The humble sock does more to keep service members safe and healthy than most realize. From reducing pain to preventing disease, socks continually prove why they are an essential piece of every military uniform.

1. Socks Prevent Foot Infections

Wearing the same socks for days in damp, humid environments creates a paradise for harmful bacteria and hell for deployed troops. The best example of how crusty, moist socks can hurt a service member down line is a historical one–trench foot.

Trench foot killed 20,000 soldiers during World War I, and thousands more had their feet amputated to stop the spread of the disease.

While trench foot may be a thing of the past, the lessons it taught about foot health remain vital. Wearing clean pairs of moisture-wicking socks with your military uniform that keep feet warm and dry are the best way to prevent modern foot infections.

Sock brands like THORLO now design their products to specifically prevent foot-related maladies.

“[Socks] wick moisture away from the foot, creating a healthier foot environment and making it difficult for the athlete’s foot fungus to grow,” the THORLO website’s page on Athelete’s Foot explains.

2. Socks Improve Circulation

Some service members spend hours standing in a single position, and others are constantly on the move. Both extreme exercise and inactivity put an incredible strain on their feet. Luckily, it only takes some well-designed hosiery to keep feet feeling good even after standing stock still for hours.

“A dynamic foot moving around in a static shoe is often a recipe for pain; the repetitive stress and trauma from walking, running and standing on hard surfaces such as concrete also cause or contribute to pain and discomfort,” THORLO explains. “And, as we get older, the protective fat pads on the bottom of the feet wear down, providing less protection against impact.”

Padded socks provide extra support and comfort to prevent wearers from placing undue stress on their feet.

3. Socks Stop Blisters

The worst part of breaking in new combat boots is the painful friction between the foot and the shoe. Excess moisture and friction causes skin to soften, break and blister. One small blister can make every step a painful trial.

“Blisters can expand in width and depth really quickly,” the THORLO site says. “If the damage to the layers goes deep enough, penetrating the areas where blood vessels reside, blood blisters result as the blood vessels are broken and blood infiltrates the spaces between the separating layers.”

Good socks not only provide an extra layer between the shoe and skin, but also move moisture away from the foot. A dry foot that isn’t rubbing against the shoe won’t develop blisters.

Before donning your military uniform, be sure that your chosen socks are equipped to keep your feet comfortable and healthy.