For many years hockey socks were generally made from knitted wool, but recently this changed. Companies started trying different things like mesh, but Reebok seemed to hit it dead on. Reebok’s “Edge” line uses their patented “Playdry” fabric and “Bead Away” technology to increase a players performance.
By now you’re probably thinking, “yeah right, like socks can make a difference.” Don’t get me wrong I was very skeptical and very resistant to trying this product too. However, I had a few players on my team highly recommend them. The only thing holding me back was the price. These puppies run around three times the cost of a pair of knit wool socks. I decided to save my money and give this product a try. Let me just say I really didn’t think there was going to be much of a difference and this would be a waste of my money. I figured the socks would breathe a little bit better and soak up less moisture.
When I stepped on the ice and skated some circles for a warm up I giggled a little bit. I was BLOWN AWAY with the difference of this product. Not only did my legs feel like they had been lifted from the burden of the extra few ounces of fabric, but I felt the cold air rushing on my legs… a feeling I never had before while playing on any indoor rink. This feeling lasted through the entirety of the game. I am not the fastest skater, but I seriously felt like my legs had weights taken off of them.
Unlike most players, I use a goalie jock when I play. It’s what I started with and what I have always played with. To be honest I enjoy the extra protection. Since I use a goalie jock I used shin tape wrapped around my thigh twice just under the velcro and it seems to hold the socks up just find throughout an entire game. Everyone else I know uses a jock short similar to Itec or Shock Doctor. The reason why I mention this is that Reebok Edge socks come with a velcro strap on the front, at the top of the sock which eliminates the use of a girdle or shin tape anymore. This could save a decent chunk of change over a season or two. I didn’t want to borrow someone’s jock, so unfortunately I can’t tell you how well the socks stay on when just velcro is holding it to one’s jock. With the velcro on only one side and repeated use, I imagine the hold could weaken over time. Feel free to let me know your experience.
One sightly negative comment about this product is that after only 2 or 3 games I started getting small rips in the socks. Because the socks are so thin, the durability of the product seems to be compromised. Keep in mind, I play in a B-league, so I spend some time falling down, getting tripped, etc. With that said, I may put a little extra wear on the socks.
Needless to say, I was very impressed with this product and would HIGHLY recommend it to any player wanting to improve their game in anyway they can. The price (around $30.00) is pretty steep, but is very worth it.
Just a technicality, the knitted socks aren’t wool (maybe they were “back in the day”), they are polyester, which is why the are so darned hot, but very washable. If they were wool they would actually breathe a lot better (wool tends to be very good for that and is used a lot in high-end sports stuff).
Note, the retail Edge socks are not the same as what is used in the NHL. In the NHL they use Reebok EDGE, it’s about twice as thick and more durable…though it does cut a lot more easily as knit socks. I would never wear retail Edge socks, especially when you can find NHL EDGE socks on eBay for about the same price.
Traditional tube knit sock are made from a poly/cotton blend, not wool and not polyester. The cotton allows them to breathe while the polyester gives them durability.