99% of people have misunderstandings about professional sports socks

For a long time, people have had a misunderstanding about professional sports socks. Of course, this misunderstanding is not only formed naturally, but also promoted by various sports brands.

This misunderstanding is that we have long focused on the category of "professional sports" for professional sports socks, but have not ignored the fact that professional sports socks must first be a pair of qualified and excellent "socks".

Why must professional sports socks be a pair of good socks first?

Let's ask ourselves a few questions:

1 Although a pair of professional sports socks is very thick, but it will make your feet smelly after wearing them, will you wear them?

2 A pair of professional sports socks, which are very hot, cover your feet, itchy, sticky and slippery after sweating, will you wear them?

3 The most important function of socks for us is to prevent friction. However, although the entire body of professional sports socks is made thick, because of the thickness, at the toe seam (the sock knitting process determines that there must be a seam here), in order to control costs, the traditional machine sewing process is still used, resulting in the bulge of the machine sewing thread. Friction toes. Are you really willing to wear such sports socks during intense exercise?

4 Some professional sports socks are not only thick but also tight, which is the kind of tightness that does not consider ergonomics, just like the bound feet of women in the feudal era. Do you really need such a pair of professional sports socks?

Of course, there are some other details. But the above questions can give a clear answer. Professional sports socks must first be a pair of excellent socks.

Part 1, what is an excellent (qualified) pair of socks

Excellent socks should include several basic attributes:

1 No smelly feet

2 Breathable and comfortable, skin-friendly

3 No foot rubbing

Only with the above three attributes can a pair be called excellent (in fact, it should be qualified, but it is really difficult to find qualified socks, so it is already excellent to make it like this. I will talk about the specific reasons later.)

From the above three points, let's analyze. The first two are mainly determined by the fiber material of the sock body, and the last one is mainly determined by the process.

Then let's analyze the material first.

First of all, if you want to avoid smelly feet, it is well known that pure cotton socks are the first choice.

Of course, many online products now boast that they have some kind of black technology that can prevent odor, such as silver ions, copper ions, etc. But everyone needs to know that this kind of relying on external additives to improve the antibacterial properties of fibers is basically useless, because socks need to be washed. These so-called various anti-odor technologies basically rely on additives to add some antibacterial particles to the fibers. These particles are less and less with each washing, and after a few times, they are better than nothing.

So in the end, it still depends on the characteristics of the fiber itself. If it is pure cotton fiber with additives - it's a waste of effort. If it is various polyester or man-made fibers (proclaiming themselves to be technological fibers, with functions such as moisture absorption and perspiration, but in essence it is still polyester. I have also written an article to explain this part of the problem. If you are interested, you can see it here: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/74252029), once the additives are ineffective, the feet will still smell.

In summary. To meet the first point of no smelly feet, the best fiber is pure cotton, and the higher the cotton content, the better the socks.

Then look at what fiber should be chosen for breathability, comfort, and skin-friendly.

Of course, it is still pure cotton. In addition to the characteristics of cotton fiber itself, the natural porosity of natural fiber brings excellent breathability, and cotton fiber has the best moisture absorption. In addition, humans have used cotton for thousands of years. The skin-friendly feeling brought by this millennium-level running-in is not comparable to any artificial fiber.

Of course, some artificial fibers may also have their own advantages at this point, such as hemp, silk, wool, etc., but due to some characteristics or cost factors, cotton socks are still the most mainstream, so these fibers are not considered for the time being.

Finally, it does not rub the feet, because the whole socks have only one stitching process, which is the seam of the sock head (toe).

First, let's introduce the mainstream seam head process, which is generally machine sewing (with bone) and hand sewing (without bone)

Because generally thin socks have the above two processes, the seams are generally not obvious. Because it is thin, the sewing is simple.

But thicker terry socks have a big problem, and the thicker the seam head is, the more obvious it is, and the easier it is to rub the toes. Of course, some brands will cleverly put the seam under the toes. Although there is no seam from the top, it is more uncomfortable when the toes push and turn, and it will be rubbed.

Therefore, sports socks (thickened terry socks) should try to choose boneless seam technology. Of course, there are really few boneless sports socks, which is why "Shutu Sports" insists on making pure cotton boneless.

So why don't other brands choose boneless seam technology? I will explain it in the end.

So from the above, we can know

A pair of (qualified) socks at least meets the three properties of 1 no odor 2 skin-friendly and breathable 3 no foot rubbing. These three properties determine that the material and process that a pair of good socks should choose is "boneless pure cotton".

Part II What is the focus of professional sports socks

We can wear socks with the above characteristics, so what else should sports socks pay attention to on the basis of the above?

Consumers often think of thickness on this issue.

Because thick sports socks solve a series of problems such as friction, shock absorption, and durability.

Of course, from the first part, we can know that our thickness is best to choose pure cotton fiber thickening and boneless seam head technology.

If you want to know more about this part of the processing technology, you can read this article (the most detailed description of the process of sports socks, etc., no one): https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/28570414. Through this article, we can also see many technical misunderstandings about thickness, and how Shutu sports socks use real technology to make real thickness

Well, in addition to thickness, we also need to pay attention to several characteristics of sports socks:

1 Sweat absorption

2 Anti-slip

3 Functional life

4 Wrapping

First of all, you will sweat a lot during exercise, and cotton is the fiber with the best water (sweat) absorption. There is nothing to say about this. If you want to know more in detail, you can read this article again:

What sports socks should you wear for summer sports-a misunderstanding about moisture absorption and sweat-wicking fibers

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Therefore, using pure cotton terry socks for sweat absorption is the best choice for sports socks

Let's look at anti-slip. Natural fibers are naturally curled because of the hair strands. After being stepped on, the fibers will be irregularly distributed. Therefore, they can effectively prevent slipping at any angle, and the anti-slip effect is the most natural.

However, artificial fibers, mainly polyester, are produced by spinning. The fiber arrangement is generally in a regular direction, and the surface is smooth. They are not as anti-slip as cotton fibers. Even worse, because the thickness is very thick, the anti-slip and foot-following properties are not good. In extreme cases, a "rolling meat" foot feeling will appear, which is not conducive to step control.

In addition, there was a time when some socks would drip silicone particles on the bottom of the socks to increase friction (anti-slip). The friction is increased, but the friction coefficient of the socks bottom material has a huge contrast. Often, after a violent operation, the socks are twisted into a twist in the shoes. Therefore, this kind of sports socks with silicone are rarely seen now.

For the second point, cotton fibers are still the best anti-slip.

Functional life - a pair of socks does not lose its life until they are worn out. If a pair of the simplest socks loses its elasticity and wrapping power, it will fall off and twist during strenuous exercise, which also means that it has lost its functional lifespan. Although it is not broken, it no longer has the functions it should have.

In fact, many sports socks are not worn to the limit of their functional lifespan. In more extreme cases, some "foot-wrapping" designs that are not ergonomic wrap your feet tightly and prevent you from moving when you should. You may not dare to wear them again after wearing them once. Such socks are often worn with palpitations and thrown away with pity. The same is true for socks that smell and feel bad.

There is also a kind of loss of functional lifespan that is difficult for everyone to detect, that is, it is very good when it is first worn, but because of the use of inferior rubber bands and spandex (it may also be aging), the socks lose elasticity in just one or two months or even one or two weeks, and lose their functional lifespan like a sack. However, Shutu has specially strengthened the functional lifespan of each product, which is measured in years. This really makes us very passive, because even old customers have a very long repurchase cycle, and as a new brand, we cannot offer high prices. Such a strategy basically puts us on the verge of bankruptcy at any time.

But only by not forgetting the original intention can we achieve success. I wanted to give up many times. Looking back at the beginning of my industry, it was because I tried various sports socks and didn't find them satisfactory, so I started to make them myself. One of the important reasons for dissatisfaction is the functional lifespan. Therefore, although it is difficult, we still insist on the strategy of high functional lifespan, high quality and low price. However, in order to maintain basic survival, prices must be raised slowly.

Finally, let's talk about the wrapping force. In fact, there are generally two major problems with the wrapping force of current sports socks. I mentioned them above, and I will summarize them here.

First, the distribution of elastic bands is not ergonomic, which makes the active parts unable to move, resulting in the embarrassing phenomenon of "wrapping small feet". In this regard, the sports socks of Shutu tighten at the ankle, have the effect of ankle protection, and strengthen the functional lifespan, while the toes and forefoot where they need to move freely can still move flexibly.

Second, many sports socks, if they use inferior or aging spandex and elastic bands. Make a pair of seemingly thick sports socks lose their functional lifespan in a very short time, and this cannot be seen from the appearance. From raw materials to craftsmanship, Shutu has greatly extended the functional life of sports socks.

Seeing this, you will definitely have a question. You have said that until now, it is all the advantages of boneless pure cotton. Is there no disadvantage?

Finally, let's talk about the disadvantages of boneless pure cotton.

The first disadvantage is that it is expensive. The raw materials are expensive and the craftsmanship is expensive. This is why there is basically no sports socks using such craftsmanship and materials.

Why does Shutu do this? Because I think only in this way can you make a pair of qualified socks, a pair of qualified professional sports socks.

Cotton fiber is rising year by year, and the grades of cotton are complicated. Even if the socks are marked as pure cotton, the foot feel is very different. I just ask blended cotton, carded cotton, high-end cotton, semi-combed cotton, combed cotton, siro-spun cotton, compact-spun cotton, mercerized cotton... As a consumer, do you really understand?

To be honest, even if these cotton yarn chairs are lined up in front of you, you can't tell them apart even if you touch and try them, not to mention making socks through various processes. I have been doing this for so many years and I have only figured out what formula is most suitable for making cotton for sports socks.

But in fact, you can still feel the sincerity of a good pair of socks when you get them. If you don't believe it, you can buy a pair of socks from Shutu and see that the first impression will not be bad, and the more you wear them, the better you will feel.

The second disadvantage is the natural properties of cotton fibers

1 Pilling phenomenon

For pure cotton socks, the cotton content of Shutu is 100% except for the elastic component. Even if the elastic part is included, the cotton content is usually 90%. With such a high cotton content, the socks show the natural properties of cotton. There are hairs, and there may be floating hairs for the first few times of wearing, but it will be much better after a few times of wearing and washing, which are all within the normal range.

Nothing is perfect, there are pros and cons. If you accept the advantages of cotton, you must tolerate its shortcomings. What's more, this is not a disadvantage. Pure wool socks were once very expensive, but the pilling was more serious, right?

2 Cotton socks will gradually become hard as the number of washings increases.

Of course, this is also determined by the local water quality, washing habits, etc. Another factor that affects the hardening speed is the grade of cotton. Generally, the worse the grade of cotton, the harder it will become after washing a few times, and the higher the grade of cotton, the slower it will harden. However, all of the high-grade cotton fibers are used, which has effectively prolonged the hardening speed.

Of course, if hardening is still unavoidable and you really care about it (because hardening generally means that you have worn it for a long time, and you can change it for hygiene reasons), then after hardening, you can use a softener (such as Jinspin) to soften it, and the situation will be improved.

At this point, some people may question that you have mentioned a lot of advantages, but there are only a few minor disadvantages. How long have sports socks appeared? I haven't seen any major brand promote your so-called boneless pure cotton socks.

Here I want to say that the most important reason is that the profit of socks is thin. If a pair of socks can sell for hundreds of yuan like Stance, then all major brands must be working hard on research and development.

At present, the price of sports socks that everyone (Chinese consumers) can generally accept is probably no more than 30 yuan. For any pair of sports socks, no matter how good you say it is, if it exceeds 30 yuan, you must give yourself a reason, either the material is so good that you have to wear it, or you just like the style. Others are not worth looking at. The retail price is fixed. If you want to earn excess profits, you can only find ways to reduce costs. If you can't create excess profits, how can a brand invest seriously in research and development?

It is precisely because of this gap that this is also the motivation for us to insist on making boneless pure cotton. Of course, it is also possible to play yourself to death. (Good quality, low price, long life)

In the end, some people may still question that you say your socks are so good, before you launched your socks, didn't athletes and sports people wear socks? They still wear them well and created various sports achievements.

Here I want to say, yes, without Sotu, other socks can be worn just the same, we just make these inconspicuous places to the extreme. Many of our old customers have said that they can't wear other socks.

Why are other socks still so popular? I would say that it is because people don’t know that before carbon badminton rackets came out, people used bamboo, and later aluminum rackets. Now that carbon rackets are available, will you still use aluminum rackets?

Actually, some people will. There are still people waving aluminum rackets in supermarkets and on the streets.

But once they use carbon rackets one day, they can never go back.

The same is true for socks.