If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best tennis sock is, then we recommend the Nike Unisex Dry Cushion Crew Training Sock as the best one.
When playing tennis, we try to invest in the best gear but often overlook the influence of accessories on the way we play. And this includes socks.
Ill-fitting socks can be a source of distraction and discomfort, something that you can’t afford in sports that need full-on attention such as tennis. We’ve, therefore, rounded up everything that you need to know in scoring the best pair of tennis socks.
We’re going to include the following tennis string reviews:
- Thorlos Unisex TX Max Cushion Tennis Crew Sock
- The Comfort Sock (TCS) No Show Low Cut Sport Socks with Cushion
- Prince Men’s Athletic Quarter Socks
- Nike Unisex Dry Cushion Crew Training Sock
- Crucial Compression Plantar Fasciitis Socks with Arch Support for Men & Women
The Benefits of Wearing Tennis Socks
Ordinary day-to-day socks are not designed to handle the demands of playing tennis. Getting proper tennis socks will do you the following favors and help you stay focused on what matters.
Provides Comfort and Protection
It’s no secret that socks make your shoes fit better. But in sports specifically, the feet are subject to a lot of friction, pressure, and impact. Having socks on reduces the chances of having blisters as a result of constant friction.
With sufficient cushioning, a good pair will also absorb shocks and impact, saving you from strain, soreness, and pain.
Helps in the Prevention of Odor and Fungal Infections
Socks help keep your feet dry by ridding your feet of perspiration. Sweat plus a lack of ventilation are prime ingredients of smelly feet. Bacteria that dwell on the skin feed on the feet’s sweat and produce that offensive odor.
Fungus also thrives in moist and warm areas so keeping your feet dry will keep skin diseases such as athlete’s foot at bay.
Offers Insulation
Cold feet can affect energy and blood circulation. In tennis, as with any other sport, a constant ample supply of oxygen is necessary to just keep going. Having the insulation offered by socks helps you get that circulation flowing.
Tennis Socks Styles
The Low-cut/No-Show
These socks are either not visible at all from the outside or they just peek slightly out of your shoes. They are best when playing in hot conditions or if you just want to keep your ankles and legs cool.
One common problem with these socks is that they slip and bunch up. But now, socks made of synthetic materials for improved compression and durability are available. These are designed to hug the feet better. A lot of low-cut and no-show socks now also have tabs to provide protection to the upper and Achilles heel from friction.
The Crew
These are the standard tennis socks. They usually end 6 to 8 inches above the shoe line. They are suitable for cool temperatures and/or for those players with ankle braces for support. Because of their extended coverage, your ankles and shins are shielded from dust and debris.
The Quarter/Mini Crew
These socks cover the ankle bone. These are perfect for players who are prone to heel blisters. This style is a compromise for those who need coverage but don’t want as much compression to the lower calf.
The Anatomy of a Pair of Tennis Socks
The abundance of choices when picking out tennis socks can be overwhelming. And there are several factors that you need to take into account before making that purchase. Everyone’s feet are molded differently. Playing styles vary and so do the conditions that you’re playing in.
All of these are important but understanding what characteristics to look out for should help you decide on the perfect pair.
Material
Cotton may have been the crowd choice in the past because it is inexpensive and absorbent but it holds moisture in and does not retain its shape leaving you with sopping socks.
Today, synthetic fibers keep the moisture out of the sock and provide improved breathability. They also maintain their shape so they fit your feet better and prevent bunching up the way cotton does.
Another fiber worth considering is Alpaca. It does a good job of drawing off sweat and regulating temperature. Its softness is perfect for those who are prone to blisters. It’s eco-friendly too. All of these come with a price though as it has a higher price tag than other materials.
Padding
Current designs apply padding strategically to common pressure points so that you still have light and breathable socks. Whether you want thicker or thinner socks depends on your preference and the way your shoes fit.
Compression
Compression aids in preventing lactic acid buildup and improves circulation. This feature may be of interest to those who are susceptible to swelling or fatigue. Lower compression is typical for sports socks.
Arch Support
A bit of compression to the arch of the foot prevents fatigue and strain. The additional support will also keep your socks in place even with intense activity.
Seams
Some players may find that traditional seams make the socks bunch in the toe and cause friction. There are flat seam and seamless toes now which address this problem. Those with wide feet may not find comfort in these though as they can add compression in the toe area.
Best Tennis Socks Reviews
Thorlos Unisex TX Max Cushion Tennis Crew Sock
The Thorlos Unisex TX Max Cushion Tennis Crew Socks are thick and padded all throughout which makes them perfect for those whose shoes have extra wiggle room or for those who wear their socks thin easily. The extra padding makes it soft and offers additional comfort.
It is strictly American-made. With their plant based in North Carolina, you can rest assured that it only employs high-quality labor and use superior materials. These socks are made to last.
The apparent drawback is that because of its thickness, it can get warm especially when it’s humid. So if you want something that will keep you cool when the weather is hot, you may have to pick something else.
Thorlos offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure that you get the comfort that you seek in a tennis sock.
You can take your pick from four different lengths. But for this review, we are focusing on the crew-length variant. You may check out Amazon for the listing of the other varieties/styles.
Pros:
- Very soft and comfortable.
- Comes in different sizes and lengths to ensure that you find a perfect fit
- Well-padded.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons:
- A bit expensive compared to other options.
- Can get warm especially in humid conditions.
The Comfort Sock (TCS) No Show Low Cut Sport Socks with Cushion
These are all-purpose socks so you can wear them not just to your tennis matches but you can also put them on for running, walking, and other workouts.
It is made of 88% cotton so it is extra soft and comfortable. It is also breathable and it does not soak up sweat that much.
For the most part, they are made to be somewhat thin for better ventilation. Additional cushioning has been placed on the heel, however, and toe seam appears to be durable.
It has got 2% spandex to support the cotton/polyester blend. This also gives a bit of compression which levels up the amount of support. It gives just the right amount of tightness in that it is easy to put on and take off.
You should not have problems washing it. They may come off slightly smaller than you would like them to be.
However, since it is mostly made of cotton, we can expect it to be prone to pilling and producing tiny fuzz balls.
Pros:
- Very soft.
- Durable.
- You get your money’s worth.
Cons:
- Can get pretty warm in hot weather due to its high cotton content.
- Prone to pilling and producing little fuzz balls.
Prince Men’s Athletic Quarter Socks
Prince’s Men’s Athletic Quarter Socks will fit most people’s budget without skimping on quality. Its blend of synthetic fabric provides a nice, soft feel. Because of its mesh material, it is breathable and is effectively able to wick sweat away.
It features a durable, seamless toe to relieve friction and prevent blisters so you don’t have to worry about giving it all when the game becomes intense.
Prince has managed to find and put in the perfect thickness on this sock. It is thin enough to keep you cool when playing in hot weather but it is also thick enough to fit snugly in your tennis shoes without shifting or bunching up.
You get 6 pairs in each pack so if you wear out one, you have five more to replace it with. As far as quality to price ratio goes, this might be one of the best.
Compared to other options, it may be particularly weak in the lower toe area but then again, you get multiple pairs in a pack.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced.
- Thickness is just right, not too thin, and not too thick.
- Soft and breathable.
Cons:
- Toe seam is bigger than usual.
- Not as durable as other options.
Nike Unisex Dry Cushion Crew Training Sock
As the name suggests, Nike Unisex Dry Cushion Crew Training Socks comes with Nike’s Dri-Fit technology to effectively wick away sweat. It also offers compression in the arch area for extra support.
These have excellent fit as Nike specifically customizes each sock to fit your left and right foot. Because they blended spandex in, it is elastic and gives your feet a nice hug. That means fewer blisters and more comfort, especially in heated games.
Nike lives up to its reputation for quality. They have strengthened areas on the socks that tend to receive the most abuse so that the socks can actually last longer. The toe and heel areas are made to be thicker without making the sock bulky. Your socks are stronger and they will not weigh you down.
It contains just a tiny fraction of cotton and is mostly synthetic so it is super comfortable and soft. You may spot an occasional fuzz ball or two though but not enough to be of major concern.
Pros:
- Comfortable and soft.
- Great value for your money
- Excellent fit. Each sock is customized to fit the left and right foot.
- Areas prone to wear are reinforced.
Cons:
- None. These seem to be great socks.
Crucial Compression Plantar Fasciitis Socks with Arch Support for Men & Women
Just because someone suffers from plantar fasciitis, does not mean that they cannot enjoy tennis anymore. With these specialized socks from Crucial Compression, anyone who experiences intense heel pain can have a good game of tennis.
The Crucial Compression Plantar Fasciitis Socks offer extra support by providing compression to reduce swelling. The amount of compression is just right. They don’t feel that tight at all and fit your feet snugly.
The support is strategically focused on the heel, arch, and ankle areas. The toe part is open which may take a bit of getting used to but you can always put on another pair of socks over it if you wish.
Despite being designed for inflammation reduction, it is priced fairly. It is also designed to be breathable and durable. Crucial Compression made this to be easy on the heels and on the pocket.
To sum it up, these socks are perfect for those in need of pain relief from plantar fasciitis and other conditions that lead to swelling. Others may not get as much out of these socks.
Pros:
- Provides great all-around support
- Has a tight, snug fit.
- Reasonably priced.
- Long-lasting.
Cons:
- Made exclusively for those with plantar fasciitis.
Conclusion
The undisputed winner of this list is the Nike Unisex Dry Cushion Crew Training Sock. For its price, you get most, if not all, of the features ideal in a tennis sock.
With its custom fit for your left and right foot, you can be sure that it will stay right where it needs to be even in intense games. It will also give you adequate compression and support. And no matter how heated the games get, you can be sure that you stay dry because of Nike’s Dri-Fit technology.
With quality in mind, they have been reinforced to withstand use and abuse so you get to keep them for longer.
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