With all of the talk about staff uniforms for various industries, how often do you talk about socks? Socks are probably the most overlooked piece of workwear. In fact, they may not even be considered to be workwear. But the type of socks you wear can actually have a great impact on how your feet feel at the end of the day.
Not only do socks provide your feet with protection from the inside of your shoes, but they can also help to keep the feet healthy.
Your Anatomy
Did you know that 25% of the bones in your body can be found in your feet? It’s true! Not only that, but when you think about how many hours you and your staff spend on their feet each day, it suddenly becomes clear just how many problems can be avoided when feet feel healthy. As well, when you consider how many leg, back and other health conditions begin with the feet, doing as much as possible to protect them just makes sense.
Engineering
The way in which some socks are engineered can make a big difference to how feet feel after hours of standing and moving.
Some socks are engineered to provide arch support simply by increasing the strength of the knitting in the arches of the sock. Other socks are engineered for specific jobs, such as those which require the wearing of footwear that includes toe caps. This type of sock may be more heavily insulated at the toe to keep them warm when working in toe caps during cold weather.
Shock
Other types of socks help the wearer to absorb shock during running, climbing or walking. These particular socks are sometimes constructed with a double layer at the sole for comfortable cushioning during all manner of activity.
Moisture
Moisture is the enemy of hard-working feet, which is why so many types of work socks have been engineered to wick away moisture. In addition to the elimination of moisture, antibacterial properties have also been engineered into today’s work socks. Sock fibres like wool, bamboo and others help to keep feet dry as well as keep the foot at a comfortable temperature.
Friction
Too much friction inside a shoe can lead to painful conditions such as blisters, which can make every step and slow and wince-worthy. This directly affects employee efficiency as well as their mood. After all, a person who is in pain is not going to present their best face to customers. That being said, there are several types of work sock which offer one layer for the outside, and another for the inside. The inside layer allows the foot to adhere to it with a bit of wear, whilst the outer part of the sock takes the brunt of the friction. The foot remains covered and protected without rubbing against the shoe.
Time of Year
The socks you select for yourself and your staff should be appropriate not only for the job being done, but for the temperatures and other weather conditions of the seasons you are working in. Even if you are not working outside, the conditions of each season can affect the conditions inside.
Understanding how socks work to prevent a range of problems and protect your employees’ feet from temperature and moisture can help you choose the right pair for every task they undertake. And whilst some speciality work socks can be expensive to purchase, knowing that you are doing everything in your power to keep your employees healthy can actually end up costing you a lot less in future.
