There are times when the reality of living in the 21st century actually steps up and smacks you in the face like an annoyed Vulcan, and the whole concept of wearable technology is one of those emerging fads which is part of that. It was bad enough when portable computing became a daily part of life, but wearing clothes which are more intelligent than your sister’s boyfriend is really going too far.

Take these Sensoria Fitness Socks for example. I mean, come on. Socks? Smelly, dodgy, filthy, grungy socks? With sensors? It’s just downright surreal. Anyhoo, the things exist and no doubt there are people who are going to rave about them, so we’ll stop being snide.

The product comes in two parts – a smartphone app and an ‘electronic anklet‘. Well there’s one warning sign there…you’ll end up looking like a convicted fish smuggler wearing an anklet won’t you, even if it is pink. But we digress again.

The combination works together to track steps, speed, calories and distance, and also grabs data about your walking or running style. So for instance it can monitor whether you’re ‘heel striking‘ or ‘overpronating’ (whatever that means) and suchlike. This should help to keep you healthier and less injury prone, although our top tip to achieve the same would be to stop walking and stay in bed. As much as possible.

You can tell there’s lots of science involved in the product because there are charts and stuff, but basically the thing to remember is the fact that it works with Android and iOS and operates wirelessly through Bluetooth. A single charge of the anklet can power it for up to 18 days (if you run 2 hours per day) and yes the socks can be washed in a washing machine, which is probably a good thing for the nation. Priced at $149.00.