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Proper protection for your feet

By Cynthia Sherman

The more time your customers and members spend pounding the ball on the court, the more their feet take a pounding, too. Adequate protection for your players’ feet is a must, which means socks become a vital component in the apparel and accessory mix.

Nowadays, sport-specific socks, utilizing acrylic materials and newer synthetics, can help players in a number of ways. Moisture-management and anti-microbial benefits help keep feet clean and dry, while socks designed for specific activities, such as tennis, have padding in all the right places. Here are offerings from several manufacturers.

Jox Sox

The Jox Sox mantra is “drier, more comfortable and cooler than ordinary socks.” Its socks come in low cut, 1/4 crew, and crew styles for all ages. On the bottom of each of the different gender styles the Jox Sox logo appears in a different color to designate the gender (so there’s no laundry mix-up). The company offers a lifetime guarantee on the socks, and will either replace the pair, or refund the money directly to the consumer. 954-949-0126; www.joxsox.com

Wrightsock

Though Wrightsock doesn’t make a tennis-specific sock per se, its “Running Xtra” fills the bill for ultra cushioning over the entire bottom of the sock and offers a blend of Coolmax, polyester, and nylon for moisture-wicking, strength, and durability. They’re available in three styles. 800-654-7191; www.wrightsock.com

New Balance

In addition to its popular athletic shoe line, New Balance has extended the category to sport socks. Its tennis sock is comprised of an acrylic/nylon/Lycra blend to offer cushioning where it counts, Coolmax moisture-wicking and breathability, and compression arch support. Brand-conscious players can’t miss the NB logo woven into the sock. 800-343-4648; www.newbalance.com

Feetures!

The “Original Feetures!” line from Feetures! Socks contain a Lycra/Coolmax blend and cushioned sole. The Lycra provides compression and enables a snug non-slip fit. A unique linked seam is completely smooth to ensure no irritation or rubbing on the foot. 888-801-7227; www.feeturesbrand.com

Eurosock

Eurosocks, made in Italy, offer padding in the ball and heel of the foot and are further aided by the moisture-management of Coolmax. The beveled sides of the sock feature enhanced support for a firmer feel around the arch and eliminate rubbing and chafing on the foot. 866-EUROSOCKS; www.eurosock.com

Thorlo

Thorlo’s new tennis line comes in a variety of styles and three levels of protection: minimum for players who prefer less padding and wear narrower lasted shoes; moderate, with medium density padding along the heel and ball and lighter padding on the top of the toes; and maximum for those who seek heavier padding to aid the shock and impact of hard-court tennis. All Thorlo socks contain acrylic, nylon, and Spandex, and levels 1 and 2 feature Coolmax moisture-wicking properties. 800-438-0209; www.thorlo.com

See all articles by Cynthia Sherman

About the Author

Cynthia Sherman is a contributing editor for RSI magazine.

From the June 2005 issue
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