Sweaty Cotton Socks Worst for Blisters

[RedEarth]

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Sweaty socks made from 100 percent cotton are the worst when it comes to causing nagging blisters, a study found.

But doctors say there's no reason to get your cotton socks in a bunch, unless your feet are regularly active and you are prone to blisters. The study results are mostly useful to athletes, diabetics with circulation problems and people who wear prosthetics.

Biological engineering students at the University of Missouri-Columbia tested 10 popular brands of athletic socks and separated the good from the bad with a device that measured moisture and friction, which causes blisters.

All-cotton socks are most likely to cause blisters on sweaty feet, according to research data, while nylon socks performed the best. Socks that were a cotton-synthetic blend scored somewhere between the two.

"The uniqueness of this study is they took a wide variety of socks and examined different levels of moisture," said John Viator, the assistant professor who advised the researchers. The findings showed that the sock's material matters most, not brand or price, he said

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060223/D8FUOEK85.html

[Kolesar]

1. I like acrylic yarns for springiness and wicking

Coolmax polyester is next best. I like some nylon in the blend for elasticity and toughness. Let's go hiking!

[Warpy]

2. My worst blisters have come from

either new sandals (no sox) or nylon/nylon blend sox.

I've never had a blister with cotton, silk, or woolen sox.

[bluemarkers]

3. a product to try

is called body glide

runners and other athletes use it to prevent chaffing. Parents use it in the summer at Disney to prevent blisters. :)

[On the Road]

4. When I Was in High School,

the black jocks wore white cotton socks over very sheer synthetic socks. I always thought it looked wierd, but it must have been great at preventing blisters.

[HuckleB]

5. No kidding.

Anyone here not already know this from experience?

[Sgent]

6. Great study

glad they are keeping up with the grunts in the Marine Corp...

My brother was hounded about frequent sock changes 10 years when in the USMC. Some studies are so obvious the person who thought them up ought to be fined.