# The function of socks on basketball sneakers?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 26, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718 "2011-02-26T18:14:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718/1 "2011-02-26T18:14:30Z")

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I know what it is partly, on account of I’ve got a blister on one of my toes after playing a pickup game yesterday, but I could just put a preventive bandaid, couldn’t I, on that spot the next time I play basketball in those sneakers, right? And no blister.

I left the socks off because I foolishly bought the sneakers in a hurry a few months ago, thought they were acceptably snug, and they turned out to be mildly unacceptably smug, and resistent to loosening with wear, so I experimented with omitting the socks. The sneakers did fit better, and I can put a bandaid on that point the next time, but what else am I going to miss by playing sockless?

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718/2 "2011-02-26T18:22:10Z")

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I’d think the main reason for socks would be something to deal with sweat. That and traction. I’d guess that without a sock, your foot would slide around inside the shoe, especially once your foot gets sweaty.

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718/3 "2011-02-27T09:38:13Z")

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I agree with the sweat. My feet stink if I don’t wear socks, and, if I do it often, the shoes start stinking in a way that I can’t ever get the smell completely out. It’s even worse if they aren’t real leather.

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718/4 "2011-02-27T14:26:24Z")

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your body will move against the shoes when the shoe stops moving, this could be irritating. the socks give some cushioning and friction buffering.

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**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-function-of-socks-on-basketball-sneakers/572718/5 "2011-02-27T19:18:16Z")

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[John Wooden knew socks were important.](http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/wooden-shoes-and-socks-84177.aspx)