Cotton
Cotton socks are inexpensive, but can lose shape quickly. Moreover, the fabric can absorb a disproportionate amount of water. This is bad for sports, since sweat from your foot will collect in your cotton socks. Your feet will also be emitting heat. The combination of water and heat creates the perfect environment for blisters and fungus, so athletes should avoid 100% cotton socks.
Wool
Wool socks are useful for some cold situations; but, like cotton, they absorb water. Wool socks do however; retain the ability to insulate when wet, but this can lead to the undesirable hot-and-sweaty scenario. Both cotton and wool can become irritable.
To solve the problems presented when friction, heat, and sweat combine with typical fabrics like cotton and wool, athletic socks are often synthetic blends, combining two or more natural and artificial fibers.
Note: For a fiber to ¡°wick,¡± it needs to repel water away from the skin, while allowing it to evaporate through the shoe. Thus, it needs to be ¡°hydrophobic,¡± not ¡°hydrophilic.¡± Hydrophobic fibers can increase the sweat they transfer through greater cross-sectional surface area.
Nylon
Nylon is a polymer known for its durability and resistance. It is well-suited for socks that undergo lots of pulling and stretching. However, it absorbs a relatively large amount of water compared to other synthetics.
Polyester
Polyester, like Nylon, is a cheap polymer that can withstand wear and tear. Polyester socks can handle a little more absorption than Nylon, and breathe better. Polyester is the well-known ¡°DRI-Fit¡± material from Nike.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a warm, wool-like polymer. Acrylic socks can retain their elastic shape amidst pulling; plus they wick sweat away.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a ¡°super¡± waterproof fiber with extreme moisture-wicking abilities. Polypropylene socks are also terrifically warm; and sometimes used as inner sock liners.
Spandex
Spandex is known for its extreme resistance to stretching, and often added to socks to help them keep their shape. Spandex is also known by the names Elastane or Lycra.
Polyamide
Polyamide is a type of nylon added to athletic socks for comfort.
X-Static
X-Static is a fiber made from silver that is woven into socks. Its anti-microbial nature helps sport socks prevent odors and fungus.
