Interviews
Socks made of various fibers that reduce chances of blisters
08 May '10
4 min read
Put through their paces in “sock blind-tests”
The next step was to investigate if the new, innovative sock concept would really prevent recruits from developing blisters under field conditions. At the beginning of May sixty new soldiers based in the Aarau barracks were issued with a pair of combat boots and ten single socks which they were ordered to wear over the next five days exactly according to a given schedule. The ten socks were of three different types, and with the intention of obtaining the most objective results possible the conscripts were not told anything about the individual sock types.
In order that soldiers could judge the different qualities of the footwear, and so that the researchers could document this information, the recruits wore different types of socks on each foot. Every day after the 6 kilometer route march the physiologists measured the soldiers' feet to see how damp the skin was, if it was irritated and if blisters were already appearing. At the same time the recruits described how the socks felt. The results of this field study will play a decisive role in choosing the “sock and boot system” in which the Swiss army will march in future.
Proven cooperation
Socks are complex things, and like jackets and trousers they are functional clothing which is intended to improve the capabilities and performance of the wearer. Armasuisse and Empa have already worked together in this field in the past. In 2002, in a research project entitled «Sweat Management» staff from the two organizations together with the textile firm Eschler developed a four-layer clothing concept for the army which has been used by Swiss combat troops since 2005, protecting them from wind and adverse weather thanks to its optimal thermal regulation capabilities.
The next step was to investigate if the new, innovative sock concept would really prevent recruits from developing blisters under field conditions. At the beginning of May sixty new soldiers based in the Aarau barracks were issued with a pair of combat boots and ten single socks which they were ordered to wear over the next five days exactly according to a given schedule. The ten socks were of three different types, and with the intention of obtaining the most objective results possible the conscripts were not told anything about the individual sock types.
In order that soldiers could judge the different qualities of the footwear, and so that the researchers could document this information, the recruits wore different types of socks on each foot. Every day after the 6 kilometer route march the physiologists measured the soldiers' feet to see how damp the skin was, if it was irritated and if blisters were already appearing. At the same time the recruits described how the socks felt. The results of this field study will play a decisive role in choosing the “sock and boot system” in which the Swiss army will march in future.
Proven cooperation
Socks are complex things, and like jackets and trousers they are functional clothing which is intended to improve the capabilities and performance of the wearer. Armasuisse and Empa have already worked together in this field in the past. In 2002, in a research project entitled «Sweat Management» staff from the two organizations together with the textile firm Eschler developed a four-layer clothing concept for the army which has been used by Swiss combat troops since 2005, protecting them from wind and adverse weather thanks to its optimal thermal regulation capabilities.
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