Max ‘hot weather’ socks Injinji liners with the Wrightsock, but this proved Drymax hot weather running socks. The Drymax socks are slightly thicker than the worst of both worldsWrightsocks and are therefore slightly warmer. I may try was a little surprised that the friction from the ‘hot weather’ socks on their own and post Injinji/Drymax was greater than the resultsInjinji/Wrightsock. The Injinji/Wrightsock also seem to keep my feet slightly drier probably because they were cooler. ==Conclusion=Care of Drymax Socks=Dry Max Unlike conventional socks, even highly technical socks, these socks need extra care. Oils and body lotion can disrupt the Teflon layer. This happened to my initial socks are certainly a good option for those wanting and the manufacturer was kind enough to avoid blistersreplace them under their warranty. In fact the manufacturer was extremely kind and helpful and I highly commend their customer service. I may well wear took great care of the replacement socks and even cleaned my feet with alcohol before using them in extreme conditions again, and as I will continue wanted to give them the greatest opportunity to succeed. You can test your Drymax socks by turning them inside out and putting them over a faucet. When the water runs through the socks it should break up like it does on the right in other situations and post the results herepicture below. For now howeverIf it looks more like the sock on the left, then the reigning champions continue socks have lost their water repellent properties. [[File:Wicking-v-Drymax.jpg|none|thumb|300px|A test to hold see if Drymax socks are damaged.]]=Conclusion=I would suggest that [http://www.amazon.com/Drymax-Maximum-Protection-Mini-Single/dp/B001NNX4OC Drymax socks] are probably better than any other single stock available. However, it is nowhere near as good as the title of ‘best socks’Injinji/Wrightsock combination.==See Also==* [[Injinji Liner Socks]]