How Much Sweat Does Your Socks Absorb

Summer's the perfect time to hit the trails, soak up some sun at the beach (with SPF, of course), and hang out at the park, but with all the perks of hot weather comes one particularly annoying problem: sweaty feet. Whether your feet are burning up in your hiking boots or slip-sliding out of your flip-flops, overly-moist feet can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially if they start to stink.

So, why must your feet sweat so much? "Interestingly, our feet have more sweat glands per inch than anywhere else in our body and each foot contains a whopping 125,000 sweat glands," says Danielle DesPrés, D.P.M., a board-certified podiatrist and instructor in the department of medicine at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York City.

During the warmer months, the temperature's turned up, which makes your feet more prone to sweating in order to release moisture to cool down your body. But this can also happen any time of year, and your choice of footwear or socks could be to blame, as materials that trap in heat lead to more sweating.

While it may feel like an issue you're condemned to put up with, there are many ways to dial down your sweat production to keep your feet cool and dry, starting with the expert tips below.

1. Choose the right shoes.

Unfortunately, some of the trendiest picks for summer shoes—like strappy leather sandals, colorful rubber sneakers, and plastic slip-ons—trap in heat, resulting in extra-sweaty feet. In order to keep your feet dry, you don't have to avoid these materials altogether, but you do want to make sure they're breathable.

What to do: Opt for sneakers with air mesh toppers and sandals with minimal upper material for plenty of airflow like Havianas or Crocs, suggests Nelya Lobkova, D.P.M., a board-certified surgical podiatrist and founder of Step Up Footcare in Tribeca, New York City. Naturally porous soles made from cork or jute can also help keep your feet cool, she says.

2. And leave some wiggle room.

Too-tight shoes aren't just uncomfortable—they also increase the chances that you'll end up with sloshy, sweaty feet inside. "If your toes are squished inside your shoes, that will reduce the air flow to them and keep the temperature higher, especially between your toes," explains Dr. DesPrés. To avoid turning your shoes into a steamer, make sure your feet have enough breathing room.

3. Stock up on moisture-wicking socks.

Although cotton is one of the most common materials for socks, it's actually one of the worst for keeping your feet dry because it doesn't absorb moisture without becoming (and staying) soaked, says Dr. DesPrés. While it might sound counterintuitive, wool socks are your best bet for cool and dry feet in the summertime, as wool wicks away moisture to prevent your feet from becoming soggy and wet, she says. For sweat-free feet, opt for socks made from merino wool or synthetic blends. Smartwool, Darn Tough, PEDS Coolmax, and R-Gear Drymax all fit the bill.

4. Carry around some back-up socks.

If you find yourself with sweaty, smelly feet halfway through a busy workday, there's a simple solution: Keep a second pair of socks on hand so you can change them out, says Gary A. Pichney, D.P.M., a board-certified surgical podiatrist at the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

5. Switch up your shoes.

Everyone has their favorite pair of go-to shoes in the summertime, but constantly-worn sneaks allow the fungus that causes sweaty, stinky, and itchy feet to thrive. For dry and funk-free feet, treat yourself to an additional pair of tennis shoes and sandals, and change them up every day. It's simple: Cycling through different shoes allows for each pair to thoroughly air and dry out, says Dr. DesPrés.

6. Invest in a shoe dryer.

If frequent trail runs or pick-up soccer games often leave your kicks drenched (and you need them, like, tomorrow), consider purchasing a shoe dryer. Dr. Pichney swears by the Peet Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer. "It's a fabulous way to treat shoes that often hold moisture," he says.

The Best Products to Stop Sweaty Feet

Women's Coolmax Low Cut Sock

The Original 2-Shoe Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer

Odor Control Foot Powder

Arm & Hammer bedbathandbeyond.com

$5.29

Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant

Certain Dri amazon.com

$5.67

7. Sprinkle on foot powder.

Deodorants and talc-free foot powders can help absorb sweat from your feet, and there are numerous over-the-counter solutions you can try out, says Dr. Lobkova. She recommends the Arm & Hammer Foot Powder, which contains a powerful combination of baking soda and cornstarch.

8. Roll on relief.

For chronically sweaty feet, grab an antiperspirant from your local drugstore (we recommend Certain-Dri) label it "feet," and rub it on the soles of your feet, in between your toes, and on your shoes, too, suggests Dr. Pichney. Sure, it might feel awkward at first, but over-the-counter antiperspirants can stop your feet from becoming sweaty in the first place by blocking your sweat ducts with metallic salts. If that doesn't cut it, you can also ask your doctor about a prescription-strength antiperspirant such as Drysol.

9. Stay hydrated.

When you're busy running around all summer, it's easy to drink too little water and find yourself sweating even more to keep your body temperature in check, says Dr. Lobkova. While eight glasses of water a day is a good rule of thumb, just how much water you need can vary vastly depending on what you're doing and how hot it is outside, so keep a big water bottle on hand and drink up whenever you feel thirsty.

10. Ask for professional help.

If you leave footprints everywhere you go (and you didn't just step out of the pool) or your socks are drenched (even though you've had the A/C running all day), you may have hyperhidrosis, a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. Nearly 5% of the world's population has hyperhidrosis, and numerous treatments like topical medications, prescription-strength antiperspirants, and Botox injections can help cut down on sweaty feet (and hands!) all year long, per the International Hyperhidrosis Society.

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Lauren Krouse Lauren Krouse is a freelance writer who covers health, domestic violence, and self-advocacy.

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How Much Sweat Does Your Socks Absorb

Source: https://www.prevention.com/health/a32969811/how-to-stop-sweaty-feet/

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