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The Importance of Performance Socks
The Importance of Performance Socks
Someone might ask, “I’m just a casual sports player, why should I spend money to buy socks designed specifically for sports?” “Are performance socks necessary?” “What are the differences between casual socks and performance socks?”
When I started designing the products for my brand XZELIX, my wife asked me the same questions and I believe many people might have the same queries.
So, let’s try to find out if it’s necessary for you.
While you are playing sports game, the right performance socks do more than casual cotton socks.
Different fabric materials and finishing will have different benefits, such as sweat wicking, odor reduction and overheat prevention. And, different design features will have different functions that help you perform better and make you feel comfortable. It can help to protect your feet from injury, discomfort from blister, increase ventilation and offer support in all the right positions.
Even though you wear best clothes with excellent sports shoes, you will have problems without a pairs of good performance sock. So,
How to choose performance socks?
Performance socks have many features designed to improve your sport games. Understand the materials and different features can help you decide which socks are best for your needs.
Here are some useful tips and practical guidelines to help you choose the right socks:
1) Understand the Sock Materials
Cotton
This is the common inexpensive and comfortable material for non-active clothing. But try to avoid using 100% cotton socks for sport activities as it holds moisture and traps the sweat easily, which will cause chafing, blisters and stink.
Merino wool
It’s a rare natural material with fine and soft texture that can help to regulate body temperature, wick moisture and remove odor. But it’s relatively expensive compare with other material.
Synthetic fibers
Polyester, nylon and acrylic are common synthetic fibers used for performance socks as they’re sweat-wicking, breathable, dry quicker and more durable than cotton. And sometimes you will find materials like Nylon and Lycra® spandex if the socks provide arch support; or COOLMAX® polyester if the socks want to improve the moisture wicking performance and odor-resistant.
2) Understand the Sock Features:
Basic features
Length
In general, there’re 4 major different lengths. You can choose according to the weather, training intensity and your personal preferences.
Knee high Socks – Cover entire calf but below the knee. It sometimes comes with compression function.
Crew Socks – Cover to calf level or half shin
Ankle Socks – Cover the ankle
No shows Socks – It just covers your feet and designed invisible under your shoes.
Fit
To get the right size, you are suggested to refer the product specification the seller provided.
Too big or too small can make your feet uncomfortable and if the socks offers cushioning or arch support features, the wrong size cannot provide you the proper supporting in the right position.
Thickness
Thick socks normally have extra cushioning on heel and toes and are good for cold weather while thin socks are lighter, good for summer weather and also provide a better responsiveness when you play sports. So, you can choose upon your personal needs.
Additional features
Arch/Ankle support
The reinforced weaving structure can add support to the arch and ankle. The compression band feature normally made by spandex which can keep the shape and improve support to specific zone and prevent unnecessary pain developed such as planter fasciitis.
Compression
Compression can help your muscles improve blood circulation, reduce the formation of lactic acid during exercise and thereby reducing tiredness, soreness for the next day and boost recovery time. It can also help to protect the muscles from the possibilities of inflammation and injuries.
There are many levels of compression. The standard compression levels for sports are around 15-20 mmHg. Before you buy the socks with compression, it’s highly recommended you check the size specification seller provided to make sure you get the proper fit.
Cushioning
Different thicknesses of paddings are added to common pressure points such as toes, heel and ball of the foot to minimize shock, protect impact areas from blisters and prevent rubbing against your shoes.
You can choose the level of padding depends on your needs and sports activities.
Anti-blister technology
It’s designed material with aligned to your feet to reduce the fiction between your skin and socks which cause blister.
Ventilation
The breathable mesh design helps to increase the air circulation and improve the ventilation while you exercise. It can make your sock cooler and improve sweat wicking.
Anti-Bacterial
Antibacterial finishing can control the bacteria growth and therefore unpleasant odors do not develop.
Seamless Toe
Seamless design can help to prevent uncomfortable chafing and bunching.
Separated fingers
Similar to seamless design, separate toes help to prevent chafing of your fingers and anti-blister.
Anatomical Fit
Anatomical Fit design provides a more personalized fit and support to each individual left and right foot.
Anti-Slip/Grip Function
Some of socks has anti-slip function. It helps user to improve agility, enhance traction also cut, turn and change direction precisely and faster. Moreover, can reduce chance of blister.
It can help to protect your feet from injury, discomfort from blister, increase ventilation and offer support in all the right positions
Conclusion
You can wear the casual cotton socks for exercises. It will do the job, but the experience definitely will not be good like it could have been. And at the same time, a good pair of performance socks may cost a bit more; but the added value such as durable, sweat wicking, odor control, arch/ankle support, blister prevention, speed recovery can make your purchase more worth over time.
So, what will you choose? Please, share your opinion with us!
Please visit our shop to see the products which use those technology here! LINK
If you have any queries or comments, please share those to us below this page. And, Thanks for your reading. JOY THE GAME!
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