What is the best material for moisture-absorbing socks?

Answer 1

Items listed higher up in the list can absorb a higher percentage of their weight in water. # wool (natural) - absorbs 30% of its weight in water. best recovers from stretching. High heat damages this material (don't wash with very hot water) # flax a.k.a. linen (natural) - Stretching damages this material the most. This is the second heaviest material listed here. # hemp (natural) - 100% hemp socks would be uncomfortable. This material is usually blended with another in socks. # silk (natural) - high heat damages this material (don't wash with very hot water), this material is expensive. # cotton (natural) - absorbs 25% of its weight in water. Slightly more durable than wool. It's the heaviest material listed here # ramie (natural) - This is the third heaviest material listed here. # nylon (synthetic) - Most durable and lightest material of these nine Synthetics, such as this one, are generally much less absorbent than natural fibers. # acrylic (synthetic) - Terrible absorbency, but excellent moisture-wicking ability. It's the second lightest material listed here. # polyester (synthetic) - This material doesn't have much going for it. Good moisture-absorbing materials are considered to be more comfortable, than poor moisture-absorbing materials. Moisture-wicking materials are usually synthetics with poor absorbing abilities. On the plus, materials with poor moisture-absorbency will dry quicker than materials with good moisture-absorbency, though socks are unlikely to dry quickly while your wearing them under shoes. In general, moisture-absorbing materials are good as long as you aren't sweating so much that your garment become completely soaked. If you're going to be sweating a lot, a moisture-wicking material may be better. However, since people are likely to wear shoes with their socks, moisture-wicking materials are unlikely to be helpful. Some athletes (from bicyclist to mountain climbers) wear moisture-''absorbing'' socks on top of their moisture-''wicking'' socks. This combination may keep your feet more dry. Although this list includes the most absorbent materials used in socks, there are more materials than those listed here, especially in the way of synthetics. Additionally there are many blends of materials that have. Personally, I use cotton. It's not that much less absorbent than wool, it's inexpensive, and it's easy to find. [[User:Jecowa|Jecowa]] 18:37, 10 Mar 2008 (UTC)