WO2009066269A1

WO2009066269A1 - Sock

Info

Publication number: WO2009066269A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/054913
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Malul; Zaid Ibirahim; Avi Cohen
Original assignee: Delta Galil Industries Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-11-22
Filing date: 2008-11-23
Publication date: 2009-05-28

Abstract

There is provided herein a sock, including a main area and a toe area, wherein the toe area comprises a front edge arranged in a multiple-step configuration and at least a first section and a second section, wherein the toe area is adapted to reduce textile material tension upon wearing the sock. There is further provided herein a garment, including a sock, the sock including a main area and a toe area, wherein the toe area comprises a front edge arranged in a multiple-step configuration and at least a first section and a second section, wherein the toe area is adapted to reduce textile material tension upon wearing the sock.

Description

SOCK

FIELD

The invention relates to garments.

BACKGROUND

A sock is a knitted garment generally used to cover a human foot and, optionally, the lower part of a leg. Socks are typically worn with shoes, usually with the purpose of absorbing moisture and sweat produced by the foot, and/or reducing friction between the foot and the shoe. Optionally, socks may be worn to provide the foot with reasonable protection from ambient conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Socks are often made of cotton, wool, acrylic, polyester, nylon, lycra, silk or other materials, and come in many colors, patterns, and/or shapes. They may be worn by men, women, children, toddlers or infants. They are generally designed according to the environment in which they will be worn, for example, a sports environment, a formal dress environment, a casual dress environment, a work environment, or any other type of environment comprising the wearing of socks.

Commercially, sock production usually includes the use of circular knitting machines comprising needles mounted on a single cylinder or a double cylinder. The cylinder spins and the needles interlock loops of yarn, producing a substantially tube-shaped textile with openings at both ends. One of the openings is then sewn or stitched together along a toe seam to form a toe area. The toe area is generally shaped to substantially conform to the pointed-like shape of the front of the foot.

SUMMARY

Despite the numerous types and designs of socks known in the art, socks manufacturers are continuously seeking for ways to provide consumers with socks which satisfy consumer demands for fashion, yet offer other characteristics such as durability, protection, sweat absorption, rash or irritation prevention, and the like.

A problem typically encountered in socks is the formation of a tear in the toe area, generally in, or in the proximity of, a front edge of a sock. The tear, which usually resembles a hole, and which may optionally comprise a plurality of holes, is usually produced by repeated rubbing of stretched textile in the front edge against an inner front of a shoe during walking. Frequently, as a consequence of the tear, a toe, which may comprise more than one toe, is exposed to the inner front of the shoe, occasionally resulting in injury to the toe as a result of direct rubbing between the toe and the inner front.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing a sock comprising a toe area, which may comprise a combination of knit colors, knit materials, and/or knit properties, and which is substantially resistant to tear.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a toe area divided into two or more sections, each section substantially defined by an approximate width of a toe, or optionally the approximate width of two or more toes, and a length extending from a toe seam to the end of the longest toe comprised in the section. Each section may be characterized by a different knit color, knit material, knit pattern and/or knit property. Knit material may comprise natural yarns such as cotton and wool yarns; man-made yarns such as viscose yarns; synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon and polypropylene yarns and the like; and/or other yarn compositions including any combination and ratios of materials. Knit property may comprise elasticity, strength, thickness or any other physical property exhibited by the yarn, or plurality of yarns, used in the knit material. More information regarding knitting a sock and/or a toe area comprising sections, wherein the sections may be characterized by similar or different knit color, knit material, knit pattern, and/or knit property, is described in US Provisional Application Number 60/868,183 "A SOCK HAVING ADVANCED TOE AND HEEL AREAS", incorporated herein by reference.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a front edge formed in a step-like configuration, comprising two or more steps. Each step corresponds to a section, the highest step corresponding to the section comprising the hallux, or big toe, and the second toe, and the lowest step corresponding to the section comprising the small toe. The step-like configuration of the front edge allows for a substantial reduction in stretching of the textile in, or in the proximity of, the front edge, thereby substantially reducing the probability of tear in the toe area. In an embodiment of the invention, a right sock and a left sock each comprise a toe area divided into two sections, the right sock toe area a "mirror image" of the left sock toe area. In another embodiment of the invention, the right sock toe area and left sock toe area each comprise three sections, the right sock toe area a "mirror image" of the left sock toe area. Alternatively, the right sock toe area and left sock toe area may each comprise four sections, the right sock toe area a "mirror image" of the left sock toe area. In some embodiments of the invention, the right sock toe area and the left sock toe area may not be mirror images of each other, for example, when a user has feet of different shapes and/or sizes, or when socks with different characteristics are otherwise required.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a sock including a main area and a toe area, wherein the toe area comprises a front edge arranged in a multiple-step configuration and at least a first section and a second section, wherein the toe area is adapted to reduce textile material tension upon wearing the sock.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a garment including a sock, the sock including a main area and a toe area, wherein the toe area comprises a front edge arranged in a multiple-step configuration and at least a first section and a second section, wherein the toe area is adapted to reduce textile material tension upon wearing the sock.

The term "multiple" may include any number from 2 and up, for example, 2, 3 or 4.

The main area and the toe area may be connected by a seam. The first section of the toe area may have a first length sufficient to cover the longest toe intended to be covered by the first section. The second section of the toe area may have a second length sufficient to cover the longest toe intended to be covered by the second section. The first section of the toe area may have a first knit property. The second section of the toe area may have a second, different, knit property. The knit property may include a knit property selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, thickness, and a physical property exhibited by a yarn used in a knit material. The first section of the toe area may have a first knit color. The second section of the toe area may have a second, different, knit color. The first section of the toe area may have a first knit pattern, and the second section of the toe area may have a second, different, knit pattern. The first section of the toe area may be formed of a first knit material, and the second section of the toe area may be formed of a second, different, knit material. The first and second knit materials may be selected from the group consisting of: a natural yarn, cotton, wool, a man-made yarn, a viscose yarn, a synthetic yarn, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and a yarn composition. The knit pattern, material and/or type of the first second may be the same or different from that of the second (third and/or forth) section.

The first section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, and the second section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a third toe, a fourth toe, and a smallest toe.

The toe area may further include a third section arranged in the multiple-step configuration. The first section of the toe may be adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe; the second section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a third toe, and the third section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a fourth toe and a smallest toe.

The toe area may further include a fourth section arranged in the multiple-step configuration. The first section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe; the second section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a third toe, the third section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a fourth toe, and the fourth section of the toe area may be adapted to cover a smallest toe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Examples illustrative of embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to figures attached hereto. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The figures are listed below.

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock known in the art;

Figure 2a schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock, including a toe area comprising a first section, a second section, and a front edge in a two-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2b schematically shows a top plan of an exemplary toe area comprising a first section, a second section, and a front edge in a two-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 a schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock, including a toe area comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, and a front edge in a three-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3b schematically shows a top plan of an exemplary toe area comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, and a front edge in a three-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4a schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock, including a toe area comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, a fourth section, and a front edge in a four-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4b schematically shows a top plan of an exemplary toe area comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, a fourth section, and a front edge in a four-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made to Figure 1 , which schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock 100 known in the art. Exemplary sock 100 is adapted to be worn on the right foot of a user, although it may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the description provided herein for sock 100 is equally applicable to a sock adapted to be worn on the left foot. Generally, the sock adapted to be worn on the left foot is a mirror image of sock 100. Sock 100 may be divided into two areas, a toe area 106 and a main area 102. When sock 100 is worn, the foot is generally first inserted through an opening 110 and through the tube-shaped main area 102 until the toes reach toe area 105 and abut a front edge

108 of sock 100. Usually, the textile in, or in the proximity of, front edge 108 is tightly stretched over the ends of the toes so as to avoid possible discomfort when the foot is inside the shoe.

Toe area 105 comprises an area substantially surrounding or covering the toes of a user's foot when sock 100 is worn, and includes a top area 106 and a bottom area (not shown). Top area 106 extends from a toe seam 104 forming a border with the main area 102, to front edge

108 along the top of the toes. Bottom area extends under the toes to intersect top side 106 along front edge 108, substantially enclosing the toes.

Reference is made to Figure 2a, which schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock 200, including a toe area 205 comprising a first section 201, a second section 203, and a front edge 208 in a two-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and to Figure 2b, which schematically shows a top plan of the exemplary toe area 205 comprised in sock 200 of Figure 2a, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Sock 200 comprises toe area 205 and a tube-shaped main area 290. Main area 290 may be similar to main area 102 comprised in sock 100 shown in Figure 1. Sock 200 is intended to fit a right foot of a user. It will be understood by persons of skill in the art that the present description applies also to a sock that may fit the left foot of a user, the toe area of the left sock a mirror image of toe area 205 described herein. In other embodiments, a pair of socks may include a left toe area and a right toe area that are not identical mirror images of each other — for example, when a user has feet of different shapes and/or sizes, or when socks with different characteristics are otherwise required.

Toe area 205 extends from a toe seam 204 and substantially surrounds or covers the toes of a user when the user's foot is inserted in a sock. Toe area 205 includes first section 201 and second section 203 which is marked in Fig. 2a by virtual border 230, each section characterized by a particular knit style and/or material, such as knit color, knit material, knit pattern, and/or knit property. The knit style and/or material of any two sections (adjacent or non-adjacent) in a toe area (for example, first section 201 and second section 203, or any other sections described herein) may be the same or different from each other. Knit material may comprise natural yarns such as cotton and wool yarns; man-made yarns such as viscose yarns; synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon and polypropylene yarns and the like; and/or other yarn compositions including any combination and ratios of materials. Knit property may comprise elasticity, strength, thickness or any other physical property exhibited by the yarn, or plurality of yarns, used in the knit material. In some embodiments of the invention, first section 201 and second section 203 may be characterized by the same knit color, knit material, knit pattern and/or knit property.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, each section is of a length which covers the longest toe to be comprised in the particular section. The following is an example of a possible arrangement of how the toes are arranged in the first and the second sections. It will be clear to those of skill in the art that there are many possibilities and combinations as to how the toes may be comprised in the sections of toe area 205.

First section 201, which substantially covers the hallux and the second toe, is of a length Il which is the length required to cover the second toe which is longer compared to the hallux. Second section 203, which substantially covers the remaining toes in the foot not covered by first section 201, is of a length 12 which is the length required to cover the third toe, which is the longest toe among the remaining toes. In some embodiments of the invention, first section 201 may comprise only the hallux in which case Il is of a length sufficient to cover the hallux, and second section 203 may additionally comprise the second toe, in which case 12 is of a length sufficient to cover the second toe.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, front edge 208 is formed in a two- step configuration comprising a higher front edge second step 211, corresponding to the front edge of the first section, and a lower front edge first step 213, corresponding to the front edge of the second section. The steps are joined by a front edge segment 212, adapted to serve as a spring, substantially reducing tension in the textile material in, or in the proximity of, front edge 208. This results in a substantial reduction in the probability of tear in toe area 205.

Virtual border 230 may be positioned between the second toe and the third toe. In some embodiments of the invention, virtual border 230 may not correspond with the location of the user's toes, but rather may serve as a boundary between different knitting arrangements comprised in the toe area. It will be clear to those of skill in the art that there are many possibilities and combinations as pertains to the position of virtual border 230 within toe area 205. 054913

Reference is made to Figure 3a, which schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock 300, including a first section 301, a second section 303, a third section 307, and a front edge 308 in a three-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and to Figure 3b, which schematically shows a top plan of the exemplary toe area 305 comprised in sock 300 of Figure 3 a, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Sock 300 comprises the toe area 305 and a tube-shaped main area 390. Main area 390 may be similar to main area 102 comprised in sock 100, shown in Figure 1. Sock 300 is intended to fit a right foot of a user. It will be understood by persons of skill in the art that the present description applies also to a sock that may fit the left foot of a user, the toe area of the left sock a mirror image of toe area 305, described herein. In other embodiments, a pair of socks may include a left toe area and a right toe area that are not identical mirror images of each other — for example, when a user has feet of different shapes and/or sizes, or when socks with different characteristics are otherwise required.

Toe area 305 extends from a toe seam 304 and substantially surrounds or covers the toes of a user when the user's foot is inserted in a sock. Toe area 305 is divided into first section 301 and second section 303 by a virtual border 330 and into a third section 307 by a virtual border 331, each section characterized by a particular knit style and/or material, such as knit color, knit material, knit pattern, and/or knit property. The knit style and/or material of any two sections (adjacent or non-adjacent) in a toe area (for example, any of first section 301, second section 303, third section 307 or any other sections described herein) may be the same or different from each other. Knit material may comprise natural yarns such as cotton and wool yarns; man-made yams such as viscose yarns; synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon and polypropylene yarns and the like; and/or other yarn compositions including any combination and ratios of materials. Knit property may comprise elasticity, strength, thickness or any other physical property exhibited by the yarn, or plurality of yarns, used in the knit material. In some embodiments of the invention, first section 301, second section 303, and third section 307 may be characterized by the same knit color, knit material, knit pattern and/or knit property.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, each section is of a length which covers the longest toe to be comprised in the particular section. The following is an example of a possible arrangement of how the toes are arranged in the first, second and third sections. It will be clear to those of skill in the art that there are many possibilities and combinations as to how the toes may be distributed among the sections of toe area 305. 054913

First section 301, which substantially covers the hallux and the second toe, is of a length 11 which is the length required to cover the second toe which is longer compared to the hallux. Second section 303, which substantially covers the third toe in the foot, is of a length 12 which is the length required to cover the third toe, which is the longest toe comprised in second section 303. Third section 307, which substantially covers the fourth toe and the smallest toe, is of a length 13 which is the length required to cover the fourth toe, which is the longest toe among the fourth and fifth toes. In some embodiments of the invention, first section 301 may comprise only the hallux, in which case Il is of a length sufficient to cover the hallux; second section 303 may additionally comprise the second toe, in which case 12 is of a length sufficient to cover the second toe, and third section 307 may comprise only the smallest toe, in which case 13 is of sufficient length to cover the smallest toe (fourth toe is then comprised in second section 303).

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, front edge 308 is formed in a three-step configuration comprising a highest front edge third step 311, corresponding to the front edge of the first section, a lower front edge first step 313, corresponding to the front edge of the second section, and a lowest front edge third step 315, corresponding to the front edge of the third section. The steps are joined by front edge segments 312 and 314, respectively, adapted to serve as springs, substantially reducing tension in the textile material in, or in the proximity of, front edge 308. This results in a substantial reduction in the probability of tear in toe area 305.

Virtual borders 330 and 331 define the borders between first section 301 and second section 303, and between second section 303 and third section 307, respectively. Referring to the previous example, virtual borders 330 and 331 are positioned between the second toe and the third toe, and between the third toe and fourth toe, respectively. In some embodiments of the invention, virtual borders 330 and 331 may not correspond with the location of the user's toes, but rather may serve as a boundary between different knitting arrangements comprised in the toe area. It will then become apparent to those of skill in the art that there are many possibilities and combinations as pertains to the position of virtual borders 330 and 331 within toe area 305.

Reference is made to Figure 4a, which schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary sock 400, including a toe area 405 comprising a first section 401, a second section 13

403, a third section 407, a fourth section 409, and a front edge 408 in a four-step configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and to Figure 4b which schematically shows a top plan of the exemplary toe area 405 comprised in sock 400 of Figure 4a, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Sock 400 comprises the toe area 405 and a tube-shaped main area 490. Main area 490 may be similar to main area 102 comprised in sock 100 shown in Figure 1. Sock 400 is intended to fit a right foot of a user. It will be understood by persons of skill in the art that the present description applies also to a sock that may fit the left foot of a user, the toe area of the left sock a mirror image of toe area 405, described herein. In other embodiments, a pair of socks may include a left toe area and a right toe area that are not identical mirror images of each other — for example, when a user has feet of different shapes and/or sizes, or when socks with different characteristics are otherwise required.

Toe area 405 extends from a toe seam 404, and substantially surrounds or covers the toes of a user when the user's foot is inserted in a sock. Toe area 405 is divided into first section 401 and second section 403 by a virtual border 430, into a third section 407 by a virtual border 431, and into a fourth section 409 by a virtual border 433, each section characterized by a particular knit style and/or material, such as knit color, knit material, knit pattern, and/or knit property. The knit style and/or material of any two sections (adjacent or non-adjacent) in a toe area (for example, any of first section 401, second section 403, third section 407, forth section 409 or any other sections described herein) may be the same or different from each other. Knit material may comprise natural yarns such as cotton and wool yarns; man-made yarns such as viscose yarns; synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon and polypropylene yarns and the like; and/or other yarn compositions including any combination and ratios of materials. Knit property may comprise elasticity, strength, thickness or any other physical property exhibited by the yarn, or plurality of yarns, used in the knit material. In some embodiments of the invention, first section 401, second section 403, third section 407, and fourth section 409 may be characterized by the same knit color, knit material, knit pattern and/or knit property.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, each section is of a length which covers the longest toe to be comprised in the particular section. The following is an example of a possible arrangement of how the toes are arranged in the first, second and third sections. It will be clear to those of skill in the art that there are many possibilities and combinations as to how the toes may be distributed among the sections of toe area 405. First section 401, which substantially covers the hallux and the second toe, is of a length // which is the length required to cover the second toe, which is longer compared to the hallux. Second section 403, which substantially covers the third toe in the foot, is of a length 12 which is the length required to cover the third toe, which is the longest toe comprised in second section 403. Third section 407, which substantially covers the fourth toe in the foot, is of a length 13 which is the length required to cover the fourth toe which, is the longest toe comprised in third section 407. Fourth section 409, which substantially covers the smallest toe in the foot, is of a length 14 which is the length required to cover the smallest toe, which is the longest toe comprised in fourth section 409. In some embodiments of the invention, first section 401 may comprise only the hallux, in which case Il is of a length sufficient to cover the hallux; second section 403 may comprise the second toe, in which case 12 is of a length sufficient to cover the second toe; third section 407 may comprise only the third toe, in which case 13 is of sufficient length to cover the third toe; and fourth section 409 may comprise the fourth toe and the smallest toe, in which case 14 is of sufficient length to cover the fourth toe.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, front edge 408 is formed in a four- step configuration comprising a highest front edge third step 411, corresponding to the front edge of the first section, a lower front edge first step 413, corresponding to the front edge of the second section, an intermediate front edge step 415, and a lowest front edge fourth step 417, corresponding to the front edge of the fourth section. The steps are joined by a front edge segment 412, 414, and 416, respectively, adapted to serve as springs, substantially reducing tension in the textile material in, or in the proximity of, front edge 408. This results in a substantial reduction in the probability of tear in toe area 405.

Virtual borders 430, 431 and 433 define the borders between first section 401 and second section 403, between second section 403 and third section 407, and between third section 407 and fourth section 409, respectively. Referring to the previous example, virtual borders 430, 431 and 433 are positioned between the second toe and the third toe, between the third toe and fourth toe, and between the fourth toe and the smallest toe, respectively. In some embodiments of the invention, virtual borders 430, 431 and 433 may not correspond with the location of the user's toes, but rather may serve as a boundary between different knitting arrangements comprised in the toe area. It will then become apparent to those of skill in the art that there are many possibilities and combinations as pertains to the position of virtual borders

430, 431 and 433 within toe area 405. In other embodiments (not shown), a toe area may essentially surround only the top side of the toes or, alternatively, only the bottom side of the toes. In further embodiments (not shown), a toe area may have a more complex pattern. For example, a toe area may surround portion(s) of the top side of the toes and portion(s) of the bottom side of the toes, as well as optionally include further areas of the sock essentially covering other portion(s) of the user's foot.

In the description and claims of embodiments of the present invention, each of the words, "comprise" "include" and "have", and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

The invention has been described using various detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments may comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the invention that are described, and embodiments of the invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments, will occur to persons with skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A sock comprising: a main area and a toe area, wherein the toe area comprises a front edge arranged in a multiple-step configuration and at least a first section and a second section, wherein the toe area is adapted to reduce textile material tension upon wearing the sock.

2. The sock of claim 1, wherein the main area and the toe area are connected by a seam.

3. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first length sufficient to cover the longest toe intended to be covered by the first section, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second length sufficient to cover the longest toe intended to be covered by the second section

4. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first knit property, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second, different, knit property.

5. The sock of claim 4, wherein the knit property comprises a knit property selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, thickness, and a physical property exhibited by a yarn used in a knit material.

6. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first knit color, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second, different, knit color.

7. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first knit pattern, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second, different, knit pattern.

8. The sock of claim 1 , wherein the first section of the toe area is formed of a first knit material, and wherein the second section of the toe area is formed of a second, different, knit material.

9. The sock of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second knit materials is selected from the group consisting of: a natural yarn, cotton, wool, a man-made yarn, a viscose yarn, a synthetic yarn, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and a yarn composition.

10. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first section of the toe area is adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, and wherein the second section of the toe area is adapted to cover a third toe, a fourth toe, and a smallest toe.

11. The sock of claim 1 , wherein the toe area further comprises a third section arranged in the multiple-step.

12. The sock of claim 11, wherein the first section of the toe area is adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, wherein the second section of the toe area is adapted to cover a third toe, and wherein the third section of the toe area is adapted to cover a fourth toe and a smallest toe.

13. The sock of claim 11, wherein the toe area further comprises a fourth section arranged in the multiple-step.

14. The sock of claim 13, wherein the first section of the toe area is adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, wherein the second section of the toe area is adapted to cover a third toe, wherein the third section of the toe area is adapted to cover a fourth toe, and wherein the fourth section of the toe area is adapted to cover a smallest toe.

15. The sock of claim 1, wherein the toe area is substantially tear-resistant.

16. A garment comprising: two socks, each comprising a main area and a toe area, wherein the toe area comprises a front edge arranged in a multiple-step configuration and at least a first section and a second section, wherein the toe area is adapted to reduce textile material tension upon wearing the sock.

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the main area and the toe area are connected by a seam.

18. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first length sufficient to cover the longest toe intended to be covered by the first section, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second length sufficient to cover the longest toe intended to be covered by the second section

19. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first knit property, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second, different, knit property.

20. The garment of claim 19, wherein the knit property comprises a knit property selected from the group consisting of: elasticity, strength, thickness, and a physical property exhibited by a yarn used in a knit material.

21. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first knit color, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second, different, knit color.

22. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first section of the toe area has a first knit pattern, and wherein the second section of the toe area has a second, different, knit pattern.

23. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first section of the toe area is formed of a first knit material, and wherein the second section of the toe area is formed of a second, different, knit material.

24. The garment of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second knit materials is selected from the group consisting of: a natural yarn, cotton, wool, a man-made yarn, a viscose yarn, a synthetic yarn, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and a yarn composition.

25. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first section of the toe area is adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, and wherein the second section of the toe area is adapted to cover a third toe, a fourth toe, and a smallest toe.

26. The garment of claim 16, wherein the toe area further comprises a third section arranged in the multiple-step configuration.

27. The garment of claim 26, wherein the first section of the toe area is adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, wherein the second section of the toe area is adapted to cover a third toe, and wherein the third section of the toe area is adapted to cover a fourth toe and a smallest toe.

28. The garment of claim 26, wherein the toe area further comprises a fourth section arranged in the multiple-step configuration.

29. The garment of claim 28, wherein the first section of the toe area is adapted to cover a hallux and a second toe, wherein the second section of the toe area is adapted to cover a third toe, wherein the third section of the toe area is adapted to cover a fourth toe, and wherein the fourth section of the toe area is adapted to cover a smallest toe.

30. The garment of claim 16, wherein the toe area is substantially tear-resistant.