| Thorlo Inc. | |
| Type: | Private |
| Industry: | Knitwear |
| Founded: | in Statesville, North Carolina, United States |
| Founder: | Jim Throneburg |
| Areas Served: | --> |
| Products: | Padded-socks |
| Brands: | Thorlos, Experia, Health Padds, Smiles, Medds |
| Owners: | --> |
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]
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]