While footballers get a lot of attention for their cleats, shin pads and shirts, the socks they wear are equally as important. The right pair can help them keep comfortable and boost their confidence on the pitch. But with so many different lengths, colours and designs to choose from, finding the best sport socks football isn’t easy.
When it comes to putting on their socks, many players have preferences based on personal experiences. Some prefer the comfort and compression of long socks such as those from Nxtrnd XTD Socks, which have just the right amount of tightness to prevent them from falling down the leg when running. Others like the extra protection offered by padded socks. These include Nike’s padded long football socks, which have thick cushioning on the feet and ankles to protect them from impact when playing on hard surfaces.
But a new type of socks has emerged that can offer even greater benefits, and they are gaining popularity amongst footballers, including those who play in the Premier League and Champions League. Grip socks, which have black silicone dots or chevrons underneath to stick to the inner surface of the football shoe, are said to improve the foot’s grip inside the shoe and reduce slipping and provide stability. Some researchers say they can also boost performance.
These new socks were developed by an American company called Trusox, which was founded in 2007. The creator, former minor-league baseball player Jim Cherneski, designed a pair of socks with small dots on both the outside and the inside to increase the foot’s grip inside the shoe. This helped him avoid slipping as he ran and made sharp cuts in the minor leagues. He soon realised that his socks could benefit other sportsmen and women, and they have since been worn in soccer, American football, cricket and rugby, as well as by the best players in the world’s biggest leagues.
Footballers often feel a strong connection between the socks they wear and their performances on the pitch. Socks are the last piece of equipment that many players will touch before kicking off, and it is an opportunity to express their individuality and personality through their colour choices. They can also give their team a distinct identity with matching or contrasting socks for specific matches, or to match their kits.
However, while most players may wear whatever socks they want in training or in friendly matches, it’s a bit more complicated when it comes to match day. That’s because teams have to adhere to strict rules imposed by federations and kit suppliers on the amount of logos that can be visible at any given time. So if a player shows up for a match wearing socks bearing the name of a rival brand, it can lead to fines.