Football socks - advice needed

[ChocolateBread]

Dd(8) plays football a couple of times a week. But once she has worn football socks more than a couple of times, they get really stiff and very hard to put on (to the extent she needs my help, and it’s hard for me to stretch them enough to get them on).

I can’t buy a size up as she’s at the bottom of her current size range. I’ve tried soaking them in fabric conditioner, but it didn’t seem to make much difference. Is there anything else I can do to keep them soft and flexible?

[PaulaSmith1]

Is this for all of her socks or just one pair? We always put footy socks in the normal wash and never had any trouble.

[ChocolateBread]

All of them! Mostly Sports Direct cheapies but one pair is from a proper team kit.

[WidowTwonky]

Try different brands. We’ve got particular ones which need a fully grown adult to crowbar onto feet but others which remain soft and stretchy.

We have about 6 pairs on the go at the moment

[ChocolateBread]

We’re definitely in crowbar territory Can you recommend any brands that stay soft?

[bombaychef]

Don't out in dryer. Joma and puma def stay soft

[BackforGood]

Odd. It isn't something I've come across with years and years of 3 dc playing. Plenty of cheap Sports Direct Socks but also with the odd posher pair.
I just soak most of the mud off in bucket of cold water first, then wash in a 40degree wash and put on the airer to dry. You can't tumble dry them, and I rarely seem to have enough good weather to line dry.

[WidowTwonky]

These are the best ones we have for training. Cheap from Sports Direct. We have Nike socks with our kits and they’re nowhere near as good

[BrokenWing]

These were the best football socks we ever found for ds. Reasonable padding in the foot and didn't shrink too much.

[ChocolateBread]

Only just found this again - thanks! I did find a pair on ebay which have so far been good. The Sondico ones from Sports Direct are some of the worst for shrinking and getting crunchy. I will try the others that have been recommended, too.

It may be that it is the very hard water here that is the problem, I will try washing with vinegar as well.

[WidowTwonky]

Re the sondico - there are different ones. Make sure you try the elite as they are very soft