Socks the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Why is wearing socks important?

Socks are an important aspect of hygiene and body temperature regulation. Feet are one of the most, if not the most, sweaty parts of the body, producing up to 0.12l (.25 US pints) of sweat per day. Wearing socks helps to absorb this sweat and transfer this sweat so that it evaporates. When you are cold, socks also help to keep in body heat and decrease the risk of getting frostbite. Socks are practical for protecting the skin against chafing from shoes like boots and tennishoes, as well as heavily reducing the odor that would occur in the shoes without socks.

Where do socks come from?

The earliest socks originated around 300-500 BC in Egypt to be worn under sandals. They were made with split toes to make them easier to wear. Socks were originally made from matted animal hair or leather. During the 5th century AD, socks were worn by holy people to symbolize purity and then later on became a sign of wealth for noblemen. Beginning in the 16th century, socks began to have fashionable designs on them and around the same time, the knitting machine was invented which greatly increase the rate that socks could be made, making it easier for the masses to attain, a huge plus for hygiene. These socks were all made from silk, cotton and wool until nylon was introduced in 1938.

How often should you wash socks?

There is no question about it: socks should be washed and changed after every use. As they are heavy sweat absorbers, to maintain proper personal hygiene daily changes are necessary. As socks are typically quite cheap and come in large packs, socks are not a place to save money or water.

What's in my socks?

Currently there is a nearly uncountable amount of materials used for socks, but there are a few main ones that are used for most common socks.

Cotton: one of the most widely used clothing materials across the globe, cotton is known for its lightweight and moisture absorbing capabilities. It's extremely breathable and durable, and is easy to wash, so it makes sense why it's the most common material for socks. The material comes from the seeds of the cotton plant and is made of 90% plant fibers. Much of cotton comes as "preshrunk" in that it shrinks easily when washed in hot water and/or dried in a dryer.

Wool: one of the easiest materials when it comes to care. Coming from sheep, wool is made up of tons of springy coils that stretch and contract easily. It is naturally wrinkle resistant, and holds color and shape well. Wool also is ideal for isolation because it's bulkiness helps to trap in air. Due to this, wool makes the perfect material for socks because wool can hold up to 30% of its own weight in moisture before it begins to feel damp.

Polyamide (nylon): A relatively new development from the end of the 1930s with the introduction of stockings, socks also have come to be regularly made of this material. Used more as a material for fashion socks, nylon was originally created by Wallace Carothers when he melted other processed fibers (plastics). Nylon doesn't particularly work so well as sock material when the intended use requires lots of movement. Nylon isn't an absorbent material, leaving moisture to pool and room for bacteria to grow, causing subsequent odors. So, leave socks of this material just for special occasions.