Team USA Socks

[Vapor 0]

A buddy of mine who plays some prep hockey has these cool looking socks, they look like they are polyester, or some sort of different stretchy material, maybe nylon? Team USA is using these socks in the World Juniors. I was wondering if anybody knew who manufactured them, or where I could get a couple pairs.

[Vapor 0]

After some research I found out all about the Nike Swift Technology used in the Team USA and Team Canada uniforms. Below are some pictures and a press release

I know that Nike is a large company, and it will be hard to get my hands on these specific socks. But I was wondering if anybody knew another company who manufactures them or if a retailr stocks them.

Press Release

picture

[Chadd 916]

good luck, the reposnse from the public has been less than positive.

[Vapor 0]

Ive heard bad words about the jerseys, but the socks too?

[shnuggs 0]

Ive heard bad words about the jerseys, but the socks too?

They look like women out there in there tight jerseys and socks. Really funny actually.

I know a guy who will custom make any socks for you -- but he only makes them in the regular hockey sock material. If you want his email address send me a PM.

Ben

[asdfa 0]

once you see these on the ice, they're not so bad. the public needs to watch the juniors, they look very slick

[Vapor 0]

Ive heard bad words about the jerseys, but the socks too?

They look like women out there in there tight jerseys and socks. Really funny actually.

I know a guy who will custom make any socks for you -- but he only makes them in the regular hockey sock material. If you want his email address send me a PM.

Ben

I can get custom socks made, I just want to know what material these socks are and where I can get them. I dont care if there black.

[Chadd 916]

Ive heard bad words about the jerseys, but the socks too?

Yeah, evidently they feel just as tight as they look.

[Vapor 0]

they cant be tighter than the philly express polymesh socks I swear now.

[BK 0]

yay.. I always knew that spandex would make a comeback..

I didn't think it would be in the form of hockey socks. **maybe anclewarmers will make a comeback too for lacrosse**

Honestly, I think I will just stick with my traditional socks. I am not a big fan of some of the changes that NikeBauer are trying to make. I guess that I am too traditional when it comes to hockey.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

The funny thing is, tighter-fitting NHL jerseys have been in the works since RBK picked up the contract.

[Project_2501 0]

I much prefer tighter-fitting jerseys, as long as everything is the right length. Nothing annoys me more than too-short sleeves.

[Chadd 916]

The funny thing is, tighter-fitting NHL jerseys have been in the works since RBK picked up the contract.

If not for the mountain of existing product we would have seen the new onesby now I bet.

[Quintin 16]

Could somebody tell me when did speed skaters replace hockey players?

[Vapor 0]

aerodynamics matter

[Chadd 916]

aerodynamics matter

Not nearly enough to make a difference in hockey.

[Vapor 0]

every second counts

[Rustybender 0]

Aerodynamics are not are not going to save you more than a second or two over the course of an entire game. I'm sure NBH can show you graphs from 50mph wind tunnel tests about how much less drag those socks create. But hockey players don't move that fast. I seem to remember an old all star skills comp where they had a fastest skater competition (not sure if they still do that) and the winner was under 30mph. And I think we can agree that a player does not spend most of his time going full speed.

At the speed a hockey player typically moves, there really isn't that much drag. And what drag there is, is mostly from moving a human sized object through the air, not from a pair of snug fitting knit hockey socks. If hockey players moved at 30+ mph all game long, then you might see some benefits from those new socks, but they don't.

Tighter jerseys would have a larger impact, but even that is still going to be miniscule.

These socks and jerseys are an attempt to change the look of the game disguised as a performance enhancement. A "sheep in wolfs clothing" if you will...

In all honesty, I'd be more open to the tighter fitting stuff if they would just keep the stripes more traditional. (read: horizontal)

[hockechamp14 0]

I was watching the US game today on center ice, and you start not to notice it as much and adjust after the first period. When they zoomed in after the whistle and on replays you did notice of course, but after a while they didn't make a big difference, I just wish everyone would wear the same things so the US and Canada don't look like idiots.

[asdfa 0]

i like the new look personally, though the vertical stripes are retarded. i see less tape wrapped around shin pads with the tight socks around... maybe it's a cost cutting measure ;)

also, the new jerseys seem a lot more breathable than old, especially since they have huge vents around the armpits and stuff, overall, it doesn't look that much different from regular jerseys when you watch it on TV. for example, when canada played switzerland, their jerseys/socks didn't really make them stand out (neither did their play <_< ).

[Vapor 0]

IM JOKING. Obviously tighter fiting socks arent going to do a thing, but that you for your analysis. I love the look. Somebody, please, find out where I can buy the socks, not even the Team USA socks, just that type of sock. I bought a home and away jersey already.

[jere26 5]

I also watched the US/FIN game today and I thought the unis looked great.

Generally speaking, in most sports and "extreme" professions (think military, flying, firefighting, scuba diving, auto racing etc.) there have always been passionate individuals (or companies) that have applied outside the box thinking when trying to improve their tools, methods, and workwear in a way that allows them to beat the competition or improve work conditions and safety. There were probably some old-timers that scoffed when hard plastic football helmets came on the scene. Some hockey players probably swore they would never give up their wood sticks. Also, didn't some NASCAR guys not want to use the tethered helmet safety system until Dale Earnhardt died?

This will obviously be yet another matter of personal opinion, but in the end, what works will survive and be widely copied. If it doesn't sell, the market will settle the matter fairly quickly. Just my two cents.

[IGO2XS 0]

Im sick of it. Everytime Nike buys there way into a market they try to reinvent the wheel. I think they suck. Everytime they put the swoosh on something they immediately want respect. None here! I work in the golf world and they have tried this crap there too. New younger market? Yea right. They have some great ideas but somewhere in the mix things go to the crapper in a big way. Two examples from each. Golf: The first pair of tiger woods shoes and the ignite. Hockey: The new gloves and how about those socks? Its kind of funny really. I cant think of a faster way to piss away money. Maybe they should get into shuffle board? I mean something they really know a lot about, something the company has been with for many years so they can really show everyone whats hip. They ought to just give the company back to Bauer.

Sorry to vent but someone has to tell it like it is. G

[Vapor 0]

what is wrong with pushing newtechnologies and being the spark to innovation?

[matt 0]

I think these socks are made of the same material as the socks that whitebear produces. This company is quite succesfull at making custom team outfits at least in Germany.

http://www.whitebear.de/

So I don't think nike has been as inventive as they think they are