Socks & Athletes: What are your Sock Options?

Inspired by an increased interest in fitness and sports, Thorlo pioneered the development of a sport specific sock market segment in the early 1980's. Other manufacturers quickly followed suit and the result is growing $250,000,000 sport sock industry.

Initially, athletes had very basic choices in terms of athletic function socks: tennis, golf, running, etc. However, this has quickly changed and socks are now available for every conceivable sport including skateboarding, skiing, hunting, basketball, and virtually any other sport you can think of.

Despite all of the available options, doctors reiterate that sport socks should be chosen to properly suit your shoes rather than a particular sport. As choices in socks have increased, so too have athletic footwear choices. Thus, even within the same sport, there are a variety of shoe choices available, many of which are made with different fabrics, levels of arch support and other sport-specific improvements. Choosing your sock based upon your shoe will ensure that you are creating the best chances of appropriate support, function and injury avoidance.

Again, always make sure to consult your podiatrist if you have specific foot problems or needs. Going to specialty stores will also ensure that you are getting the best options available for your particular sport's needs. Different activities will generate different stress points on your feet and the right sock can provide both comfort and support for your feet in these targeted areas.

Following is a chart assembled by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine that may be used as a guide when choosing the best pair of socks for your particular sport and shoe.

Sports & Appropriate Sock Lengths:

• Over the calf – baseball, basketball, outdoor (including liners) ski, snowboard and soccer
• Mid-calf – skateboarding, roller blading and roller skating
• Slouch – Aerobics and other fitness classes
• Crew/Footie/Quarter – running, golf, tennis, racquetball and hiking

Sports & Sock Construction:

• Thin or double layer outdoor (liners) – cycling, running (racing) and skiing
• Padded or thick – jogging, skiing, hiking, tennis, basketball

Sports & Sock Fibers:

• Acrylic – golf, tennis and hiking
• Acrylic/Wool – outdoor cold weather activities
• Acrylic/Thermax – outdoor cool weather activities
• Acrylic/CoolMax – outdoor warm weather activities
• CoolMax – running, cycling, liners
• MicroSafe – therapeutic hosiery (i.e Diabetes)

Remember to choose your socks based on both your sporting activity, and more importantly, your particular type of shoe. In general, choose socks made from synthetic materials (again, appropriate to your sport and shoe) to help with wicking away perspiration and avoiding other foot injuries and problems such as blisters or athlete's foot.