The Unsung Sock

Getting The Right Socks = Comfort
The sock is the only thing between your foot and the footwear. If you have the wrong sock for the occasion it can be the difference between a miserable or great time.

Socks are one item that is not researched to find the correct sock for the usage and the basic physiology of their feet.

There are many features and conditions that a person should consider when purchasing socks. Some of the problems your feet can be subjected to are cold, clammy, hot, sweaty, diabetes, allergies, sensitive skin, Raynauds Syndrome, heart problems, etc., etc.

First we need to know about the Physiology of your feet. The average inactive male person foot gives off 1/4 cup of perspiration in a 12-hour period. This is increased dramatically when working, hiking, running, cross-country skiing, humid conditions or any high activity. Moisture management is very important. If your feet are moist, heat and cold are transferred 23 times faster. Excessive moisture creates blisters and makes your feet hotter or colder.

Are your feet cold, clammy, hot, or sweaty? If your feet are always cold, wool is the fiber to use; it is hydrophilic and absorbs the moisture from your feet. Wool has many characteristics: wool absorbs moisture and passes it to the outside; it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Many people’s feet are always hot and sweaty, that person needs a moisture control sock with fibers that move the moisture away from their feet. A moisture control sock consists of various synthetic fibers on the bottom or next to the skin that repels water (hydrophobic) and fibers (hydrophilic) on the top or outside with the purpose to create a push pull concept moving moisture up and away. Moisture control socks need heat from the foot to create the pressure to move the moisture away via a capillary action.

There are many medical problems that a person can have that make the proper sock selection very important.

Diabetes is a growing problem with the aging "Baby Boomers". If a person uses insulin, it is important to have input on not only the sock, but also the shoe from a Doctor specializing in diabetes. A diabetic person’s foot needs a sock that is dense, low friction factor, smooth toe seam, y - heel gore, and a sock that fits perfect. The top of the sock should not restrict the leg for proper circulation.

Allergies- Many people think they are allergic to wool when in reality, they just cannot stand medium or coarse wool, and they have sensitive skin. Wool can come in coarse, medium, fine or superfine grades.

If they use Merino wool or lambs wool (first shearing) their problem is solved. We do have consumers allergic to wool and have to use synthetic. We are now witnessing consumers that use chemicals for a long time are allergic to the so-called, "Hypoallergenic" materials. Those people now have to use natural fibers. An example is doctors / nurses using latex gloves for many years.

Circulatory conditions and there are many, Raynauds Syndrome, heart problems, vascular, heavy smokers all have problems that effect the proper socks they wear. Natural fibers are best for these people as a result of being hydrophilic (moisture absorbing). Their feet do not have any heat for a driving source to move the moisture away from the foot.

Higher quality socks offer many features that make a sock more comfortable. Toe seams are a problem on less expensive sock as they use a conventional toe seam that is bulky and creates pressure or blisters on top of the toes. Look for seams that are flat or none protrusive. A heel pocket allows for a better fit, higher quality socks have a Y heel gore heel, which is more anatomically correct and creates a pocket for your heel to fit in, because your heel is a bulb. The sock thickness, thinner or heavier, can be use to adjust for a better fit in footwear

High stitch density, more fibers per square inch in a sock create a more comfortable environment. If you have an inexpensive sock it is like standing on a cheese grater. Finer fibers and more of them give you comfort and cushioning. Terry loops in the sole of the sock (bottom), creates cushioning which helps protect the foot.

Sock size is very important. Many consumers wear the wrong size sock because they look at the sock chart, relative to their shoe size and as a result they normally have a sock that is too big. If your foot is thin, and narrow, you may go down one size. It is like putting a small finger in a Chinese finger puzzle it stretches longer than if you put a bigger finger in the puzzle. A sock that is too big can create many problems on your feet as well as one that is too small.

Socks carry the burden of keeping the feet happy when they are subjected to a lot of weight, movement, friction, heat, cold and excessive moisture, pressure and the elements. As a result, we have to really think out what is best for you at the time.

 

Written by Phil Oren, reprinted with permission.