OVERALL 3CREVIEWS
SCORE:
66/100
RANKED 2ND OF 2 SOCKS TESTED - See the other socks tested here
Great value for money, optimally thick, over-rated recovery.
I tried out the 2XU Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks thoroughly and, to make sure I wasn't being bias, I recruited 4 additional 3C Reviewers to try and test these socks over a variety of activities - say hello to Louise, Thomas H, Suzanne and Richard B!
I then questioned my 4 volunteers about the 2XU socks on a range of factors including style, comfort, value, key selling points and post exercise benefit to name a few. In addition, I researched 2XU's marketing, workplace ethics and manufacturing - not forgetting online reviews either! And then after all that, I combined all this information to give the socks a score out of 100. This is what I found:
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Brand: 2XU
Make/Model: Vectr Cushion Full Length
Cushioning: Moderate
Colours Available: 2 - Black, White
RRP: £30.00
Materials: 88% Nylon, 12% Elastane
The Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks are 2XU's premium cushioned full length compression sock, with 2XU highlighting features such as increased blood flow for improved performance, anti-blister technology, the aforementioned premium cushioning, wide toe boxes, asymmetrical anatomical design for better fit and quick drying. Despite being the most cushioned of three full length compression socks 2XU offer, they are the same price.
Product Highlights:
- Exceptional Online Reviews/Feedback
- Amazing Value for Money compared to the rest of the market.
- Excellent Thickness of Material
Product Downsides:
- Materials have numerous, serious negative impacts for the environment
- Perceived Recovery Benefit was poor despite wearing them post session.
69/100
LOUISE | THOMAS H | SUZANNE | RICHARD B |
67/100 | 83/100 | 44/100 | 79/100 |
62/100
This is just an overview of the thorough process I undertook to really get my teeth into these products - albeit not literally! Below is a list variables I took into account into the scoring. Simply click on the topics parts that interest you about 2XU's Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks to read more.
CONTENTS
3CReviewers Score Criteria:
- Comfort
- Fit
- Quality
Desk Research Score Criteria:
VIDEO COMING SOON....
PART 1
3C REVIEWERS FEEDBACK:
69/100
The four Testers were told to go about their usual exercise habits with the socks for a minimum of 10 sessions, whether that be running, or other activities. This was relevant as, whilst they are built for running, I think it’s important for the socks to be versatile, and I wanted to see how they fared in a range of activities.
So what did our 3CTesters think of these socks?
AESTHETIC - 8.2/10
Louise (8.9) - Thomas H (7.6) - Suzanne (6.7) - Richard B (9.4)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
These socks come in two colours, Black or White. Louise and Richard B received the former whilst Thomas H and Suzanne received the latter. Louise and Richard B both scored the plain black colour a perfect 10/10, whilst giving the design/pattern scores of 8 and 9 respectively.
Suzanne and Thomas H, with the white colour, responded with scores of just 4 and 5 out of 10 for colour respectively, and both giving style a score of 7/10. When asked if they preferred the black colour, both said yes, with Suzanne saying she wasn't a fan of white and had to wash the white pair thoroughly to get them clean (and hence was concerned about rate of deterioration). Thomas H simply didn’t like the colour - although it did grow on him by the end. When asked what they would have scored the black pair had they had them, they both increased the colour scores to 7 (Suzanne) and 8.5 (Thomas H).
(Left to right - Louise, Thomas H, Suzanne and Richard B)
I also asked the Testers, how much out of 10 would they rate the importance of colour/style when it comes to purchasing a product like this. Louise, Suzanne and Richard B all gave aesthetic importance a score of 9/10, highlighting how crucial the colour and look of a compression sock is when making those buying decisions. Thomas H gave the aesthetic an importance of 7/10, still showing that colour plays a dominant role in the purchasing process. These scores helped to calculate the 2XU Vectr Cushion’s overall aesthetic score.
All four of these Testers, at this point, had already tested at least one other pair of compression socks prior to testing the 2XU Vectr Cushion’s. I found it intriguing to see that Louise and Richard B’s perception of how important colour/style is had changed since having tested CEP’s 4.0/The Run Socks (Tall). Louise, with all her marathon training, now seems to believe that colour, whilst still very important, isn’t the most essential factor when buying compression socks. Richard B on the other hand, having tested the plain white pair from CEP, maybe realised that he does care about colour and would deem aesthetic a more significant part of the purchasing decision than he initially thought. This doesn’t have much bearing on 2XU ‘s Vectr Cushion Socks, but I thought it interesting nonetheless and maybe something some of you readers may be able to relate to!
COMFORT - 7/10
Louise (7) - Thomas H (9) - Suzanne (3) - Richard B (9)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Richard B and Thomas H both commented/implied that, whilst the socks were a bit tough to put on, once they were on, they found the comfort of the socks to be laudable. Both testers emphasised that the wider toe box was very welcome allowing the feet to splay - especially so for Thomas H’s self proclaimed ‘Flippers’. Richard B added that the initial feel of putting the socks on was commendable and felt supportive for his ankles and high arches, whilst Thomas H actually said that the Vectr Cushion’s were so comfortable, he could overlook the objectionable aesthetic. He found that he often forgot he even had them on, with the socks causing no irritation nor bringing undue attention to the lower limbs at all, only bringing benefit to his training and recovery. Louise also voiced her praise for how these socks feel round her calves.
Suzanne on the other hand couldn’t forget they were on, even though she tried very hard to do so!! She couldn’t wait for the Vectr Cushion’s to come off, especially after long periods of time or post any fitness session. Suzanne found that the extra toe room (that Thomas H and Richard B had both loved) seemed to exacerbate a problem with excess material around the toes, which often contributed to further discomfort. She also noted considerable irritation on top of the foot when wearing them, something she never has an issue with otherwise. So hold onto those receipts in case you find yourself in the same situation as Suzanne!
'WOW' FACTOR - 6.5/10
Louise (8) - Thomas H (7) - Suzanne (3) - Richard B (8)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Initial first impressions were, for the most part, positive, but rather mixed. Thomas H initially scored these socks down due to the colour, and Suzanne, whilst impressed by the athletic and technical aesthetic, thought the packaging was very basic, cheapening her view of the socks and the brand. On the other hand, Richard B was actually rather positive regarding the packaging and further commented that the initial feel of 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Socks was very satisfying and felt nice to touch.
These first impressions, in hindsight, were maybe a touch on the pessimistic side - especially Suzanne, as her initial views seemed to be fairly positive, yet she put a very low score of 3. Thomas H would also later overcome his initial distaste for the colour by the end!
Suzanne testing the socks during a run
FIT - 6.5/10
Louise (7) - Thomas H (8) - Suzanne (3) - Richard B (8)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
On the positives, Richard B liked and commented on the strong elasticity of the socks around his calves, with them also having a generous toe box allowing his feet to splay without restriction - Thomas H also voiced his praise for this feature too, accommodating for his self proclaimed ‘flipper-feet’.
Suzanne also appreciated the firm compressive fit around the calves.
But for Suzanne, the fit around her foot which was excessively roomy, which Suzanne progressive resented throughout her 10 sessions. This was the primary reason for her serious dislike for these socks. By the end, 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Socks were such a bad fit that when using them, she was constantly thinking about the moment she could take them off, with longer sessions being particularly agonising. Despite normally appreciating a decent toe box, she found the excess room to be baggy, including the heel. The sizing simply wasn’t good for her. The socks irritated the ridge of her foot and found the extra cushioning to be too thick.
Louise commented that whilst 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Socks did fit well, her toes also suffered in these socks, but in Louise’s case, ended up resulting in bad blisters. Richard B did confess he found that they were hard to put on, and the socks, at times, felt too tight for him to feel benefit from.
QUALITY - 6.9/10
Louise (7) - Thomas H (8) - Suzanne (4.5) - Richard B (8)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
The Testers were asked if they perceived the socks to be of a high quality based on just holding and putting the socks on, but BEFORE trying them properly. They were then asked again AFTER they tested them fully to see if their opinion had changed.
Overall, the quality was perceived to be decent. But both Louise and Suzanne thought the socks weren’t quite as high a quality as they had hoped/expected, having initially scored the socks an 8 and 5 respectively. But after having tested them, these scores dropped to a 6 and 4 respectively. This implies that the initial feel isn’t a good measure of how they will perform.
VALUE - 7.4/10
Louise (6.7) - Thomas H (8.5) - Suzanne (7.5) - Richard B (6.7)
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
The RRP of 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks is £30. This is the joint second lowest of the 10 compression socks we are testing, tied only with the two other 2XU socks! This is an attractive factor, especially with many potential customers being driven by price to determine the item they purchase. But a lower price tag doesn’t always mean good value. And so I asked all four Testers before trialling them (and without looking up the price online) how much they think these socks are worth. And then after trying them, I asked them again in case their view had changed.
Louise, Thomas H and Suzanne guessed figures notably above the actual RRP of £30, having estimated the worth at £50, £40 and £45 respectively. Richard B was the only one to guess under the RRP with a figure of £20, which was still notably higher than his perceived worth of CEP’s 4.0/The Run Socks (Tall).
None of the four Testers changed or altered their initial guess of the worth of these socks after having tried them.
At this point, ALL four of the Testers had already tried another compression sock for me in this series, and ALL four Testers guessed the worth of 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks to be the MOST valuable of the socks tested, having previously undervalued the socks they had tried prior. Hence, it may be a flaw on my part to have revealed the RRP of the socks that they had previously tried, as this may have skewed their perception of the value of the 2XU’s. In addition, moving forwards, I will look to ask more specifically about what they would pay for the item, not what they think the worth of the item is, which may be seen as RRP.
The average guess of the 4 Testers was £38.75 - nearly 30% more than the actual RRP. This implies that either the Testers were overly influenced by the prices of previously tried socks, or that, just maybe, that these socks are in fact very decently priced, undervalued by 2XU and hence excellent value for money.
MARKETED FEATURES - 6.7/10
Louise (3.8) - Thomas H (7) - Suzanne (7.8) - Richard B (7.8)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
2XU has 6 main features it promotes for it’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks, as well as how these features benefit your training. These include claims on arch support, blisters, blood supply, cushioning, the fit, toe splay, sweat wicking and ventilation. So I asked all four Testers how much they believe in each of the 6 statements/claims, out of 10, given their experience with them. The above scores are the average score each Tester gave across all six claims. This is what our 3CTesters thought of each of 2XU’s marketed features:
“ANTI-BLISTER X-LOCK technology provides advanced arch and plantar fascia support and locks the foot in place within the sock to reduce blistering. ”
6/10
Louise (3) - Thomas H (7) - Suzanne (7) - Richard B (7)
Overall, the Testers were fairly positive towards this feature, with Richard B having commented about how supported his feet felt in the socks, which he found particularly good for his high arches.
But that’s where the positive comments end. Louise commented how much her toes suffered in these socks, giving her, I quote, ‘HORRIFIC blisters’ on her long runs, which the other socks she tested didn’t do. So much so, Louise thinks 2XU is outright lying about a few of the features and their ‘magical’ benefits.
Suzanne found the fit of the socks to be baggy - and they managed to irritate the top of her feet too! This led her to comment that the 2XU’s claim of fascia support is oversold/rated. However, saying that, she did acknowledge that she did not suffer with blisters when wearing them. But the excess room around the foot was uncomfortable and didn’t appear to support her arch or plantar fascia in any way.
“QUICK-DRYING Moisture wicking yarns and zoned mesh ventilation areas keep your feet cool and dry.”
6.5/10
Louise (2) - Thomas H (8) - Suzanne (8) - Richard B (8)
Louise was not impressed when it came to the features 2XU promoted, and this was one of the features she particularly had an issue with. At the time of testing, Louise lived in Valencia, Spain, and hence was subjected to a much warmer climate than the other Testers, giving these socks a good trial of performance. However, on some hot runs, Louise struggled to get the socks off due to sweat, and, because sweat can exacerbate blister formation, the potential lack of adequate ventilation in the socks may have contributed to her horrific blisters. The cause could be a mixture of the sock material, fit and even the colour (with Louise having tried the black pair). Regardless, the socks failed to remain notably breathable in the warmer climate, let alone keeping Louise’s feet cool and dry.
“GRADUATED COMPRESSION Boosts blood flow to muscles, improving performance, reducing risk of injury and speeding up recovery.”
7.3/10
Louise (6) - Thomas H (6) - Suzanne (9) - Richard B (8)
This claim, along with two other features, seemed to be most believable of the 6 features promoted. For Louise and Richard B, the compression around the calf was one of the highlights of these socks. But whilst Richard B found the elasticity to be strong and mostly comfy, it was maybe too much on the calves, and he felt like he wasn’t benefiting fully from them.
Suzanne was also positive about the calf compression, especially when running and thought them comparable to her favourites - the CEP Animal Socks. On occasions, her legs did feel better for having worn them, but the tightness, like Richard B, was an issue. Upon reflection of her time with them, she did comment that she, like Louise, thought the benefits that 2XU promoted for the Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks are overrated.
Thomas H said that he had little/inadequate knowledge and experience from past socks to draw comparisons when it came to recovery etc.. But he did say that his calves didn’t ache after having worn them - which implies they may have had a positive impact!
“CUSHION 3.25mm maximum cushioning to deliver ultimate shock absorption during forefoot impact, push-off and heel impact.”
7.3/10
Louise (6) - Thomas H (7) - Suzanne (8) - Richard B (8)
Not only was this feature one of the more believable ones, it was also the most agreed upon across the four Testers. But whilst there were comments made by the Testers about the ‘feel-good’ initial touch, the fit around the foot and the comfort (or in some cases discomfort!!), there wasn’t much discussion on cushioning. The only comment came from Suzanne who mentioned that the extra cushioning in the socks was too thick, and resulted in being uncomfortable and baggy. As mentioned, Louise also got ‘HORRIFIC’ blisters, implying the cushioning provided may not be adequate.
Thomas H and Richard B gave decent scores here which reflect how comfortable they said the socks were. Given the more negative experiences Louise and Suzanne had with these socks, they still gave decent scores. This implies that whilst the cushioning could be better, they don’t blame the cushioning for the wider issues they had with these socks.
“ANATOMICAL DESIGN Engineered to conform to the left and right structure of the foot for better fit. ”
7.3/10
Louise (5) - Thomas H (7) - Suzanne (9) - Richard B (8)
This is the last of the three more believable/positive features of this sock. This feature, whilst important, is maybe the least exciting from 2XU. A lot of socks, even on the budget end, have designated Left and Right socks for people’s respective feet. Whilst there were comments for good fit around the foot (Richard B/Thomas H) as well as poor fit (Suzanne/Louise), none of these comments were attached to the anatomical design of the socks. So the positive or negative impact of the anatomical design is unknown. But sometimes no news is good news!
In addition, there may have been a slight issue in the scoring of this feature. I asked the four Testers how much out of 10 they believe in each statement. In this case, it’s clear 2XU have definitely designed their socks to fit the anatomical shape of each left and right foot. I should have framed the question to ask more about if they think the anatomical design makes a positive contribution to their experience or not, rather than the question of being true or false etc.
As said before though, both Louise and Suzanne made explicit comments about how they didn’t believe in ANY of the benefits of these socks - including this one. Despite this, Suzanne’s scores for some of these features were rather generous. This may have been the result of her completing parts of the feedback at different times, and how her experience changed overtime - the power of hindsight!
“WIDE TOE BOX Seamless wide toe box eliminates a key irritation point and promotes natural toe splay improving balance, alignment and comfort.”
5.5/10
Louise (1) - Thomas H (7) - Suzanne (6) - Richard B (8)
The toe box was the most divisive feature and split the Testers the most, with the split being between the two women and the two men. All of them agreed that the toe box was wide, but whether or not that was a good thing was largely disagreed. Overall, this feature was the one that the 3CTester’s called bullsh*t on the most.
Thomas H and Richard B made explicit, positive comments about the toe box and how it conformed to their foot shape or how it allowed their toes to splay more freely, respectively. Both found the socks comfortable and maybe their thoughts on the Toe Box are attributed to that.
However, Suzanne and Louise did not think highly of the Toe Box. Both of them gave this the lowest score for across all 6 claims. Suzanne blamed the wide box for the overly baggy fit around the foot and, whilst she didn’t get blisters, found her time in them to be significantly uncomfortable and found no benefit from the wider toe box. Louise was similar, but actually did get blisters and found her time with them to be disappointing on the longer runs.
Suzanne putting the socks to the test
BRAND RECOGNITION - 2.5/5
Louise (2.5) - Thomas H (3.5) - Suzanne (1.5) - Richard B (2.3)
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
I asked each of the four Testers how aware were they of 2XU before reviewing the socks, and, even if they hadn’t heard of them, how good a reputation do they think 2XU has. This was one of the Worst Performing aspects of the 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks based on the Tester’s Feedback. Which isn’t really a criticism of the socks themselves, but interesting to see how a major sports brand like 2XU is still relatively unknown even among sporty people and how that might influence their purchases/buying habits.
Suzanne and Richard B weren’t aware of the brand at all. Interestingly, as a result, they heavily weighted the ‘Reputation’ score based on the packaging - of which they both had different views. Suzanne thought the packaging was basic and noted that the poor fit of the socks made her think that 2XU might be all looks and not necessarily about quality. But Suzanne did say that 2XU’s website was more impressive which resulted with her giving ‘Reputation’ a middling score of 5. Richard B thought the packaging was smart and professional and was impressed with the initial feel/touch, and gave a score of 8/10 for ‘Reputation’.
Louise had some awareness of the brand (3/10), but not much. Despite this, she also gave a good score for ‘Reputation’ (7/10), her reason being was that if I, Cameron, am testing these socks in the first place, they must be pretty decent! Touché. Thomas H turned out to be the only one who has heard of 2XU and what he’s heard is good, leading him to give a score of 6/10 for ‘Recognition’ and 8/10 for ‘Reputation’.
POST EXERCISE BENEFIT - 2.5/5
Louise (2) - Thomas H (5) - Suzanne (1) - Richard B (2)
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Given one of the more common and well marketed features of compression socks is the recovery effect they offer the calves, it’s paramount that people wear the socks for a period of time after exercise to maximise post-exercise benefit. This was explained to all four Testers. I asked the Testers whether or not they kept the socks on post activity/exercise and, if so, whether they felt a benefit or not. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the other Worst Performing aspect of the 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks based on the Tester’s Feedback.
All four 3CTester’s DID keep the socks on after exercise - which is notable and I’m proud they did! It also implies that these socks were comfortable enough for the Tester’s to keep on. Well, for the most part… Kudos must go to Suzanne, who, despite really not liking these socks, did persevere and kept the socks on - for the sake of research!
But the Tester’s simply keeping the socks on is just the first hurdle. However, the experience of having kept the socks on was rather negative. 3 of the 4 Testers (Louise, Suzanne and Richard B) felt that leaving them on post session/exercise made no notable difference at all to their calves recovery wise.
Thomas H was the only Tester to say, confidently, that he found there to be a positive effect/benefit of wearing 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks post exercise. For 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks to have such an insignificant impact across 3 of the 4 Testers, despite all of them keeping the socks on post session/exercise, certainly does raise the question of whether or not these socks are able to aid recovery at all.
THICKNESS - 4.3/5
Louise (4) - Thomas H (5) - Suzanne (3) - Richard B (5)
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Thomas H and Richard B found the thickness to be perfect and had no criticisms of any sort. Overall, Thickness was the BEST Performing aspect of the 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks based on the Tester’s Feedback.
Louise and Suzanne were a little less impressed, and had opposing thoughts on the thickness of 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks. Louise, despite running in these socks in the warmer climate of Valencia, Spain, found these socks to be too thin. Given the blister issue Louise had with these socks, this implies that Louise would have liked more padding/thickness in and around the foot to have potentially protected her feet from said blisters. Suzanne, on the other hand, found them to be too thick. This is likely due to the problems she had with the excess material/space, exacerbated by the padding of the socks.
DID THE TESTERS LIKE THEM? - 3.8/5
Louise (YES) - Thomas H (YES) - Suzanne (NO) - Richard B (YES)
*Ranked joint 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
After thoroughly testing the socks, 3 of the 4 Testers would go on to say that they explicitly liked 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks. There was only one 3CTester who didn’t like them - Suzanne.
Suzanne quickly formed a dislike of these socks, with the socks just not fitting well even before she exercised in them, noting significant excess room around the foot. This dislike was only further cemented the more she tried them, causing her serious discomfort when exercising, and she couldn’t wait to get them off. When asked if Suzanne may have liked the socks had she tested the socks in the preferred black colour, she replied with NO. No colour would have made her like these socks, not even purple!
OTHER COMMENTS
I asked the Testers a few additional questions to help me understand their experience with the socks better. For example, when asked if the Testers had owned previous knee length compression socks before, the only one to have done so was Thomas H with a pair he bought from Sports Direct (a budget sports chain) here in the UK in addition to the CEP Animal Compression Socks he’s used for another 3CReview. Ultimately, he commented that the 2XU’s were his favourite of the three he’s tried. Richard B echoed this, having tried CEP’s 4.0/The Run Socks (Tall) for these reviews, saying he thinks he’d likely wear [the 2XU] ones over the CEP socks.
Louise, on the other hand, preferred CEP’s 4.0/The Run Socks (Tall) over the Vectr Cushion Socks. Suzanne significantly preferred CEP’s Animal Compression Socks to the 2XU’s. Suzanne signed off saying the Vectr Cushions just didn’t feel very special and was disappointed with her experience with them, not living up to the technical look and design.
This shows quite the disagreement between the female and male testers and the socks they believed to be superior!!!
All four testers said that 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Full Length Socks washed fine with no colour problems, fading or shrinkage - Thomas H specified he washed them either on a 30 or 40 degree (Celsius) cycle with no issues.
PART 2
THE DESK RESEARCH:
65/100
ONLINE REVIEWERS SCORE - 9/10
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
All of the product reviews for the 2XU Vectr Cushion Full socks across all of their various regional websites are all collated together, making for a large collection of reviews - and making it easier to purge through them and see what people around the world thought of them!
Online reviewers gave these socks a score of 4.5/5. The reviewers were considerably favourable with 81% of all the reviews giving 5 stars. The most applauded feature that reviewers mentioned was the Fit, noting how well they stayed in place and how nicely it hugged the feet/ankles/calves. The next most noted (positive) feature was how comfortable the socks were.
Other notable positive comments include commending the notably strong compression, the quality/build of the socks, the supportive feel they give around the calves, the cushioning/padding and how those with circulation issues seem to enjoy the benefits the socks offer - namely the compression which is said to aid venous return.
The most notable criticisms were… Well, there wasn’t a general consensus of bad feedback! Negative reviews (1 or 2 stars) only made up 9% of the reviews, and each of those discussed different problems. One discussed that the socks are not ‘true to size’ - claiming the unisex fit to be the issue, implying the size guide could be clearer and/or more inclusive. Another customer experienced excess material around the toes, which bunched and irritated the skin, and then further commented that customer service had all but ignored them when contacted. One simply claimed the socks to be low quality and too thick.
THE RANGE OF STYLE AND COLOUR OPTIONS - 1.5/5
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
2XU are known for their sleek, smart designs… and the massive ol’ X that wraps around most of their garments - most notably their compression tights and tri suits. Which means their socks don’t get quite the attention/priority that other brands give to their socks, like CEP. And this may be why the 2XU Vectr Cushion only comes in just two colours: Black or White. The vast majority of people don’t mind neutral colours like these, as it’s easier to coordinate an outfit around them. But white is often a contentious colour - especially as Suzanne pointed out, keeping them clean is a real bug bear. And the more you wash them, the quicker they will deteriorate. Leaving black the only real viable, practical, option for outdoor fitness goers - unless you like to show off your adventures via mud then white is a great choice for you! White is hence likely marketed towards those who train in more controlled environments, namely the gym or various indoor classes, well away from mud and puddles.
But it’s still just two options. And so there’s a large part of the market they aren’t catering to which is, well, anyone who likes coloured/grey socks or wants to express themselves with brighter garments, or similarly wants a colour that better suits their favourite running/fitness gear. Also anyone training outdoors at night may want brighter colours, in addition to white, to better improve their visibility around motorists.
The 2XU Vectr Cushion Tall Socks only come in one design/pattern, which isn't uncommon for compression socks, regardless of brand.
Both of the 2XU Vectr Cushion Full Length Sock Colours
PRICE AND VALUE FOR MONEY - 4.3/5
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Quality does often come with a price, and for some, paying £30 for a pair of socks may raise an eyebrow - or two! But when taking into account the socks' quality, are they decent value for money or not?
The 2XU Vectr Cushion Tall Socks are the joint 7th most expensive of the 10 being tested. Hence, they are on the cheaper end of the options available, which makes them, whilst still pricey, more affordable. When combining this with the 3CTesters Value score and feedback, the price (£30) is actually exceptionally good value for money, with the Tester’s showing that these socks are very competitively priced for what they offer.
MARKETING AND WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS - 6/10
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Sports brands make plenty of claims on what a product can do for you and your training/wellbeing/recovery and 2XU is no different. So, how does 2XU's claims for the Vectr Cushion (Full Length) Compression Socks hold up against science?
The first thing to do is purge through 2XU’s own website for studies or references. Refreshingly, 2XU does share the science it uses to develop their products, which is done in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). There are some incredible statistics namely: reduction in swelling by up to 0.6cm in the calves (1.1cm in the thigh), gains of up to 10.6 seconds on a 5km run, 18% increased blood flow to the quads and up to 47% reduction in soreness.
Glorious. So, this proves the products are game changing, right? Right?? ...Alas, I’m afraid not. Why? There’s a serious conflict of interest by the party doing the research.
2XU is the sole compression supplier of AIS - a relationship which 2XU claims will ‘arm Australian athletes with top of the range, high performance products’. This indicates some form of affiliation and, with it, either free or discounted sports gear for the athletes of AIS. In addition, AIS is also a retailer of 2XU. Hence, it would be in the interests of AIS to promote and say positive things regarding 2XU products to sell more as a retailer and to continue getting discounted sports gear for their athletes. Basically, they are set to gain from publishing positive ‘science’ of 2XU garments. This is a serious conflict of interest. It could be that the science is genuine, but due to nearly all the above statements coming from studies with an AIS lead researcher or collaborating with those associated with the AIS, the conflict of interest means I can’t take the science they publish seriously, as they have a motive to be bias.
It’s seriously disappointing. It’s one thing to not publish or share their science/data, it’s another for 2XU to claim they use ‘independent’ research when there’s so blatantly a conflict of interest at play which they at no point acknowledge or address.
*and breathe* With that out of the way, let's talk marketing and science…
"GRADUATED COMPRESSION Boosts blood flow to muscles, improving performance, reducing risk of injury and speeding up recovery" - 7/10
Wearing knee length compression socks can result in a marked increase in oxygen supply - hence helping both performance and recovery (Sergio et al., 2020), with one study highlighting a notable reduction in rate of fatigue (Pavin et al., 2019). In 2019, Brophy-Williams et al., found that wearing compression socks led to an improvement in performance over a 5km run time trial, but the study admitted the reasons behind this weren't clear as the variables they measured did not correlate with performance. But the effectiveness of such socks can depend strongly on the time of use, sock design and the athlete themselves (Born et al., 2013). It’s worth noting that the performance benefits of the socks could be due to the enhanced effect they have on recovery, rather than the socks directly improving performance (Brophy-Williams et al., 2017). It’s also important to consider that performance is potentially positively affected by the psychological benefit i.e. placebo.
But some studies observed no notable performance benefits (Rivas, 2005) but went on to note their potential for recovery (Ménétrier et al., 2011). Such studies observed that the rate of recovery does improve when wearing compression socks, particularly for fairly inactive people (Montoye et al., 2021), helping speed up recovery by 6% - potentially more if the socks are graduated properly, even when accounting for the placebo effect (Armstrong et al., 2015)! Low pressure compression socks were optimal for post session recovery, especially after low intensity exercises, with higher compression recommended for more advanced athletes (Shen et al., 2021).
Some journal entries found that compression socks, across multiple factors and variables, failed to make any impression, with the socks doing nothing to help improve performance, post-exercise-soreness or recovery (Fletcher et al., 2014), with one study finding that wearing compression socks for 24 hours after a marathon failed to have any notable impact on the test subjects' ‘muscle damage’ (Zaleski et al., 2019).
When it comes to injury prevention, compression has been shown to help reduce the risk of strains and sprains (Marshall et al., 2004). One study found that compression socks help to reduce exercise-associated intestinal damage (Zadow et al., 2022) - which is something I didn’t expect! Another 2022 study by Derby et al., saw that compression socks significantly help with postural stability of the ankle when compared to barefoot conditions, implying a reduced risk of injury. But benefits in stability/proprioception vary from person to person (Broatch et al., 2021) and compression seems to only be effective when paired with proprioceptive training (Kiikka, 2015). 80% of those that use compression socks do so to reduce their risk of reinjury or for some form of injury management (Franke et al., 2021), however, this study did not explore why or how the socks accomplish this and acknowledged the benefits are just perceived by the user, and are not necessarily down to physiological changes. So, despite the positive evidence, it’s still not clear cut, with one study showing that compression socks have no effect on preventing muscular damage at all (Areces et al., 2015).
"ANTI-BLISTER X-LOCK technology provides advanced arch and plantar fascia support and locks the foot in place within the sock to reduce blistering" -" 4/10
On their website, 2XU fails to explain concisely how X-Lock technology works, but during my research, I stumbled upon a Facebook video which briefly highlights the technology, but this didn’t really explain what it is either - X-Lock is simply portrayed as a ‘wrap’ around the foot, implying there is some structural significance but it isn’t clear what makes such a ‘wrap’ useful for the goal of supporting the plantar fascia, other than it ‘locks the foot in place within the sock’ itself, which *is* useful to prevent blisters.
However, 2XU’s website states boldly that, because of X-Lock, their socks reduce blistering regardless of the shoes worn. This is fundamentally a lie. A sock would have to be insanely padded to prevent a poorly fitted shoe giving you blisters - and what about blisters in between toes, where the socks aren’t even in contact with the skin? Given Louise got horrific blisters when wearing these socks, that’s all the evidence I need to discredit this particular concept.
Looking at the science, it proved difficult to find research outside of the AIS that specifically discusses X-Lock, as it’s unique to 2XU. So, instead, I took a different angle and looked into whether socks have the ability to support the arch/plantar fascia of the foot in addition to reducing blistering.
Studies have shown that socks can reduce blisters, with the materials used being of paramount importance (Baussan et al., 2010; Baussan et al., 2013). With the correct materials and design, they can help to reduce not only the frequency of blisters, but also the severity of them (Tiggelen et al., 2009). But the material of the sock isn’t the only key factor. One study found that foot sweat was a superior factor than sock material when it comes to the formation of blisters (Tasron et al., 2015). But these two factors aren’t separate, as certain sock materials can be used to reduce excess foot sweat/moisture (Escamilla-Martínez et al., 2022). 2XU implies that the Vectr Cushion reduces blisters via the fit/structure of the socks rather than ventilation alone.
The concept of compression socks being used to help support the arch/plantar fascia, and, by extension, prevent or manage plantar fasciitis, has become widely communicated. Fitness help guides and blogs mention this claim, but offer no science or research to back it up (Ferrell-Olsen, J., 2020; HealthyStep, 2023). When researching further, I was having difficulty identifying sources to define what ‘supporting’ the Plantar Fascia specifically meant, and there were very few studies, if any, that discussed the idea of compression specifically ‘supporting’ the plantar fascia.
Research looking at compression socks and the *prevention* of plantar fasciitis as well as supporting the plantar fascia appears to be very limited - with many other variables and products being more commonly utilised in the plantar treatment kit (Orchard, J., 2012; Haley & Coke, 2021; Glazer, J., 2015). Some research suggests that rather than supports etc., the optimal way to support the arch is to develop foot strength, function and health to help mitigate issues down the line and not relying on just treatment when issues inevitably occur. If anything, socks seem to reduce ankle stability and hence implies they would hinder arch support (McKeon et al., 2015). The only socks that seem to be useful are ‘splint’ socks (McPoil et al., 2008; Barry et al., 2002), which helps to stretch the plantar tissue in the foot. So there’s not much in the way of research to justify or highlight how *or* how well compression supports the plantar fascia, other than it subjectively feeling ‘supported’ with the tighter fit through the arch of the foot.
It could be argued that 2XU is being sneaky, using the term ‘Plantar Fascia support’ (which is vague and undefined) as a very effective marketing buzzword. They are not saying it will prevent or stop plantar fasciitis (a common injury), just that these socks support the plantar fascia. And that’s a *big* difference.
There are several studies and journals that discuss compression socks as a way to alleviate or manage plantar fasciitis, but none of them explain how it works or if compression was the primary solution (Doukas et al., 2004; Phan & Lin, 2022). And the correlation isn’t consistent - some studies claim that compression socks aren’t useful for managing moderate to acute plantar pain as a long term answer (Mbue et al., 2021).
"CUSHION 3.25mm maximum cushioning to deliver ultimate shock absorption during forefoot impact, push-off and heel impact." - 3/10
Muscular vibrations from repeated ground impact, the subsequent fatiguing effect these vibrations have and how compression socks can help, is an area compression brands have leaned into in recent years. 2XU utilises this claim, but the statement above insists that the cushioning in the foot portion of the socks is what reduces vibrations, not the compression itself. This is a bold claim, considering 3.25mm of cushioning isn’t a huge or significant amount - especially if you’re expecting it to make any notable contribution to shock absorption. But, before we cast judgement, what does the evidence say?
Firstly, why is cushioning important, beyond just comfort? Well, when you do certain exercises, your body repeatedly makes contact with the ground (or other surfaces) creating a vibration. Our muscles dampen such vibrations via muscle tuning. But muscle tuning, whilst useful, uses energy, contributing to the fatigue of a given muscle. As our muscles tire, muscle tuning becomes less effective (Friesenbichler, 2013), which leads to more vibrations over time. These vibrations increase the rate of fatigue further, creating a feedback loop, so the longer this cycle continues, the greater the risk of burnout and/or injury. Optimal cushioning can help to minimise these vibrations by absorbing the initial shock/impact.
Lots of research over the years highlights the importance of cushioning and the potential it has for managing such vibrations (Nigg, 2001). But are the socks really cushioned enough to make any notable difference? A few studies looked specifically at shoe hardness and cushioning (Wakeling et al., 2002; Reinschmidt and Nigg, 2000) and found that cushioning has a significant impact on dampening vibrations and minimising the need for muscular tuning. But too much cushioning can decrease energy return and actually add to fatigue (Millet et al., 2006). The biggest issue here though is that, not a single study I could find (of which I read through many!) looked specifically at sock cushioning. Most of the studies honed in on items/kit that would be substantially more important in regards to the cushioning they offer, including inserts, orthotics and the shoes people use.
The cushioning of Vectr Cushion Socks is decent, but it’s not exceptional, and so the socks likely contribute only a small portion of the overall cushioning that the average fitness goer uses, and hence, alone, does not reduce vibrations significantly.
Suzanne spinning with the socks
"ANATOMICAL DESIGN Engineered to conform to the left and right structure of the foot for better fit." - 8/10
This is hardly a novel or unique selling point. When it comes to such a feature, some companies simply stitch ‘L’ or ‘R’ on their socks and, *voila*, they claim their socks have superior asymmetrical anatomical design. 2XU does not appear to do this, with 2XU seemingly designing and manufacturing fully anatomically proportioned socks. I agree with the statement that such a design would fit the foot better, but it's not an impressive feature and 2XU doesn’t explain or provide any specific benefits of such a fit - although improved fit implies improved comfort and function.
Whilst a lot of research has gone into socks and their performance variables, the left/right anatomical design has had little research to determine if it actually makes a significant difference. One study did find that ergonomic asymmetrical fitted socks were thought to be more desirable than regular sports socks, but this wasn’t specifically due to the asymmetrical fitting, rather the perceived cushioning and ventilation of the socks (Purvis & Tunstall, 2004). Most discussions often assume that anatomical L/R socks are more comfortable but reference no science to back this up (Pribut & Richie, 2004). SO. If you know of any study that investigates the L/R foot construction specifically, please let me know! Instead, I thought I’d investigate the relationship between better fit and if that transfers to improved comfort/function.
Comfort and fit have a well established relationship - the better the fit, the more comfortable the garment, generally speaking. Some materials allow for more optimal fit, where the garment conforms to the body shape without compromising movement, like elastane (Voyce et al., 2005) - which is used in 2XU’s socks! But some people are unable to feel an improved sense of fit when wearing an objectively better fitting garment (Lam et al., 2011). And the more fitted, and hence tighter, the socks, the less comfortable they can become (Nishimatsu et al., 1998), which is a difficult balancing act for compression clothing to maximise function without diminishing comfort. But when done correctly, compression can make a garment feel more comfortable (Rugg & Sternlicht, 2013).
Interestingly, improved comfort leads to a better sense of fit, even when the fit itself isn’t necessarily objectively optimal (Nawaz & Nayak, 2015). Just because something is comfortable, doesn’t mean it fits well, and vice versa. But it also depends on the functions of the garment, and the time a consumer is willing to commit to finding the ideal fit/comfort balance (Stalbring, 2021). A garment’s fit/shape is almost always designed with comfort in mind, and so often better fitting socks will be more comfortable (Castelli, 2006; Cheskin, 2013), with the heel shape being one of the most important elements (El-Desouki, 2010). But many companies opt to manufacture sizes ranges that are cost effective, not optimal for the consumer. Hence, even top athletes have to compromise at times, often settling on garments that are too big (Jenkins et al., 2012). But no matter how well fitted a pair of socks are, they are only as comfortable as the shoes that are worn over them (Benda, 1991) - something 2XU thinks their socks aren't affected by (p.s. they totally are).
"WIDE TOE BOX Seamless wide toe box eliminates a key irritation point and promotes natural toe splay improving balance, alignment and comfort." - 7/10
This statement is NOT saying the socks will help you have better balance. It’s saying the socks encourage better toe splay, which in turn helps with your balance and hence isn’t quite as straight forward. So we have two things to establish. 1. Does having a Seamless and Wide Toe Box help reduce irritation and promote natural toe splay and 2. Does having better Toe Splay improve Balance/Alignment/Comfort
Evidence for seamless socks reducing irritation and having superior comfort is quite widely acknowledged (Nawaz & Nayak, 2015). The seamless construction is more of a solution to irritation, not necessarily for toe splay, as seamless socks can still be tight and limit the toes function. Wide toe boxes are less restricting, offering better comfort, but if there’s excess material around the toes, it could become uncomfortable.
One would assume that a wide toe box means more room for the toes to move and function. But research connecting wide toe boxes and toe splay appears to be very lacking. It could be that this is a given/obvious, and hence in turn is not researched. But it could also be argued that shoes are the more significant limiting factor to consider for toe splay, not socks, and hence being overlooked as a subject for investigation.
Whilst we may not have specific studies on socks, there is an abundance of research on the impact of narrow/restrictive shoes on our feet and how they can not only limit toe splay, but how seriously detrimental to the health of an individual's foot they can be (Barnett, C., 1962; Morey-Vargas and Smith, 2015; Franklin et al., 2015). So whilst socks are much less restrictive and structured - and hence unlikely to be giving you bunions like shoes can - they still have the potential to rob you of your optimum toe splay.
Searching for studies that link optimal toe splay and variables like balance and comfort interestingly returned very few results. So instead I looked at studies that investigated ways to improve variables like balance… and toe splay simply isn’t listed or even mentioned as a noteworthy area of importance. If one wants to improve their alignment and balance, there are already tried, tested and established methods, including various exercises to help do so, focusing on hip, glute, core and ankle function/stability (Oddison et al., 2007). Evidence suggests that arch function and strength of the ankle is a significant factor for balance (Munn et al., 2003) of which toe splay will arguably play a part.
One study discusses the strong correlation between foot strength and improved balance, and how this can be achieved through minimalist shoe design (Curtis et al., 2021), including ones with very adequate toe boxes, which could be extrapolated that roomy socks are useful to help the foot develop. But the study implies that foot strength must be earned and worked for, and isn’t something putting on a product will change immediately. One study acknowledged that a leading cause of deteriorating balance is poor posture control and muscle strength. This could include muscles of the feet and hence toe splay/dexterity, but the study went on to focus on proprioception development and complex movements, shunning toe splay entirely (Granacher et al., 2011). It’s considered that the less a shoe does to the foot, the better it is for the foot (Rossi, W., 2001), and this may be similarly applied to the socks, with socks with wide toe boxes being better for both comfort and function.
QUICK-DRYING Moisture wicking yarns and zoned mesh ventilation areas keep your feet cool and dry." - 7/10
Advances in material science and technology has led to the development of some incredible garments with impressive capabilities - and moisture wicking is one of them. But how good is such technology and can it really work that well to keep your feet totally cool and dry? And specifically for socks?
For socks to simply absorb the moisture from your feet isn’t enough - as seen with cotton and wool socks - the material needs to wick away the moisture entirely, otherwise the socks will just become wet and cause discomfort, as moisture increases friction potential and hence blisters (Brennan, F., 2002). Ventilation helps to accelerate the wicking process through engineered mesh panels which are often thinner and consist of slightly bigger gaps between material fibres so moisture can pass out through more easily. Hence ventilation is a vital mechanism to ensure the feet stay both cooler (Tlougan et al., 2011) and, importantly in cold climates, drier (Bogerd et al., 2011).
But, like other variables on this list, the socks ability to wick away sweat is limited by the paired footwear's own ability to ventilate moisture out into the air. In the case of running shoes, such garments are more than adequate (Daggett et al., 2019), but some shoes with waterproof linings or made with thick materials, may mean that even the best wicking socks, whilst still being somewhat useful, won’t work as effectively.
Even with breathable shoes, optimal-wicking socks will only be able to wick *most* of the moisture away, not all (Rossi et al., 2011) and hence the idea that these socks guarantee dry feet is a bit of stretch. And there is no one-sock-fits-all when it comes to wicking/ventilation. Climates and weather conditions around the world vary drastically, and no one sock will be optimal for all of them, meaning, in certain conditions, these socks won’t be able to keep the feet as dry and cool as would be ideal (Dyck, W., 1992).
Well, how important is wicking as a function of socks anyway? According to surveyed medical specialists, when giving advice to patients with foot issues, sockwear is - interestingly - not that important… Although, if they did have a preference, comfort was the most important variable followed by socks that wick away moisture well (Feldman & Davis, 2001). In addition, despite the amazing capabilities of textile engineering, one study found that if socks appear to be ill-fitting, participants believed those socks to be hotter and less ventilated, even if the socks were objectively are cooler (Purvis & Tunstall, 2010), hinting that perception and comfort may be more important than other more objective variables. Another study that found that both temperature and moisture differences between different materials (synthetic vs. synthetic-organic blend), was almost undetectable after several minutes of activity (Bogerd et al., 2011) questioning how much of a difference features like wicking really have.
SIZE RANGES AND SIZE PRECISION - 7/10
*Ranked 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
2XU’s sizes for their socks goes from Small to XL, with Medium and Large having two further sub-sizes each, including M-1 & M-2 and L-1 & L-2 respectively. For the Medium and Large sub-sizes, the shoe size remains consistent, but the ‘1’s accommodate for a smaller calf circumference whilst the ‘2's are designed for larger calf circumferences. This means there are 6 sizes to choose from which is the most from the 5 brands tested. Whilst I would have liked to see them move away from the rather stigmatised Small - XL sizing system, it's an impressive range of sizes to offer. And when it comes to how these socks will fit the customer, 2XU really excels and I believe is home the best sizing system of the 5 compression sock brands tested.
2XU's Sock Size Guide
The sizing is also unisex, which helps to reduce some complications on fit as some brands don’t declare what exactly makes the men’s and women’s sizes different - or at least not very clearly. This also eliminates the issue whereby men with small feet have to feel like they have to buy women’s socks and vice versa. When it comes to the differences between Men’s and Women's socks, it’s usually that the sock height and foot length/width is shorter for ‘Women’s’. For optimal choice and fit, maybe 2XU should still offer such options, so those with narrow feet or short lower limbs can benefit, but try to keep the language unisex.
When it comes to sizing, we want a size chart that encompasses as large a range of calf and foot sizes as possible to ensure no one is excluded. And 2XU’s sizing accommodates for a great spectrum of both foot and calf sizes! The shoe sizes that these socks are suitable for start at size UK3, all the way up to size UK13.5. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not perfect, there will be people with smaller/larger feet who won’t be accommodated here. But, for the vast majority, their foot size will be catered for. Overall, 2XU fits the largest shoe size range of the 5 brands tested.
Moreover, when it comes to sizing for the calf circumference, 2XU are also the best. The range of calf sizes that 2XU accommodates for is between 30cm and 50cm - a range of 20cm!
But compression brands should also look to offer precise sizing. For 2XU’s Vector Full Socks, each size accommodates for a calf girth variation of around 5.5cm per size. This is on par with CEP and only beaten by Hilly who has more precise calf sizing of 4 cm per size. The shoe size variation for each of 2XU’s sizing is 2 UK shoe sizes. Which is 2nd only to SKINS, who’s sock sizes accommodate for a variation of only 1.5 UK shoes sizes.
It must be said and commended that 2XU uses BOTH shoe size AND calf circumference in their size guides to help customers choose the most optimal size for them - most brands only use calf OR shoe size, making for less accurate sizing. But because 2XU uses both methods, it opens cracks in their size chart. For example, out of my 26 testers, 5 would fall into such cracks. They would fit a size that corresponded to their calf circumference, but that size would not be optimal for their shoe size. 4 of the 5 was because their calves were proportionately smaller than their feet.
The solution for 2XU is to overhaul their sizing to ensure the cracks/gaps are catered for. For almost 20% of my testers to not accurately fit into their compression socks is alarming and falls on them to create more sizes to ensure this doesn’t happen in future. They could do this by offering a third sub-size for the Medium and Large sizes, catering for a greater range of calf circumferences to be accommodated for those with similar shoe sizes.
Ideally, brands should manufacture multiple sizes to accommodate all possible foot/shoe size and calf size/length combos. It is arguably rather impractical, but only in the sense that it would be expensive to do. Plus it would make that brand stand out to be a brand that fits everyone - and fits properly! In the grand scheme of things, whilst 2XU could do more to fill in the cracks in their sizing system, their sizes are both inclusive and precise and is the best sizing system of the 5 brands I have tested.
ETHICAL OPERATIONS - 6/10
*Ranked 2nd of 2 of the socks tested so far*
Whilst these socks are designed in Australia, they are in fact manufactured in Taiwan, something 2XU doesn't put on the online product page, but *is* found on the packaging. According to the ITUC Global Rights Index 2022, Australia was rated to be home to ‘Systemic Violations of Workers Rights’ - this is only one category away from having no guaranteed workers rights whatsoever. Which, well, isn’t good.
On the other hand, Taiwan is ranked significantly better by the same Index for workers rights. It’s not perfect - Taiwan is still home to ‘Repeated Violations of Workers Rights’ but is ranked significantly better than Australia. This is interesting, as many companies, if they are to outsource their labour, often do so to factories in developing nations, taking advantage of cheap labour, and, usually with it, a breakdown in workers rights. Hence normally I would be primed to criticise, but … I find it hard to criticise too much, as, in a way, as long as the factories 2XU uses are up to standard, 2XU is positively contributing to a country with a smaller economy. So - yay! So why has 2XU outsourced to Taiwan? Well, whilst Taiwan may have better working rights, the labour is still cheaper.
For example, Australia has the 2nd highest minimum wage in the world. Meanwhile, Taiwan ranks 23rd in the world for minimum wage. But the Local Purchasing Power Index suggests that Taiwan, whilst a bit expensive, is still a fairly affordable place to live when taking into account the average income of the population and the cost of living, ranking Taiwan the 39th most affordable country to live in the world, meaning the workers are less likely to struggle on their incomes. So there are certainly worse places 2XU could outsource to.
But when it comes to the specific factories that 2XU uses, it's hard to find any data or information on the exact working conditions, pay etc. Even others, like the Baptist World Aid who did an ethical fashion guide for Australian and International companies, found no evidence supporting a variety of ethical data/variables for 2XU. But when a company is not forthcoming with such information, it may be a sign there’s something to hide. However, I was able to find some quality insight on employee-employer relations…
To have an inside view of what it’s like to work for 2XU, I took a look at Glass Doors, a website which provides insight on working experiences in various businesses around the globe. 51 current and/or former employees of 2XU rate the company only 2.8 stars - which is pretty poor.
There was a lot of feedback to take in; some positive, mostly negative. The most commonly mentioned benefits of working for 2XU was the camaraderie and teamwork in addition to the generous discounts employees get for working there. Other positive feedback included the experience of selling quality 2XU products, flexible working hours, great learning opportunities and the fitness classes 2XU offered to some employees.
But the list of negative feedback isn’t just extensive, some of it was really dire. According to its employees, 2XU has a terrible workplace culture, being toxic and competitive. The pay is notably poor, with little-to-no progression for staff and leadership lacks strategy leaving staff unsure for the future. There is also a lack of investment in staff training and a few even stated that the company is simply untrustworthy. HR is non-existent which only accentuates the poor management, and staff felt there was excessive and unnecessary pressure to reach unreasonable expectations. Communication in the company is poor, with staff suffering from low morale due to the high turnover of team members and due to constantly being busy with no support from the Head Office, which is seen as a bit of a Boy's Club.
There seems to be no notable newsworthy violations of workers rights that I can find regarding 2XU (other than one of the stakeholders (LVMH) having its own rather notable controversies) - and none of my four 3CReview Testers could think of anything bad either!
MANUFACTURING AND THE ENVIRONMENT - 3.4/10
*Ranked joint 1st of 2 of the socks tested so far*
2XU’s Vectr Cushion Compression Socks are made from Nylon (88%) and Lycra (12%) - otherwise known as spandex/elastane. This composition is very similar to CEP’s The Run Socks (Tall) - so some of this will sound VERY similar. 2XU doesn't state if either of these materials have been recycled, suggesting 2XU uses virgin yarns. Virgin yarns aren’t uncommon and synthetic materials are frequently used in sports gear. But just because these materials are common, doesn’t mean they don’t have their issues.
Image from Sports Shoes
Nylon (the first widely available lab made synthetic material) is strong and durable. Nylon is a type of polyamide, and is favoured in sports gear because of its durability and stretchy properties, ideal for the compressive fit that compression garments need. Whilst lycra’s phenomenal ‘stretch and recovery’ properties are highly valuable. But both are made from petroleum/crude oil, and hence derive from fossil fuels, which are not renewable or sustainable. Furthermore, these materials require chemical and energy intensive processes to make them, with lycra is very hazardous to handle as lycra's precursor, Polyurethane, is a known carcinogenic. Both materials produce huge quantities of greenhouse gases during production, with polyamides in particular producing nitrous oxide. Both are known to shed microplastics, which pollute waterways and the food we consume and, due to the nature of the lycra fibres, synthetic dyes are often used, which pollute numerous water sources. Both materials are also not biodegradable and hence many products made from polyamides end up in landfill.
In recent years, efforts are being made by the industry to reduce water and energy consumption when producing such materials and dyes. There have been breakthroughs in producing a plant based polyurethane for an eco alternative to traditional lycra (like EcoLycra) and there are also bio- based polyamides available like BioNylon which use 100% caster oil, rather than using fossil fuels. However, more research is needed to see how they perform compared to normal polyamides and lycra, whilst assessing factors like durability, recyclability and energy usage to determine the true environmental impact of such bio-alternatives - but they are promising! There is also growing optimism when it comes to recycling lycra, but as lycra is often blended with other materials, it makes the process difficult and expensive. Plus, with virgin lycra being so cheap, there is less incentive to innovate. Recent significant advancements on recycled polyamides/nylon means they only use half of the energy to make than it does to make virgin nylon. And it helps to clear up ocean plastic! 2XU does not explicitly say they use bio alternatives or recycled yarns. They are not the only brand to do so, but 2XU also doesn't offer/promote any recycling or carbon offsetting schemes to reflect the use of fossil fuels in their products either.
2XU manufactures these socks in Taiwan, home to one of larger Nylon producers in the world, which means the materials are unlikely to be shipped in from overseas. Lycra, however, is most likely produced in China, India or the USA, meaning despite its already terrible environmental record, Lycra will have to be imported before they even get to 2XU’s factories.
Another area of performance textiles to consider is ‘Forever Chemicals’ (PFA's) which are ominous substances that bioaccumulate. As implied, they do not break down and last for an incredibly long time, and, whilst more research needs to be done, they appear to be linked to many health related issues including elevated risks of cancer (namely kidney and testicular), disruption to the immune system and developmental issues in babies. ‘Forever Chemicals’ are often applied to products in the form of an extra coating applied late in the manufacturing process to have specific benefits. In textiles, such benefits include: water repellency, heat/stain/oil/alcohol resistance, dust repellency and breathability, and this in turn improves the item's durability. It's not an uncommon substance at all, which makes them all the more ominous. 2XU’s Vectr Cushion Compression Socks explicitly lists breathability/ventilation as a benefit, so it would be good for 2XU to clarify whether or not these socks are home to PFAS.
Similar goes for Vegan status. Whilst these socks are made from synthetic materials, it doesn't mean animal products aren’t used somewhere along the production line. I have a strong suspicion that these socks are Vegan, but it would make things a lot easier if 2XU were more explicit on this and had a Vegan certification, like their competitors SKINS, to put any concerns to rest. A simple step which could go a long way to make people feel informed when purchasing.
AND THAT'S IT!
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References
- Areces, F., Salinero, J., Abian-Vicen, J., Gonzalez-Millan, C., Ruiz-Vicente, D., Lara, B., Lledo, M. and Del Coso, J., 2015, The Use of Compression Stocking During a Marathon Competition to Reduce Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: Are They Really Useful?, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sport Physical Therapy, 45 (6), p.462-470.
- Armstrong, S., Till, E., Maloney, S. and Harris, G., 2015, Compression Socks and Functional Recovery Following Marathon Running: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 29 (2), p. 528-533
- Barnett, C., 1962, The normal orientation of the human hallux and the effect of footwear, Journal of Anatomy, 96 (4), p.489-494
- Barry, L., Barry, A. and Chen, Y., 2002, A Retrospective Study of Standing Gastrocnemius-Soleus Stretching versus Night Splinting in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis, The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 41 (4), p.74-79
- Baussan, E., 2010, Experimental simulation and modeling of sock-to-skin friction during running. Other. Université de Haute Alsace - Mulhouse, 2010. English.
- Baussan, E., Bueno, M., Rossi, R. and Derler, S., 2013, Analysis of current running sock structures with regard to blister prevention. Textile Research Journal, 83 (8), p.836-848.
- Bogerd, C., Rechsteiner, I., Wust, B., Rossi, R. and Bruhwiler, P., 2011, The Effect of Two Sock Fabrics on Physiological Parameters associated with Blister Incidence: A Laboratory Study, The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 55 (5) p. 510-515
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