Bamboo trainer socks for women and when they beat footies
Short answer: The tennis sock stays up where the footie slips. That makes it the right choice when you walk a lot, and the wrong one when the sock must not show at all. The choice depends on the shoe and the day, not on one sock being better.
More fabric means more grip
A tennis sock has enough leg to hold on around the ankle. A footie has almost nothing to hold with and only grips the heel and toes. That is the whole difference. When you walk, the heel pulls on the sock with every step, and a leg around the ankle resists it. See bamboo tennis socks for women.
When it shows above the shoe
In low ballet flats, loafers and slip-ons, a tennis sock clearly shows above the edge. If that bothers you, the footie is the only choice. It is cut to hide below the shoe's edge and covers only the part of the foot that touches the shoe. See bamboo footies for women.
For walks and long days
Walk more than a couple of kilometres and a footie slips down whatever the model. It ends up as a crumpled roll under the foot, and the shoe rubs straight against the heel. The tennis sock stays put and protects the skin all the way. For city walks and long days on your feet it is the practical choice.
For sport
For sport where the foot works hard, such as running, tennis and gym training, use a model with a reinforced heel and toe. That is where most wear happens, and without reinforcement the sock thins in a few months. A leg above the ankle also keeps the sock in place during quick turns. See all bamboo socks for women.
Where the footie wins
The footie is the right sock when the shoe is low and you are not walking far. It gives a dry, soft layer between foot and shoe without anyone seeing it. For the office in ballet flats, dinner in loafers or a short walk in summer shoes, it is the discreet choice.
Trainers
In trainers either works. Most trainers have an edge that a tennis sock barely rises above and that a footie can also hide under. If you walk a lot in them, the tennis sock is more stable. If the ankle must stay bare, for example with shorts, the footie is the clean choice.
Warm days
In summer it is tempting to pick the smallest sock. But a footie that slips rubs more on a warm day because the skin is damp. A short tennis sock in a thin material that moves moisture often gives more comfort, even though it covers a little more of the foot.
Keep both types in the drawer
Most people need both. A handful of footies for low shoes and a handful of tennis socks for trainers and long days covers nearly everything. Stick to one model within each type, so you can always make pairs and top up with a few pairs at a time.
Caring for short socks
Short socks have a small cuff that loses stretch quickly from heat. Wash at 40 degrees inside out, skip fabric softener and dry on low heat or on a rack. Footies easily go missing in the machine, so a laundry bag helps keep pairs together.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a tennis sock over a footie?
When you walk far, or when the footie slips down in the shoe. The tennis sock has a leg around the ankle and so more to hold on with at every step.
Do tennis socks show above the shoe?
In low shoes such as ballet flats and loafers, yes, clearly. In most trainers they barely rise above the edge and look completely natural.
What does a sports sock need?
A reinforced heel and toe, because that is where the wear happens. Without reinforcement the sock wears through in a few months, especially with running and ball sports.
See our range of bamboo footies for women.
