Socks

You asked "Skateboard socks, are they really a thing?" The answer is yes. You also asked "Skateboard socks, do I need them to skate?" The answer is yes, wearing skateboard socks will increase your abilities tenfold. Ollie higher, grind faster, land triple flips every try! All you need is skateboard socks.

Ok, that's not true. Skateboard socks are actually very similar to regular socks, just cooler.

Skate Sock Origin Story

It all started in the 1970s when long socks were the only accessory you needed to complete the look once you had the booty shorts, rector pads, pro-tec helmet and skin tight 'Keep on truckin' t-shirt. The first skate socks were just supermarket or sportswear brand tube socks, but they became synonymous with skateboard style. You weren't anyone in the 70s skate scene without a long pair of stripy white socks pulled up to the knee!

It wasn't until years later that skate companies began making socks specifically for skateboarding. Even in the boom years of the 1980s the sock trend didn't kick off fully, although brands like Vision Street Wear and Airwalk did make them. The 1990s were not a big decade for the sock game. Plain white tees, stonewashed jeans and GAP socks, or NO SOCKS if you were Jamie Thomas. For some reason even in the 2000s when skateboarding was going mainstream with X-Games, energy drink sponsors and Tony Hawk video games...the sock market remained untapped. We don't know why, this remains one of skateboarding's biggest mysteries and is something we may delve into at a future date!

Stance and the age of 'cool socks'

It wasn't until the 2010s that the true legends of the skate sock game were born...Stance Socks. They launched in late 2009 and became an instant smash hit. From that point on skateboard socks were a thing...a pretty big thing! Stance quickly gained popularity for its innovative and stylish designs, as well as its focus on high-quality materials and construction. Stance not only catered to the skateboarding community but also expanded its reach to other sports and fashion markets.

Stance socks were designed to meet the specific needs of skateboarders, providing comfort, support, and durability. They incorporated advanced technologies such as reinforced cushioning, moisture-wicking materials, and seamless toe closures. Stance socks began to sponsor many of the top professional skateboarders, and the brand's collaborations with top riders helped solidify its reputation in the skateboarding world.

The success of Stance socks inspired other skate brands to enter the market with their own lines of skateboard-specific socks. Companies like Polar, HUF, Nike SB, Vans, and adidas Skateboarding began producing socks tailored to the needs of skateboarders. These brands often collaborated with professional skateboarders and artists to create unique and eye-catching designs, the the 'cool sock' become a staple on skate shop shelves.