It is impossible to play beach Volleyball without socks designed to play in the sand. The socks need to be durable enough to not tear from contact with rough sand and protect the feet of the player from blisters, rashes, and abrasions. The socks buyers choose must be suitable for playing in hot, warm, wet, or muddy sand. It should also ensure that the player has a firm grip on the sand and does not slip.
Sand Socks – With or Without Shoes?
Colloquially known as sand socks, socks that are highly suitable for playing in the sand may be worn with or without shoes. If the players feel comfortable wearing shoes, they can opt for them. Most players prefer to play/train without shoes as they feel more at ease. So, choosing socks that can endure the rigorous training a player undergoes is essential. To some, beach Volleyball is a passing hobby, while for others, it is an integral part of their life. Whatever category the buyers may fit into, selecting the right pair of socks is crucial.
Though sand socks can protect the player’s feet well, they cannot endure being used constantly for a long period of time. To increase their longevity, wearing shoes when using them is recommended.
Sand Socks – Necessity or a matter of Convenience?
Socks designed to endure the heat of the sand provide an edge to the players in beach Volleyball matches. They do not let sharp particles pierce the player’s skin and are instrumental in preventing blisters. Socks with padded soles provide more protection than those without paddings. Also, they should be flexible, so they do not restrict the players’ movements. Some socks have adjustable ankle cuffs, which are extremely convenient as they can be tightened if the stockings start to loosen after a few months of use.
Most shoes provide the same benefits these socks offer. Therefore, sand socks are worn for Convenience rather than due to their necessity. Besides, beach Volleyball can be played barefoot, but it can be risky at times as nothing protects one’s feet from being hurt. If the players wish to enjoy the feeling of their toes rubbing against sand without worrying about cuts and blisters, sand socks are preferable.
Which size and type of socks should one choose?
If the right size of socks is unavailable to the players, they may buy a smaller size in case of common socks suitable for playing beach Volleyball. If they prefer grip socks that hug/grip their foot like a second skin, they need to opt for a larger size.
High-cut sand socks are preferable to low-cut sand socks as they can be pulled above the ankle, making it harder for the sand to enter them. Though comfortable, low-cut socks are not as effective as high-cut socks in keeping the sand out, and some may feel weird wearing them as they stop at the ankle. Also, high-cut socks come with adjustable straps, while low-cut socks have elastic bands. So, high-cut socks are more durable than low-cut ones.
Differences between Sand Socks and regular socks
Socks designed to withstand the heat of the beach’s sand are water-friendly and easy to clean and dry compared to other socks. Regular socks are meant to absorb sweat and form a protective layer between the shoe and the feet of the player. Socks suitable for beach Volleyball are designed to keep the sand out and to provide a better grip on the sand, which helps the players to perform their best. They are a helpful friend to people with delicate skin, especially kids, whether they are hoping to have fun building sand castles or play a fast-paced Volleyball match.
Sand socks do not slip off as they have adjustable ankle cuffs, while regular socks do not have this feature as they are meant to be used with shoes. Also, socks suitable for beach Volleyball do not get weighed down due to sweat, moisture, or water. On the other hand, regular socks made of cotton stop being useful once they get drenched in sweat. Sand socks move with the player and do not feel like additional gear; some even provide UV rays protection.
Sand Socks Vs. Water Shoes
Though the designs of a sand sock and a water shoe differ, they serve similar purposes. Both are considered suitable for swimming, but water shoes are ideal for playing in the sand and other rough surfaces. Shoes designed for underwater use are also ideal for walking or hiking on a beach. When it comes to beach Volleyball, sand socks have the upper hand as they offer better grip than water shoes on sand.
Shoes suitable for underwater use allow water to move in and out freely, which can be useful as the players will not be caught unawares by an unruly wave on the beach. Water shoes will let the water flow out and will not weigh down the player much. But as the possibility of a match being played near the waves is slim, sand socks are still considered to be the best option even though they are only water friendly and not waterproof.
Do Sand Socks enhance performance?
Sand socks enhance performance as they offer psychological comfort to the players by keeping their minds off the possibility of being hurt. Socks with flatlock stitching prevent the player’s feet from chaffing. Sand socks can protect players from minor injuries but do not stand a chance if used to play on rough surfaces regularly.
While playing barefoot, the feeling of one’s toes in the sand may feel great initially but will soon become a nightmare as the sand will stick to the toes and cause the player to be uncomfortable. The player will not be able to focus due to his frustration; sand socks help avoid such situations.
The sand has the innate ability to absorb heat, so it can heat up pretty quickly and become unbearably hot to stand on; this causes blisters or burns, which are painful and distracting when playing a game. Socks designed to keep the heat out are important to players regardless of whether they play casually or professionally. Sand socks enable the players to train longer in the sand as the increasingly uncomfortable temperatures will not affect them due to the socks’ heat resistance.
Wash after every use
It is highly advisable to wash the sand socks after every use. Some require to be hand washed while others may be machine washed. Whichever technique is used, it is better to clean the inside and outside of the socks to ensure they last longer. Selecting socks made of materials to which sand does not stick is a wise choice, as it is hard to remove sand from socks. Store the socks in a place where they won’t start collecting mold when they are not required.
Thus, wearing highly suitable socks for playing beach Volleyball provides many benefits, and the right pair of sand socks will make the player look awesome. Usually, sand socks can be used for playing many other beach sports as their function is to protect the player’s foot from the sand, moisture, and pebbles on the beach. These socks are highly versatile, so one will not regret buying them even if they stop playing beach Volleyball.