No more blisters with new Rohner socks
Researchers from Empa (the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and experts from armasuisse , the Swiss competence centre for the procurement of technically complex systems and materials have worked alongside sock manufacturer Rohner to develop socks that reduce the chances of blisters forming on the wearer’s feet.
The prototype footwear is designed to reduce friction at the toes and heels, absorb perspiration and offer comfort. The socks are made from a wool blend, which absorbs sweat, along with technical fibres in the toe and heel areas. Empa tested the thermodynamics, physiology and tribology (frictional effects) of the socks both on a sweating dummy foot developed jointly with armasuisse and on soldiers marching on treadmills in the climate chamber.
In addition, researchers from the Technical University of Chemnitz analysed the biomechanical properties of the soldiers’ combat boots. It found that the boots exerted the necessary pressure on the socks to allow optimal absorption of perspiration by the fibres. As a result, the socks rub less and transport sweat away from the skin more quickly.
At the beginning of May, the socks were tested at the Aarau army barracks, with 60 recruits wearing the socks on daily route marches. Blisters can be a serious problem for members of the armed forces. Each recruit was 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.
The recruits wore different types of socks on each foot. Every day after the six kilometre march the physiologists measured the soldiers’ feet to see how damp the skin was, whether it was irritated and whether blisters were appearing. At the same time the recruits described how the socks felt. According to the developers, the results were positive and will be explained in more detail after further analysis.
