In 2023, Jaap set out to conquer the 777 Challenge: 7 ultramarathons in 7 days across 7 Emirates.

By day three, his legs were breaking down. Swelling. Blisters. Pain so sharp it nearly stopped him cold.

Compression boots helped after each run,  but what about during? When every step feels like fire, you can’t wait until the finish line. 

And that’s when the bigger question hit: How many athletes quit, not because of their mind or heart, but because of their legs giving out?

That’s when Jaap called me. Together, we saw the gap.

What if socks could do what compression boots do, but during the run? Not just fabric on your feet, but real performance gear that keeps you in the fight.

That’s when WETHLETE was born. Not just another sportswear brand, but a mission:
To make pain-free performance possible for every athlete.

And it wasn’t just Jaap’s pain. Everywhere we looked, runners, hikers, and athletes were battling the same struggles: shin splints, swelling, aching legs, and slow recovery.

This wasn’t one runner’s problem. It was a universal one. And no one had solved it - yet.

So we went all in. Over a year of research, testing, and countless prototypes. Every stitch. Every compression zone. Every detail was refined until it worked.
No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just socks that actually fight pain, speed recovery, and help athletes go further without breaking down.

WETHLETE was born from pain, but built for progress.
Whether you’re chasing new records, grinding through training, or looking for all-day comfort, our mission is simple: To keep you moving. Every step. Every mile. Every challenge.
Because no athlete should be stopped by pain.