Polyester vs. Cotton Socks (2024)

FAQs

Are cotton or polyester socks better? ›

Polyester is typically a more durable material than cotton for socks. If your goal is to find the longest lasting pair of socks possible, then blends that include polyester may last longer than cotton. The type of material is just one factor that determines how long a pair of socks will last.

Pro #3: Cotton is more breathable on your feet.

Ensure that if you're in a room-temperature environment, you'll likely sweat in a pair of polyester socks. However you might not sweat at all with a pair of predominantly-cotton socks.

Synthetic fibers such as polyester trap sweat, bacteria, and body oil more readily than natural fibers like cotton or wool. That can cause unpleasant odor. So if you wear polyester socks and don't wash them often enough, there's a good chance that they will start smelling pretty bad.

Breathability has also become a major factor in why polyester socks have become so popular, especially for wearing during exercise. Manufacturers have developed synthetic fabrics that are superior to rival materials when it comes to ventilation and perspiration.

After years of research and learning about sock making, the small team realized that a true 100% cotton sock was not practical. Some elastane was required to hold the sock up.

Synthetic fabrics that use modern moisture wicking technology are a great option for people with sweaty feet. Polyester is quick to dry, durable, and easy to clean. It's breathable compared to other synthetic fabrics like nylon. Polyester is even better at handling sweat when mixed with other synthetic fabrics.

A colder place will demand thicker and warmer socks. No matter what, having a pair with good ventilation and breathability is important for comfort and airflow to prevent sweaty feet. Merino wool, bamboo, and polyester blends are good materials to look out for when shopping.

Merino wool socks carry many of the same benefits as cotton socks - they're lightweight, breathable, and natural. So either of these two materials, merino wool or organic cotton, is a good choice for those with sensitive feet.

This means that polyester socks don't just last longer; they also hold their original shape better. Absorbency: Polyester dries much more quickly than cottons and wools, and is non-absorbent, so your feet will remain drier, too.

What socks don't make your feet sweat? ›

Breathable Fabrics

Breathable socks for sweaty feet don't trap in humidity. Instead, they support air circulation to keep your toes cool and dry. Look for fine merino wool (Sockwell's signature fabric), semi-synthetic and synthetic materials like rayon from bamboo, or a blend of both.

Polyester: Polyester is durable and water-resistant, but don't let these words fool you. Polyester doesn't absorb sweat; in fact, it might make you sweat even more. The moisture sits on your skin or gets pushed to your outer layer — the complete opposite effect you want from a sweat-blocking material.

You'll want to steer clear of socks made from polyester, nylon, or plastic as these materials can make your feet hotter and will trap sweat in your socks.

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.

Cotton fibers retain heat, instead of insulating (like wool) and that heat creates bacteria and odor. This sweat, bacteria, and odor is absorbed by cotton and doesn't really go away until you put them in the wash.

Skin exposure to Polyester can cause rashes, itching, redness, eczema, dermatitis, blistering or make existing skin problems worse for those with sensitive skin, up to 3 days later. Heat releases Polyester chemicals like Antimony oxide Sb2O3, which is used to make Polyester and is a known carcinogen.

Summary. Polyester allergy is a form of contact dermatitis, which occurs when your skin responds to wearing polyester clothing or otherwise coming in contact with the synthetic fiber. It can cause itchy, red skin or a rash. It can be difficult to know if polyester is causing the symptoms or another skin allergen.

"Socks with wicking capabilities move the moisture away from the skin and decrease the chances of blister formation. These materials include cool max, polyester, wool, nylon, and other proprietary materials specifically designed to minimize blister formation," he explains.

Cotton socks can cause blisters, because of the friction of the material against the foot. It also holds in moisture. This can lead to fungus and bacterial infections. Cotton also doesn't hold its shape.

Even though they are appropriate for a casual and formal wear, cotton socks are not advised to wear for sporting as it holds moisture and odour, which could form blisters and fungus on your feet.

Which socks material is best for winter? ›

For cold weather, a sock made of wool, IsoWool, shearling, fleece and similar type synthetic materials must be used. The reason these types socks are excellent for winter wear is because if the socks get wet (due to excessive perspiration from the foot), the socks themselves do not lose their insulating properties.

Avoiding food odor, athlete's foot, and fungal toenails come down to a few factors; for one, moisture-wicking fabrics. Wearing acrylic, polyester, or wool blend socks helps to accomplish this. Another factor in odor control and avoiding fungus is to ditch the cotton.

Bombas uses the softest long staple yarns from the best cotton and merino wool producers in the world. We believe in the antimicrobial and moisture-wicking properties of high-quality, natural fibers. Our socks contour to your feet, keep you dry all day, and protect you so you can keep doing your thing all day long.

Cotton socks are by far the most popular because they are inexpensive and easy to find. However, cotton absorbs sweat, saturates quickly and dries slowly which means once your feet get wet they will stay wet.

While the material of the cheaper socks won't stand the test of time, the pilling will look bad and make you sweat, higher-end materials allow for thinner socks that look more elegant with your dress shoes and your fine outfit. They're more breathable and overall more comfortable when you wear them.

Like other synthetic fabrics, nylon is a podiatrist-approved fabric that wicks moisture to keep feet cool and dry. In the long run, keeping feet dry with this fabric will reduce odor-causing bacteria, irritation, fungus, and infections, per Dr. Estes.

Merino wool: The fine, itch-free fibers of merino wool have virtually replaced the scratchy ragg-wool socks previous generations used. Their biggest advantage is that they are thermostatic (temperature-regulating), so your feet stay comfortable in a wide range of temperatures.

Products from Bombas, Balega, lululemon, and Darn Tough are just a few of the many all-star walking socks we tested. We found that socks evaluated from these brands had a comfortable fit, the right amount of cushion, reliable blister protection, and great value.

Something like a blend of 60-80% merino and 20-40% synthetics (nylon, polyester, acrylic, spandex, etc. man-made materials) is a good option because this type of blend can provide the benefits of both natural and synthetic fibers, such as moisture-wicking, warmth, comfort, and durability.

Considered the best materials today for wicking properties are Merino wool, Olefin or polyester; blends of these can be expensive but tend to provide better comfort and performance for sports fanatics.

Do cotton socks make your feet sweat more? ›

Cotton is the most breathable fabric, but it also retains heat, which can accelerate sweating. Merino wool is another popular material for socks due to its breathability, cushion and moisture-wicking functions.

Well-fitting shoes made of leather, which allow your feet to breathe, are best. Athletic shoes using nylon mesh for breathability are also recommended for sweaty feet.

Deodorants and talc-free foot powders can help absorb sweat from your feet, and there are numerous over-the-counter solutions you can try out, says Dr. Lobkova. She recommends the Arm & Hammer Foot Powder, which contains a powerful combination of baking soda and cornstarch.

Cotton is the best fabric to protect against sweat because it helps keep your body cool. The Mayo Clinic recommends silk and wool as alternatives to cotton, too.

Polyester clothes smell worse than cotton, following intensive exercise by their wearers, because bacteria that cause odor grow better on polyester, according to research published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Polyester, like many synthetic fabrics, tends to trap heat. If you are a hot sleeper, I'd recommend sticking to cotton. Cotton sheets are naturally cooling and breathable. Polyester sheets feel lightweight and smooth.

Polyester is a non-polar fibre-meaning it repels water-which is why it dries quickly, but that also means it naturally attracts oil from our skin, which can lead to body odour, Abdul-Bari said. The good news is, that favourite stinky shirt will probably only get to a certain level of smelliness.

The cons of polyester are mostly environmental, such as high energy and water consumption, pollution, and inability to biodegrade. But there are material cons as well, such as a higher likelihood of pilling, running, and pulling.

Is polyester breathable? No. Polyester is made from plastic fibers. On the upside, it wicks moisture and dries quickly, but it tends to retain bad odors.

Cotton: The Reason Everyone Has Wet Stinky Feet

Even though cotton feels like a light and comfortable material, moisture absorbed by cotton fibers doesn't evaporate back into the air outside the sock! Cotton fibers retain heat, instead of insulating (like wool) and that heat creates bacteria and odor.

Why do my socks stink so easily? ›

Your Socks Are Synthetic

The hotter it gets, the more your feet sweat. That dark, warm, damp environment makes your feet a bacteria playground. Even if they're naturally occurring, bacteria can quickly grow out of control, leading to a stink-fest. If the sweat soaks into your shoes, the effect is only heightened.

The cause of smelly socks is actually a bacteria, which accumulates in your sweat. That is why socks used for athletic purposes are notorious for reeking up the laundry basket.

Cotton is a natural material, so you might think it's a good idea to stash cotton socks in your drawer for trips to the gym or long walks in humid weather. But cotton does not allow moisture to freely evaporate, so this fabric is not ideal for those who struggle with extra-sweaty feet.

Avoiding food odor, athlete's foot, and fungal toenails come down to a few factors; for one, moisture-wicking fabrics. Wearing acrylic, polyester, or wool blend socks helps to accomplish this. Another factor in odor control and avoiding fungus is to ditch the cotton.

First, there's sock material: As SELF has reported previously, Merino wool, often found in hiking socks, naturally provides foot odor and moisture control. You can also look for regular old cotton socks or ones with mesh ventilation—both fabrics help reduce feet sweat and are common components in breathable socks.

Neuropathy symptoms can cause foot sensitivity, so it's important to choose socks made from a soft material. Smooth materials like bamboo or spandex blends can feel nice against sensitive skin, making the socks comfortable to wear.