Firstly, these are the first Nike socks to have the NBA logo. Special versions of both socks
will be worn by all NBA athletes throughout the season, and there will be a Nike sock for
each uniform edition.
Secondly, Nike Basketball and Jordan athletes got first-hand experience with the
NBA NikeGrip Power and Quick Crew socks at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and provided crucial
insights for their development. Nike also worked with collegiate and high school players on
all aspects of the sock development and extended wear-testing process.
Thirdly, to achieve optimum zoned thickness for the NBA NikeGrip Power Crew sock, Nike’s
NXT developed a new machine with a larger dial and needle than anything on the market at
the time. ¡°The needles have wider entries to fit thicker yarn through, which enables the
machine to create bigger terry loops that are knitted to sculpt the foot. The machine can add
cushion, mesh and NikeGrip where needed. As a result, the NBA NikeGrip Power Crew sock
is the most-cushioned performance sock Nike has ever created,¡± it says.
In addition, both of Nike’s NBA NikeGrip Crew socks are made with cushioning in the areas
where basketball players need it most: on the forefoot, heel and ankle. Thinner mesh on top
of the sock vents (this placement was determined through thermal mapping). NikeGrip on the
lateral side grips the outside of the foot. The forefoot of the NBA NikeGrip Quick Crew sock
has Nike Forefoot Lock (two thin spandex bands that arch to support the foot and prevent the
socks from bunching near the toes). Both the NBA NikeGrip Power and Quick Crew socks
incorporate a heel lock that keeps the sock in place and reduces sliding.
And finally, the Charlotte Hornets, based in the hometown of the American socks and hosiery
industry, get their own Jordan socks (another first).
