Footwear Insight

OS1st® Base Layer Bracing ® , a subsidiary of ING Source, Inc., bases its success on the fact that customers always come first. This philosophy is in place because company executives understand the obstacles inherent with running a smaller, local specialty store or business. OS1st® is a three generation family owned company located in Hickory, NC. Employing just under 20 employees at their headquarters, the family understands what it takes to make a small business succeed. And with their grass roots planted firmly in making life better with their patented and Number One selling compression braces and socks, OS1st® is making its mark in the independent retailer market. OS1st® Base Layer Bracing® was founded by David (Dave) Higgins in 2008. The company name OS1st® stands for "Orthopedic Sleeves" (or socks) that are designed to be put on as your FIRST piece of apparel, like a base layer. The ultra-thin, moisture-wicking, breathable fabric provides bracing and protection to help recover from injuries and prevent further damage or re-injury. OS1st® also stands for a long list of "firsts:" \\ patented Plantar Fasciitis sleeve \\ to use compression technology as a form of sports bracing \\ to invent medical compression therapy for Plantar Fasciitis, bunions, tennis or golf elbow, carpal tunnel, Achilles tendonitis, and many other conditions In fact, inventor/founder Dave Higgins is himself known for many other firsts. He is widely recognized as the creator/inventor of the diabetic socks market. His tenure in the sock market led to the creation of the first ever compression sleeve manufactured specifically for foot care, the FS6® Performance Foot Sleeve. Soon after launching the FS6®, it became the top selling brace in the specialty market. After seeing the success of his first product, Dave decided to expand the OS1st® line, but of course this brought in new challenges. So he reached out to his son, Josh Higgins, who was then the president of Hickory Brands in North Carolina. "Dad really didn't give me much of a choice," Josh Higgins recalls with a grin. "He said, 'I need help and you need to come over now.' I loved my job at Hickory Brands, but I had sold about all the laces I could stand. Dad and I had worked together in the past, so I knew we would make a great team. Today, Dad heads product development and international sales. I manage all domestic sales and operations while my oldest son, David K., manages the warehouse and distribution. Dad considers himself 'semi-retired,' meaning he reduced his hours from 80 per week to about 60." The OS1st® Difference Each OS1st® product is strategically designed using unique Compression Zone Technology® to provide pain relief in a comfortable, thin, movable brace allowing the wearer to keep moving and stay moving. Compression Zone Technology® combines the strength of medical grade compression with powerful, sleek performance sleeves. Being anatomically correct and shaped- to-fit allows OS1st® products to surround a person's joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments to promote blood flow, support and stabilize joint structure, and reduce swelling. This will not only improve performance and speed recovery, but will prevent many common injuries for a quicker return to an active lifestyle. Today, OS1st® products can be found in running stores, shoe stores, and specialty shoe shops. All OS1st® products are registered and audited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices. This means every step of the manufacturing process within their factories in Taiwan and the U.S.A. warehouse is monitored by FDA representatives to ensure the quality and performance of Written by: Suzanne Driscoll BASE LAYER BRACING SOCKS WITH Proud Sponsor BASE LAYER BRACING BASE LAYER BRACING BASE LAYER BRACING July Advertorial OS1st.indd 1 7/19/19 5:04 PM OS1st® Base Layer Bracing ® , a subsidiary of ING Source, Inc., bases its success on the fact that customers always come first. This philosophy is in place because company executives understand the obstacles inherent with running a smaller, local specialty store or business. OS1st® is a three generation family owned company located in Hickory, NC. Employing just under 20 employees at their headquarters, the family understands what it takes to make a small business succeed. And with their grass roots planted firmly in making life better with their patented and Number One selling compression braces and socks, OS1st® is making its mark in the independent retailer market. OS1st® Base Layer Bracing® was founded by David (Dave) Higgins in 2008. The company name OS1st® stands for "Orthopedic Sleeves" (or socks) that are designed to be put on as your FIRST piece of apparel, like a base layer. The ultra-thin, moisture-wicking, breathable fabric provides bracing and protection to help recover from injuries and prevent further damage or re-injury. OS1st® also stands for a long list of "firsts:" \\ patented Plantar Fasciitis sleeve \\ to use compression technology as a form of sports bracing \\ to invent medical compression therapy for Plantar Fasciitis, bunions, tennis or golf elbow, carpal tunnel, Achilles tendonitis, and many other conditions In fact, inventor/founder Dave Higgins is himself known for many other firsts. He is widely recognized as the creator/inventor of the diabetic socks market. His tenure in the sock market led to the creation of the first ever compression sleeve manufactured specifically for foot care, the FS6® Performance Foot Sleeve. Soon after launching the FS6®, it became the top selling brace in the specialty market. After seeing the success of his first product, Dave decided to expand the OS1st® line, but of course this brought in new challenges. So he reached out to his son, Josh Higgins, who was then the president of Hickory Brands in North Carolina. "Dad really didn't give me much of a choice," Josh Higgins recalls with a grin. "He said, 'I need help and you need to come over now.' I loved my job at Hickory Brands, but I had sold about all the laces I could stand. Dad and I had worked together in the past, so I knew we would make a great team. Today, Dad heads product development and international sales. I manage all domestic sales and operations while my oldest son, David K., manages the warehouse and distribution. Dad considers himself 'semi-retired,' meaning he reduced his hours from 80 per week to about 60." The OS1st® Difference Each OS1st® product is strategically designed using unique Compression Zone Technology® to provide pain relief in a comfortable, thin, movable brace allowing the wearer to keep moving and stay moving. Compression Zone Technology® combines the strength of medical grade compression with powerful, sleek performance sleeves. Being anatomically correct and shaped- to-fit allows OS1st® products to surround a person's joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments to promote blood flow, support and stabilize joint structure, and reduce swelling. This will not only improve performance and speed recovery, but will prevent many common injuries for a quicker return to an active lifestyle. Today, OS1st® products can be found in running stores, shoe stores, and specialty shoe shops. All OS1st® products are registered and audited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices. This means every step of the manufacturing process within their factories in Taiwan and the U.S.A. warehouse is monitored by FDA representatives to ensure the quality and performance of Written by: Suzanne Driscoll BASE LAYER BRACING SOCKS WITH Proud Sponsor BASE LAYER BRACING BASE LAYER BRACING BASE LAYER BRACING ADVERTISEMENT

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