What to Look for in Pickleball Socks — Pickleball University

Most people consider their pickleball paddle and court shoes as the only specialized items that are needed to play pickleball. While these are certainly essentials, an often overlooked piece of clothing when gearing up to play pickleball is dedicated pickleball socks.

If you want to look, feel, and play your best, it’s important that your clothing, including your athletic socks are made to withstand the rigors of the sport. A high-performance pair of moisture-wicking socks can help prevent blisters, provide extra cushioning, and offer impact protection. Whether you prefer low-cut socks, or knee-high sports socks, it is imperative that you wear comfortable socks made of moisture-wicking fabric for your protection.

Pickleball requires quick side-to-side movements, making foot and ankle support critical in sock and shoe selection. As you look to select quality socks for pickleball to go with your court shoes, it’s important not to just grab any socks that you see in the store. High-quality performance socks may cost a bit more, but the materials make great socks worth the higher price.

What Sock Cuts Are Best for Pickleball Players?

There are several cut styles that can work for pickleball, but every player has different needs for their feet, and some cuts may be more comfortable than others. Some of the most popular styles include:

Ankle socks
Cushion crew socks
Knee-high compression socks
Low profile socks
No-show socks
Quarter socks
Tab socks

What Brands Make Pickleball Socks?

As more pickleball players take to the courts and the popularity grows, more companies are making specialty pickleball gear, even for dogs! There are several brands that produce pickleball socks, including OS1ST, Thorlos, and Neon Bandits. Even shoe companies such as Nike and Adidas are now making pickleball and tennis socks.

What are the Best Materials for Pickleball Socks?

Pickleball will have your heart racing, sweat running down your face, and pooling at your feet. It’s important to ensure that the socks you choose have high breathability. Some of the best materials for pickleball socks include spandex, lycra, and merino wool, and the best socks typically combine stretchy and breathable materials.

There’s nothing worse than having a soggy sock that makes your feet damp and impedes your performance on the courts. Consider a sock with a breathable footbed and mesh features in the foot for pickleball. This mesh will allow your feet to breathe when they start to get sweaty during the game and keep them fresh.

Socks that are 100% cotton should not be worn while playing pickleball because cotton absorbs sweat and has no wicking qualities. A cotton sock will leave your foot damp and uncomfortable.

When picking out a pair of pickleball socks, you should favor socks that feature an acrylic or wool blend. These materials help wick away sweat and will keep your feet dry and happy.

Is a Padded Footbed Important for Pickleball Socks?

Yes - you should favor socks with a padded footbed. The lateral movements required in pickleball can take a toll on tired feet. The constant pounding can also take a toll on the rest of your body, mainly on your knees and your back. In an effort to lessen the stress on these body parts, look for pickleball socks that feature a padded footbed.

Wearing a pickleball sock that has extra padding and cushioning can help lessen the wear and tear of the sport on the rest of your body while also taking some of the pressure off of your feet. Pickleball is not an easy game on your joints, given the fast-paced nature of the game, so put your best foot forward (pun intended) and select pickleball socks that have a padded footbed, including heel and toe.

Fresh Style on the Pickleball Court

Nobody wants to take the courts wearing boring pickleball socks. The game is meant to be fun, and with tube socks becoming once again popular, why not show your personal style and show up to the court feeling and looking good?

Top Choice for Pickleball Socks: Neon Bandits

For a funky and fresh style that checks all the right boxes, try Neon Bandits socks, which not only offer awesome designs but feature a padded footbed and heel, offer mesh arch support, and won’t slip down your leg. They also offer custom-designed socks with a low minimum order, which is perfect for pickleball teams, company events, and more.

Final Thoughts

It’s amazing what a good pair of socks can do for your pickleball game! The best socks for pickleball should not only be comfortable and provide support for any foot conditions you have, such as plantar fasciitis but should feel comfortable while providing superior durability.

As pickleball continues to take the country by storm, do yourself a favor and make sure that your feet are well-protected with some flashy new pickleball socks.