Soccer Socks

"Looking good is only part of their function"

Soccer socks are an important part of soccer uniforms. They must match the team colors and suit your personal needs. Like any part of your soccer gear they must also take a beating. How many times have you come out of a hard tackle thanking your socks for holding up your shinguards?

Length

They should be long enough to easily cover your shinguards. But they have to stay up! The referee will not allow you to continue playing if your shinguards are exposed.

Some soccer players like them to be extra long so they can turn them down at the top, not just have them cover their shinguards. It's a style thing.

Comfort

Soccer socks are very unlike their normal socks as they are much thicker than regular socks. They are designed to provide cushion to your feet and to allow your feet to breathe. But all are not created equal.

They are available in pure cotton blends, cotton wool varieties and a number of synthetic blends. Or a combination of all these including lycra / spandex.
Here are some examples of the materials used:

77% Polyester/21% Nylon/2% lycra.
80/20 cotton polyamide (what the heck is polyamide?).
55% Polyester, 25% Nylon, 10% Spandex, 10% Acrylic.
65% polyester / 25% nylon / 10% spandex.
80% Stretch Yarn and 20% Acrylic.

I think that you get the picture.

What's Right For You?

Only you can decide what soccer socks are best for you. Some of the claims that sock makers will tell you about are:

Performance yarns that will wick moisture away. Prevents blisters.
Mesh construction that creates ventilated toe area.
Mesh construction on the calf for more ventilation.
Cushion or half-cushion foot for comfort.
Elastic in the ankle and arch to keep the socks up.
Anti-bacterial treated.
Ribbed Arch for comfort.

Durability

Polyester and its relatives appear to provide the longest life. I suggest that you look for polyester to be the first, or largest percentage of the sock. You may pay a bit more, for these socks but your feet will be happier. A soccer players feet are the most important, aren't they? So why not invest a little bit more for a good pair of socks.

Colors

They are available in an endless number of colors. You can support your favorite club side with a pair of their socks while in practice, but you must have your team socks for a game. After all you are part of a team.

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