Most athletes appreciate the importance of proper shoe selection in preventing
athletic injury. Fewer athletes recognize how socks play an equally important
role in preventing injury. Proper socks can help reduce friction between the
foot and shoe to reduce the chance of injury. Friction can promote injuries
such as capsulitis, neuritis, sesamoiditis as well as blister, corn and callus
formation.A socks ability to reduce friction depends on the sock fiber composition,how the fibers are woven and the natural ability of the fibers to absorb andwick water away from the foot. Sock fibers that compress easily and retainwater offer the least protection from friction while fibers that retain shapeand ability to draw water away from the foot offer the most protection.Natural fibers such as cotton and wool retain more moisture and compress more easily than synthetic fibers such acrylic and coolmax. Cotton retains three times more moisture than acrylicand fourteen times more moisture than coolmax. A sockcomposed of a synthetic and natural fiber blend may be combined with a synthetic liner to optimize sheer reduction
and moisture control during athletic activity.To be sure one has the proper sock, shoe and shoe sizecombination, always wear the socks you plan to use with the athletic activity when you select a shoe. Studies suggest that
failure to do so may result in incorrect shoe sizing as much as
77% of the time. So the next time you ask yourself if it is time for a
new pair of shoes, also consider whether its time for a new pair of socks.