To my knowledge it's the same outfit that make the X-socks that can be found all over the UK now (TK Maxx included!)
My experiences of the X-socks (Skyrunner) are mixed - they weren't great in hot weather and the fabrics lost a lot of their performance & comfort after relatively few uses/wash cycles. In fact the magic orange padding for my toes ended up causing hot spots & snagged on a slightly torn toenail resulting in me losing a toe nail after a longer run. Not cool.
That whole video reaked of the classic 'informercial' nonsense that you see on shopping tv channels. I've seen the x bionic baselayer sold in my local french outdoors shop and it's at the top end of the price range for synthetics (more than Patagonia, Helly, Odlo etc.) The packaging is also a tribute to marketing madness... you have to see it to believe it. I think my last tv came in less wrapping and with fewer tech specs!
Still, I've heard it well reviewed by actual users. Whether they've been 'blinded with science' I don't know but for my notes I'll stick to what I know works unless someone wants to give me a healthy cynics discount. If it really was 55c in that running chamber it wouldn't make a sod of difference what fibres you were wearing - you'd overheat. That's why people working in those environments have actively cooled environment suits...
John
Posted: 16/08/2009 at 16:25
