These Uyn Challenge are dedicated to trail running. Mid-high, they offer what we call “soft” compression. The Challenge indeed gives good foot envelopment without that sensation of being excessive: this is one of the good points about these socks. The weave quality and complexity are designed for efficiency and comfort, you don’t feel garroted.
They are easy to put on, your feet slide in easily, even if you have to be a bit careful not to catch the little weave loops with your nails.
We used these Uyn Challenge on about 15 excursions, on technical trails, up to 1h30. We didn’t notice any overheating, friction points or any problems of sweat evacuation. It will, of course, be necessary to check their effectiveness over much longer distances. In terms of durability, after going through bushes or against rocky ground the socks came out of the experience pretty well. They seem durable. The exterior resists well.
We noticed the same little detail as the Uyn Run Superleggera: the end of the horizontal seam on the top of the toes could be flatter, but that said the slight extra thickness doesn’t make much difference.
Uyn has light reinforcements, padding along the outside of the foot and at the Achilles tendon. The brand likes to call them the “Feather run zone” and the “Preshock shield”.
We do wonder about the choice of the sock’s height knowing that most runners now use compression sleeves which often cover the top of the sock above the ankle. If worn independently, the Uyn Challenge sits well above the ankle. Runners who want them shorter can always fold them down slightly. The elasticated top is also well designed, comfortable and doesn’t leave marks on your skin. And at the same time, it does not let small stones, twigs, etc. creep in.
Very thin and breathable in certain parts, the Uyn Challenge are thicker in the areas where friction, wear and tear are but without overdoing it: you have comfortable socks that are light and enable you to keep good contact with the shoes.
The Uyn Challenge are comfortable, breathable and calibrated for intensive use on technical terrain. Their elaborate weaving gives them minimal compression. A product that won our Test4outside FIRST Award.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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