Best Soccer Socks

The Best Soccer Socks according to soccer coaches and players

Whether you play in a formal soccer league or on the weekends with your friends, appropriate footwear can improve your play and help limit injuries.

Determining what socks are right for you will depend on many factors, but the main factor is the comfort they allow. Proper socks will keep your feet dry, prevent athlete's foot, bacterial infections, sores, and provide cushioning to protect the heel and toe. Having the right fit will also prevent rubbing of the cleat which can cause blisters and negatively affect performance.

Furthermore, the extra length of soccer socks will protect the knees and legs from getting scratches and scrapes. Some more advanced designs will feature compression to improve blood circulation which helps decrease leg fatigue during intense soccer sessions.

Some soccer players look for lightweight socks, some players like the quality of material, and some players prioritize the fit. At Nxtrnd, we believe that the quality of material and the fit are most important. In fact, if a pair of socks fits snugly around the feet, they'll be more comfortable and give the athlete more confidence in the control of the ball. A good sock will feel like a part of your foot.

You should always look for a soft padded sock made of highly breathable and stretchable materials that feels like a second skin, for optimal protection and ball handling.

In soccer sock manufacturing, the most common materials that are used are cotton, wool and synthetic fibers.

Cotton

Cotton socks are a good material option when looking at softness, weight, breathability, and allergen factors.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Dries quickly

Cons:

• Bad in cold weather
• Not moisture wicking
• cause foot pain (blisters)

Wool

Unlike cotton, wool is a highly breathable material that dries quicker than cotton. Wool also has incredible insulation properties as it can hold up to a third of its weight in moisture. Meaning, wool socks keep your feet feeling dry and warm for longer before getting uncomfortable.

Pros:

• Insulating properties
• Dry quickly
• Very breathable

Cons:

• Can be itchy
• Can get hot
• Easy extremely moisture wicking

Synthetic Fabrics

These days, synthetic materials are used in almost all high quality socks. Being very effective at wicking moisture to keep your feet comfortable and dry, socks made from synthetic materials are a great option for all athletes, no matter the weather conditions.

Pros:

• Durable
• Easily cleaned
• dries quickly
• moisture wicking

Cons:

• More expensive
• Can cause allergic reaction

To help you find the right soccer socks for you, we spoke with five professional coaches and players around the country. Here are their recommendations:

TOP 3 SOCCER SOCKS 2024

1)XTD Padded Socks

 

Considered to be the best padded and most comfortable soccer socks on the market.

These socks are made from a mesh of synthetic and natural materials (80% cotton and 20% nylon) that quickly wicks moisture away to keep your feet dry and cool; and they come with targeted, shock-absorption cushioning that makes them feel very comfortable.

XTD's best features are the unique top of foot mesh material that’s responsible for offering a greater foot feel and added arch support for better foot stabilization.

The Scrunch design prevents the socks from slipping down while you run, and the added padding protects the heels and secures the feet in place both inside your socks and cleats without sliding — an essential factor to keep your feet free from blisters.

They might seem pricey, but there’s a reason why so many soccer and football players are wearing them, a reason why they’ve become popular among professional soccer players: they’re worth it!

2) Nike Vapor Socks

Easily one of the best sports socks around. The Nike Vapor socks are made of mostly synthetic fibers (58% polyester, 31% nylon, 6% cotton, 5% spandex) and feature a unique mesh design in high heat areas of the foot. The mesh design is made to enhance ventilation and wick sweat to keep the feet dry and cool at all times.

These socks also have a dynamic arch band that provides great support and a perfect fit. Furthermore, located at the top of the sock is a ribbed welt that holds the socks in place.

In conclusion, the Nike Vapor crew socks feature great grip and padding, are lightweight, breathable and fit very well. Some athletes say that these socks are not true "crew" socks as they go higher, but not long enough to cover the shin pads. Meaning, the Vapor sock is a good option for using under your team socks

3) NXTRND OTC Socks

 

This OTC Soccer sock is completely cotton-free. Being made of a synthetic blend of materials consisting of 98% nylon and 2% elastane, the OTC socks are perfect for keeping the feet cool, dry and protected from impact.

Thanks to the cushioned traxion foot and achilles regions, this sock delivers great stability to the arch and ankle with even better comfort. Having been designed from Nxtrnd's unique yarns that deliver superior ventilation, these socks are perfect for playing soccer at any level.

What are socks used for in soccer?

If you're a soccer player looking to achieve high performance in a soccer game, keeping your feet and legs in top condition should be your primary concern. Luckily, gone are the days of loose socks that slide down your leg white you run. These days, newly designed soccer socks, such as the XTD Sock, will provide support to your feet, legs, and help increase blood circulation to your muscles when on the field.

What type of socks do soccer players wear?

Professional soccer players wear socks specifically designed for the sport of soccer. These soccer socks are usually made to cover the calf muscle and shin pads while staying in place at all times. The best soccer sock material consists of a blend of natural and synthetic materials such as polyester, spandex and nylon. What's more, the best soccer socks contain moisture wicking materials that will keep your feet cool while playing, and prevent germ and bacteria growth at bay.

Can you use tube socks for soccer?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get asked is " Can I use tube socks for soccer?"

The answer to this question is: yes.

Tube socks can be used for soccer. In fact, soccer tube socks are one of the most popular styles of socks in team sports. Also known as knee-high sports socks, tube socks are socks that athletes wear while playing sports to protect their legs from being scraped, stop grass burns and to give a retro look making them stand out on the field. Tube socks are usually white and feature two colored stripes at the top of a sock as seen below.

Soccer Socks Kids

It's important to keep your little athlete's feet supported and protected each time they go on the field.

In soccer, they're certain models that not only offer protection and comfort, but can also prevent the feet from sweating and reduce painful friction between the foot and soccer cleat.

These soccer socks found at the link below are made of comfort and durable materials and come with a targeted cushion on the footbed to prevent blisters and other foot issues.

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