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Thorlo Inc.

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Thorlo Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryKnitwear
Founded1980; 44 years ago (1980) in Statesville, North Carolina, United States
FounderJim Throneburg
ProductsPadded-socks
BrandsThorlos, Experia, Health Padds, Smiles, Medds
Websitewww.thorlo.com

Thorlo Inc. is a family-owned padded-sock manufacturing company based in Statesville, North Carolina. The socks produced by the company commands about 1.1% of the total market of the United States.[1][2]

Overview

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The technology of engineered padded socks was invented by Jim Throneburg in 1953 and he founded Thorlo Inc. in 1980.[3] During the early years of the company they manufactured socks specially for runners. They later started manufacturing socks with cushy heel padding and low-friction fibers for other activities. Since then, the company expanded its production to 32 different types of socks, specifically designed for sports like basketball, tennis and golf; and other activities like the military training and Western boots. The company also has a production line of casual socks, and lighter-weight socks for performance athletes.[4][5] The company claims to reduce foot pain by 51% based on peer-reviewed clinical research compared to regular cotton socks, that limits both the number and size of sports-related blisters.[1][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Free Socks? For Thorlos, Sampling Beats Advertising".
  2. ^ Walsh, Mel (18 March 2012). "Is There Life After Stilettos? What to Wear After 50 and Before Orthotics". HuffPost.
  3. ^ Buhayar, Noah; Bunn, Elizabeth (20 March 2013). "Sock Maker Hack Shows Small-Business Risk Chased by AIG". Bloomberg.com.
  4. ^ "Thorlo owner wants to knit together $1B business in Statesville - Charlotte Business Journal".
  5. ^ "Engineered padded technology".
  6. ^ "The Use of Specially Padded Hosiery in the Painful Rheumatoid Foot - Institute for Preventive Foothealth (IPFH)".