Basketball socks are a bit different from socks for other sports. Usually, basketball socks are longer and thicker than regular socks. In this article, I will tell you what kind of socks basketball players wear.
For basketball, you should wear long basketball socks that reach calves to protect your ankles from injury. Basketball socks are thick and they absorb and wick away a lot of sweat. The best quality socks are made of nylon, polyester, and cotton blend.
In the rest of this article, I’ll explain the best basketball socks in terms of material and length. And I’ll give you some tips for buying your next pair of basketball socks.
What Socks Should You Wear for Basketball?
The fact is that thick and long basketball socks are a very important factor for the comfort and health of a basketball player’s feet. I will tell you which basketball sock materials to choose from and how they affect the thickness of the sock. And what lengths of basketball socks are there, and how to choose the right socks for the kind of basketball shoes you wear.
What material is best for basketball socks?
The game of basketball consists of different forms of movement, and there is a lot of running, jumping, and moving left and right. During this movement, the foot is constantly under pressure, and the basketball sock is the only support between the basketball shoe and the foot. Therefore, I suggest that you always choose good quality socks for playing basketball, because it is worth spending more money on them if it helps to keep you healthy.
Basketball socks are thick so that basketball players are comfortable during the game. Thick socks reduce the friction of the foot against the shoe and cushion the landing after a jump. Due to the thick fibers, basketball socks absorb a lot of moisture, which prevents blisters. I suggest you read the 3 features of basketball socks that prevent blisters when playing basketball.
What makes basketball socks special are the absorbent and elastic fibers that soak up a lot of sweat and ensure that the sock stays tight to the foot at all times. Nylon, polyester, and cotton are the most common materials in basketball socks. Nylon and cotton are absorbent fibers, while polyester is popular because it is breathable and the cheapest to produce. For extra elasticity, manufacturers often add elastane.
When looking for high-quality basketball socks, look for a fabric composition similar to that: 61% Polyester/20% Nylon/17% Cotton/2% Spandex.
What is the best length for basketball socks?
The best and most common length of basketball socks is crew socks, which reach approximately the beginning of the calves. These are medium-length socks, considering that the longest socks are up to the knees and the shortest socks are below the ankles.
The main purpose of such long socks is to protect and support the ankles. Longer socks can protect and warm a larger area of the leg, which is why many NBA basketball players choose to wear such long socks, even if they wear low sneakers.
There are also shorter-length basketball socks, i.e., quarter or ankle socks. The difference is that quarter socks go just above the ankle, while ankle socks only go to the ankle. I would not use shorter socks than ankle socks to play basketball. Personally, I prefer my basketball socks to be crew socks or at least quarter socks. Crew-length socks are also socks worn by NBA basketball players.
The length of the socks also depends on the height of the basketball shoe you are wearing. The picture above shows a low basketball shoe that does not go above the ankle. The bottom picture shows basketball shoes that cover the ankle. Therefore, ankle-length socks are not an option for wearing such shoes, and quarter socks are just on the borderline.
It is best to wear crew basketball socks if you wear high-rise basketball shoes, as shown in the picture below.
What kind of socks do professional basketball players wear?
Professional basketball players wear the highest quality basketball socks. Most professional basketball players wear Nike, Stance, Adidas, and Under Armour basketball socks. These manufacturers produce special socks for playing basketball. This is not a marketing gimmick. Basketball socks actually help players feel more comfortable and protect them from injury.
Materials in basketball socks absorb and wick sweat away from the skin. Most basketball socks are padded in the foot area to keep players comfortable all the time. That’s important as there is a lot of jumping and changing direction during the game. The best quality socks are made of nylon, polyester, and cotton blend.
Are thick socks good for basketball?
Thick socks are best for basketball because they offer more support, are more comfortable, and absorb more sweat. Thicker socks warm the ankle to prevent injury. Basketball socks wick and absorb a lot of sweat to prevent blisters during practice and games.
Basketball socks can be thick or thin and padded in certain areas (toes, heels, and around the ankle). Thick socks are usually made of absorbent materials. Nylon and cotton are the most common absorbent materials and comprise the largest percentage of the thick socks’ composition.
NBA basketball players sometimes wear two pairs of socks to make them thicker. You can read why they wear two pairs of socks here.
On the other hand, Cushioned socks are usually made largely of polyester, with cushioned parts made of nylon or cotton, which must make up at least 30% of the composition of the sock if the sock is to absorb sweat.
Which Basketball Socks Are the Best to Buy
This is the list of socks I recommend buying, as I and many NBA stars use them:
- Stance Icon Sport Crew Socks
- NIKE Dry Elite 1.5 Crew Basketball Socks
- Nike Jordan Jumpman Dri-Fit Crew
- NIKE Dry Elite Crew Basketball Socks
I recommend these socks because they are all thick and long and made of absorbent materials. They are very comfortable to wear because they cushion the run and the landing after the jump. The foot stays dry throughout the game because the sock absorbs all the sweat. These socks are thick enough to reduce the foot rubbing against the shoe but still elastic enough to keep it from falling down and wrinkling during play.
I recommend that all thick basketball socks are hand-washed or washed at a low temperature (20-30 °C), as washing in hot water damages the elastic fibers, making the sock more difficult to put on.