The performance of any apparel is mostly dependent on what blend of materials is used. For example, a small percentage of Lycra weaving will give the apparel ore flexibility for a good stretch. High quality synthetics will add on to the garment’s durability, breathability, and moisture-wicking capability. Cotton or wool will improve the comfort of the socks because of their softness.

As they say, too much of anything is bad. That’s also true with materials used in garments. An example is cotton. Even though cheap, it has the lackluster moisture-wicking capability and can retain up to a third of water in its own weight. When your skin becomes soft because of wetness, it is more prone to cuts and abrasion.

The right material should make any apparel comfortable, depending on the weather conditions. For athletic gear, the fabric should be breathable and lightweight. Wool socks usually have acceptable cushioning for your feet.

The fabric must also be durable and not wear out quickly. Wicking ability is an aspect found in Merino wool socks. This natural material can absorb moisture very well towards the outer surface where it evaporates naturally. Wool is also naturally antimicrobial. This characteristic means you will hardly experience the smell that comes about when bacteria accumulate in damp, moist conditions.

Bacteria find it difficult to multiply under the small threads of wool. Apart from wool, other fabrics such as acrylic and polyester wick moisture very well. Rockay Accelerate has a good mixture of materials to make exceptional quarter socks.

To know what design to choose, you should at least familiarize yourself with all the different types of materials that socks can be made of; or those most commonly used in their construction, anyway. There is a long list of these, and here, we will break down the materials found in our guide so that you have a better understanding of their pros and cons and what they’re best used for.

Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic material which has great moisture-repelling properties. In other words, it is an excellent choice for sports socks and those you will wear when you expect to get sweaty feet. Polyester is also durable and colorfast, meaning it easily retains dye and can get vividly colored.

However, polyester is not environmentally-friendly. This material is not biodegradable or recyclable, which makes it a poor choice for our planet. It is also not as breathable or as soft to the touch as cotton, for example.

Cotton: Unlike polyester, cotton is a natural material, grown all around the world. It is light in weight and absorbs moisture, which makes it a poor choice for athletic activities. However, it is gentle on the skin, extremely breathable and washable, and thus is one of the most popular materials for clothing.

In one of our items, we mentioned combed cotton. This is a type of cotton that is treated more than regular cotton, to remove short fibers and dirt and debris. Combed cotton doesn’t fray as quickly as regular cotton and it is softer on the skin. It is considered a luxurious material and is thus more expensive.

Acrylic: Acrylic is another synthetic material that is softer than polyester and provides warmth. It is also lightweight, despite offering heat retention. Similar to polyester, acrylic is also colorfast, and these fibers can have more brilliant colors than natural ones.

Nylon: Nylon is added to different material combinations because it is exceptionally hard-wearing. Designs made from nylon are either thin and silky, or thick and quite stretchy. It improves the durability and elasticity of a design.

Spandex/Elastane/Lycra: Speaking of elasticity, these three names all refer to the same type of material, which is a type of synthetic fiber. It ensures a close fit of a sock while providing comfort and stretchiness at the same time. It helps your quarter socks stay up over the ankle.

Rubber: Lastly, we will mention rubber, as a few of our choices contain natural latex rubber. Before the invention of spandex, rubber was widely used in socks to provide elasticity. It has the same purpose today, however, it has mostly been replaced by the three materials we talked about above.

Many manufacturers make their socks with extra features. Because of this, it’s essential to know what you really need, and you’re not paying for things that are not helpful to you. Make sure you take into account what value you will get as we have when creating this list. Does the price match up?

It’s good to know what the socks are constructed from and why. These are the two most important questions you need to consider when purchasing socks. Some have cushioning to help reduce shocks on the heel, which takes up the most pounding. With the right set of features, you can improve your performance and have peace of mind in your shoes.

Grit, fine dirt, and debris inside socks are everyone’s nightmare. These outside elements getting inside are scaled up even more with quarter socks because of their short length. The best way to stop such inconveniences is to have a gentle elasticized fit at the neck of the socks. It should not be too constricted to stop regular blood circulation, yet tight enough to close any gaps for debris to enter.

Keeping your feet dry at all times is very important. Wet feet more often than not lead to hot spots, blisters, fungal, or bacterial growth. The later leads to terrible odors as the bacteria breed and multiply. We have all been in such embarrassing situations. However, with the right socks, you could reduce such adverse effects efficiently.

Wicking is the ability to pool sweat from your skin, toward the outer surface, in this case, your shoes. Wicking will prevent your feet from getting soggy and more prone to abrasion. Different materials offer varying levels of moisture-wicking capability.

The best for wicking is merino wool, polypropylene, and polyester. Acrylic and nylon are in not the best t wicking but do try. Avoid heavy synthetics, spandex, and cotton at all costs if you want your feet to be dry.

Manufacturers use a blend of various materials to get the right characteristics for your socks. For example, wool is not the toughest but wicks moisture well. By adding a dash of synthetics, which has high tensile strengths, the socks become effective at moisture wicking and durable.

Slipping socks can lead to injuries in several ways. For example, you might lose your concertation by continually adjusting your socks to remain comfortable. Materials from sliding socks will often bunch up and create grooves, leading to friction. Friction equates to painful blisters.

Some quarter socks not only have compression at the neck but the arch area as well. This feature helps to hold the sock in place so that it does not slide inside your shoe. Reinforcement also helps keep them in place. Excellent cushioning needs to support your ankle and arch as you move about.

Sliding socks can be dangerous. When socks slip, you lose your footing and balance. Consequently, you might roll your ankles because of the sudden shift in positioning. With the right design and sizes, you can be confident of a high-performance work out without the risk of injuring yourself.

It is natural that before we make a purchase we consider how long that product is going to last us. Will it be worth the money? How long will we be able to use it before it starts showing signs of wear? How much longer after that before it completely falls apart? Does this design have any quality to it?

Durability for this type of design is mostly reflected in its material type and certain construction features.

Durable materials are synthetic ones, such as polyester and polyamide. Nylon is added to socks to increase their durability, and thus a high percentage of nylon usually means that a sock will last for quite some time, even with repeated washings. Cotton and natural blends are not as good when it comes to longevity.

The construction features which help with durability are reinforcements in specific areas of the design, namely the heel and the toes. These two sections are the most prone to thinning out and developing holes in them, and thus this is where added layers or more durable materials are useful.

The seams of your socks ripping in the middle of any activity can be quite devastating. Sometimes, it can even lead to injuries. Make sure to get high quality quarter socks, that moisture-wicking reliable through the most strenuous of activities.

Some socks are highly priced, not because the materials are better, but because they have other features such as cushioning, stability, flexibility, and support. Even though such features might drive the cost up, they are not really a measure of durability.

Nevertheless, the socks reviewed here measure up through the test of time. Therefore, they can last multiple wash cycles without being destroyed. It’s truly a problem of quality in the apparel industry, due to the increase of many generic and counterfeit products.