Geezer remembers the days when there were two kinds of socks: white socks and dark socks, otherwise known as gym socks and dress socks. As this piece in the L.A Times reports, times have changed. Today we have socks for running, socks for hunting, socks for snowboarding and socks for sock shopping. Socks are a $1.8 billion industry, and sports socks account for more than half of that money. Why should you care? You shouldn’t, particularly, but you might read this piece anyway, for these few pieces of advice:
Researchers have found that, for most activities,we are better off with socks made from synthetic fibers and blends.
High performance socks are designed to control two forces that affect a foot in motion: impact and shear. Impact is the downward, percussive motion of the foot as it hits the ground) and shear (the force created when the foot slides forward and backward, and side to side, in the shoe). The thicker the sock, the greater the protection.
The most important thing a sock can do is dispense with moisture, which increases the chances of contracting blisters, fungus and athlete’s foot, even warts. The key is to draw  or "wick"  sweat away from the surface of the foot toward the inner surface of the shoe. The most effective way to do this is with specialized fibers.
Fibers generally fall into two categories: absorbent, such as cotton and wool,and water repellent, such as polyester and acrylic. In theory, fibers that repel water keep the foot drier by channeling moisture away from the foot. Fibers that retain water leave moisture next to the skin.
Read more on How to find the Perfect Sock in Prevention magazine.