COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN POLYAMIDE/ELASTANE AND COTTON/POLYAMIDE/ELASTANE SOCKS

Abstract

The paper presents a comparative study of the behaviour of 97% polyamide/3% elastane socks, named functional socks, and of 70% cotton/27% polyamide/3% elastane socks, called classic socks, both type used for moderate-intensity physical activity. Nowadays, the question always arises about what socks to wear: classic 100% cotton socks, cotton/polyamide/elastane socks, or polyamide/elastane socks. The wearing comfort of the socks is the determining factor in choosing the optimal variant. The functional socks are made of 100% synthetic yarns and are appreciated due to the properties of absorption and rapid transfer of moisture from the body to the environment. The classic socks are made of cotton or cotton yarns mixed with synthetic yarns, giving better wearing comfort compared to functional socks through the high moisture absorption capacity. But due to the small capacity to transfer moisture from the body to the outside environment, wearing for a long time can produce discomfort as a result of the humid environment that is created. The two types of socks were evaluated through a series of analyses as follows: weight per piece, optical microscopy, hygroscopicity, hydrophilicity, elasticity in the direction of stitches’ rows and degree of compression. The analysed data led to the conclusion that functional socks have superior elasticity and comfort properties compared to the classical ones.

Keywords

• functional socks
• classic socks
• knitted structure
• degree of compression
• wearing comfort