Gentle Grip & Heat Holders - The Story Behind The Socks

Over the years, we’ve received countless requests for warm, thermal socks that also feature the benefits of our Gentle Grip non-binding HoneyComb Top™. With the advanced thermal technology of our sister brand, Heat Holders, creating such a product was an obvious next step. Director Shane Doughty tells us more as he talks us through the story behind the socks.

How did the idea come about to make a Gentle Grip Heat Holders sock? What was the driving force behind these new socks?

People love our Gentle Grip socks, we know that because lots of people tell us how much they love them all of the time, and with over 40,000 5 star reviews we must be doing something right! In addition we have seen remarkable growth over the years, much of which are repeat customers buying again and again.

Our Gentle Grip socks are mostly cotton or bamboo mixes which are great for everyday wear but limited in terms of the thermal protection they can offer. On the other hand, we know our sister brand Heat Holders sells lots of amazing thermal socks, again which people love, so it seemed an obvious merger to combine our much loved HoneyComb Top™ from Gentle Grip with our much loved Heat Holders thermal yarn, brushing and knitting technology to make a comfier, more stretchy fit in a warm, thermal sock.

How long did it take to develop the new range of thermal Gentle Grip socks?

It took about one year to adapt our unique Heat Holders sock machines (which have a patent on our Original Heat Holders socks), to be able to create our Gentle Grip HoneyComb Top™ socks correctly. They need to be a bit like the Goldilocks effect, not too tight to cause any indentation to the skin but not too loose so that they fall down. So it took a bit of time in development and re-sampling to find the perfect fit which we believe we have now done!

Is there anything interesting about the manufacturing process you can share?

In addition to the Gentle Grip HoneyComb Top™ as mentioned above, Heat Holders yarn is originally a Japanese invention. It is an advanced yarn designed for high performance thermal insulation, comfort and softness. Once knitted we use a top secret brushing process which maximises the amount of warm air that can be trapped in the socks, as well as improving the luxury feel and internal softness.

What made you decide to make the socks 1 TOG rating?

Normal cotton socks on average are about 0.33 tog, so these socks are about three times warmer. Our aim was to make a sock that offered warmth but that wasn't too bulky to wear in everyday shoes. The official TOG rating is based on independent laboratory test reports.

These socks are mainly synthetic and not cotton, what’s the reason for this?

Synthetic fibres like acrylic and polyester are excellent at trapping air which helps retain body heat, air is after all the best insulator. In addition, synthetic yarns can wick moisture away from the skin, keeping feet dry. This is crucial for maintaining warmth since wet feet lose heat quickly.

Are there any more products on the horizon that utilise Heat Holders technology launching?

Now that would be telling so fans will have to watch this space, but we are always open to ideas and suggestions and we love hearing from our customers.

What I can say is; the more popular these new Gentle Grip Heat Holders socks prove to be, the more we shall expand the range into different colourway options, patterns and styles :-)

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

We call socks the unsung hero of the wardrobe because they so often get overlooked. I cannot emphasise more how important it is to wear the right pair of socks for the right occasion. We have a lot of nerve endings in our feet, plus they are essential for our mobility. So it is very important to look after them. It can make a big difference to how we feel, we can all relate how miserable it can feel to have cold feet and taken to the extreme the wrong socks can be damaging to our health, such as for diabetics. I have been a sock creator and buyer for over 30 years and my one piece of advice would be to anyone – choose your socks wisely.

Click here to shop our new Gentle Grip Heat Holders thermal socks.