Hand-linked Toe

To ensure that a Balega sock is as seamless as possible the toes of the product are handlinked.  This means that the operator realigns the sock at the toe to make sure that the machine sews it up properly.  Every sock is done this way.  Most other brands just run the entire process through a machine.

The operator pays close attention to the seam and in the end it lays flat and feels smooth so that a runner doesn't get blisters.  Amazing.

This is a Hidden Comfort (gray).  One of my favorites.

Mount Pleasant - Grand Opening!

The last several days I've been tagging along with TGA rep Dan Matena.  Dan also reps for NUUN, Body Glide, Fuel Belt, Gore, and a few others.  We stopped by the brand new Mount Pleasant, SC grand opening and "Run For Boston".

What a great staff and growing customer base!  They folks were dedicated and the customers really enjoyed having another great specialty running option in Mount Pleasant/Charleston area.

Owner Chris Minkel explaining the benefits of proper shoe fit.

L. to R. Shelley, Jason and TGA rep Dan Matena

Balega Hoppity Hop Balls and a kegerator filled w/ Holy City (the keg doesn't stay in the store).  Let the festivities begin!

The crew.

I guess Jason digs Hidden Comfort.  Nice!

Busy.

The stage is set. 

Rachel (customer) excited about something...winning Balegas maybe?

So Rachel here, couldn't get enough of Dan's Aussie accent.  She had seen a website where certain words were listed in certain orders to teach a person to take on an Australian accent.  Here phrase?: Razor blades.  So in order to say razor blades like an Aussie you say, "Rise-Up-Lights".  She kept saying "razor blades" to Dan all night!  Hilarious!

out with customers.  Great bunch.

the intercoastal.

On our way home.  The Cooper River Bridge.

Inspection Team

100% of the socks that come off the production line are inspected...by real people, not numbers.  That doesn't happen with other brands.  Here's a photo of two of our inspection team members, Claris Ntayiya & Berenice Gall from Cape Town, South Africa:

Run For Boston - Greenville, SC

Because I've just started, my buddy Dan Matena (regional rep) has been showing me the ropes in his territory.  One of our first stops was Greenville, SC for a "Run For Boston" event organized by Fleet Feet Greenville.  I had a never been to Geenville, SC.  What a great little college town!

Dan Matena, Aussie role model for the youth of America!

FFG is very involved in the running community there and it showed with the support from the runners who attended.  From what I understood from owner Sheila, they started organizing Friday with expectations at around 50 people.  As word spread, that number ballooned to about 800!

This quickly turned into 800 runners!

Here's a little video I put together for the event.  Thanks for all the support Greenville running community!

Run For Boston - Greenville, SC from Ben Hernandez on Vimeo.

Parting words of wisdom as we drove out of town.