Why synthetic socks

[actusreus13]

Can anybody explain to me why almost all soccer socks, including professional level, are made of nylon or other similar synthetic material? I understand that shirts made of polyester wick the sweat off your skin and out, but you surely don't want that to happen in your shoes. I prefer socks made of a combination of mostly cotton; seems acrylic works well too as it feels just like cotton even though it's apparently synthetic. But all nylon? Am I missing something?

[mrfocus]

Hum, in my opinion synthetic is just a more comfortable feel. First off, you can get some ankle and arch support from the elastane. I think that cotton are also too thick, and keep in too much of the heat compared to the synthetics.

It's just a personal thing really.

[Devil500]

Can anybody explain to me why almost all soccer socks, including professional level, are made of nylon or other similar synthetic material? I understand that shirts made of polyester wick the sweat off your skin and out, but you surely don't want that to happen in your shoes. I prefer socks made of a combination of mostly cotton; seems acrylic works well too as it feels just like cotton even though it's apparently synthetic. But all nylon? Am I missing something?

Never wore them but I'd love to! The look much more comfy and higher quality!

[actusreus13]

Hum, in my opinion synthetic is just a more comfortable feel. First off, you can get some ankle and arch support from the elastane. I think that cotton are also too thick, and keep in too much of the heat compared to the synthetics.

It's just a personal thing really.
That makes sense. But wouldn't your foot swimming in your own sweat be a little worse than heat though? You're absolutely right that it's preference as always, but I was just curious 'cos when you look at the prices, the most expensive and labeled "pro" or "elite" are invariably made of polyester or nylon or a combination of both.

[Devil500]

That makes sense. But wouldn't your foot swimming in your own sweat be a little worse than heat though? You're absolutely right that it's preference as always, but I was just curious 'cos when you look at the prices, the most expensive and labeled "pro" or "elite" are invariably made of polyester or nylon or a combination of both.

Thing is they 100% change socks and all at HT....

[cjump]

i was a competetive downhill skier for a while and we always wore syn. socks. the natural fibers like wool and cotton keep the sweat on your foot and do not remove it off you foot. hence the cold feet and 10 extra pair of socks like most recreational skiers. we would have on a sock that was very close in feel and thickens of a mans dress sock and be toasty all day. i can only guess that the makers of the sock want to draw as much sweat off your foot to keep your feet dry (and not warm as in my case) to prevent blisters and slipping inside your boot. i would also go on to say that the synthetic has more elastic properties and retains it's shape better.

[spejic]

Switching from a cotton blend to polyester socks has certainly reduced the number of blisters I get. And they last a lot longer.

[actusreus13]

Switching from a cotton blend to polyester socks has certainly reduced the number of blisters I get. And they last a lot longer.
I'm definitely gonna give synthetic socks a try then as by half time my undertoes are pretty sore, and blisters are something I've been dealing with as well.
Another thing I just remembered: one of my ex-girlfriends was a serious runner, and I remember her telling me that running socks are made of wool because of some properties wool has that's good for sweating and movement withing the shoe. Those socks also have double layer so that your toes move with the first layer, which was supposed to prevent blistering while running. It'd seem that the same thinking should apply in soccer but obviously is not implemented. Any scientists out there who could shed more light on the subject? Or more on blister prevention?

[spejic]

Any scientists out there who could shed more light on the subject? Or more on blister prevention?I hope a person with a computer science degree counts.

When your foot is in a shoe and you move to the side, the shoe stays still and the foot moves to the side. That means something has to slide against something else. If you have a slick sock, then it slides against the inside of the shoe. If not, then the sock slides against your skin. But wet skin does not slide very well. So the skin gets so much sheering force you can actually get separations in the layers of skin.

So to prevent this, there are a number of things you can do. Most important is to get good fitting shoes - this minimizes sliding. Second, make sure any sliding takes place away from the skin. I use multiple socks (a super thin polyester running sock inside the soccer sock). If you always get blisters in the same place, another trick is to use petroleum jelly in that spot to make any sliding frictionless.

Wool is use by hikers because its fibers do not have more friction when wet (and other reasons not applicable to soccer). But I think it would be too thick to wear with regular soccer socks as well.

[actusreus13]

I hope a person with a computer science degree counts.

When your foot is in a shoe and you move to the side, the shoe stays still and the foot moves to the side. That means something has to slide against something else. If you have a slick sock, then it slides against the inside of the shoe. If not, then the sock slides against your skin. But wet skin does not slide very well. So the skin gets so much sheering force you can actually get separations in the layers of skin.

So to prevent this, there are a number of things you can do. Most important is to get good fitting shoes - this minimizes sliding. Second, make sure any sliding takes place away from the skin. I use multiple socks (a super thin polyester running sock inside the soccer sock). If you always get blisters in the same place, another trick is to use petroleum jelly in that spot to make any sliding frictionless.

Wool is use by hikers because its fibers do not have more friction when wet (and other reasons not applicable to soccer). But I think it would be too thick to wear with regular soccer socks as well.
Thanks spejic. That was quite educating. I've actually used petroleum jelly with quite success, but it lasts for about 20-30 minutes, and I just don't have time to take all my gear off and re-apply during the game. Another thing I've decided to try is liquid skin or bandaid as they call it. I'm going to try it tomorrow for a practice and will report the results if there's interest in the topic.

[spejic]

This has been a long-time topic in this forum. Any new findings would be welcome.

[red & wite army]

I'm interested in hearing everybody's answers and contributions, but I never realised people had such problems with socks...how bad can it be?:confused:

[actusreus13]

I'm interested in hearing everybody's answers and contributions, but I never realised people had such problems with socks...how bad can it be?:confused:
I don't think we have a "problem" with socks per se; just pure curiosity about the fabrics, kind of like synthetic vs. leather cleats, etc. But I do think that quite a few of players experience blisters and it can be a big problem (Ronaldo comes to mind). If you don't get blisters, I envy you. I've been dealing with them for quite a while, and would love to get rid of the problem.

[actusreus13]

Ok ladies and gentlemen, we have a verdict, if anyone cares. Synthetic socks are definitely better when it comes to preventing blisters than socks made of natural fibers. I've tried them both and indeed, synthetic socks are the way to go. I would also recommend putting a few layers of liquid skin on the area most prone to blistering. Petroleum jelly is also an excellent way to lessen the friction within the boot. If you do all of the above, I pretty much guarantee you will not experience any serious problems with blisters and calluses.

[move120]

i wish they made the bottom more ofa mix of cotton and synthetic then from about the ankle up synthetic.. i hate when synthetic socks make my boots seem too big when i cant go another size smaller.. sometimes feels like its almost slipping a bit


and my tunits are pretty snug too..

synthetic boots + synthetic socks = perfer not if so i must wear another pair of socks ...

and im not sacraficing my tunits because they have grown on me and i lvoe them to death.. the sock issue is one i will have to live with lol gay.. our school socks are syntehtic adidas and they fall down so easily cuz they suck... even though they are top notch with the climacool airvents and all

[actusreus13]

move120: you can always wear another pair of socks underneath the synthetic team socks if you want your shoes to feel tighter. Some of the running socks could probably do the job well.

[move120]

move120: you can always wear another pair of socks underneath the synthetic team socks if you want your shoes to feel tighter. Some of the running socks could probably do the job well.

yeah i wear a smaller pair underneath
idea is good though

[red & wite army]

Have any of you played with socks from clubs like Arsenal, the recent ones?

I have the current Arsenal away socks and they are completely different structurally to other sports socks. They aren't even the same shape. There are thick parts at the heel, mesh parts at the forefoot and calf, elastic in certain parts...and my favourite of all, each sock is marked 'left' or 'right'.

[actusreus13]

Have any of you played with socks from clubs like Arsenal, the recent ones?

I have the current Arsenal away socks and they are completely different structurally to other sports socks. They aren't even the same shape. There are thick parts at the heel, mesh parts at the forefoot and calf, elastic in certain parts...and my favourite of all, each sock is marked 'left' or 'right'.
I've never played in any of the club socks, but I finally ordered Inter Milan home socks from eurosport yesterday, so they'll be coming in a few days. They're on sale and to me look pretty awesome. Can't wait.
http://www.soccer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=1&pcount=&Product_Id=244057&Key_id=&SearchQuery=147172

[red & wite army]

Good buy - my sister would approve.