Top 10 Best Basketball Socks For Basketball Players [2020 Buyers Guide & Reviews]

Most of the best quality basketball socks are made from a combination of polyester, nylon and spandex.

Companies like Nike have done thorough research and discovered that this mixture of different materials provides the highest level of performance and comfort. Nike have named their specific combination of these materials Dri-Fit.

Integrating synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester allow socks to wick away moisture quickly while providing the support required for high performance basketball.

In some of the highest quality socks you will also find a material named Elastane which provides the stretch-ability factor which make them easy to put on without losing any of the support provided by the other materials.

The preferred length of basketball socks changes with the times and trends. Back in the 70's it was all about the knee high basketball socks and the short shorts.

In the late 90's, early 2000's it was the complete opposite. During this decade it was all about the baggy basketball shorts that hung below the knees with ankle socks that could barely be seen.

Ultimately the length of basketball sock you choose comes down to your personal style and preference.

Some people still rock the knee high's, some prefer the low cuts, but these days the most popular style of basketball socks are the crew cut.

Crew cut basketball socks such as the awesome Nike Elite Versatility offer excellent support around the ankle, yet allow optimal movement and breath ability.

It is important to consider the thickness of your basketball socks as this could have a major effect on overall comfort.

If your shoes are tight do not buy thick socks. Ideally you will have enough room in your shoes to be able to buy thicker socks that offer the best protection and comfort. It is recommend that you purchase basketball shoes with around 3/4 inch of room above the big toe.

A thicker sock will prevent your feet from slipping around inside your shoe. This means less friction and less blisters.

I personally find that thicker socks with maximal foot padding also help with shock absorption when landing from a jump on the hardwood.

If you have wide feet you may prefer thinner socks such as the Nike Grip Quick Crew.

Wearing two socks can help larger shoes feel more comfortable and help with foot lock down. Often basketball players will wear 2 pairs of socks to surround their ankle brace. They may wear a thin pair underneath the brace and a thicker more supportive sock over the top.

Wearing two pairs of socks can really increase the heat in the feet. This can lead to sweating and blistering if the wrong kinds of socks are chosen. If you do decide to wear two pairs of socks choose a moisture wicking variety such as the ones featured in our roundup above.

Nike Elite socks are a premium basketball sock designed with a unique anatomical right-left fit. This sock offers premium comfort, breath-ability and durability on the court.

Nike Elite Basketball socks are anatomically designed to mimic the intricacies of footwear design. Foot-strike cushioning aligns with pressure patterns specifically designed for the demands of basketball.

Compression socks are great for basketball as they promote recovery and boost physical performance.

We have listed the current 10 best basketball socks in our buyers guide above.

NBA players often wear long socks to prevent calf injuries or simply as a fashion statement. Long socks can help improve blood flow to the muscles which in turn promotes recovery and performance.

Compression socks can promote basketball performance by stimulating blood flow through the legs. Improved circulation means that your muscles recover much faster. The warmth provided by the increased blood flow has been shown to improve power and explosiveness plus prevent muscles strains. Compression socks do work, hence why almost every NBA player wears them in this era.

Compression socks are a more popular choice among basketball players as they cover both the muscles of the foot and the calf. A sleeve on the other hand will only cover the calf muscles. Full socks tend to provide better compression and promote blood flow due to the increased surface area. Calf sleeves can be helpful for players with a small isolated calf strain. Sleeves may also be a better option for players who wear ankle sleeves or thick socks.

NBA players wear many of the socks listed in our buyers guide above. These are the best socks on the market and are a popular choice among professional basketball players around the world.