Sam Talkington (pictured) first noticed them on the basketball court. The 2006 Lewis and Clark High School graduate is now a student at the University of Washington, and a part-time referee. “To earn a bit of extra money, I reffed basketball and I saw more and more kids wearing Strideline socks,” Talkington said. “The Seattle skyline caught my eye.” He looked the company up on the Internet and discovered its founders were two fellow UW business students, Riley Goodman and Jake Director. The pair, friends since childhood, had come up with the idea to create colorful, stylized crew socks featuring the Seattle skyline, while seniors in high school. Four years later, Strideline has taken off. Dubbed the “new crew,” the socks gained national attention in January when Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch wore a pair during a game against the Atlanta Falcons/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: Would you buy a pair of Strideline socks that featured the Coeur d'Alene skyline?