Sports socks

	Ankle socks model YG-001 from Ya Chia of Taiwan comes in 80 percent cotton and 20 percent spandex. Bamboo charcoal is embedded into the blend to lend deodorizing and anti-bacterial properties. Price is $1.70.

To address the needs of different athletes and sports enthusiasts, sock suppliers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are releasing designs with thicker cushioning on areas that need the most shock absorption.

Models for use in high-altitude hiking or mountain climbing have thick terry cushioning on the sole and instep. Versions for long-distance walking in low altitudes need protective padding only on the soles.

Socks for running and various track and field events also have cushioned soles, although some have thicker padding on the heel and toe areas. The instep is often made of breathable mesh to increase ventilation and keep the feet dry.

Such features are incorporated in the latest releases to prevent blisters from forming. Studies have shown that dense terry padding provide more effective protection against blisters compared with regular cushioned soles.

Breathability is also a factor in blister prevention. For this reason, apart from using mesh fabric, companies are adopting moisture-wicking and quick-drying fiber such as Coolmax and Supplex. In addition, bamboo charcoal particles are embedded into cotton, polyester or acrylic to lend increased moisture-management properties to the fiber.

Bamboo fiber, with its inherent breathable and moisture-absorbent properties, is incorporated in some models as well. Bamboo is also preferred for its natural deodorizing and anti-bacterial functions.

Further, seamless knitting construction is being employed, particularly along the toe, as an extra step toward preventing blisters.

Suppliers in mainland China generally adopt Coolmax in releases. Except for Zhejiang Shenli Textile Co. Ltd, all of the interviewed companies use at least 50 percent Coolmax in their sports socks. The fiber is never used alone and always blended with spandex for extra stretch. Some versions also incorporate cotton into the mix.

Besides Coolmax, Zhejiang Orient Befit Socks Manufacturer Co. Ltd adopts Thermolite from Invista in designs. Thermolite provides better thermal retention than Coolmax, but is about $1.50 more expensive. It also has superior moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties.

Zhejiang Orient Befit incorporates Thermogear as well. Developed by Japan's Asahi Kasei, Thermogear is a type of thermal fiber comprised of a blend of acrylic and cuprammonium rayon.

The company also uses Supplex from Invista, a type of engineered nylon that boasts a cottonlike hand and breathability but with better shape retention and colorfastness. The fiber is often adopted in football socks.

Apart from Coolmax, Zhuji Maear Weave Fty uses cotton and polyester in releases. Most models are knitted with 40 percent Coolmax, 40 percent cotton, 15 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex or 80 percent Coolmax, 15 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex.

Bamboo is the other main material at Zhejiang Sunge Socks Co. Ltd. Exporting mainly to Japan and the EU, the company sends samples of materials and finished products to the BV and Intertek offices in Shanghai for chemical testing.

Zhejiang Shenli commonly uses bamboo fiber as well. The company sources the material from suppliers within the province. It also adopts combed cotton, polyester and spandex in designs, which consist mainly of ankle and football socks.

Taiwan suppliers also adopt Coolmax and bamboo in their latest releases. Among the interviewed companies, Tay Hsin Knitting Co. Ltd, Yun Sheng Textile Co. Ltd and Danken Enterprise Co. Ltd all use the fiber in designs.

Tay Hsin also adopts crab yarn, a type of material derived from the crustacean's shell. It has natural deodorizing and anti-bacterial properties, and the hand and absorbency of cotton.

Bamboo charcoal is incorporated in releases as well.

Likewise, Yun Sheng and Danken use bamboo charcoal in addition to Coolmax. These hese two companies also adopt fiber developed by the Taiwan Textile Research Institute. Yun Sheng, for instance, employs Thermastat, while Danken uses anti-bacterial silver yarn.

Ya Chia Ent. Co. Ltd embeds bamboo charcoal into a blend of 80 percent cotton or rayon and 20 percent polyester.

Anlee Socks Co. Ltd commonly employs a blend of 90 to 95 percent cotton and 5 to 10 percent spandex in releases. The company also incorporates bamboo charcoal in some of its latest models.