With socks, some styles are meant to be hidden, while others are meant to be an accent to your clothing and stand out. Regardless of your aesthetics, you’ll want to understand the differences between the styles and lengths currently available.

The style of your socks should match the style of your shoes and clothing. Since there are so many styles of shoes for women, companies had to create ones that match.

If you’re wearing running shoes or everyday sneakers, ankle socks are a common choice. Some people choose to wear longer ones to help provide extra protection, so if this is a priority for you, make sure to opt for that type. Either way, whether you want them to be noticed apart from your shoes or hidden within them, both styles are created for comfort and durability.

For those of you who like to hike, wear boots or live in cold weather areas, long thick socks are going to be the best choice. As we mentioned, long ones are better for protecting the shin and calf of your leg. When outside in tough conditions or while simply wearing a tall pair of boots, the materials of the shoe can rub against your skin, causing irritation and blisters. To avoid this, it’s always better to wear such a pair that completely covers the area under the material of the shoes. The cushioning is an added benefit for protection and contributes to creating a lightweight barrier.

The first is comfort and breathability, two key factors in any sock. Socks that don’t provide proper air flow will make your feet sweaty which can cause blisters, odors and bacterial growth, which obviously no one wants.

The material types are also important for providing a form fit and durable structure. Cheaply made ones won’t last long or serve their purpose and since there are so many materials to choose from, we understand it may be hard to know which is best. That’s why we’re here to help.

The most common material you’ll see used in everyday socks is cotton. While most people pride this material on its softness and comfort, the material isn’t as beneficial for the make of socks. Those made of cotton tend to soak in sweat, keeping your feet constantly moist which can lead to many health concerns. It is not recommended to wear cotton ones as nowadays there are so many other materials to choose from.

While most people think natural materials are the better option, it is actually synthetics that are better suited for use in socks. Synthetic materials are designed for specific purposes and their structural make up is much more durable. Materials like polyester, spandex and Coolmax are specially created to help absorb moisture and keep your feet cool and dry.

Sock features depend on the type of use and the style of the socks. For example, shorter ones that provide a ‘no show’ look or have a low-cut ankle style are going to want some extra padding or grip around the ankles. Low-cut ones, when worn with shoes, tend to rub against the ankle if there’s not enough cushion provided.

Some companies equip their socks with padded ankle collars or cushioned ankle tabs to help create a soft barrier between the foot and shoe and avoid irritation. For ‘barely there’ liners that are meant to be worn with flats or heels, a functional feature commonly found are inside gel tabs to help keep the thin sock in place and avoid slipping down.

For taller socks like a crew cut and knee high socks, many people constantly report about the inconvenience of having to continuously pull them up throughout the day. Whether you need warm winter socks or some to match your favorite boots, there’s one feature that will provide comfort and a form fit; ribbed lining.

Featured at the top of the socks, the ribbed material is flexible and helps fit to the shape of your feet and legs. The material is breathable yet form-fitting and helps to provide an overall grip, solving the problem of unstable socks.

Regardless of the type you choose to wear, one thing goes for everyone: we want our socks to be durable, long lasting and provide comfort. Colorful packs that have a low price tag may seem too good to be true, and they usually are! It’s important to look for comfortable features in the materials of their overall structure, as well as brand name reputation, to enhance reliability.

Comfort is found in a variety of areas throughout the sock’s design. The most obvious place it is found would be the material they are created with. While cotton socks seem like a great, basic, everyday choice, they don’t provide much in the way of breathability or durability. Synthetics and moisture wicking materials are better for providing proper air circulation to the foot and creating a flexible, form fit. Even warm, cushioned ones can provide breathability with the use of innovative materials like Merino wool and polyester.

From the seams to the structure, comfort is found everywhere in a good sock. Another way that comfort is equipped in the making of socks is with padding or cushioned material.

As far as reliability goes, a durable structure and quality materials are the main focus. Reinforced materials in the main wear areas are important for preventing holes in the socks. Stitching is important too because it’s what holds everything together.