Socks

Socks are actually a fantastic product and although wearing shoes without socks can give you a sense of freedom, in the long run it can lead to foot problems and bad odours.

So what is it that socks do that is so good?

1. With socks on your feet, you sweat less.

Our feet have many sweat glands and whether it is hot or not, your feet sweat a lot. Without socks, it is your feet and your shoes that absorb most of the sweat from your feet, which leads to smelly shoes and can cause chafing and blisters when hot, damp feet scrape against your shoes.

Sweaty feet then increase the amount of fungus living on your feet. This is because fungus on your feet loves the dark, moist environment of a pair of sweaty shoes. The symptoms of athlete's foot are quickly apparent, the fungus causes scaly, itchy, cracked and dry skin, especially in the area between the toes.

Wearing a pair of socks on your feet wicks away moisture and reduces the potential for athlete's foot.

2. Socks help you walk in your new shoes

Wearing new shoes without socks can often cause chafing or blisters. It is therefore not recommended to wear shoes without socks until the shoes have been properly tried on. Feel free to walk around the house first and for short periods of time until you feel that they have stretched and adapted to your feet.

3. Socks keep your feet clean

You are more likely to develop foot problems if you don't wash and dry your feet every day to prevent the build-up of sweat and bacteria. If you use socks, they will help keep your feet dry and therefore clean for longer!

And finally; tips if you still want to walk without socks on your feet!

If you still want to go without socks, it's best to have more than one pair of shoes or sandals that you can switch between every day. Shoes need at least 24 hours to dry to stop the spread of mould spores that can cause athlete's foot. Swapping your sandals one day for a closed shoe the next, and vice versa, can help you reduce the incidence of cracked heels and dry skin on your feet.