It is possible that the brand of a garment may be a considerable factor when selecting items for your next purchase. Chances are, if a pair is produced by a reputable undergarment manufacturer, you will connect this to overall quality that is of a higher standard.

With kid's products, just like with anything else, you expect to receive a quality that is directly related to the price you pay, but very often, smaller manufacturers will be able to provide a better garment than those who mass produce. It is not rare to find that big brands make items that are manufactured in overseas factories where quality control is not as high as you would expect from a well-known, popular brand.

While our best list includes both reputable companies, as well as smaller, lesser-known manufacturers, it is important to note a few things that you might find useful before making your next purchase.

First and foremost, big brand names will often overcharge based on reputation, packaging, and simply because they can. It is a well-known fact that people are willing to shell out considerably more if they think they are getting a superior product. This doesn’t mean that you should disregard other manufacturers that may even be giving you better quality and a better price but have not yet gained popularity.

Under Armour, a reputable brand that makes high-quality sports equipment, including hosiery for athletic use, is a great example – just a few years ago, this was a small company that focused on athletic undergarments. Today, they are not just a leader in the sportswear field, but even more, have gained the reputation of a driven brand that is in the process of expansion and that is slowly becoming a household name.

The other thing you need to consider when making a choice of brand is whether the tag is relevant for the specific product you are in the market for. While certain brands may have a reputation for producing items of high quality, it is very likely that they are not their main focus. Thus, you should consider whether a brand such as Jefferies, for example, may offer you more quality than a sportswear magnate who is selling in addition to hundreds of other products they put their logo on.

Just like any other item of clothing worn by a kid, kids' products can get quite messy. Children need clothes that can be easily washed and kept clean, regardless of what body part they are covering and protecting.

One of the most important criteria when it comes to kids' clothes and shoes is that they need to be appropriate for a hot machine wash. Being suitable for tumble drying is an added plus.

Unfortunately, not all will do well in this category, so that’s why there are two things we wanted to pay special attention to when making our selection.

The first of these is how they perform when being washed. Most clothing will shrink when washed at higher temperatures, but as a parent, you may find that you simply need to use hotter water as some stains are more difficult to get out than others. Another thing to consider is that most bacteria will not be killed off unless you use a washing temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or higher.

What happens with most items when washed at such high temperatures is that they lose their shape. While some lose their elasticity and thus become unsuitable for use as they refuse to stay on the feet, others will shrink even up to several sizes. When making your choice, you need to consider how much a pair of socks will shrink when washed – is this just 1 or 2%, or is it considerably more?

If your child is between sizes, we would recommend sizing up in order to avoid having a pair (or a whole pack) of socks that are too small to be comfortably worn.

The other thing you need to pay attention to is color retention. Some makers use low-quality materials, knits, and colors that will easily fade or even become warped when washed even in cold water. That’s why it is important to know that the pair you choose to purchase won’t bleed or fade after one wash – this will ensure easier laundry days and will be helpful in avoiding disappointment when a favorite pair stops looking like what it was originally supposed to resemble.

Also, note that this quality of dye and knit can also reflect on your child’s sensitive skin. Some children have skin that is more sensitive than others, which means that choosing socks dyed in eco-friendly and non-toxic colors is imperative for anyone shopping for childrenswear.

When shopping for children, most people will want a fabric that is natural and soft. Cotton, terry cloth, and wool are all excellent options, but more often than not, they do not possess all the properties required for a good pair.

The most important of these is elasticity, which is crucial for a pair that will provide enough stretch so that they stay in place, and won’t slide down or bunch up around certain areas. Manufacturers will usually add a small percentage of synthetic fabrics to the material blends used, and these include nylon, polyester, spandex, and acrylic.

Nylon is a great choice for elasticity, but its main downside is the fact that it does not only promote perspiration, but it also retains moisture close to the skin. This is not a good thing, especially when considering that your kid will be wearing a pair of these throughout the day which will most probably include strenuous activities such as running and playing.

Polyester is very similar to nylon – not only is it elastic, but it is also durable, and can take quite a beating. What it does well with is moisture, as it won’t retain as much perspiration as nylon, and will provide you or your child with a more breathable garment that will dry more easily.

Acrylic resembles wool and is an excellent choice for the colder months when you need some added warmth. It will also do well at sports practice as it does quite a good job at wicking away moisture from the body so that your child does not end up with foot odor or a skin rash or even infection.

Finally, there is spandex, elastane or lycra, which manufacturers will add because of their extreme elasticity.

You will find that most cotton socks have some percentage of these materials. Otherwise, they would be extremely difficult to put on, and would probably not even stay on without the added stretch.

Another thing that you need to consider when looking at materials is the number of seams and exposed thread that will be in contact with your child’s foot. Children have skin that is more sensitive to the touch than that of adults and will often feel heightened discomfort from tags, seams, and scratchy fabrics.

That’s why you need to make sure that the product you purchase doesn’t hurt them or make them uncomfortable. Some manufacturers make seamless ones that have no bands, bumps or exposed threading, and for kids with sensitivity issues, these are often the only option.

For other children, it is still important that you take softness and comfort into consideration. Look for ones that don’t have rough seams on the toe part to prevent rubbing or even blisters, and try to find products that won’t be too tight around the calves, as this can cut off circulation and cause marks to appear on your child’s skin.

Kids are a tough crowd to shop for, and you will find that providing them with clothing that is colorful, comfy and fun will do much better than sensible, monochrome options that adults may prefer to look professional and presentable.

A perfect pair of these will tick all the boxes not just for you as a parent (durability, price, ease of maintenance) but also for your kid who might find that a pair of cat ears is much more important than how well their products wash in high temperatures.

All the products on our list have been chosen so as to meet the highest design standards, and include both novelty options with fun designs and happy colors, as well as those more classic models that will be suitable for wear on more serious occasions such as formal events or schools with a stricter dress code.

Last but not least, it is important that we mention two of the most important factors for choosing a winner pair for your kid to wear.

As you already know very well, children do not hold the reputation of being gentle on their clothing, and you need to invest in items that will stand the test of rough play, barefoot prancing around the house, sports practice, after-school activities, and any other activity your child might think of performing wearing nothing on their feet but a pair of these.

Those that get holes in them after just one use, or after a few washes can be frustrating and a source of embarrassment for your child; you will feel that you have spent your hard-earned money on a product that was not worth the investment.

All of the items on our top list have been tested for durability, and the pros and cons should give you an idea of the lifespan you can expect of each of these items. While you may find that those which last longer have a higher price tag, the difference is usually just a couple of dollars, while the added time you get to use them can range up to a year or two.

When it comes to shopping for kids' socks, our suggestion is to do this by purchasing packs, as they will usually cost considerably less when bought in larger numbers. Almost all items on our list come in packs of five, six or twelve, which will not only provide you with a few saved dollars but also will allow you to finish your intended shopping faster and with less hassle.