Acrylic Vs. Cotton Socks
Wearing the right socks is an important part of caring for your feet, and there are socks for every type of activity. But which are better, cotton or acrylic? Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Socks were created because humans needed to protect their feet. The first socks were made of animal skins that early man tied around his ankle.
As man evolved, so did his socks. Two big changes in sock-making were the invention of the knitting machine in 1589 and the advent of nylon in 1930.
Misconceptions
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Until recently, most podiatrists recommended socks made of natural fibers like cotton and wool matched with leather shoes as the prescription to healthy feet. But that mindset is beginning to change.
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Functions
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Today, socks are more than a fashion statement. For diabetics, the right socks are a medical necessity. Runners, hikers and participants in sports choose their socks carefully to prevent blisters and other foot related problems. Matching the right sock with your shoes helps to avoid foot fungus and other foot ailments, not to mention that your feet will be much more comfortable.
Conclusions
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Although cotton socks have traditionally been touted as better than nylon or acrylic blends, that may not be the case. Cotton socks absorb moisture from the foot, and this causes them to lose their shape. They will bunch and wrinkle inside your shoe, possibly leading to blisters and fungus like athlete's foot.
Acrylic socks, rather than holding moisture, wick it away. In other words, they are better at transporting moisture away from the foot. They compress less than cotton and hold their shape better, keeping your foot dryer and more comfortable. This is the main reason podiatrists and sports trainers recommend them for athletes.
In everyday wear, acrylic and acrylic/natural fiber blends hold their shape and stay up better than socks made of cotton alone.
Tips
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Avoid wearing tube socks because they are not engineered to fit your foot properly.
Hang socks to dry after washing to lengthen their life and help keep their shape.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of David Goehring
