Work Socks Buying Guide
Some people don’t realise the importance of wearing the right type of sock for work. Whether you work in an office or out on the job site, your feet need to be comfortable for 8+ hours each day.
Deciding on a type of sock that best suits your needs depends on where you work: high-performance (working outside), medium performance (inside), or low-impact (sitting most of the day).
Depending on the nature of your work, if you wear the wrong socks it can lead to medical conditions. The best way to protect yourself from these things is by wearing a pair of moisture wicking work socks.
Here are a few tips and factors to consider when buying a pair of work socks.
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Reinforced Heel & Toe: Protection and sustainability in your work socks are paramount if you want the ultimate set of protective footwear for work. People wear steel cap toe boots for protection and this can also be applied to your socks. Comfort also plays a big role; durable heels and toes mean no holes or unhappy feet. Hand linked toes provide an added bonus too – they offer incredible comfort while keeping those pesky ladders at bay.
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Length: If you work in a hot environment, go for shorter sock lengths. If your job is more sedentary or involves sitting at some point throughout the day, thigh highs may make sense to protect against too much exposure and keep things on track as far as circulation goes.
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Thickness: Thick socks are important when you’re wearing dress shoes, let alone steel toe boots. The general consensus is that thick socks should be worn with any type of boot – they provide your legs a much needed cushion against the hard surface. Thickness at the bottom also provides some extra padding for uneven terrain like rocks or dirt.
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Material: Your work sock is only as good as what it’s made out of. But different materials make up those socks that have different purposes – and they can be really interesting too. Generally, we consider cotton, bamboo, wool and polyester as the primary materials for socks.
Work Socks FAQ
Are compression socks good for work boots?
They should be. It’s good for your feet to avoid the natural compressions and movements of the different muscles that hold up our body weight, so wearing compression socks is a worthwhile investment in any case.
Compression socks have been proven to reduce pain, blood flow and the risk of varicose veins for those who must stand all day. They help with more than just leg pains as they can also lower back aches caused by standing too long on hard surfaces.
Compression stockings are a great way to relieve foot or leg pain from prolonged standing when you’re at work because it reduces your heart rate while keeping circulation going in other parts of your body that need oxygen-rich blood like areas such as the brain which is essential for concentration and mental focus
How often should you change your work socks in a day?
This is entirely subjective. We would advise you to change socks when you start to notice things like sweaty feet and bad odors with your socks.
Consider whether the fabric is cotton or nylon or some other wicking material, and what it’s made of (ie: it is a blend of fibers). If a cotton-blend sock, for example, change them when they’re wet. Nylon-blend socks can go 2-3 days without needing to be changed and you might want to let them dry out overnight before throwing them in your laundry basket for washing.
What are the best socks to wear with steel toe boots?
It’s best to wear wool or synthetic socks with steel toe boots. Wool does a better job at absorbing moisture, leading to a higher level of comfort. Synthetic materials are usually cheaper and easier to clean, so they offer an option for people who might be on their feet all day and don’t want the hassle of dry-cleaning wool socks as often.
Your choice of sock material is dependent mostly on personal preference – just make sure to wear long enough socks that cover your shin, because if you don’t then it will put additional strain on muscles during movement due the pressure being placed there by the steel boot against your calf muscle.
People know this instinctively and avoid wearing short pants when they have them on during summertime.
