Why Soccer Players Are Cutting Holes in Their Socks: Empulse to the Rescue

Watch any A-League, Matildas or Socceroos match closely and you will spot it: players with the foot cut clean off their team sock, a shorter grip sock showing underneath, and the cut sock pulled back down over the top. It looks strange until you know why it happens. Team socks are thin, offer no grip on the sole, and let the foot slide inside the boot. Grip socks fix that, but most players still need their club colour on show, so they cut and layer. It is now standard practice from grassroots to international level.

Why players cut their socks

The problem sits with the standard team sock, not the player. Most club and league socks are made for colour and budget, not performance. They are thin, smooth on the sole, and do nothing to stop the foot moving inside the boot during a sprint, a cut, or a sudden stop. That movement causes blisters, robs players of precise ball contact, and pulls focus away from the game.

A grip sock solves the sliding problem directly. Silica gel pads across the sole lock the foot against the boot's insole, so the foot and boot move as one unit instead of sliding against each other. The catch is that most clubs require a specific sock colour for match day, and grip socks do not always come in club colours. So players cut the foot off their team sock, wear a grip sock underneath for traction, and pull the cut sock back over the top for colour. Two problems solved with one simple trick.

What actually makes a grip sock work

Not every grip sock performs the same way. The variable that matters most is how the silica gel is placed and how dense it is across the sole. A well-made grip sock locks the whole foot, heel to forefoot, through a full sprint or change of direction. A cheap one shifts under load and the grip becomes inconsistent right when you need it most.

The Empulse Grip Socks Pro range uses high-density silica pads across the full sole and comes in eight colourways from $16.98, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified with a seamless toe for repeated training use. The Grip Socks Elite covers adult and kids sizing in core club colours at the same price point, while the El Toro steps it up with over-the-calf compression built in, so players get grip and compression support in a single sock for $19.98.

Browse the full lineup on the Grip Socks Pro collection and Grip Socks Elite collection pages, or see everything in one place on the Grip Socks collection.

Compression socks compared: Nike, Adidas and Empulse

Grip socks solve the sliding problem on match day. Compression socks do a different job: graduated compression supports circulation during long training blocks and speeds up recovery afterwards. Plenty of club players run both, grip socks inside the boot for the game, compression socks for recovery the next morning.

Empulse stocks genuine compression socks from Nike and Adidas, supplied through accredited vendors, alongside the Empulse-branded El Toro compression range. Here is how the three compare:

Brand	Product	Price	Best for
Empulse	El Toro Knee-High Compression Socks	$17.98	Budget-friendly graduated compression in club colours, kids and adult sizing
Nike	Classic II OTC Compression Socks	$20.00	The standard over-the-calf match and training sock, kids and adult
Adidas	Milano 23 Compression Socks	$20.00	Club-level match sock with AEROREADY moisture-wicking, kids and adult

The Nike Classic II OTC Compression Sock is the most common sight on Australian pitches, a reliable over-the-calf match sock built for both training and game day, available in kids and adult sizing.

The Adidas Milano 23 is the equivalent club-level pick from Adidas, using AEROREADY moisture-wicking fabric to keep feet dry through a full match.

For clubs on a tighter budget, the Empulse El Toro Compression Sock delivers the same graduated compression at a lower price point, in navy, white and black. All three brands sit side by side on the Compression Socks collection page, and the full grip and compression range is on the Grip & Compression Socks collection.

For a deeper look at when to reach for grip versus compression, read Grip Socks vs Compression Socks: What Your Team Needs, and for a sock built specifically for Australian match conditions, see El Toro Compression Socks: Built for Australian Soccer Conditions.

What about junior players?

Kids deal with the same sliding problem, often made worse because boots are bought slightly large to allow for growth. The Grip Socks Elite Kids range in white, black and blue uses the same silica grip technology as the adult range, sized from US 3 to 6Y. For more detail, see our guides Kids Grip Socks Australia: The Complete Guide for Parents and Grip Socks for Adults and Kids: What to Know.

How to set up the cut sock correctly

Cut straight across the team sock just above the ankle, through the heel section. The cut edge does not need finishing or sewing. Pull the grip sock on first so the silica pads sit correctly against the sole, then pull the cut team sock down over the calf so the club colour shows. The grip sock's foot stays exposed inside the boot, where the grip actually matters, while the team colour requirement is met above the ankle.

Done this way, most players get through a full season on one or two pairs of grip socks, since the silica pads wear evenly with normal use rather than taking the full load of a worn-out team sock.

Friction is also the root cause of most foot blisters in sport, and properly fitted, moisture-wicking socks are one of the simplest ways to reduce it, according to Victoria's Better Health Channel.

Frequently asked questions

Why do soccer players cut the foot off their socks?
To wear a grip sock underneath for traction inside the boot, while still meeting their club's sock colour requirement by pulling the cut team sock back over the top.

Do I need grip socks or compression socks?
Grip socks stop your foot sliding inside the boot during play. Compression socks support circulation and recovery, particularly after hard training. Many players use both for different purposes.

Can I get grip socks in my club's colours?
The Empulse Grip Socks Pro and Elite ranges cover the most common club colours. If you need an exact match, the cut-sock method lets you wear any grip sock underneath your existing team sock.

What is the difference between Nike, Adidas and Empulse compression socks?
All three offer graduated over-the-calf compression in kids and adult sizing. Nike and Adidas are genuine branded product with their own fabric technology, while the Empulse El Toro range delivers the same compression benefit at a lower price point.

Are grip socks suitable for kids?
Yes. The Grip Socks Elite Kids range uses the same silica grip technology as the adult range, sized for junior feet.

Empulse has been kitting out Australian clubs, schools and gyms with grip and compression socks for years, and we know what actually holds up over a full season on the pitch. Shop the range below or get in touch if you need help sizing a squad order.