The sport of football involves intense running and jumping, as well as tackling and contact with other players. Proper footwear is essential to ensuring that athletes are safe and comfortable while performing these strenuous activities. Specialised shoes are designed to reduce friction and provide cushioning for key pressure points like the ankle, arch and heel. Football socks are also important to ensure that the feet are kept dry and comfortable during play. The most popular type of football sock is the grip sock, which features non-slip pads that make contact with the inside surface of the shoe to help improve foot stability. This feature reduces the likelihood of the foot sliding or moving in the shoe during rapid directional changes and can be particularly useful for athletes who struggle with injuries associated with sudden stops and acceleration.
Grip socks are available in a range of designs and colours to suit the preferences of individual players. Many are custom-designed with the team’s mascot or logo to add a touch of style and personality to the player’s outfit. Other styles of football socks include mid-calf socks that offer a medium length that sits just below the knee. These are often a great option for players who find over-the-calf socks to be too bulky or restricting.
A recent study examined the effect of high-friction socks on in-shoe foot sliding during change of direction movements. Twelve recreational football players completed a series of 45deg side-cuts and 180deg turns at their maximum running speed, while being tested in both a regular athletic sock and a pair of grip socks that have purported high-friction properties. Three 3D kinematic and kinetic measurements were collected for each participant during the cutting maneuvers. sport socks football