OS1st Blog

A Sock For Every Runner

Running is one of the simplest ways to stay active, but every runner knows that the wrong gear can make even the shortest jog uncomfortable. While shoes get most of...

How to Start Running (And Stick With It)

Starting to run can feel intimidating, but with the right mindset, plan, and gear, anyone can become a runner. Whether your goal is to train for your first 5K or...

5 Signs That You Need Plantar Fasciitis Socks

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that can cause debilitating heel and arch pain. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic discomfort and even make it difficult to...

How Long Do Performance Socks Really Last? (And How to Help Them Last Longer)

Whether you wear OS1st for your daily miles, your toughest shifts, or just staying comfortable all day long—your socks work hard for you. When they start to feel a little...

Why Runners Are Making the Switch to a Wide Toe Box

Over the last few years, more runners have gravitated toward foot-shaped or wide toe box running shoes—from brands like Altra, Topo, Hoka, and even Nike’s roomier models. Why? Because runners...

How OS1st Supports the Way You Move

Our products aren’t magic, and we won’t pretend they are. You still have to show up, put in the work, and listen to your body. But OS1st can help you...

Not All Performance Socks Are Created Equal: Why the Toe Box Matters

When most people think of performance socks, they picture arch support, moisture wicking, or maybe even targeted compression. But there’s one feature that gets overlooked—and it’s a game changer for...

Compression for Runners Who Move with Purpose.

Runners deserve socks that work as hard as they do. Compression should be lightweight, breathable, precise—and part of your everyday performance, not a separate routine. At OS1st, we’re proud to...

Not Just a Trend: OS1st is here for the long run.

Wellness isn’t about quick fixes or following the crowd. It’s about building habits, routines, and tools that actually support your body. That’s where we come in. Every OS1st sock and...

Why Running Socks Matter: The Secret to Better Performance & Comfort

When it comes to running gear, most athletes focus on shoes—but what about socks? The right running socks can make or break your performance, helping to prevent blisters, regulate temperature,...

What OS1st Stands For: More Than Just a Name

At OS1st, our name is more than just a brand—it’s a promise. OS1st stands for "Our Socks, Our Sleeves, Our Services First." It represents our unwavering commitment to innovation, comfort,...

The Importance of Toe Splay

Natural toe splay refers to the way your toes naturally spread out when not confined by tight shoes or socks. Unfortunately, many types of footwear squeeze the toes into an...

Nerd out! The technology behind OS1st's NEW Wicked Comfort® Performance Sock for runners

At the heart of Wicked Comfort lies Dry1st® technology – a game-changer in moisture management. This cutting-edge technology swiftly wicks away moisture at an industry-leading rate, ensuring your feet stay...

Gift Guide

Looking for a gift that promotes health and wellness? Whether your loved one is an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or someone seeking to enhance their well-being, we have them covered.

Gift ideas for First Responders from a Firefighter.

On any given shift as a California firefighter, we could find ourselves on the medical aids, fighting fires, dissembling car collisions, hiking to fight wildland fires, doing PT exercises, attending...

Elevate your pickleball game: OS1st gift picks from someone who plays pickleball

For those passionate about pickleball, these OS1st essentials - The Pickleball Sock, AS6 Performance Arm Sleeve, and Fresh Snaps - are the ultimate gifts or stocking stuffers. Crafted with precision...

The OS1st Nekkid Comfort Sock: Perfect for Life On the Go

The OS1st Nekkid Comfort Sock isn't just any sock; it's your trusted companion for a life on the move. With performance-driven features, it effortlessly adapts to your busy schedule and...

What causes blisters, and how can you prevent them?

Do you love hiking, running, or playing sports, but the constant battle with foot blisters is leaving you hobbling in pain? Don't worry; you're not alone! Foot blisters are a...

From Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Back to the Pickleball Court

May 1st, 2023. The day of my total knee replacement surgery to repair all the damage caused by 50 years of playing hard court tennis. The journey from then until...

Health doesn’t always equal “staying fit” but rather rest, rest, and more rest.

"Since my accident last November and then the TBI relapse and Chiari diagnosis in March this spring, my health has been my number one priority, as it always is. But...

Benefits of Compression Socks at Work

People whose jobs require them to stand or sit for long periods of time, such as nurses, waitresses, and retail workers, are vulnerable to leg pain, swelling, and medical conditions...

Record-Breaking Achievement: 48-48-48 Pickleball Challenge Completed

The World Record attempt by Dean Matt, aiming to complete 48 pickleball matches in 48 states within 48 days, has come to a triumphant close.Dean Matt set out to play...

How is OS1st's K-Zone® Bracing Technology like low-dye taping?

Low dye taping requires athletic tape to be applied each time it is used, whereas K-Zone® technology is built into the compression sleeve for example, the AF7 Ankle Bracing Sleeve...

Nekkid Comfort Socks and the active lifestyle

Have you ever wondered if you could get the “no-sock” look in your running shoes, track cleats or cycling shoes while still benefiting from the support that socks provide? Well you...

To say pickleball has changed my life doesn't do it justice.

There is something to be said about an activity that brings people together from all walks of life…enter pickleball. One of the most social and fun sports that I’ve had...

Pickleball: My Journey, My Love, My Equipment, My Attire, My Invitations

From my first time on the court, with my tennis background, pickleball felt familiar to me. I didn’t feel like I was good when I started, but I didn’t feel...

Why Natural Toe Splay is Important for Runners

Natural toe splay is the way your toes naturally space out and lay when not confined by tight shoes or socks. Some shoes and socks squeeze the toes into a...

How to prevent Pickleball injury

Injuries such as ankle strain, Achilles tendon strain (back of the ankle), heel bruise, wrist fracture, knee, hamstring, groin, quad strain or shoulder strain are common to the Pickleball community. In...

Day in the life as someone who is Pickleball-obsessed

I’ll never forget my first game of pickleball. I was visiting friends in Austin. We were at a restaurant and it had an outdoor pickleball court (and yes those do exist).

How do Plantar Fasciitis socks and sleeves work?

Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of foot and heel pain which can be brought on by activities such as running, consistent standing on your feet for long periods of time,...

How to return to exercise safely after injury

Two common scenarios happen when returning to training following an injury: one, you remember where you were before your injury and jump right back into it, or two, you plan...

How to prevent running injuries

Injuries are a frustrating part of sport (and life) that show up as chronic-type injuries when you have no clue what caused it or traumatic-type injuries when it was inevitable...

What it takes to run the oldest 100-mile trail race

Every ultra-runner has their own story of how they got to the start line of a race with a course longer than a marathon distance, and the runners of the...

How To Properly Foam Roll

Foam rolling may be the tool that you are missing in your daily routine. It provides relief to muscle stiffness and tightness, which allows you to be ready for your...

4 Exercises for Sprained Ankle Recovery

If you’ve been diagnosed with a grade 1 ankle sprain, you can perform some at home interventions and stretches to aid your body’s natural healing process. The alphabet exercise is...

Knee Stretching Made Easy

Knee health is important as you use your knees everyday all day. If you are currently experiencing knee pain or you want to avoid knee pain in the future these...

Staying Hydrated in the Summer Heat

Hydration is often times overlooked. Too many people fall victim to the mistakes of poor water intake and lack of preparation. In order to make sure that you don’t fall...

How to Care For Compression Socks

Socks are an ever-elusive part of our daily wear, often entering a dryer to never come out, or taking residence under a bed for years. In fact, research says you...

5 Stretches for Plantar Fasciitis Relief

These stretches are simple, easy to do, and require little to no equipment. You can do these stretches anywhere and especially in the comfort of your own home. To make...

Running with Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes . Roughly 83 percent of active adults will experience some form of Plantar Fasciitis in their...

How Sergio Florian set a record and built community during the pandemic

Team OS1st member and physical therapist, Sergio Florian, set the record for running the perimeter of his home island of Oahu, Hawaii. He ran the island in 27 hours and 15 minutes...

OS1st March Virtual Running Challenge

Runners should complete at least one 5, 10, or 15K run on their own, and track their activity on the Strava app as a member of the OS1st Club. The app can be...

OS1st January Virtual Running Challenge

The OS1st Virtual Running Challenge is back for round three, with 10 days of virtually uniting runners who are safely training/racing, on their own, outdoors or at home, through a virtual...

How to qualify for the ElliptiGo World Championship

What exactly is an ElliptiGo bike? The “Go” combines a running, cycling, and elliptical motion while standing (read: you don’t ever get to sit down while pedaling this thing). This...

Overcoming running injury and downtime

Training goes well until, well, it doesn’t. I’m sure for many folks, that’s been the case a time or two. For me, that seems to have been the story line...

What does it mean to be an athlete?

The deep ties in society between an athletes performance, "winning," and a person's assigned value can sometimes create an identity crisis within an athlete. "Are you a winning athlete or...

About our founder

OS1st, originally founded in 2008 by Dave Higgins, grew into a “Three-Generation” company with David's son as President, David's grandson as Materials Manager, and Dave’s wife and other two son’s are owners and directors.

How to crush your next virtual race

As large gatherings are canceled including big races like the Boston Marathon, more runners are turning to virtual events in order to stay motivated and connected. Here’s a quick list to help...

The Best Running Playlists

Since the walk-man, runners have debated whether it is best to run with or without music – every runner must decide for themselves the best way to safety and productively...

OS1st Blog

Plantar Fasciitis and Running: Causes, Prevention, and Recovery

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