89 Hugh Gaither - Founder of Feetures Performance Socks

In 2002 after spending 27 years with Ridgeview sock and hosiery company, Hugh Gaither believed there was an opportunity to create a more technical, higher, performance sock that took advantage of the latest breakthroughs in sock technology. As a runner and someone who was passionate about being active, Hugh wanted to design a sock that would enhance the performance of runners and other athletes. He visited malls and sporting goods stores to do research and noticed that products in the “sports sock” category in 2000 were the same ones that he’d seen since the early 80’s with minimal changes. That’s when he came up with the idea of a sock with a seamless toe, a snug fit and using fibers that conformed to the foot to advance socks in the same logical direction as running and athletic shoes.

This new breakthrough product made a bold claim -- that it prevented blisters -- something almost every runner and athlete had experienced and believed to be unavoidable. His new socks were a hit. Under Hugh’s direction, Feetures has built their brand in run, footwear, and sporting goods specialty stores through product differentiation, grassroots marketing, and superior customer service. Since 2002,Feetures has grown with a national and international portfolio at over 4,500 doors in the US, including at larger outlets such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, Athleta, and Golf Galaxy. Internationally, Feetures’ portfolio includes distribution in 50 countries including China, Australia, Canada and the UK.