Put Your Socks First

Many people, athletes included, don’t give their socks much thought. They decide to go for a walk or on a run, and pull on whatever they find in their drawer. There are two possibilities in this scenario.
     In the first, the hand reaches for socks and find a well-worn pair of ordinary socks. Pulling these out of the drawer, we see they are made from only one material – cotton. They are inexpensive, and are a bad choice. Cotton is a vary popular material in socks and these socks are often found in department stores, discount stores, warehouse stores, and even some chain athletic stores. They are bad because they hold moisture against the skin. Over time, this softens the skin and can cause skin breakdown over long periods. It can lead to a higher incidence of hot spots and blisters. The fabric does not retain it loft and quickly loses it cushioning and support characteristics. 
     In the second, the socks are well made, designed for whatever activity they are going to do, and are made to wick moisture away from the skin. This is a good choice. Turning the socks inside out, you’ll likely see a toe seam that is flat and will not cause an irritation to the toes. The weave of the sock will be strong and will hold up for many miles. The sock may be made from several materials, all designed with a specific purpose in mind: to wick moisture or move it from one part of the sock to another part, to ventilate, to cushion, and to support. These socks cost more but are worth it many times over.
     My question for you is: which socks do you put on your feet? Remember it’s your job to keep them happy.