Protecting Your Feet
Steel toed boots have been my footwear of choice for a while now. To me they don't just protect my feet, they look professional. Lately, I have been thinking about my socks. I have generally worn socks that I buy at my 
local hardware supply. They are thick and wear well. As a runner blisters can be a concern. I decided to ask around and do some research.
Technology is always advancing. My Cascadia Evolution is incredibly advanced. I believe in technology, even if I am a little slow to catch on. As a young runner we had 3 basic choices, no socks, sanitary socks (the white socks worn under baseball socks) or tube socks. I generally wore no socks and my mother made me leave my running shoes outside. At least one world class runner had to retire because he wore out the skin on the bottom of his feet.
When I started training to run my first marathon, I bought my first pair of dri fit socks. Dri fit or wicking material helps keep the moisture (sweat) away from your skin. If you run longer races in a regular cotton T shirt, most likely you will chafe. Chafing is the sworn enemy of long distance runner. I have finished a few races with marks on my neck and arms as well as the awful nipple bleed. Running shorts are also made with dri fit material.
Blisters are also the enemy of the distance runner. Dri fit socks help prevent blisters. They don't stick to your feet like traditional cotton socks. Blisters are not the friend of the trucker either. Especially the trucker who
wants to exercise by walking and or running. Blisters are discouraging. Comfort is important. Blisters cause break downs. As every trucker knows maintenance prevents break downs. Think of wearing dri fit socks as maintenance or prevention.
Technology is still advancing in socks. I have been seeing microbiolurgic (odor absorbing) dri fit compressions socks in truck stops. Compression socks have been making appearances in the running world too. We know that they aid in recovery and many believe that they prevent fatigue. The best American marathoner Meb Keflizghi wears them. Chris Solinski wore them when he became the first American to run a sub 27:00 minute 10k (6.2 miles). We know that compression socks help improve blood flow. We believe that they enhance recovery. The jury is out on whether or not they increase performance.
I have started wearing dri fit socks under my cotton socks when I wear my boots. I have also bee experimenting with the ankle high microbiolurgical compressions socks. My boots stay in my truck, so my wife has not noticed any improvement in the smelly boot factor. I do like the comfort factor of the dri fit socks. I especially like preventing blisters.