Find you self asking, Where can I find 100 percent cotton socks? 

And are they really 100% cotton?

To answer those questions we have to first learn how standard socks are knitted. 

   

     Standard cotton socks of for example 70% cotton 30% nylon, you get 70% cotton then you have about 15-25% nylon woven into the cotton from toe to top welt for reinforcement and the final 5-15% nylon goes to the top welt to hold the socks in place. So the body is cotton it is then reinforced with nylon and the balance goes to the top welt for hold and support.

What is a 100% Cotton Socks:

To simply try to explain it is easy, what they do is forgo the reinforcement process and just put about 3-5% percent elastic on top. So in reality the socks are 100% cotton from toe to top welt, then you need something to hold the socks up.

There are 2 types 100% cotton welts. 

   The first is the standard welt you find on any socks shown here this is great if your just get irritated when you wear nylon blend socks, but its not so great if you need all cotton socks for medical reasons such as diabetes or neuropathy and other foot ailments. People with such needs need socks with less compression on top to allow for blood circulation.

 And that takes us to the second type of welt. This is actually not a welt rather than thin strands of nylon with high expansion ability and low compression, there are generally 1-6 strands depending on the manufacturer and amount of support you need. But as a general rule I like at least 4 strands or you find the socks will slip click here to see and example of this sock. You may want to consider this option if standard socks leave deep track marks on your legs from the elastic.

Keep in mind there are diabetic socks with top welts, that still have 80% cotton, 20% nylon with the top welt on top. How ever the compression on the welt is less than 60% of standard socks and still manages to stay up most of the day you can see and example Diabetic socks.

People often make the mistake of thinking 100% cotton socks and Non-Elastic socks  are the same when in fact they are completely different. Just because a sock says no elastic it does not mean it has no nylon. In fact all that means is that it has no elastic band on top, but it still has nylon reinforcement through out the entire sock, you can click above for an example of that.

All the above mentioned socks are also great for men who have large athletic calf's or swollen from recent surgery diabetic socks will stretch up to 21 inch in diameter to make sure they fit around your calf.

I hope this answers some of your questions about 100% cotton socks.

Kamren

Sr. Sock engineer at sockbroker.com
For questions email us at sales@sockbroker.com