We posted
an article about the Swiss Protection Socks sometime last month. They are Kevlar and PVC based pair of socks that protect you from sharp objects while you are exploring the outdoors. SPS was kind enough to send me a pair to test out and review for
BirthdayShoes. I spent the last few weeks giving them a shot.
The main selling point of these socks is the fact that they are resistant to cuts, allowing you to walk as close to barefoot as possible with out worrying about cutting yourself on dangerous objects. Imagine being able to walk around the beach in your socks, not having to worry about stepping on glass that was left over by careless party goers.
How well did these Swiss Protection Socks perform? Read on for a full rundown including tons of photos!
Swiss Protection Socks
Tech Specs:
The sock is composed of: 50% Kevlar, 32% Polyester, 10% Cotton, and 8% Spandex.
The sole reinforcement consists of Eco-friendly PVC laminated onto the sole.
They come in three sizes ranging from: 38/39E, 42/43E, and 44,45E.
The socks weighs 55 grams each for a combined weight of 110 grams.
Swiss Protection Socks
First Impressions:
When I first saw the SPS marketing video (
see the original article) I was kind of skeptical. I did not think they would be very useful or practical. My first thought was that the sock would allow objects like pine needles to penetrate through with ease. I was afraid this might cause irritation as you walked. I was also not so sure about how comfortable it would be to wear while running or walking over rugged terrain.
I thought they looked kind of cool and liked the Swiss Cross on the side. Something about that Swiss Cross on a product just makes it seem so much more utilitarian. You can blame a certain knife maker for that. I think the company producing the socks knows this also. The company is based out of Germany, so I find it intriguing they decided to go with a Swiss name/logo for the product. Not a gripe, just an observation.
These socks are slightly thicker then a pair of wool
Injinji socks. I personally like thick socks so I thought this was a good thing. Some people who like the ultra thin socks might not like how thick these socks are. It just comes down to your personal preferences. Personally, I think if they were thinner the socks would not be as comfortable for outdoor barefoot use.
The Fit:
It fits about what I would have expected. It takes a moment or two longer to get on then a pair of Injinji socks. It can sometimes be a little more difficult to pull the socks over your toe because of the PVC sole. Overall the process of putting this sock on is pretty simple. Once you get the sock situated on the bottom of your foot you are ready to go.
After the initial wear, the knit of the sock loosened up and stretched to fit my foot in a very comfortable manner. I was able to walk for across various terrain for an excess of a mile without any discomfort due to the fit of this sock. I found the sock did not slip or move around on my foot when I was walking at all.
Overall I have no real complaints about the fit. If you are used to the feeling of wearing toe socks then the Swiss Protection Sock should not feel much different. For people who are new to toe socks, it might take some time to get used to the sensation of having the fabric between your toes.
The Sole:
I was surprised by the sole because I did not expect the texture to be as rough—not that this is necessarily a bad thing. I just thought it would be smoother. It is a PVC type material that looks to be weaved in between the bottom two layers of the sock. Not to worry, you can’t feel the texture on your skin when you are wearing the socks.
I try to be careful when walking on my hardwood floors with the socks on. I don’t think they will cause any damage; I can’t help but be cautious. It does provide plenty of grip across hardwood floors the few times I walked across them. Slipping is never an issue. I would also suggest that you don’t try and wear the Swiss Protection Socks with
FiveFingers. Not sure the PVC sole would be good for the fabric inside the VFFs.
Swiss Protection Socks
General Performance:
I must say I am very impressed with the general performance of these socks. I often find that I like to put them on for quick trips out to the mailbox. I can feel barefoot without worrying about having to watch every step I take like the integrity of my feet depend on it. The SPS is suitable for gardens, meadows, beaches, swimming, water sports, e.g. diving, surfing, and slag line (cut-resistant).
I only went on one short run in these socks. I thought they preformed quite well. They weigh 55 grams per sock. I did not find that they slipped or moved much during the run. Once you get the bottom PVC sole placed properly around the bottom of your foot you should not have much of a problem with the socks moving around on you. There was one instance when I was running up a hill. The foot felt like it was moving a little in the sock. It only happened a short period, and I did not have to stop and adjust it.
The only real drawback of these socks is that they are not puncture proof. My initial fear that pine needles would penetrate the socks was not an issue. I found the sock held up well in that regard. Minor objects like pine needles did not really penetrate through the sole of the shock. Although you don’t have to worry about cuts from some objects, you do have to watch out any pointy objects. You can still hurt yourself if you step on a nail or something pointy. Keep your eyes peeled for those and you should have no problems.
Swiss Protection Socks
Extreme Conditions Test:
My major test came one wet afternoon when it was rainy and COLD. It was cold enough that you could easily see your breath. I decided to walk the block in my neighborhood. I should put in perspective what it means to walk around my block. Making one complete loop around the block in my neighborhood is 8/10th of a mile. It involves a mix of paved roads with various inclines and a dirt/rock pipeline trail.
The socks preformed better then I would have ever expected. They got wet and muddy, but they held up well. I was able to trek through mud, rocks, grass, and wet pavement with no traction issue. The only drawback is that my toes got a little cold. When my toes got wet, they are separated so they have a hard time sharing warmth. Perhaps in cold situations it would be better going with a single toe sock that allows your toes to be closer together and share their warmth. I believe this is an issue with any type of toe sock/toe shoe and not just an issue with this brand.
The ground feel in these socks is what you would expect from a pair of socks. You can feel everything about the terrain you are standing on. I love that feature of these socks. I have been trying to figure out how to describe this next part for quite some time. I ended up calling it the barefoot sting. Some people when they stand on asphalt with small rocks they feel a slight tingle or burn in their feet from the rocks pressing in to your skin. The Swiss Protection Sock reduced this feeling by about half for me. I still feel that familiar barefoot sting, but it was reduced. This is a good thing if you like to take long barefooted walks over rugged terrain.
Availability and Care:
As far as I can tell you have to order these socks from the
manufactures website. They are a company based out of Germany. That means Americans will have to deal with the exchange rate which can make the Swiss Protection Socks quite expensive. They currently have two different styles of protection socks. They run about 55-59 euros depending on the style you choose. That is roughly $73-$78 US Dollars before shipping.
They have held up very well over time as I have used them. Once they got wet/muddy I decided to give them a wash. I followed the washing instructions that came with the socks. They came out of the wash cycle looking clean and new. After letting them air dry overnight they were ready to use again.
I would imagine these socks would hold up well over time. I suppose it depends on the type of terrain you plan on primarily using them in. I imagine the socks would start to show signs of wear and tear with constant use in extreme terrain. Surfers that want some protection from coral should find these to be well worth the investment.
Conclusion:
I was very impressed with these socks. They completely surpassed my expectations. I did not have a chance to take these shoes in rocky water, but for watersports enthusiasts, I would imagine these socks would be a very welcome edition to their surf arsenal. I highly recommend them to anyone who desires excellent barefoot feel with the added protection of cut resistant Kevlar.
These socks are not for the faint of heart. That mean newcomers to the barefoot movement should not expect to be able put this sock on a run a mile down a rocky trail the first time. If you are new to walking barefoot and you think these socks interest you. I would recommend them. You should break them (and your feet) in slowly, incrementally increasing the amount of time you wear them over time.
If you are a barefoot purist who can casually walk over hot coals without pain, you might just fall in love with the Swiss Protection Socks. I know that I will have many uses for these socks going forward. I look forward to going to the beach this summer. I can’t wait to walk through the surf without worrying about not being able to see through the water. I just have to make sure not to step on that Stingray tail.
If you are interested in picking up a pair of Swiss Protection socks. You can visit the
company’s website. If you purchased a pair of these socks, leave your feedback below!
26 replies on “Swiss Protection Socks Review”
Does anyone have the weight for these socks? Thanks!
I was intrigued until I read the price. I know ground feel is incredibly important to some… but it isn’t a huge feature for me (I want some ground feel, sure… but I don’t care if it is perfect). I just can’t imagine these socks being as durable as VFFs or other minimalist shoes, which (if you do some homework and buy when you can find a discount) will cost the same as these.
Interesting concept, but waaaaaay too expensive.
Mike
therunningdaddy.blogspot.com
These just don’t do anything for me aesthetically. Also, if one was wearing them for summertime, do they really need to be so tall? It seems to me a nice ankle cut would suffice. I am sure some of you will shutter at the mere mention of this, however if they are meant to be the only foot covering, couldn’t a mono-toed design also work? I wear VFFs and have no issues with them, but I cannot get used to wearing toe socks no matter how hard I try. I wear all of my VFFs sock-less. Even though these are not for me, thanks for the thorough review.
I think these would be really interesting for slack lining. The terrain under my slack line is not always smooth and clean, so these could be very helpful. I would definitely get a pair if they were cheaper.
That’s all well and good, but … when you’re wearing them it looks like you’re wearing your socks outside.
Sure, plenty of people think that FFs looks goofy, but I can get over that because I still think they look cool. I couldn’t say the same for these.
I would be interested in these…however I do not like how high on the leg they go. I notice on their site there is a ankle version…but only in US sizes 4.5-5.5. If they make the ankle sock in a bigger size, I’d bite.
I would be happy to get this socks without toes – a normal sock with the same sole.
Maybe you can give this idea to the manufacturer.
I do not like Toe socks – they are too difficult to put on in my eyes. (I am wearing VFF KSO).
How do you think these would hold up to climbing trees or large boulders? Do they feel secure on you foot or would they slide like a normal sock?
It is a shame about them not being puncture resistant. I went for a short run in my injinji’s and about 200m after I started I stepped on a tiny thorn which was painful but it didn’t puncture my skin which was cool. I’d love to give these a try but the price seems a little high.
Question:
“How do you think these would hold up to climbing trees or large boulders? Do they feel secure on you foot or would they slide like a normal sock? ”
We used them for that and they hold quite well and in fact they do only minimally slide if you wear the right size.
In fact the 5- toe sock is the principal construction of the Swiss Protection Sock. Without the 5 toe it would not have the characteristic we had in mind for their use.
They are easy to wear, no worry about that.
Well, I use them always for slack lining.
The price is dictated by the KEVLAR yarn from Dupont and they do not give us a discount.
As I said before the price is dictated mainly by the KEVLAR yarn from Dupont and they did not accept a discount when negotiating with them 🙁
Great idea, but what do these gain over the awesome Vibram FiveFingers? At least vibrams look like you intended to put them on and go well with sports gear. These would look ridiculous! It would look like you got dressed for a run, put some oversized warm socks on and then went out running and forgot to take your socks off or put your shoes on! They need a lower ankle version with one smooth colour (black preferably) as they currently look like my Grandads old hiking socks with toes LOL
It all comes down to personal preference on the design. I prefer a higher rise in my socks. I actually would not mind if these were a little taller. I actually don’t like no-show or ankle socks. I think they look and feel weird. It all just depends on what you like in design and what feels comfortable for you.
I don’t climb stuff anymore. I did not give that aspect a try. They do seem to be rather secure. I would imagine they would do a pretty decent job. The toe pockets help keep everything in place more then a single toed sock would.
FYI — When you place an order from their web site & state the US as your delivery address, it removes the 19% VAT (value added tax) that a European customer would have to pay. Thus, the cost of a pair was, for me, €61,58 EUR, which is $80.67 as of today.
I wish they had the ankle-length available in men’s sizes, but. . . well, I just had to get a pair of these. Can’t wait to run a 5k in what looks like cotton socks.
Why is there no size for 40/41?
These dound like awesome socks – if a little bit unbelievable. If i could wear them w vffs sure but otherwise i wouldnt spend my money on them. If imma go on a rocky, muddy trail then imma put on my vffs and not have to worry about washing them… But still, this is an amazing concept an discovery of sorts.
I just got my pair today. I put them on after the kids were asleep. I don’t normally run at night, but putting these on reminded me of the first time I put on a pair of VFFs — I just really wanted to go run. I didn’t do a particularly long run, but I was quickly convinced. These are the natural next step in the barefoot trend. I love how in my well-worn KSOs that I can curl my toes with ease. With the Swiss Protection Socks, it’s absolutely second nature.
I will put these to the test in a 5k race in two weeks. So far, they have indeed exceeded my expectations.
What remains to be seen is how long they will last.
I rate the Swiss Protection Socks a “meh” at best after months of using them.
http://citizenjosh.com/avocation/19-fitness/49-swiss-protection-socks.html
I haven’t tried them yet.
My big concern is durability, and I can find no reports about this online. At roughly $80 a pair, I can’t afford to be replacing them every few months.
The material is only 50% Kevlar, probably not even ballistic Kevlar, and the soles are not Kevlar at all! Isn’t that where you’d actually want it?
So, are there any durability benchmarks? how many miles, typically before the soles wear out?
Also,are these resistant to being cut by broken glass? not all Kevlar is.
Also: can these be washed multiple times? The manufacturer of Kevlar states that it can’t be washed more than 10-12 times before it starts to wear or lose its properties. So ?
I am wondering the excact same thing as Allan Speers. Hopefully someone that has used them for some months can write a little bit about the durability 🙂
If you wear the socks in soft sand, do the sand grains get inside the socks? I am thinking of using them for hikes on the beach away from the water.
Here’s my story. Being early adopter of everything cool, I ordered my pair online. I was looking forward to getting this pair and use it for all cool things they advertise it: hiking, rock climbing, etc.
Was very excited to get the parcel by mail and when opened – my excitement started to fade. There was a huge red disclaimer note attached to the packaging:
SPS is suitable for:
– “Outdoor on soft ground”
– Track across the fields, sandy paths, forest paths, sandy beach, gardens
– Water sports, board sports, swimming (protecting from cuts caused by shells, corals, stones)
SPS is not suitable for:
– Tarmac roads, paths with sharp obstacles, rocky paths to a limited extent
– Water sports where there are sea urchins (not sting-proof)
– As no sole, not suitable as footwear for lengthy walking and hiking with abrasive movement
– For reasons of liability law, we request that you comply with this specification.
– Not suitable for Surf- or Windsurf- Boards with rough “sanded “ surface with abrasion like asphalt
Special note
The Swiss Protection Sock is made using a knitted fabric where the principal yarn is one of the most resistant materials: Kevlar.But as with all knitted fabrics (stockings, pullover, wool socks etc) the knitting loops are extremely sensitive against pullout if you get caught on any even small hooking object. When you move away from such object the loop may be ruptured. Even one ruptured loop will open a hole at neighbour loops.We can not give any liability for such holes occurring in the use of the Swiss protection Sock.
It wasn’t suitable for any of the cool advertised uses! Hm… I said to myself, but was still eager to try them on. Owing a few of vibram five fingers I was familiar with all aspects of sliding foot and adjusting fingers. Moment after trying to slide my foot into the sock, top part of the sock with the PLUS sign detached from the sock (it was sewed) and that’s when my excitement disappeared. In addition the fabric didn’t seem to hugely differ from wool/cotton, by slightly rubbing your finger against it (not even a nail) it would start to fluff and turn to lint.
My experience in dealing with the company. Wrote them following letter:
“Hello,
I’m writing today because I received my pair of socks today and was excited to put them on. As I tried to put the first one on the top part completely snapped at the seam. See the picture attached. Coupled with your warning notice attached to the package regarding you not guaranteeing that walking in this sock will not damage it, which was given to me AFTER the fact doesn’t really make me very confident in your product. In fact it makes me very upset.
I’m waiting to hear back from you on your proposal for the resolution”
EXACTLY a week later… nobody replied. So I put together a follow up:
“It has been a week since I sent you a complaint and no one has bothered to reply. ”
I received a reply next day:
“it seems you first eMail was not delivered, we are always replying within a maximum of 48 hours.
Anyway, if there is a technical issue on our side, please excuse this.
The problem that occurred is not your fault, we will send you a new Swiss Protection Sock as replacement,
from a new production which will be delivered in around 4 weeks. Currently we are sold out.
We hope that you are patient over this period of time, you can be sure to receive a replacement, a fully
functional Swiss Protection Sock, where this issue will of course not occur anymore.”
Next day I received another reply:
“our CEO Dr. Dieter Hesch replied to your mail last Saturday. Please see the attached E-Mail message. Maybe there was a typo in the email address.
However we are still investigating in this matter and will come back to you as soon as we have received a statement of the manufacturer. We ask you to be patient and assure we will clarify the problem to your satisfaction. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Kind regards,”
The attached email was of the following nature:
“thank you for sending us your complaint which I take very seriously.
You got your Sock from the recent production which arrived recently. I hope that there will not be a general defect in this new production but at the moment this is unknown to me.
So maybe I reimburse you until we have more experience.
But be assured that in all former productions we had not that problem =
and no complaints from our huge number of customer.
Concerning the warning you mention, this does not say that you should not walk with the sock, this must be a misunderstanding at your site?
Anyway sorry for any inconvenience and best regards
DRDH”
I went on and replied:
“Mr Hesch,
This clearly wasn’t sent to the right address, it was sent to ….. and this address doesn’t exist and was never mentioned anywhere. I do however appreciate the reply and would accept the offer to get refunded at this point until more information and reviews become available on the outcomes of walking in those socks. As I mentioned before all your disclaimers go against the advertised uses of this sock, while you show you can climb and walk and hike, you immediately say that if you catch a loop along the way, you are not responsible and I consider this ridiculous. So let’s do a refund at this point.
Thanks,”
The CEO’s conclusive reply was:
“Good morning,
I have advised the management to refund you.
I am sorry for this issue but please understand that we do not want to have further correspondence with clients who behave like you do.
So please do not send messages, they will not be answered anymore and go to Spam.
Regards
DRDH”
A week later, still no refund.
You make your own decision…
Not impressed with these. Bought 1 month ago and walked around twive with them casually for about 20 min. The third time i went on a trail with them and within an hour (of walking) there was a hole in both of the heels. Threw them away and believe they are a waste of your money.
Need to know if they can be penetrated by small sting rays, as I was stung by one , and it is not good. They hide in the sand and only hit you around the ankles if you step on one.