Picking a pair of socks for basketball is as important as choosing your basketball shoes. The wrong kind of socks will bring you a host of foot and leg problems such as blisters, bursitis, bunions, infections and toe nail problems. Keeping your feet comfortable is a significant factor that will influence how well you play the game. Here are 5 things you should keep an eye on when shopping for a pair of basketball socks.
1. Material composition
For casual wear and easy walking and jogging sessions, cotton socks may be perfect but for games played out in the hard court, cotton kills. Cotton soaks up sweat and dries out very slowly, making your feet susceptible to blisters, fungal foot infections and other foot problems.
The best materials for basketball socks are the synthetic ones. Look for socks which come equipped with moisture-wicking technology as these are the ones which keep your feet cool and dry longer. When you have on the good old reliable combo of basketball shoes and socks, you can then forget about your feet and focus all your energies on the game.
2. Fit
Make sure you get the best-fitting pair of socks for your feet. If your socks are too long, the extra room causes the fabric to rub up and down against your skin, causing friction and irritaton. On the other hand, if your socks are too short, your toes will get all crowded and curled up, causing discomfort and possibly, blisters.
To determine the correct fit, match your foot length (from your heel to the toes) against the sock manufacturer's sizing chart. You may have to buy different brands to get the most comfortable fit for your feet.
3. Cushion
Basketball often involves a lot of pretty hard landings which could soon take a toll on your feet if your socks do not have sufficient cushioning. Look for basketball socks which have padding on the heel area as well as on the balls of the foot. However, you must make sure that the added cushioning will not crowd out your feet when you put on your shoes. It is best to try walking around with your socks and shoes on before actually wearing them during the game.
4. Arch support
All the running and jumping that is bound to happen in basketball would likely lead to pain in the arch of your feet or in some cases, even cause a painful condition called plantar fasciitis. To support the arch of your feet, you need to wear socks which have arch reinforcement. The arch support will hug the natural contour of your arch snugly and helps to prevent various foot problems.
5. Height
Basketball socks could either be crew-cut, knee-length or above the calf. A lot of times, the choice is really a matter of style and not of function. More and more basketball players now prefer full-length socks.
Red Lion socks come with all these features to keep you comfortable and cool even in the heat of a basketball game.
1. Material composition
For casual wear and easy walking and jogging sessions, cotton socks may be perfect but for games played out in the hard court, cotton kills. Cotton soaks up sweat and dries out very slowly, making your feet susceptible to blisters, fungal foot infections and other foot problems.
The best materials for basketball socks are the synthetic ones. Look for socks which come equipped with moisture-wicking technology as these are the ones which keep your feet cool and dry longer. When you have on the good old reliable combo of basketball shoes and socks, you can then forget about your feet and focus all your energies on the game.
2. Fit
Make sure you get the best-fitting pair of socks for your feet. If your socks are too long, the extra room causes the fabric to rub up and down against your skin, causing friction and irritaton. On the other hand, if your socks are too short, your toes will get all crowded and curled up, causing discomfort and possibly, blisters.
To determine the correct fit, match your foot length (from your heel to the toes) against the sock manufacturer's sizing chart. You may have to buy different brands to get the most comfortable fit for your feet.
3. Cushion
Basketball often involves a lot of pretty hard landings which could soon take a toll on your feet if your socks do not have sufficient cushioning. Look for basketball socks which have padding on the heel area as well as on the balls of the foot. However, you must make sure that the added cushioning will not crowd out your feet when you put on your shoes. It is best to try walking around with your socks and shoes on before actually wearing them during the game.
4. Arch support
All the running and jumping that is bound to happen in basketball would likely lead to pain in the arch of your feet or in some cases, even cause a painful condition called plantar fasciitis. To support the arch of your feet, you need to wear socks which have arch reinforcement. The arch support will hug the natural contour of your arch snugly and helps to prevent various foot problems.
5. Height
Basketball socks could either be crew-cut, knee-length or above the calf. A lot of times, the choice is really a matter of style and not of function. More and more basketball players now prefer full-length socks.
Red Lion socks come with all these features to keep you comfortable and cool even in the heat of a basketball game.
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