As a person who loves sports, and my boyfriend has sweaty feet, I have put a lot of effort into researching sock materials. There are many kinds of socks on the market, such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, polyester, nylon, and regenerated cellulose fibers such as bamboo fiber and modal. It sounds overwhelming. But don't worry, I'll help you sort it out.
Cotton socks: the first choice for daily wear🌱
Cotton socks are definitely the first choice for daily wear. Cotton has excellent moisture absorption and breathability, and it feels super comfortable on the feet. Especially long-staple cotton, such as Xinjiang long-staple cotton, the higher the count, the more durable the socks. However, although cotton absorbs sweat, it has low strength and is not wear-resistant, and it is easy to loosen and deform. Therefore, common cotton socks on the market will add some spandex to increase elasticity.
Sports socks: polyester and nylon are more durable🏃♀️
If you are an athlete or often exercise a lot, it is recommended to choose high-quality chemical fiber materials such as modified polyester or nylon. These fibers are fast, strong and wear-resistant, have good moisture conduction, are easy to perspire, dry quickly, and have good color fastness. However, it should be noted that ordinary chemical fiber blended socks, especially those made of inferior raw materials, are easy to pill, have poor breathability, and are easy to have smelly feet. Those cheap socks that cost 10 yuan for 3 pairs are mainly made of very cheap polyester, and their performance is very poor, so don't buy them.
Outdoor socks: wool socks are more suitable🐏
If you need to keep your feet dry for a long time, especially if you have enough budget, it is recommended to choose wool socks, especially merino wool socks. Wool has good moisture absorption and moisture conduction due to its unique fiber structure. Considering the warmth retention of wool, you can choose short-tube and thin ones in summer.
Summary
Socks of different materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, and there is no absolute good or bad. It is recommended to choose cotton socks for daily wear, polyester or nylon for exercise, and wool socks for outdoor activities. I hope these tips can help you find the socks that suit you best!