Having understood the importance of sports socks and the need to choose different socks for different sports, it's essential to understand the material composition of sports socks before purchasing. Different materials solve different problems, so choosing the right pair for you is crucial. Besides common materials like cotton, spandex, and Lycra, here are some fabrics with special functions for sports socks.
THERMOLITE and COOLMAX
When used as sock materials, COOLMAX and THERMOLITE primarily use short fibers, both being polyester fibers with a hollow structure.
THERMOLITE is a specialized thermal fiber, a patented fiber product of DuPont. Inspired by the structure of polar bear fur, THERMOLITE has a circular cross-section and a hollow center, resembling a tube. This increases the fiber's loft, achieving a warming effect, similar to the warmth of down.
COOLMAX is also a patented fiber product of DuPont, also known in textiles as four-tube profiled polyester fiber. Ordinary fibers typically have a solid circular or elliptical cross-section, while COOLMAX fiber is hollow, with a cross-shaped cross-section, resembling four tubes arranged side by side. This structure increases the surface area of the fiber in contact with air while also ensuring ample gaps within the fabric. This results in COOLMAX fiber's strong moisture absorption and wicking properties, and fabrics incorporating COOLMAX fiber also offer excellent breathability. It's important to note that COOLMAX is a functional fiber for absorbing moisture, wicking away sweat, and breathability; it is not a thermal fiber. It simply helps to wick away moisture, maintaining a dry and warm environment.
Nylon Socks (Some labels also call them nylon). In outdoor sports socks, nylon is specifically used to enhance durability, making them easy to wash and dry, sturdy, durable, and stretchy. The addition of nylon extends the lifespan of the socks and makes them less prone to damage.
Outlast is a patented technology developed by NASA in the late 1970s and early 1980s for its lunar landing program. Originally developed for astronauts to create lunar suits, including gloves, socks, and underwear, it was later adapted for use in ordinary clothing, particularly outdoor apparel, including ski jackets, trousers, and sweaters.
The key to Outlast fiber technology is the use of microcapsules encapsulating thermosensitive phase change materials. These materials have the ability to absorb, store, and release heat in the form of latent heat. They can transform between solid and liquid states during temperature changes, achieving the effects of heat absorption and release. The microcapsule thermosensitive phase change material in Outlast fibers is hydroborabex, which reacts to changes in ambient temperature on the skin, providing a buffering effect against temperature fluctuations.
When used in sports socks, this fabric provides warmth, reduces sweating, resists stretching and deformation, and adapts to the wearer's heat needs.
