The Best Basketball Socks – Our Top Picks for 2021
Never underestimate just how important it can be to have the best basketball socks on your feet when hooping.
You’ve bought your basketball, got your portable basketball hoop on your driveway complete with basketball net, even got your basketball backpack, why not add some socks into the mix?
The right socks are key to your basketball experience. It is important to maximize your comfort and minimize the risk of getting blisters.
If you’ve ever lost your basketball socks and had to wear a regular pair you’ll quickly be able to tell the difference.
Finding the best socks for basketball can be difficult, but in this guide we are going to break down some of our top choices available on the market.
Here are our top 3 best basketball socks:
1) Nike Elite Socks
2) Stance NBA Logoman Socks
3) Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Socks
And without further ado, here are the details:
Best Socks for Basketball Players
Nike Elite Basketball Socks
There is no doubt Nike Elite socks are the most popular basketball socks on the market.
In fact, their creation were really the first basketball-specific sock that has helped create an entire market for it.
People wonder which Nike elite socks are the best for basketball as there are a range, but in short, it is a completely personal preference – they come in a variety of options of both length, design and colour.
They offer a supportive fit and feel thanks to an arch band, while zonal cushioning helps absorb impact as you run the court.
Extra cushioning at key pressure points delivers comfort where you need it most and a dynamic arch band contours around the foot for a locked-in fit.
Ribbed traction at the forefoot helps reduce slipping inside the shoe which is crucial for quick cuts and acceleration on the court.
Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Socks
The Nike Everyday Cushioned socks are actually probably the most frequently spotted socks on basketball courts around the world.
Existing before the basketball-specific Elite socks were created, these are a general athletic sportswear option that still do the job and look clean.
These are the socks I wore for the majority of my basketball career. Nike every day plus socks are mainly sold in the solid color of black and white, which will look great with any basketball shoe.
This pair is just a step down from the Nike Elite socks, so they will come at a cheaper price but still have sweat-wicking fabric to help you stay dry and comfortable, high-friction yarn in the footbed to reduce slippage and anatomically correct left and right socks for a natural fit.
Under Armour Heatgear Socks
The Under Armour Heatgear basketball socks are easily the best Under Armour option on the market.
They come with a dynamic arch support to help reduce foot fatigue, with sweat-wicking material to help them dry fast, and, if you a victim of particularly smelly feet, anti-odour technology.
Mesh panels give added breathability as well, which is a nice bonus.
adidas Creator 365 Basketball Socks
The adidas Creator 365 basketball socks are a really underrated option to gear up with.
There is 360-degrees of cushioning, compression, and protection around the ankle and the arch of the foot has three compression bands for arch support; these bands also give your foot extra traction inside of your shoe to prevent slippage.
They might be the basketball socks with the most support and as a result, if you are looking for the best basketball socks to prevent blisters, these are a great option. The added polypropylene around the ankle and toes helps to fight blisters and wick away sweat.
The extra support does come at a price, but if you are willing to spend the money,the Adidas Creator 365 basketball socks are a good option.
Stance NBA Logoman Basketball Socks
Stance burst onto the scene in 2009 with hundreds of millions of venture capital funding to focus on the luxury sock market.
They made a statement in 2015 with the signing of the deal as the official sock of the NBA and since then their proliferation within basketball has been quite profound.
Similar to the Nike Elite socks, the stance socks are made specifically for your left and right foot. When compared to Nike Elites, these socks are slightly thinner and as a result, many refer to these as the most comfortable basketball socks they have ever worn.
Recognisable due to the Stance logo embroidered on inside ankle, these are a great option that also will provide you some differentiation from everybody else.
Champion Performance Basketball Socks
A more affordable option, the Champion Performance socks perhaps won’t be as feature-rich as some of the options above, but will save you money.
Made from a soft, breathable and cotton rich yarn for all-day comfort, its Double Dry technology wicks sweat away from your skin so your feet stay cool and dry during your sports.
There is cushion inside the sole for extra comfort in the event of impact, but definitely not as thick as some of the others in this list.
Things to Consider When Buying Basketball Socks
Before purchasing socks for basketball, there are a few different things to consider such as the material, the thickness, the length, whether it offers cushioning or not, and even brand and color.
Below, we will dive into each of these a little deeper.
1) Material
Any performance sock will likely be some combination of materials like cotton, polyester, nylon, and elastane. If you come across performance socks that are 100% cotton stay away. These socks will not be able to get rid of sweat quickly, and will be more likely to give you blisters.
You want to make sure the socks have nylon or polyester to help fight against sweat. Your sock’s ability to wick away sweat is one of the most important things to look for.
The elastane is a stretchy material and it will make your socks much more comfortable and mold around your foot.
2) Thickness
When people ask what are the best socks for basketball, any sock that comes to mind is usually somewhat thick.
This mainly comes down to personal preference, but thicker socks will typically offer more support and comfort. Typically a thicker sock will be able to fight sweat better and last longer. It will also help to prevent blisters and slippage within your shoe.
3) Length
Performance socks are offered in three different styles. The long socks that go up your calf are called crew socks. Low-cut socks, also called “no-show” socks, are invisible when wearing shoes. If you are looking for something in the middle, those would be mid-cut socks.
This mainly comes down to a personal preference of course, but I will say this; if you are planning on wearing them with high-top basketball shoes, low-cut socks are not a great option. There will be friction between your ankle and your shoe, causing blisters.
4) Cushioning & Compression
The best basketball socks will have some form of cushion and compression around the forefoot and heel. In my opinion, it is very important for your socks to have this cushioning. It will keep it from bunching up in your shoes, and help you avoid blisters.
Some socks also have compression bands around the arch of the foot. This is especially nice if you have flat feet or other foot problems. Other than that, compression is mainly about comfort and will come down to personal preference.
5) Brand & Colour
When it comes to brand and colour it is mainly preference, but it is of course something that factors into buying decisions.
When it comes to colour, you should make sure it is a colour or pattern that will look good with your shoes and kit – matching is the way forward!
Final Thoughts
Compared to other basketball products, there are not a ton of good sock options on the market and ultimately your choice will come down to your personal needs.
Have a look through our list and make the best choice for you.
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