I like to buy socks that will last a long time, but most socks I wear last about the same amount of time. I’ve also bought more expensive socks that do add some wear time, but not as much as I’d like.
Will cheap socks work for exercise? Make sure they are labeled exercise socks and not made from mostly cotton. They should have a blend of fabric types that help them absorb moisture and last longer. An example is a cotton-polyester sock. It tends to be a cheap, absorbent, and durable exercise sock.
My favorite running socks are my bamboo socks, but I also use cotton-polyester socks when I exercise at times, and they work just fine.
The cotton-poly blend is cheaper and tends to wear down a bit faster, but keeps my feet comfortable during exercise.
Can You Find Cheap Athletic Socks?
You can find athletic socks that are cheap. There are many brands of athletic socks that are competing for your purchase. The prices for athletic socks are usually very good. You can find many at the same prices as regular everyday socks you wear.
You should be able to find multi-packs of athletic socks in more stores you visit that have clothing. Amazon.com has a large variety of athletic socks in multi-packs (Amazon.com link) at a good value.
I like to shop around on Amazon for a while; sometimes, the socks you are looking for may not be in the area that you are looking for. Be sure to look under different categories to get more choices.
Sometimes, the right sock may not be on the first page you look at. I like to find socks that are a good deal and are of good quality. Just a little more time looking can help you find the best sock for you.
When to Use Cheap Socks
The other day, I went to Costco and found this 8 pack of athletic socks for $12. They have gotten good reviews when I look on Amazon, (Amazon.com link) but they are much more expensive.
In my experience, these types of socks would be good for an hour of gym exercise routine or hiking for a couple of hours. They feel comfortable and stay up well.
They have a mixture of cotton and polyester, so the cotton helps them be less expensive and the polyester helps them to last longer.
In addition, these specific socks have Sorbtek, which is a polyester fabric designed to help absorb moisture and release it into the air so it can keep your feet dry.
The cost of socks can have some effect on the quality of the sock, but not always. Look for brands that are established. They have made enough mistakes to create quality socks at a low price.
Another thing to look at is the mixture of materials. The more cotton in a sock, the more likely it will wear out faster.
The Costco socks have a blend of 64% cotton and 32% polyester, a two-to-one ratio. I’ve found that most athletic socks have a blend of cotton and polyester in various ratios.
Look at the thickness of the sock. Having extra material in the heel and toes will likely help the sock to last longer and feel comfortable.
Think about the space in your shoe. If your shoes are already tight, consider that a thicker cotton sock might cause rubbing to occur. Sometimes what you need is a thinner sock, made to help absorb and dissipate moisture.
When to Use More Expensive Socks
You will want to get more expensive socks for specific types of activities. When you are running long distances or hiking all day, you need socks that are made specifically for those activities.
When I go running, I choose my thinner bamboo socks. Having thinner socks that can allow air to reach your feet can help moisture evaporate and make your feet less likely to start rubbing.
Many runners use moisture-wicking polyester (Amazon.com link) socks that are thin and foot-balmed to help create a good environment for their feet. They can run and not get blisters for long distances.
Hikers, on the other hand, use wool socks (Amazon.com link) and sock liners (Amazon.com link) that help absorb moisture since their hiking boots don’t let moisture leave very well. These socks cost more but are essential to prevent rubbing and blisters from occurring.
If you have been thinking about doing a specific sport, then it’s a good investment to get the best type of sock for that activity. If your activity is 30 minutes to an hour, then you will likely be fine with cheaply priced socks.
What Cheap socks Made of?
Most cheap socks are made of mostly cotton. You can get more expensive cotton socks that are made in special ways or with special cotton (Amazon.com link) so you have to decide what you will be using these socks for to decide how much cotton you want.
The other cheaper material used in cheaply priced socks is polyester (Amazon.com link). The nice thing about polyester is that it usually lasts quite a bit longer than cotton. You will need to make sure they are a quality built sock to ensure longevity.
Most athletic socks will have a blend of both materials, with more cotton than polyester. All socks usually have some sort of material to help them stay up and add a certain amount of compression around your foot.
In your athletic socks your likely to find Spandex (also called Elastane and Lycra) and sometimes rubber, to help your socks have the compression needed to stay on your foot and leg.
There are different materials and “technologies” (how they are made) in athletic socks that help them keep feet dry and absorb moisture. You’ll find them in cheap and expensive socks.
The advantage of some expensive socks is their design. They can have extra padding on the sole of the foot and less on top. They are made with more and different materials that help
What are Expensive Socks Made of?
Expensive socks may incorporate other materials such as nylon, wool, acrylic, nylon, and sometimes more spandex-like materials. But sometimes, the technology and the design of the sock are what bring the price up as well.
The advantage of many expensive socks is their design (Amazon.com link). They can have extra padding on the sole of the foot for comfort and less on top to aid with perspiration. They are made in specific ways and with more expensive materials.
I love my bamboo socks because they absorb moisture, keep my shoes and feet free from odor, and that they are comfortable when I run. Bamboo socks (Amazon.com link) are generally more expensive than regular athletic socks.
Final Thoughts
I recommend getting a mix of socks to wear for different events. Be sure to have the right shoes, socks, and additional supplies (Amazon.com link) needed when doing long-distance events.
I have the cheap socks that I wear for light exercise and everyday use. They work great and come in multi-packs for great savings. Then, I use my bamboo for running and wool socks for long-distance hikes.
I can be sure my feet are taken care of by using the right socks for the occasion. Good luck finding the right socks for your athletic events. And click here to find out more about hiking socks and here to get your socks to last longer.
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