Alternative to double socks

So I currently wear a pair of crew socks and then a pair of quarter socks over top for the extra cushion for the pushin. I would like an alternative to this so I dont have to put on 2 pair every time and stretch out the quarter socks.
Are there any thicker crew socks that are thick on the foot and not the calf? Hope that makes sense.
Don't want anything warm either as my feet aren't cold. Usually thicker socks are warmer.
 

Lorenn

Hall of Fame
Don't want anything warm either as my feet aren't cold. Usually thicker socks are warmer.

Ideally goal is to find the perfect shoe which moves well with you...so you don't require extra thick socks. That is rare. Thorlo were great in my day. Any extra cushion or Max cushion sock should be great. They normally have extra cushion on bottom and sides...so the sock breaths well on the top reducing excess warmth.

Balega, Celesport, Adidas, Prince...once you have more experience with socks you can normally look at them and gauge if they are good ones to try. They might light cushion to Max just have to find how far you are willing to go. Thorlo tends to be the standard, but others make great socks. In the old days I really liked feetures as well. Feetures Max Cushion Elite.

Currently testing a new order of celesport and darn though tactical/hiking socks. I like wool blend socks most of the time, but not sure it would hold up to competitive tennis. Good news is they are comfortable the warranty is nice on darn though socks. The negative is lack of mid foot compression.
 
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SinneGOAT

Legend
Thorlos here too--been using them for decades, they're worth paying some extra for because they do the job and last exponentially longer than others. You only need to wear one pair of socks using them.
They also fill out shoes that may be slightly too big. Agree with durability too, I can wear a pair for a year before they start to thin and lose cushion.
 

Chezbeeno

Professional
Some of the socks that companies make for basketball might work - they tend to be quite thick on the foot, but they're also made to be relatively breathable. I have some older Nike Elite socks that are good, and I got some UA socks recently that I believe are basketball socks as well. They aren't quite as thick, but they're still quite comfy.
Stance would be another company to look at.
 

kimguroo

Legend
not sure nike still produces the socks but Nike elite 2 layer socks are basically same as wearing two socks.
 

Bagumbawalla

Talk Tennis Guru
Thorlos don't look like much but they work. I seem to recall they come in different thicknesses to meet your needs.
I have some other socks- not sure where I got them- Nike Dri-Fit that are marked for the left and the right foot. They have extra padding in the toe, heel, and outside edge. No idea what sport they are intended for, but my feet kind of like having their very own sock.
 

dkshifty

Rookie
+1 for Nike Elite socks as well as Solinco Heaven Socks. Both plenty thick and provide max cushioning, I haven't worn double socks for years now.
 

JeffG

Rookie
If you don’t want something warm or sweat a lot, the thick, acrylic Thorlos are a no go. Lots of people have problems with their feet sliding around in them once they get wet (and they get very wet in hot, humid conditions). The thinner Thorlos are better in terms of heat and sweat management but don’t offer as much padding.
 

dkshifty

Rookie
Forgot to mention that MSRP for Nike Elite socks are right around $14 a pair but your local Nike outlet will have them sub ~$10 or better typically. That's where I load up on mine.
 

Johnny505

Professional
Thorlos shed a lot of the fibres in each and every wash that stick onto other items in the same wash, shows up more especially on dark colored items.
 

opusx

New User
Thorlos wear out much too quickly in my opinion. other than that I've used them for years and continue to do so, but would jump at the chance to get something better
 

RiverRat

Professional
An alternative to a sock solution is to pro-fit your shoes. I buy maybe 2' x 2' squares of dense felt and one-eighth thick dense foam from Michael's. In skiing we modify our boots all the time but there is little advice here past buying another expensive insole. What's great is after I have customized the first shoe to my liking I can easily layout replica pieces for another pair of the same shoe. Essentially you cutout an outline of your insole. If you want to increase the arch, a strip that wraps underneath the arch area works great. If the heel is a little loose just widen the border around your cutout and it will tighten the existing insole. Double socks are out for me, too much extra heat.
 
Thorlos shed a lot of the fibres in each and every wash that stick onto other items in the same wash, shows up more especially on dark colored items.
Thorlos wear out much too quickly in my opinion. other than that I've used them for years and continue to do so, but would jump at the chance to get something better
I haven't experienced either of these problems and been wearing Thorlos for years. Have a few odds and ends socks from other brands in the sock drawer but none compare to my Thorlos.
 
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5sets

Hall of Fame
I still have some odd Thorlo socks swimming around my sock drawer from the Nineties. These socks last forever and are well worth the extra few bucks.
 

Darren72

New User
So I currently wear a pair of crew socks and then a pair of quarter socks over top for the extra cushion for the pushin. I would like an alternative to this so I dont have to put on 2 pair every time and stretch out the quarter socks.
Are there any thicker crew socks that are thick on the foot and not the calf? Hope that makes sense.
Don't want anything warm either as my feet aren't cold. Usually thicker socks are warmer.

I've done this a bit also.
As others have said, Thorlos are a good alternative. My experience is that you have to a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best. For me, some socks that aren't that thick still work great. I've also been experimenting with an insole, which seems to work well (and then wear whatever socks I want).
 

papado

New User
I'll also maybe recommend to switch the order of the socks if you're worried about stretching--I always put the lower sock first if they're different heights. I've found the options of either using two thin crew socks, or a think base layer sock (quarter/micro crew) and then a crew on top to work best. It's the only way I've played ever since I found double socking and as much of a pain as it is to put on 2 pairs every time, I'd rather have the protection and comfort then worry about ancillary stuff like stretching them out etc.
 

Conan

Rookie
I swear by the premium wool brands, like smart wool, fits, farm to feet, darn tough. I swear they are the best blister prevention. Better than thorlos, feetures, balega (haven’t tried their mohair). And no, I do not think they’re hotter than those other brands, some cooler than. Different cushion levels too
 

Lorenn

Hall of Fame
I swear by the premium wool brands, like smart wool, fits, farm to feet, darn tough. I swear they are the best blister prevention. Better than thorlos, feetures, balega (haven’t tried their mohair). And no, I do not think they’re hotter than those other brands, some cooler than. Different cushion levels too
I normally wear darn though ...The hiking versions of the socks due to needing a little extra thickness in my current shoes. Lifetime exchange warranty is great.
 
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Bagumbawalla

Talk Tennis Guru
If $ is an issue, many cities have some sort of military "surplus" store.
They usually have a variety of styles, with extra padding, to choose from.
Some of them very good quality socks that last a long time.
 

McGradey

Hall of Fame
Another vote for Thorlos

It's amazing how much they protect your feet; my joints are noticeably sorer after wearing thinner socks in a match as opposed to when I use the Thorlos.

And for such thick socks, they really don't overheat like you think they will—I can happily play in them on a 30c/86F day. Worth the money for sure.
 

mctennis

Legend
I wear WigWag socks. They are thick enough and cushioned enough to wear only one pair. They last a long time as well.
 
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