Thought I’d create a page for squash socks so people can ask questions / leave suggestions on what they use.
For the longest time I just wore regular white athletic crew socks. These were cheap and fine, but after a while, the elastic started to wear away and they got sort of droopy, so I was in the market for some new socks.
TruSox
Fox River
Karakal X4
Asics Kayano Classic
Salming 365
Harrow ProWear
TruSox
TruSox are a brand of socks that have special grip pads on the soles of the sock, both on the outside AND the inside of the sock. They look like this:
Affiliate Links
Buy (US): amazon.com
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Reviews
I was lucky enough to get a chance to try the socks out, and I put together this video review for you:
Here’s a review from a soccer-related website, which goes into more detail about the different sizes and colors that are available:
Product Notes
I mentioned in the video that TruSox have put together a research study on the effectiveness of their socks, which is pretty cool.
There’s also a fun article in Sports Illustrated from a few months ago, which goes into some of the back story behind TruSox. You can check out the article here.
You can also learn more on their website, trusox.com.
Spotted
Sarah-Jane Perry was wearing a pair of TruSox at the 2016 British Open:
Photo via Steve Cubbins ∞
Fox River Socks
About a year ago I picked up a few pairs of Fox River socks (aka Fox Sox) on the suggestion of a Squash Source reader.
Images via foxsox.com
Product Notes
The pairs I’ve been wearing are from their “PEAK Sport” collection and are called the Velox LX Quarter Sock. These are quarter socks, which cover my ankles but do not rise up quite as far as crew socks, which reach the base of my calf I think.
Reviews
I did a quick video look at my Fox River socks way back in March of last year, and I never got around to posting it, but here it is:
It’s been a year now and I feel like the socks are still in good order. They are still comfortable and are still holding their shape well. These socks are made of mostly nylon, which funnily enough is what squash strings are usually made from.
My only complaint about these socks is the first couple times I wore them, I felt like my foot was sliding around a bit in the shoe. Partly that was because my shoes at the time needed replacing. Anyway that feeling only lasted a couple weeks and it doesn’t happen any more. I have been happily using these for 12 months now.
Here’s the original comment from reader John V about these socks that led me to check them out:
Have used these socks for about 6 years, I got 10 pairs and none have worn out. They are really good at blister prevention
Karakal X4 Ankle Socks
Here’s another one called the Karakal X4 “Technical” Ankle sock:
Reviews
I have never tried these, but I heard about them via a comment from a reader named Joran. Here’s what he had to say:
Check out the Karakal X4 Ankle socks. I prefer a lower and rather thick sock. Furthermore it has a kind of anti-slip dots on the ball of your foot so you stay rightly positioned within the shoe, even when you do big lunges! They can also be bought as trainers (socks aboven the ankle).
From the picture, these look about the same size as my Fox River quarter socks.
Asics Kayano Classic Socks
Here’s another pair, from Asics:
And the blue version:
Reviews
Rod says, “I use these and they seem to last pretty darn well.”
I tried these out and here’s my review:
Salming 365 Advanced Indoor Socks
Here’s another one, from Salming:
Images via controlthet.com
Reviews
Bygagabog commented below that the Karakal X4 socks are a bit thick; he prefers these Salming 365 socks, which are nice and thin.
Harrow ProWear Socks
Travis mentioned in the comments:
I only use Harrow’s ProWear ankle socks. They are thick which helps in nail and blister protection and wicks sweat away from my foot/shoe. I’ve had six pairs which have lasted years of play.
Ankle
Mid-calf
Do you have any recommendations for your favorite squash socks? Please leave a comment below, and see what other readers have suggested!
Blas says
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I use Nike Elite socks, they are branded for basketball but work great for me, they are thick and very comfortable.
Michael Penn says
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I would recommend Wrightsock. They are double layered socks which is fantastic for blister prevention. Not cheap – around $10-$15 a pair, but mine lasted a couple of years. https://wrightsock.myshopify.com/. Also available on amazon and zappos.
Christian Sidor says
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I have 2 sets of TruSox and just asked for another for Xmas. I’ve found that they grip so well that don’t have to tighten the laces of my sneakers as much as I used to. Great product for squash.
Rod Foster says
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i’ll be buying another pair of the TruSox
i love them.
they’re somewhat compression and they have rubber on the outside that assists in making sure your sock/foot are not sliding around inside the shoe.
try em out!
Rodney Foster says
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bought another pair.
they’re that good.
Dave says
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I use x socks sky run – http://www.wiggle.co.uk/x-socks-sky-run-v20-socks/. I had these recommended when I was doing a lot of running a few years ago and thought they would read across to squash well, I’ve not been disappointed.
Travis Young says
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I only use Harrow’s ProWear ankle socks. They are thick which helps in nail and blister protection and wicks sweat away from my foot/shoe. I’ve had six pairs which have lasted years of play.
Andy ROBERT says
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I’ve used Thorlo tennis socks (anklet or crew length) for over 20 years and found my level of ankle and knee pain has significantly reduced due to their pressure dispersion supports at both the heel and toe areas. Occasionally, I’ve used thinner socks from “other” brands during training sessions but found pain levels are much higher afterwards.
Bopper says
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+1 on the Thorlos. However, I have not liked the newer sock versions that do the thick and thin combinations like shown in the other brands here (Thorlo do that with some of their versions too). If the sock isn’t the perfect fit you end up with thin nylon stretchy bits in contact zones, and the seam area between cushion and thin bit sometimes rub. So I like the basic thorlo sock that is ultra cushioned over the whole foot so there is no chance of any problem.
Carlos Porras says
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I use to play with Lurbel socks, is a spanish brand which creates unbeliavable models od shocks that are so comfortable and dry. I used to have many problems dealing with the sweat of my feets, and once I started to use this shocks (in running, basketball and later in squash) they dissapeared. So I recommend it 100%. They are not cheap, around 10€ per pair, but they worth it.
Dov Kleiner says
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I love Uniqlo’s sport socks and they seem perfect for squash, with diffferent weaves and densities covering different parts of the foot. They come in bootie, anklet and crew lengths. I prefer the anklets. Since all lengths aren’t always in stock at the local Uniqlo, I sometimes buy the crew length ones and cut off the tops with a scissor.
And, like everything Uniqlo, the quality is very high and the price relatively low.
Michal says
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I’ve been using Karakal socks for years. I think that everything depends on shoes brand. Some of them have high profile as Prince Renegade and thick sock would not be good. Asics shoes have lower profile and thats why thicker sock is much better in my opinion. Thats the matter of taste for everyone. Socks are well made, comfortable and it’s hard to worn them out.
JB says
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Mike got these socks after reading your post. Could not be happier I had a big problem on my lunges with my big toe jamming into the front of the shoe. So bad the nail is coming up. Worn the socks this weekend several matches and fantastic. No slipping and no toe jams!!! Nice!!! Thank you Enjoy the Game!
bygagabog says
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Hello, i was try to use Karakal X4 Ankle Socks, its a good sock and alot of my friends like it, but its to much for me… because its to much thick socks, but alot of people like thick socks.
But i like thin socks, so now i found for my self the best , its SALMING 365 ADVANCED INDOOR SOCK.
I really like it from first touch and now start to love after try to use ))))
So in the final i can say, who like thick – please try karakal x4,
Who dnt like thick can try salming 365 advanced indoor sock.