How to choose the right work socks!

Your feet have 250,000 sweat glands, making them one of the sweatiest places on your body. And, if you stand, walk or move for most of your workday, then the right socks are your first line of defense for dry, comfortable feet.

Find out the differences between the materials to look for in socks and which ones are right for you:

Cotton:  Natural and breathable for sure. However, 100% cotton is not recommended for hiking or construction workers/assembly line/active users.  Cotton absorbs sweat, saturates quickly, dries slowly, and provides no insulation when wet, and can lead to blisters.

Wool: Naturally wrinkle resistance and colorfast, wool keeps its shape and is very breathable. Wool socks also keep feet drier because wool absorbs as much as 30% of its own weight in moisture before it begins to feel damp. Great for hiking. Good for cold-weather work.  The higher the wool content, the warmer the sock.

Merino Wool:  Merino wool is the most popular natural sock material.  It is warm, cushioning and retains warmth when wet.  It is also less itchy than traditional wool and is durable and fast drying.

Nylon:  Nylon is a very strong, versatile, hard-wearing fibre. Socks made of nylon can be thin and silky or bulky and highly elastic. Nylon socks retain their shape, create a snug fit, and will stay up. Nylon does not tend to breathe well.

Blends: There are several different fibres that, when blended with other fibres, provide great comfort features, like:

Polyester – soft, warm and moisture wicking.

Polypropylene -  superior water-repelling to wick moisture away

Elastane/Lycra/Spandex:  comfort and elasticity for a close fit

Why choose a Sock Liner?  Sock liners are thin, lightweight socks designed to be worn right next to your skin, either on their own or with another pair of socks on top of them. These liners wick sweat away from the surface of your foot to keep you dry and more comfortable. 

Heres's a handy guide to what to wear for your work conditions:

Warrm/outdoor work - Coolmax low cut or Coolmax liner

Warm/indoor work - Polyester low cut or Merino wool line

Indoor/outdoor work - Wool low-cut, crew or quarter length

Cold//indoor work - Merino wool

Cold/outdoor work - Classic wool with liner or Acrylic brushed with liner

General comfort/cushioning for work - Cotton ankle socks, Cotton crew socks