Whether you are rocking low-top Converse or high-tops, it’s tempting to wear them without socks because it is more convenient. But can you wear Converse without socks?
If you are wearing Converse shoes for short periods, it’s fine to wear them without socks. But if you’re doing anything active or it’s warm outside, you will get a build-up of sweat very quickly. That makes the Converse shoes slippery, sticky, and unpleasant.
That said, there are smart ways to wear Converse shoes “without socks”. In this post, we will show you the best ways to wear a pair of Chuck Taylors, with or without socks.
3 Reasons Why You Should Wear Socks With Converse Shoes
There are three good reasons why you should always wear socks with Converse.
Wearing socks with your Converse shoes can reduce the bad odor caused by sweat on your feet, reduce the chances of fungal infection, and prevent blisters.
Here is each reason explained in greater detail:
1. Reduce bad odor from your Converse
Did you know that the canvas material on Converse sneakers is tightly woven and not breathable? Even by wearing socks, there is a chance of bad odor coming from the shoes.
In fact, many people wonder why Converse shoes smell so bad.
As you walk and move throughout the day, your feet are going to produce sweat naturally. This is because your feet have more sweat glands than any part of your body.
Sweat alone does not have a bad odor. But if the sweat stays on your skin for a long time, the skin germs and bacteria will break down the sweat, producing a funky and unpleasant smell.
Wearing socks, especially moisture-wicking socks, promotes evaporation by allowing the moisture to travel along the fabric rather than be absorbed.
In short, wearing socks removes sweat and moisture from the inside of your Converse shoes. And by keeping your feet nice and dry, you reduce the chance of bad foot odor.
You don’t want to seldom wear socks and be the person where people can find you just by the stench of your sneakers from a block away now, do you?
Moisture can also cause your Chucks to squeak.
2. Reduce the chances of fungal infection
Another reason to wear socks with Converse is to reduce the chance of fungal infection.
When your feet are exposed to prolonged moisture, there is a potential for foot fungus to develop. As your feet sweat, the moisture has nowhere to go if you don’t wear socks.
Foot fungus thrives in places that are warm, dark, and moist, which is exactly what the environment inside of Converse shoes is, especially without socks.
This fungal infection is also known as the athlete’s foot.
According to the Mayo Clinic, an athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that commonly happens in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight-fitting shoes.
While it usually begins at the toes, signs, and symptoms of an athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning.
You are at higher risk of athlete’s foot if you wear non-breathable shoes, like Converse, without socks, or if you frequently wear damp socks without replacing them.
One way to prevent fungal infection while wearing Converse is to change your socks regularly. If your feet get very sweaty, change your socks twice a day.
3. Prevent feet blisters
Last but not least, wearing socks can prevent your Converse from causing you blisters.
Even with socks, Converse shoes are notorious for causing blisters because of their tough gum rubber soles and stiff canvas materials at the top.
According to Medical News Today, a mixture of friction and pressure causes a majority of blisters on the feet. When the skin of the feet is continually rubbed against your shoes, irritation and inflammation often occur. The result is pain, swelling, and redness.
A red sore will usually develop on the foot before the blister itself. If the sore continues to be irritated or pressure is put on it, shearing of the skin happens.
Shearing is where inflammation causes small tears in the skin. The body sends fluids to fill this opening and protect the more delicate, underlying tissue layers.
Friction blisters tend to be painful and tender to the touch.
Socks provide a bit of cushioning so that your feet don’t rub directly against the lining of the shoes, giving you an extra layer of protection for your skin.
Socks to Wear With Converse Shoes
Wondering what socks to wear with Converse shoes? Here are the four types of socks that go along well with Converse shoes, whether they are low-tops or high-tops.
1. No-show socks
If you like the sockless look, go for a pair of no-show socks. They are the perfect compromise if you like to have your ankles showing but keep those funky foot aromas at bay.
Most people choose to wear some kind of socks with low-top Converse, particularly no-show socks, mainly to make them as comfortable as possible and to reduce odor.
For the most invisible results, wear socks that are the same color as your Converse shoes’ quarters (the part that wraps around the sides and back).
No-show socks also make it easier to get your shoes on and off, since your feet won’t be drenched in sweat. Even if you can’t see them, it’s a good idea to wear socks.
2. Ankle socks
Ankle socks are longer than no-show socks but shorter than crew socks. They end right at your ankles, and they’re not meant to be invisible.
Ankle socks go along well with low-top Converse, but they are designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive. In other words, they are suited for running and hiking.
Some people choose ankle socks rather than no-show socks to protect the back of their ankles from constant rubbing and friction while keeping the socks slightly invisible.
3. Short-crew socks
Short crew socks are longer than ankle socks but are shorter than crew socks. They end slightly above the ankles and below the mid-calves.
When wearing low-tops Converse with short pants, short crew socks can add a little bit of flair to your outfit as long as you wear the right colored socks.
Even when wearing the high-top Converse shoes, it’s always nice to show off a bit of the sock detail rather than having some bare leg showing.
4. Crew socks
Crew socks are the longest of the bunch.
They go up past your ankles and hit right around the mid-to-upper calves. People would wear crew socks with their Converse high-tops because they are the ultimate throwback.
Some crew socks, like the ones above, are made from a cotton blend for softness with a non-slip cuff. The mesh through the calf and ankle reinforces their stay-in-place fit.
Instead of wearing plain crew socks, go above and beyond with striped ones.
Final Verdict
Now you know whether you should wear socks with your Converse or not.
No one can stop you from going sockless with your Converse shoes, but there are risks involved with not wearing socks for a long period of time.
Socks are important to go along with your Chucks. Not only do socks absorb sweat and moisture, but they can help prevent the rubbing of the shoes on the skin of your feet.
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