Cotton and polyester are the most common materials used to make socks. However, not both materials are suitable for all types of socks. One is more suitable for leisure and dress socks, and the other is more suitable for sports socks. I will explain when to choose cotton socks and when to choose polyester socks in this article.
Cotton is a better material for leisure and dress socks because it absorbs a lot of sweat and is very comfortable. Polyester socks are better for sports because they dry quickly and wick sweat better. Cotton is more comfortable, but polyester needs less careful care.
The best way to decide which material to choose is to compare its advantages and disadvantages. That’s exactly what we’re going to do in the rest of this post, where I’ll also tell you what my favorite socks are and show you socks you’ve never worn before.
Is it better to wear cotton or polyester socks?
The choice of sock material depends on what you will use the socks for most. Dedicated socks (running socks, dress socks, basketball socks, etc.) are designed for this purpose.
Cotton is better when you wear socks for a long time but don’t sweat a lot (at home, at work, or while sleeping). In these situations, cotton will comfort you, as its breathability will ensure that you start to sweat later. And then, it will soak up the sweat you will produce while wearing it.
Polyester is mostly used in sports socks because we sweat a lot during sporting activities. Polyester is a quick-drying material that makes sure that our feet stay dry for longer.
Reasons why is a cotton good material for socks
Cotton is a natural material that has many advantages and some disadvantages. The advantages and disadvantages of this material are:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Absorbs a lot of sweat | Doesn’t wick sweat away |
| Breathable material | Doesn’t dry quickly |
| Elastic material to prevent the socks from sliding down | |
| Very comfortable material | |
| Doesn’t retain odors |
The only disadvantage of cotton socks is that they do not wick sweat and do not dry very quickly. This makes them less suitable as sports socks, especially where there are a lot of running and direction changes. Cotton absorbs a lot of sweat quickly and therefore becomes soggy and wrinkles in the shoe. This increases the chafing of the foot against the shoe and the formation of blisters.
Reasons why is a polyester good material for socks
Polyester is a material found in almost every sock. In some socks, it makes up 80-100% of the fabric (sports socks); in others, it makes up 20-40% (added for elasticity). Like cotton, polyester has many advantages and some disadvantages:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Breathable material | Retain odors |
| Elastic material to prevent the socks from sliding down | Doesn’t absorb moisture |
| Wicks sweat away | |
| Dry quickly |
The disadvantages of polyester socks are that they do not absorb moisture and can trap odors. Their advantage is that they dry quickly and wick sweat away from the skin. However, the foot can become soaked with increased perspiration and prolonged wear because polyester does not absorb sweat. For this reason, nylon is often added to sports socks, as it absorbs sweat well.
I suggest you read the full and more detailed post on choosing quality dress socks. You will find out which materials are best, which length to choose, and much more.
Do polyester socks make your feet sweat?
Polyester socks can make you sweat more; polyester does not absorb sweat but repels it. This causes sweat to accumulate on the skin, which further increases the sweating. Despite being a fast-drying material, the sock cannot dry quickly enough due to accelerated perspiration.
We start to sweat when we are hot and when the humidity is high. During the day, we can get hot indoors, so the body starts to cool down, and it does this by sweating.
We also sweat more when there is high humidity in the air. Our body wants to cool itself by releasing sweat, but because there is already a lot of moisture in the air, sweat is released more slowly. This makes us hotter than usual in humid weather.
When we wear polyester clothes and socks, a similar situation happens. Polyester does not absorb sweat but repels it, which causes sweat to get back on the skin, where it starts to linger. This results in a humid environment. The skin starts to release sweat more slowly because the environment is already humid enough due to the sweat retained on the skin. This causes us to feel even hotter, and, as a consequence, we lose more water.
It is, therefore, not a good idea to wear socks made of 100% polyester. Sports socks should have at least 30% absorbent material (I recommend nylon), which will absorb a lot of sweat, reducing perspiration. When you look for sports socks you will notice that most manufacturers do not only use polyester in their material mix but also use nylon, wool, and even cotton.
In my opinion, these are the best sports socks made of polyester. Besides good quality, they are also affordable.
DANISH ENDURANCE 3 Pack Running Socks
With more than 13.000 reviews, those are among the most popular running socks on Amazon. Danish Endurance has many running socks in different sizes. My favorite is the quarter-height ones (as pictured above). Quarter length socks reach above the ankle to protect and warm it during the run. And they prevent the back of the foot from rubbing against the shoe.
The socks above are not made of the materials mentioned in this article but are composed of polypropylene, polyamide, and elastane. Polypropylene is similar in characteristics to polyester, and polyamide works like nylon, so don’t be confused by these materials. You can see the composition of these socks below.
These are the other features of these socks:
- Materials: 65% polypropylene (polyester), 33% polyamide (nylon), 2% elastane
- Price: 3 Pack Running Socks – 24,95$ – 8,31$/Pair
- Gender: Man and Woman
- Colors: Black/Grey; Light blue; Light blue/Orange; White (Check all colors on that link)
Check DANISH ENDURANCE running socks by clicking on this link.
For other types of socks that are not sports socks, it is better to wear socks with more natural materials.
What are cotton socks best for?
Cotton socks are warm and comfortable, so they are best worn for leisure or as dress socks. Cotton breathes exceptionally well, so the skin is healthy and starts to sweat later. When the skin sweats, the cotton absorbs the sweat so that the foot stays dry for longer.
Cotton socks are best when you want to feel comfortable and not sweat too much. In this case, cotton socks will soak up the sweat so you can feel comfortable. However, in cases where you sweat a lot, it is better to choose absorbent and quick-drying materials (nylon, merino wool). Cotton socks will offer you a lot of comfort in your free time, while you sleep, or at work. Unlike merino wool, cotton socks are cheaper. They are more comfortable compared to nylon and polyester.
I suggest you read a more detailed comparison between cotton and wool socks. Where I also present the advantages and disadvantages of wool. You can access the post by clicking on this link.
What socks are best for not sweating?
Socks made from natural materials (cotton, merino wool, and bamboo) are best against sweating. Natural materials breathe well, so you’ll start to sweat later, and natural materials will absorb sweat, so your feet will stay drier and more comfortable for longer.
For extra comfort, toe socks are also recommended, as they act like gloves by putting each finger in its place. This prevents the fingers from rubbing together, and the fabric around the fingers absorbs more sweat than a regular sock. As a result, your feet will stay drier for longer. Your feet will sweat less and feel more comfortable and natural overall. If you are interested in learning more about toe socks, I suggest you read this post.
Cotton vs Polyester Socks – Conclusion
Cotton and polyester are the two most commonly used sock materials, but not both are suitable for all types of socks. Cotton is a softer and more absorbent material than polyester and is, therefore, more suitable as a leisure sock or dress sock. Polyester socks, on the other hand, are more breathable and dry faster, making them an excellent material for sports socks.
Cotton absorbs a lot of sweat but does not dry quickly and becomes soggy in contact with a lot of moisture. Polyester, on the other hand, does not absorb any moisture; therefore, other, more absorbent materials must be added to the socks (nylon, merino wool, or cotton).