You don’t need much equipment to play basketball. You need basketball shoes, socks, a jersey, and a ball. Basketball shoes and basketball socks are the most important things to play comfortably. So, which socks to wear with basketball shoes?
Basketball players with basketball shoes wear crew basketball socks that reach up to the calves and protect the ankle from injury. Basketball shoes are often high, so basketball players wear high socks that reach above the shoe and protect the back of the foot from rubbing against the shoe.
In this post, I’ll show you which socks to wear with basketball shoes so that you feel good and comfortable in them. Finally, I will suggest you which basketball socks to buy and which socks are worn by NBA players.
What socks to wear with basketball shoes?
Basketball players with basketball shoes wear long basketball socks because they are thicker and more comfortable. NBA players must wear official NBA socks, which must be in the colors of their club. Players usually wear white basketball socks with the NBA logo.
NBA players must wear Nike basketball socks because Nike is the general sponsor of the league. Nike Elite socks are also the most popular socks among basketball players. I suggest you read this post, to find out if Nike basketball socks are worth buying.
Basketball socks vary in length, but crew socks are the most common. They extend up to about 50% of the leg, but most importantly, they extend over high basketball shoes to provide ankle support and prevent the foot from rubbing against the shoe. There are also quarter basketball socks that go up so high that they cover the ankle, which covers 25 % of the foot ( that’s why they are called quarter socks).
How to match basketball socks with a basketball jersey?
If you want to look good while playing basketball, then the color of your basketball socks should match the color of your jersey, not the color of your shoes. When playing basketball, how you play is more important than how you look. However, it is worth considering how you dress if it makes you feel better.
Choose the color of your basketball socks according to the color of your jersey. If your jersey is a single color, choose socks that color (red jersey, red socks). If you have a multi-colored basketball jersey, you can choose which color socks you want to wear (black and blue jersey, with black or blue socks). Most basketball jerseys can be matched with white or black socks, even if these two colors are not in the jersey color.
Basketball clothing is not as strict as business wear, where socks must be the same shade as trousers. We can be more playful and daring in our choice of basketball clothes, especially if we don’t play in the NBA, where such combinations are not allowed if the colors are not the same as the jersey. The color of the socks can be complementary to the color of the jersey, complementary colors being those that are opposite in the color wheel (e.g., red-green, blue-orange, purple-yellow).
How to choose quality basketball socks?
Quality basketball socks are made of absorbent materials that soak up a lot of sweat and keep your feet dry. Quality socks breathe well so that the foot starts to sweat later and are elastic enough so that the socks fit the foot well and do not wrinkle during running. Wrinkling the sock can accelerate the formation of blisters.
The materials that make basketball socks comfortable and absorbent are nylon and cotton, which are found in all quality basketball socks. Both materials are highly absorbent and breathable, which ensures that the foot starts to sweat later and stays dry for longer. Nylon is a slightly better material than cotton because it dries faster, while cotton gets soggy quickly. You can find out more about choosing the best materials for basketball socks by clicking on this link.
Polyester is also often used in sports socks because it is breathable and wicks away sweat. Its only disadvantage is that it does not absorb sweat. Basketball socks should contain at least 30% absorbent materials (nylon or cotton).
Thickness is important for the comfort of the socks. Thick socks absorb a lot of sweat and cushion the foot during running and jumping. Some basketball players even wear two pairs of socks to add extra comfort. I suggest you read the pros and cons of wearing two pairs of socks by clicking on this link.
Polyester and elastane are added for extra elasticity, giving the socks the elasticity to grip the foot well and not wrinkle during the run. The wrinkling of the socks causes blisters to form more quickly. I suggest you read what are the 3 features of basketball socks that prevent blisters when playing basketball.
Which Basketball Socks Are the Best to Buy
At the beginning of this post, I promised to bring you the best basketball socks worth buying. These socks contain all the characteristics that a basketball sock should have (they are high enough, they are thick, they are comfortable, and they absorb sweat).
This is the list of socks I recommend buying, as I and many NBA stars use them: