Polyester vs. Cotton Socks - Which Material Is Best for My Feet? (2024)

As with any type of clothing you put on your body, material matters in socks. That’s why we’ve done a whole lot of research to choose styles that not only come in designs to make you smile but are also made from blends that help your feet feel happy, too.

You might be wondering just what types of socks make the most sense to support your personal style and comfort level, and may have even read up on the differences between natural and synthetic fibers, but we’ll be the first ones to tell you that it’s not always easy to make sense of all the literature out there.

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If you’ve ever struggled to understand the value of polyester and cotton in socks, and asked yourself, “Which material is best for my feet?” then we’re here to help you break it all down.

polyester 101

While some people tend to be a tad apprehensive about having synthetic materials in their clothing, there are actually many benefits of using polyester that make it a really great choice for socks.

Polyester is unique in that it’s soft and warm, yet still lightweight with significant moisture-wicking properties. This type of fiber dries quickly, which is very beneficial when it comes to any type of performance fabric. No one wants to be walking around in wet socks, after all. Polyester is durable, holds colors longer and is less expensive than natural fibers, making it a wildly popular option for both sock companies and the sportswear industry.

Polyester may have gotten a bad rap a few decades ago due to the — let’s be frank — plasticky-looking outfits the material was used for back in the ’70s and ’80s. We love a little vintage flair from time to time, but polyester doesn’t have to feel quite so weird as it once did! Technology has spurred many improvements to both the appearance and performance of the fiber.

cotton 101

On the other hand (and foot!), you’ve got the poster child for natural fibers: cotton, a breathable fiber known for its moisture-wicking properties. There are many different types of cotton that can be used in clothing, including recycled, organic and combed cotton. Cotton is lightweight and absorbent, and it’s usually quite soft to the touch. Because it’s a natural material, it’s also biodegradable and therefore easy on the environment.

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It’s not always easy to find truly 100 percent cotton socks unless you have a connection with a hand knitter, and that’s not only because they’re more expensive at retail. Because cotton is a natural material, it can naturally become distorted in shape and size over time simply due to regular wearing and washing. It’s a bit more high maintenance than polyester for these reasons.

blends are often best

One of the most amazing things about fashion in the 21st century is the way technological advancements bring together the best qualities of different materials and designs to create custom socks that perform better than each source material ever could on its own. Our team is always amazed by all of the innovations we’ve gotten to witness since we started in 2007!

Fiber blending is the process of marrying together different fibers to create a material that has the beneficial properties of both. Manufacturers often try different fiber ratios and then test them out to determine the blend that’s best for any purpose or circ*mstance. This technical process is particularly relevant in the case of polyester vs. cotton socks, because it really shows how the best properties of each can be combined to make an ideal blend.

In fact, studies on moisture absorption of polyester and cotton have shown that a blend containing a ratio higher in polyester and lower in cotton dries more quickly than either fabric on its own. That’s why, when you look at the material composition of most items on our website, you’ll notice most of our styles are cotton-polyester blends.

personal preference

As with everything in fashion, it’s really up to you to decide which types of types of socks you feel most comfortable wearing. If you’re looking for something you can wear to your recreational softball games, odds are you might opt for more of a performance-focused, moisture-wicking blend than if you wanted to build a collection of funny socks to wear to a picnic with friends. While we’re always happy to offer recommendations, we are here to help you discover what works best for you.

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