$15 "performance" socks - are they really worth it?
- Thread starter rusty0412
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osutennis24
Semi-Pro
I'll admit, i buy my socks for look, not performance, been buying some of those new Nike Argyle socks
If you play singles, and movement is important to you, I would say yes. I bought one pair of Vitalsox, I was so impressed with how much support they gave my 50 yr old feet and how they didn't slide around in the shoe like the thicker Thorlo's. If I'm going to spend $100+ on shoes, it isn't too much to spend $15 on performance socks that makes the shoes even better.
I bought one pair of the expensive Asics socks and I did NOT think they were worth the money.
I bought one pair of the expensive Asics socks and I did NOT think they were worth the money.
WildVolley
Legend
I don't spend a lot on socks, nor do I like thick socks.
I do, however, like socks that fit, which may be something that these more expensive socks do. In the US, a lot of socks are sold as one size fits all, even though that isn't the case. Also, sock sizing, for whatever reason?, doesn't match up with shoe sizing.
Depending on the shoes, I'd rather wear two pairs of thin socks, than one expensive pair of socks. I can still get good quality athletic socks for a few dollars a pair when bought in volume.
I do, however, like socks that fit, which may be something that these more expensive socks do. In the US, a lot of socks are sold as one size fits all, even though that isn't the case. Also, sock sizing, for whatever reason?, doesn't match up with shoe sizing.
Depending on the shoes, I'd rather wear two pairs of thin socks, than one expensive pair of socks. I can still get good quality athletic socks for a few dollars a pair when bought in volume.
tdhawks
Professional
I think it depends on the shoes to be honest. I'll wear a thin pair with my Vapors but I go with the Nike Elite's for my Ballistecs.
I wasn't a fan of the Elite's at first, they felt too thick and bulky. But now when I try to wear a thinner pair of socks they just don't feel as good.
It's tough to shell out $15 for a pair of socks, but in the end, depending on how often you play, I think it's worth it.
I wasn't a fan of the Elite's at first, they felt too thick and bulky. But now when I try to wear a thinner pair of socks they just don't feel as good.
It's tough to shell out $15 for a pair of socks, but in the end, depending on how often you play, I think it's worth it.
FoldingChair
Semi-Pro
I wear Nike Elites for both basketball and tennis (mainly tennis 
) and they are great socks, but nowhere near worth 14 dollars. Try to find them cheaper if you are considering them. When I play I move A LOT (sliding, full speed sprints, etc.) and because of this I used to get blisters all up and down my feet. The thick cushioning really does help prevent that and they are just stupid comfy and they also look great with shorts that match the color of them. One big downside though, they tend to... stink. Worse than a normal thickness sock would anyway. This is just my two cents.
) and they are great socks, but nowhere near worth 14 dollars. Try to find them cheaper if you are considering them. When I play I move A LOT (sliding, full speed sprints, etc.) and because of this I used to get blisters all up and down my feet. The thick cushioning really does help prevent that and they are just stupid comfy and they also look great with shorts that match the color of them. One big downside though, they tend to... stink. Worse than a normal thickness sock would anyway. This is just my two cents.I wear Nike Elites for both basketball and tennis (mainly tennis
I have used many btrands including expensive ones. I am buying right now TW socks and they are very good and cheap.
I started running with Fit Sok and have really liked them for that, and decided one day to give them a try on the court. Much-improved vs. a "regular" sock as they have some extra padding in the toe and heel yet fit very snug across the mid-foot. My feet seem to stay cooler in 'em too.
I get them from a local running store and I think they hover around $15-$20 for a three pack.
I get them from a local running store and I think they hover around $15-$20 for a three pack.
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FedLIKEnot
Professional
Nike Elites are amazing socks. I played basketball through college so got hooked than but as far as tennis the work great. They hug the foot with a compression fit and have extra reinforcement and cushion in the heels, balls of feet and toes.
Best bet is order them through a Nike Outlet there is one where I live here in Vacaville. Often times they are cheaper @ $12. And whenever they have a store wide sale they socks are usually included. Recently the had a 20% sale for apparel of which socks counted so I got 8 new pairs for something like $60 before taxes so I made out pretty good..
Best bet is order them through a Nike Outlet there is one where I live here in Vacaville. Often times they are cheaper @ $12. And whenever they have a store wide sale they socks are usually included. Recently the had a 20% sale for apparel of which socks counted so I got 8 new pairs for something like $60 before taxes so I made out pretty good..
BLX_Andy
Professional
If you're willing to spend that much on performance socks (probably better off buying cotton socks in large quantities imho) than I'd recommend the Nike Elites. I really like the cushioning they give. But still paying double digits for one pair of socks is a little excessive imo.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
I wouldn't pay that much for one pair. I usually just stick with the 3 pack of Nike Dri-Fit, mainly because they make them in quarter high, which is the only length sock I'll wear for working out. I can't stand crew socks, and anything less than quarter is too low for me.
I used to use cotton socks but since switching over to some of the more "performance" socks I can really tell the difference. I've had great success with the TW Fitsok line (great cushion and feel) and the Asics Hydrology (thinner and more form-fitting), both of which are around $4 per sock. DEFINITELY worth it for the feel and the lack of slipping/bunching during intense movement. I double up on socks (asics hydrology as first layer, TW fitsok as outer layer) to get a snug feel, and this combination works wonders. The ability to buy socks in a narrower range of sizes is also a boon, since my feet run on the smaller side.
I also recently bought some Nike Dri-fit Fly-rise Crews, which are great for working out in and feel amazing! Not to mention stylish.
Be forewarned though, not all synthetic blend socks are the same, I bought the Asics Team Crew and they have an acrylic feel, with a propensity to slide around a lot inside shoes.
I also recently bought some Nike Dri-fit Fly-rise Crews, which are great for working out in and feel amazing! Not to mention stylish.
Be forewarned though, not all synthetic blend socks are the same, I bought the Asics Team Crew and they have an acrylic feel, with a propensity to slide around a lot inside shoes.
Anton
Legend
I've tried many many socks and Nike Elites do live up to their name, best socks available, period...though their price is very elitist as well and they maybe are too thick for 90+ hot weather.
Nike Dri-Fit Crew Sock 3 pack is an overall good value too at 15 for 3 pairs. I like them a bit more then TW socks.
For those on tight budget, Costco has ridiculously cheap Puma sports crew socks that are quiet decent. I think like 6 pairs for $10.
Nike Dri-Fit Crew Sock 3 pack is an overall good value too at 15 for 3 pairs. I like them a bit more then TW socks.
For those on tight budget, Costco has ridiculously cheap Puma sports crew socks that are quiet decent. I think like 6 pairs for $10.
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JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
$15 maybe, $10 definitely - IF it's the kind that have specific Left and Right ergonomic, seamless toe kind of sock.
I've always worn two pair and never get blisters, and my base socks for that purpose are either the adidas compression (running?) sock with L & R specific, or something similar. Other non-ergonomic socks have extra material that bunches up around my small toes otherwise. I often had issues with socks moving around on me until trying the L & R compression sock as a base sock, and the fit is so good, I never feel the sock bunch or have to adjust them during a match that I used to need to do with regular socks.
Since I wear two pair, my second sock is not expensive, but still some kind of polyester sport sock you can get in the cheaper multi-packs. Something with a little cushion, but not quite Thorlo level 3. I tried those but you almost need to size up your shoes to accommodate.
I've always worn two pair and never get blisters, and my base socks for that purpose are either the adidas compression (running?) sock with L & R specific, or something similar. Other non-ergonomic socks have extra material that bunches up around my small toes otherwise. I often had issues with socks moving around on me until trying the L & R compression sock as a base sock, and the fit is so good, I never feel the sock bunch or have to adjust them during a match that I used to need to do with regular socks.
Since I wear two pair, my second sock is not expensive, but still some kind of polyester sport sock you can get in the cheaper multi-packs. Something with a little cushion, but not quite Thorlo level 3. I tried those but you almost need to size up your shoes to accommodate.
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vandre
Hall of Fame
+1. i swear by them. i know they're thick and make your feet sweat but i can play for three or four hours, put on a new pair and my feet feel like i could go back and play another 3-4 hours!
joshthefisher
Rookie
Nike dry fit 3 pack $16 worth every penny. The extra padding gives 3x the life of regular socks for me.
FedLIKEnot
Professional
These are amazing I use them in training and running, they are "Preformance Dri-Fit 1/2 cushioned" make sure you get the anatomically correct ones. Not that theyre special for left verses right .... but they have MORE cushioning built in.
DrewRafter8
Professional
Nike Ultra Elites are awesome! Tried my first pair today and they are much better then my old Thorlo L3's. They have more cushioning and are dri-fit material. The colors are a little weird, but I can get over that for happy feet.
tdhawks
Professional
I like the Ultra's but they bunch up on me in the shoe. I have no problems with the regular Elite's doing this.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
QFT! 10happytoes!
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Haha, that extra twelve seconds per day will add up....not to mention the extra laundry!
But it is worth it.
swizzy
Hall of Fame
i was pretty skeptical about tennis socks.. i had some from prince and i think really they were just normal socks with a prince logo..a bit more cushion perhaps. i recently bought 5 pairs of the nike elites on clearance for $25 and now i wear nothing else. great fit, no slip, no bunching, and nice for impact.. they are worth what i paid.. not sure three times that though
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
I agree. Love the cushion.
TahoeTennis
Legend
They're about 14$ too expensive. Just get some cheap cotton socks at JCP, Target or FOTL and enjoy feet love
bigdaddyps
Semi-Pro
The latest Nike elite no show tab socks are the bomb. Great Cushion and almost indestructible. Love them.
But how about the new nike elite grip socks? 28 bucks a pair? Now they've gone mental.
Who will admit to spending 28 bucks on those?
But how about the new nike elite grip socks? 28 bucks a pair? Now they've gone mental.
Who will admit to spending 28 bucks on those?
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
^yup.^
Originally, the neanderthals invented socks to avoid pebbles and small stones.
Then the Tropical tribes in Ramon's poast got into hoisery because were concerned with moisture management.
We can credit the ancient norsemen of thórlo for the obsession with mad-good cushioning.
Then in the mid 1970s, the great Afro-topped ABA and NBA players popularized the tube sock. Double layered.
Most recently, the eurosox society came along and taught us compression is the way to foot heaven.
Originally, the neanderthals invented socks to avoid pebbles and small stones.
Then the Tropical tribes in Ramon's poast got into hoisery because were concerned with moisture management.
We can credit the ancient norsemen of thórlo for the obsession with mad-good cushioning.
Then in the mid 1970s, the great Afro-topped ABA and NBA players popularized the tube sock. Double layered.
Most recently, the eurosox society came along and taught us compression is the way to foot heaven.
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slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
Then the people at nike made it mandatory for all middle school boys to have dashes going up the achilles tendon area, on substandard socks maquerading as performance socks. Very good for calf selfies.
Then stance, taking performance up a notch, convinced us that it is necessary for all socks to have a colorful graphic, especially useful for instagram poasts.
Then vitalsox society takes compressionism and raises it several notches with the wisdom of the ancients: silver in the fabric.
Then stance, taking performance up a notch, convinced us that it is necessary for all socks to have a colorful graphic, especially useful for instagram poasts.
Then vitalsox society takes compressionism and raises it several notches with the wisdom of the ancients: silver in the fabric.
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young prodigy
Rookie
I use puma socks or underarmor socks quarter cut and love them
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NastyWinners
Hall of Fame
The nike elites are pretty slick -- but getting them off the bay or on other sites when on sale is key.
British Tim
New User
Yeah there are a few companies that do those double-layer socks - they were primarily intended for runners as a way of avoiding blisters but you're right they are super comfortable. Wright socks and 1000 mile socks are the ones I know of
Used to use basic cotton socks in different colors to coordinate with my outfits.
Decided to try the more expensive cushioned socks that were "anatomically correct" and whoa...nice
Then tried the Adidas barricades anatomically correct socks and wow...too bad it seems like they're discontinued bc now those are all I wear come match time.
So yes to me, the more expensive and cushioned and anatomically correct socks are worth it. Def felt like my feet were more "locked in" to the shoe.
Decided to try the more expensive cushioned socks that were "anatomically correct" and whoa...nice
Then tried the Adidas barricades anatomically correct socks and wow...too bad it seems like they're discontinued bc now those are all I wear come match time.
So yes to me, the more expensive and cushioned and anatomically correct socks are worth it. Def felt like my feet were more "locked in" to the shoe.
cknobman
Legend
No, no they are not worth it.
I buy 8 packs of "performance" socks from Target that are "dri fit" and "cushioned" that work every bit as well as a pair of expensive Nikes.
Best part is I get 8 pairs of those for less than the price of one pair of Nike socks.
People need to remember that while Nike makes high quality stuff, 80%+ of their cost is from endorsements, marketing, and advertising.
I buy 8 packs of "performance" socks from Target that are "dri fit" and "cushioned" that work every bit as well as a pair of expensive Nikes.
Best part is I get 8 pairs of those for less than the price of one pair of Nike socks.
People need to remember that while Nike makes high quality stuff, 80%+ of their cost is from endorsements, marketing, and advertising.
Blitzball
Professional
BUT DO THOSE PERFORMANCE SOCKS FROM TARGET HAVE A SUPER COOL DESIGN AND A CHECKMARK LOGO?!?!
