مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Consumer expectations about socks comfort and performance characteristics

Abstract :

In recent years, garment selection criteria of the consumers have changed to ‘feeling good’ besides ‘looking good’ as a result of increased consciousness about concepts of quality and comfort. Expectations from socks, one of the main components of the foot clothing system, have increased especially for sports and protective clothing areas. In this study, a questionnaire survey study was carried out on a selected consumer group to investigate expectations about daily and functional socks. Questionnaire survey studies are used to determine expectations from a specific garment group and meaning of quality. But in this study, questionnaire was conducted on 279 consumers to find out fabric and socks characteristics related to comfort, socks comfort expectations, main comfort problems and their background about material of the socks. As a result of the study, it was found out that consumers can determine fabric characteristics related to comfort. The most important criteria about socks selection was fit of the socks and thermal comfort problems. Moreover, the most important feet related problems are sweating and sensations felt after sweating such as coolness and dampness. Pressure comfort problems as a result of insufficient elasticity of the fabric are among the main problems related to socks. Consumers’ results show that they consider the material of the socks because of the problems related to thermal comfort, such as sweat absorption and insulation of the socks. The most commonly known socks materials are cotton, wool, bamboo and modal. It can be concluded that, the general tendency about increased comfort expectations of consumers from their garments is valid for also socks.