Anatomy of a Sock: Sock Type

There are several major categories of mens and womens sock types available

Casual socks

Casual socks are worn for normal everyday use and are often made of bulkier yarns such as wool, acrylic or cotton. In recent years, manufacturers are blending cottons with other synthetic fibers such as nylon or spandex, offering improved fits, durability and comfort. These socks come in either calf length or ankle length varieties.

Dress socks

Dress socks are often made of lightweight knits and are very thin and flat. They are worn with suits, business attire and formalwear. These socks don't usually offer any additional cushioning or support. They come in calf and over calf lenths.

Support socks

Over the past several years, support socks have been gaining popularity and have seen much improvement in fit and fiber content. These socks generally come in over the calf lengths and contain much higher percentages of spandex than casual socks do, to help better support muscles and relieve any of the wearer's fatigue and strain.

Work socks

In general, work socks are designed specifically for durability and hard wear. Work socks for those who work in colder climates will often be constructed of wool or acrylic fibers for warmth and may include nylon reinforcement in the heel or toe. Cotton fibers are also sometimes used for absorbency. In the past, work socks were only available in white or natural colors, but now many more options exist including darker colors such as navy blue and black as well as "ragg" wool socks that are a mixture of a particular color and white and appear to have "flecks" in them.

Trouser socks

Trouser socks are worn by women and come in knee high lengths. They are specifically designed to be worn with pants and may be tube style or shaped in the heel. Trouser socks are often constructed of nylon and have a similar weight to opaque panty hose. As with panty hose, these socks can sometimes get "runs" or rips in them.

Novelty socks

Often worn by women or children, novelty socks often come in cotton, wool or acrylic fibers. They may be ankle length, crew or knee length. These socks have either knitted in designs, phrases or images and often have one or more contrasting colors.

Sport socks

With an increase in physical fitness and team sports over the past several decades, there has been a great deal of improvement in the types and varieties of sports socks available.

Many sport socks make use of a stretch terry knit stitch with looped terry throughout the rest of the sock or in specific locations. By placing terry on the outside of the sock and including smooth knit construction for the part of the sock that sits on top of the foot, rubbing is reduced so the wearer can avoid blisters and callouses.

Tennis and racquetball players require extra cushioning at the ball, heel and toe areas of their feet to absorb shock and at the arch and over the toes to protect their feet during quick, heavy movements.

Runners also need cushioning at the ball, heel and toes to reduce shock and blisters and a flat knit over the instep.

Basketball players tend to prefer high, cushioned socks to protect their feet and legs.

Cyclists tend to favor very thin, lightweight socks so that they can feel their bicycle's pedals and have more freedom of movement.

A major concern for most athletes wearing sport socks is perspiration, and so many socks now contain "wicking fibers that allow sweat and perspiration to be wicked away from the body. Both acrylic and olefin fibers offer this wicking ability.

For those that take part in cold weather outdoor sports such as skiing or hunting, thermal or neoprene socks offer a good option. Thermal socks offer a textured knit that has tiny air pockets in a waffle design. These air pockets provide extra warmth and insulation by allowing body heat to remain trapped. Neoprene socks have a microporous core to seal in heat, keep feet dray and prevent perspiration build up by remaining "breathable."