Balega Hidden Comfort Review

Balega designs and manufactures running socks for technical performance. The company is an initiative of both South Africa and America, with production facilities in the two countries.

They are arguably the most popular blister prevention socks for runners on the market. 

Let's dive into one of their most popular: Balega Hidden Comfort Running Socks. 

Balega Hidden Comfort Review

With a mixture of features and great performance, this sock is ideal for those seeking something that's both comfortable and affordable.

Company Overview

Their primary facility is in North Carolina and they use high quality yarns processed in the USA to manufacturer top quality performance socks.

The company designs socks to deliver exceptional comfort and superior fit for its consumers worldwide. It’s dedicated to showcasing quality, excellence and performance in every socks it manufactures. 

Expert craftsmanship, technological advancement, and sustainability set the company apart from its competitors.

Balega has state-of-the-art production facilities in Hickory, North Carolina, and Cape Town, South Africa, where it manufactures the best running socks using quality performance yarn made in the United States.

The company implements technology in its processes to ensure that socks produced meet the unique needs of each consumer.

Today we will provide an in-depth review of one of their more popular lines, the Balega Hidden Comfort socks. If you are curious about the Hidden Comfort or the Contour, read this article for the comparison. 

The company’ dedicated quality inspection teams hand-inspect Balega socks to ensure they’re washed and dried before being packed for distribution.

Sustainability is also instrumental to the socks manufacturer. It prints its packaging materials on a board that’s partially recyclable.

A water recycling purification system in integrated into the manufacturing facilities to prevent water wastage by up to 50%.

This makes the company eco-friendly.

These three factors differentiates the socks manufacturer from its competitors.

Balega running socks offer excellence in terms of feel, fit and performance. After many years of research, the company only manufactures durable socks of high quality. The socks are availed in every seam, thread, and detail.

30% more stitches and branches are integrated into the heel for optimal stretch and protection. The company links toe seams manually for total seam-free comfort when running.

Due to ventilation panels placed onto the socks strategically, they absorb moisture for dry, comfortable socks.

The Hidden Comfort Running Socks don’t show when worn with your running shoes. The no-show socks also offer plush cushioning for every running foot out there.

Designed for both men and women, the socks deliver comfortable cushioning for top performance from the start of your races to the end.

They offer protection and resistance from impact whenever your foot hits the trail. Made with proprietary Drynamix, the socks have fibers that absorb moisture when running on wet surfaces and sweat in summer.

The microfiber mesh ventilation panels are specially made and reinforced to keep your feet dry and cool during runs.

The fit and feel is also exceptional. The tow box area is hand-linked and seamless to prevent chafing and reduce friction on the top side of your foot. With the high heel tab and deep heel pocket, the socks don’t slip when running.

The high-volume cushioning also gives a perfect fit and feel for added protection while keeping your socks lightweight.

Balega Hidden Comfort Socks Overview

Features of the Balega Hidden Comfort No-Show Running Socks

• Proprietary Drynamix fabric
• High-volume cushioning
• Uniquely built and reinforced microfiber mesh ventilation panels
• Hand-linked seamless toe box
• Plush 200 needle-count fabric
• Extra deep heel pocket and high heel tab
• Race-tested and has improved Elastane

Pros

•    Offers plush comfort and performance during prolonged trainings and long runs
•    Absorbs moisture and sweat from your skin to keep your feet dry and cool
•    Well-ventilated for increased breathability
•    Reduces friction and prevents chafing of the top side of your foot
•    Reinforced heel and toe area for increased durability
•    Don’t slip inside your running shoes during runs
•    Offers extra no-slip security through improved Elastane
•    Cushioned for impact resistance
•    Protects foot during prolonged runs and walks
•    Available in 21 color and 4 size options
•    Protects from uncomfortable Achilles rubbing

Cons

•    Can slip off the back of foot as the padding is not targeted to the most important areas

Factors to Consider When Buying Balega Running Socks

When buying socks, first consider how much you’re willing to pay for a pair. Although socks aren’t expensive, do your research well to ensure that you get value for your money.

Budget

Come up with a budget to guide your purchase, especially when looking to buy many pairs of running socks.

If that’s the case, find socks being sold in bulk or packs to save on costs. It’s also important to consider the brand of socks you want to buy.

With hundreds of socks brands on the market, choosing the best socks brand may be difficult. But, with some research, you can determine the best brands based on consumer reviews.

The best socks brand is trustworthy and produces high quality socks. It has been on the market for many years and thus understands what runners look for in their socks. They produce socks tailored to meet unique consumer needs.

Another factor is size.

The best pair of running socks come in the right size for a snug fit. The right socks fit well to prevent slipping and friction. The latter may result in blisters that can impair your running or training performance.

Available in different colors, choose socks in a color that matches your personality, style and preferences.

Consider buying socks in colors that go well with that of your running shoes for a beautiful look. Look out for strong materials on your socks to ensure that they support prolonged use.

Breathability

The best running socks are also ventilated for increased breathability. This features ensures that air flows freely inside the socks to keep your feet dry and odor-free. Dry feet also don’t develop bacterial or fungal infections between your toes.

The materials used on the socks should also contain fibers with moisture-absorbing properties. They’d absorb sweat in hot weather and moisture when running on wet running surfaces.

Last, but not least, the best socks for running are made in varying lengths. Choose no-show to knee-length designs as you deem fit.

Before buying from any brand, check out user reviews of the running socks to ensure you get value for your money. Many positive reviews point to high quality performance socks.

Care and Maintenance of Running Socks

The need to care for your socks goes without saying. Before investing in running socks, make sure you find out how to take care of them for prolonged use.

Socks require washing to keep them clean and infection free. Although you don’t have to wash them after every use, it’s wise to do, especially after a long race of sweating.

Whereas some socks require machine wash, others recommend hand washing. However, some socks recommend both hand and machine wash.

They also need air drying to keep them fresh and odor-free. In case of minor loose seams, get them fixed to prevent further damage on the socks.

If you buy white socks, get a white bleaching agent to soak them for a few hours and keep them pure white. When not in use, hang the socks to keep them aerated.

With proper care and maintenance, expect your socks to last long. However, replace worn out socks to ensure that you get the most from your performance socks.

Tears, loose fitting and general socks that have been in use for years may not deliver. For instance, they may have impaired cushioning, meaning your foot don’t get protection from impacts on rough terrains.

Finally, keep at least two pairs of running socks to ensure that there’s always a clean pair whenever you need to use them.

However, you can invest in as many running socks as you want. You can even buy a few pairs from different brands to get the most from what each has to offer.

Balega Hidden Comfort Running Socks Review Wrap-Up

The Balega Hidden Comfort Running Socks are designed for durable use. They’re attractive and come in 21 colors to suit the different tastes and preferences out there.

They also come in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes to fit the different foot sizes out there.

The proprietary Drynamix material it’s made from keeps your feet dry and cool. It absorbs sweat and moisture away from your feet to prevent infections.

The material also gives the socks breathable properties due to the ventilation panels built onto them.

The running socks also come in a no-show design for runners who’d liked them hidden away inside your running shoes from public view. The added cushioning on the socks protect your foot when running on rough terrains. It offers comfort and resists impact whenever your foot hits the running terrain.

The Balega Hidden Comfort Running Socks are popular because they give a comfortable snug fit. When wearing these socks, you don’t have to worry about slip downs.

You can run your entire mileage without the need to pull up or adjust your socks. What’s more, you won’t feel as if you’re wearing socks because they’re lightweight.