US20050155137A1

US20050155137A1 - Clog sock

Info

Publication number: US20050155137A1
Application number: US10/757,824
Authority: US
Inventors: Carol Berger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-15
Filing date: 2004-01-15
Publication date: 2005-07-21

Abstract

A foot covering for enclosing a wearer's foot and ankle to facilitate wearing footwear lacking a heel enclosure. The sock includes a first fabric layer having respective forefoot, instep and heel portions covering the wearer's foot in a thin elastic material having a transition seam circumferentially disposed across the instep portion. A second fabric of thick material is disposed in overlying relation proximal of the wearer's upper instep, heel and ankle. The second fabric extends distally from the transition seam across the instep portion of the wearer's foot, to an ankle portion of thick material extending a sufficient length above the heel to encircle the wearer's ankle. The thin first fabric layer enclosing the forefoot minimizes stretching of the toe enclosure of clog shoes or sandals, and the thick second fabric covers the wearer's upper instep, heel and ankle for warmth and/or support while wearing clog shoes or sandals.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a foot covering for use with footwear having open heel portions. More particularly, this invention pertains to a sock including a transition of fabric from a lesser thickness for the forefoot portion to a greater thickness along a heel and ankle portion of the sock.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior foot coverings include knitted materials worn to cover the toe portion of the foot as a sleeve lacking a heel portion. Typical toe protector socks include seamless or circular knit construction lacking longitudinal extending seams but providing cushioned sole portions in order to reduce chaffing of the skin surfaces of the toes and forefoot. Toe protector socks that lack a heel portion or a heel strap can slid or twist relative to the foot within the user's shoe during walking or running. Prior attempts to reduce sliding or twisting of toe protector socks include use of a heel or an ankle strap extended from the mid-foot portion of the toe protector sock. The heel or ankle strap may not be aesthetically pleasing to the wearer when toe protector socks are worn with clog shoes or sandals lacking a heel enclosure.
Additional foot coverings include leisure wear stockings having a foot portion of knit materials extending between a thick, reinforced toe and heel section, and having a lower leg portion of various patterns of knit materials to provide a decorative effect to the sock leg portion worn by the wearer. Prior leisure wear stockings having a reinforced toe portion may provide crowding and cramping of the toes of a wearer and/or stretching of the forefoot portion of leather clog shoes or sandals having a closed toe portion. Leisure wear stockings having thick, reinforced toe and heel portions may not be aesthetically pleasing to the wearer when the stockings are worn with clog shoes lacking a heel enclosure or sandals having an open toe box, an instep strap, and lacking a heel enclosure.
Knit athletic socks are available having a sole portion extended between a toe section and a heel section, with the sole section having internal-facing terry loops to form a cushion within the sock. The cushion layer provides a thicker base portion of the sock compared to the ankle portion and/or the sock portion stretched over the instep. In order to facilitate cooling of the foot while exercising and to encourage evaporation of moisture from the foot, knit athletic socks can include a breathable instep panel adjacent the sole section and positioned around the upper portion of a foot during wear. The instep panel of an athletic sock can be composed of a blend of material that is thinner than the sole portion. Prevalent designs of athletic socks include a thicker material for the toe, sole and heel portions of the sock in order to cushion the foot and to provide long-life when utilized in strenuous athletic events. The thicker material for the toe, sole and heel portions of athletic socks can provide squeezing or cramping of the toes of a wearer and will induce stretching of the forefoot portion of leather clog shoes or closed toe sandals when athletic socks are worn therewith.
Therapeutic socks are available having different knit patterns with varying degrees of thickness and elasticity in order to provide leg muscle support and compression of portions of an ankle or foot that may suffer from pooling of fluids. Typical therapeutic socks include a sole section and an arch section having thick base materials such as terry cloth material. The instep, ankle, and/or leg portions of a therapeutic sock include elastic yarn having a tighter knit that provides greater pressure against portions of the foot, ankle and leg in order to increase the pressure on the foot and limb during walking or running to stimulate venous blood to circulate from the foot to the heart. Thick base materials of the sole and arch sections, and the elastic yarn and tight knit materials of the instep portion of therapeutic socks will induce stretching of the forefoot portion of leather clog shoes or closed toe sandals when therapeutic socks are worn therewith.
A concealed sock is available for wearing with boat shoes and dress shoes in order to minimize display of the ankle side portions of the sock. As with typical low-cut socks for shoes such as boat shoes and step-in dress shoes, the concealed sock includes a toe portion and a heel portion of material having a thickness adequate to cushion the foot. An instep portion of the sock includes at least one elastic portion for retaining the instep portion proximal of the wearer's arch and to retain the concealed sock from rising above the low-cut side portions of the boat shoes and step-in dress shoes. Use of a concealed sock having a reinforced heel portion may not be aesthetically pleasing to the wearer during use while wearing clog shoes or sandals lacking heel enclosures.
A foot covering is needed that is specifically designed to be worn with clog shoes, slide shoes, mule shoes and/or sandals lacking heels in order to maximize comfort of the forefoot inserted into the shoe and to minimize the stretching of the leather materials of the form-fitting forefoot portion of the shoe. Further, a foot covering is needed that is proportioned in thickness to allow the wearer's forefoot to readily slip into clog shoes, slide shoes, mule shoes, and/or sandals lacking heels while providing warmth for the heel, ankle and/or lower leg portions of the wearer's foot without changing the interior dimensions of the forefoot portion of the clog shoes or sandals lacking heels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a foot covering is provided for enclosing a wearer's forefoot, instep, heel and ankle while wearing footwear lacking an enclosed heel. The sock includes a first fabric layer having respective toe, forefoot, instep and heel portions. The instep portion includes a transition seam circumferentially traversing the upper instep surface. The first fabric layer is composed of a thin elastic material sized to enclose the forefoot, instep and a base surface of the heel portion of the wearer's foot. A second fabric material is disposed to cover an upper surface of the wearer's instep, heel and ankle. The second fabric material includes a leading edge attached to the transition seam on the instep portion of the first fabric layer. The second fabric material includes a thickness greater than the first fabric layer and includes an ankle portion extended a sufficient length above the heel to encircle the wearer's ankle. The first fabric layer provides a thin layer enclosing the wearer's forefoot, instep and base surface of the heel to minimize stretching of footwear worn with the stock. The thicker second fabric material provides warmth and/or support while covering the wearer's instep, heel, ankle, and/or lower leg while wearing footwear lacking an enclosed heel such as clogs, slides, slippers, sandals, and mule “slide-on” shoes.
An additional embodiment of the sock includes the second fabric material lacking a heel base portion of thick fabric, therefore the sole portion of the first fabric layer provides a thin covering of the wearer's forefoot extending along the wearer's sole to the sides of the heel. An alternative embodiment of the sock includes a split toe portion of the first fabric layer for comfortable wearing of the sock with thong sandals while providing a thick second fabric material covering the upper portions of a wearer's instep, heel and ankle, thereby providing warmth for the wearer's foot and ankle when wearing footwear lacking an enclosed heel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a medial arch portion of a foot wearing a clog sock of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a foot wearing the clog sock of FIG. 1, illustrating an upper and a lower portion of the clog sock;
FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the sock of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a sole portion of the clog sock of FIG. 3, illustrating the overlay of a second layer of thick material extending to encircle the heel of the sock;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a foot wearing the clog sock of FIG. 3, illustrating a foot with a clog sock being inserted in a shoe lacking a heel portion;
FIG. 6A is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the clog sock of FIG. 4, illustrating a toe pocket for wearing with a sandal having a toe thong;
FIG. 6B is an outer side perspective view of FIG. 6A illustrating the thick second material covering the wearer's instep surfaces, outer heel and ankle;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a clog sock illustrating a second layer of thick material extended to cover the ankle of the wearer;
FIG. 8 is a side view of a clog sock illustrating a second layer of thick material extending to cover a portion of the mid-calf of the wearer;
FIG. 9 is a side view of a clop sock illustrating a second layer of thick material extending to cover the upper calf of the wearer; and
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an embodiment for a pair of waist-length tights having a clog sock foot portion with thick material covering the wearer's instep surfaces, heel surfaces, ankles and legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A foot covering is identified herein as a clog sock 10 that provides a forefoot portion 12 of thin flexible material that readily covers a front portion of a wearer's foot 20 for ease of insertion into footwear lacking an enclosed heel. The clog sock 10 also provides heavy fabric material for covering an instep portion and back portion for covering from the wearer's heel to at least the ankle for warmth during cold weather, while minimizing stretching of an interior 14′ front portion of slide-on footwear 14. The clog sock 10 includes a tubular shaped first fabric layer 30 covering the wearer's foot 20 from the toes 22 to the heel 46. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the first fabric layer 30 includes a toe portion 32, a forefoot portion 34, an instep portion 36 covering a wearer's medial arch 24, upper surface of the instep 26 and outer side 28, and further includes a heel base portion 42. Along the upper surface of the instep portion 36, a transition seam 38 is extended circumferentially over the sock instep 36 from the medial arch curve 24 to the outer portion 28 of the foot. The transition seam 38 does not extend laterally under the width of the sole 20′ of the wearer's foot 20. The thin resiliently pliable material of the first fabric layer 30 covers the forefoot and sole portion of the wearer's foot 20 to maximize ease of insertion of the foot into a clog shoe 14. The thin first fabric layer 30 minimizes stretching of an interior 14′ toe box of a slide-on shoe such as a clog shoe 14 (see FIG. 5), and minimizes stretching of forefoot straps 16′, 16″ of a sandal 16 (see FIG. 6B). Those who prefer to wear quality clog shoes or sandals in cold and/or wet weather will have experienced unwanted stretching of interior portions of clog shoes or sandals when worn with thick wool socks having bulky forefoot and heel portions to keep the wearer's feet warm.
The first fabric layer 30 is composed of a thin material that is pliable, readily ventilated for transfer of moisture from the foot, and is resiliently stretchable when blended with an elastic material during production of the thin material. Any of the following materials commonly utilized in the production of socks can compose the first fabric layer 30, including cotton, silk, nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, and/or polypropylene fiber materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize that comparable thin and pliable fabric materials can be utilized for the first fabric layer 30, with a preference for materials providing a low coefficient of friction to assist insertion of the sock covered foot into footwear, and removal therefrom. The sock 10 is best utilized with footwear lacking an enclosed heel, such as clogs 14, slippers, sandals 16, and/or mule “slide-on” shoes. When worn with footwear lacking an enclosed heel, a thin heel base portion 42 encloses the bottom of the wearer's heel 46 to assure that the sock 10 will not easily slide off during walking. The thin heel base portion 42 enclosing the wearer's heel 46 further restrains the sock 10 from twisting during walking when the thin heel base portion 42 intermittently contacts a clog heel platform 14″ (see FIG. 5), or a heel portion 86 of a sandal 16 (see FIG. 6B).
The clog sock 10 provides a combination having a thin and readily ventilated front portion 32, 34 of the first fabric material that is tailored in a tube shape by stitching along a toe seam 32′ (see FIG. 2), and by bonding with stitching, weaving or other means for connecting a second fabric material 40 to the first layer 30 along the width of the transition seam 38 along the forefoot portion 34. The second fabric material 40 is composed of a knitted or woven second fabric material having a thickness greater than first fabric layer 30, and is designed to provide warmth for the user when covering the sides of the heel 46, the ankle 48, and portions of the lower leg 50 of the wearer (see FIGS. 1 and 7-10). The second fabric material 40 is bonded to the thin first layer 30 at a lower inner and outer side edge 40′ which extends circumferentially to traverse the upper instep surface 36 as delineated by the transition seam 38. The second fabric material 40 also extends laterally along each inner and outer side of the wearer's foot to form a rear edge 40″ that is bonded along the lower curved sides of the thin heel base portion 42 without the thick second fabric material extending underneath the wearer's heel 46. When worn, the thick second fabric material 40 extends upwards to cover an ankle portion 44 extending upwards to a lower leg opening 44′. One embodiment of the clog sock 10 includes a reinforced heel 48′ which can include an additional decorative heel portion with an alternative color or seam pattern (see FIGS. 1 and 7-9).
The transition seam 38 of the sock 10 is disposed to extend laterally across the top or upper portion of the instep portion 36 of the first fabric layer 30. When the clog sock 10 is worn, the transition seam 38 is positioned across the wearer's instep extending from the medial arch curve 24, the upper instep 26 and the outer lateral side 28 of the wearer's foot. When worn with clog shoes 14, the transition seam 38 is preferably disposed behind the trailing curved edge of the clog toe box. Further, the transition seam 38 does not extend underneath the foot sole 20′ when the sock 10 is properly worn, therefore the user will not experience a change in thickness of fabric material against the sole 20′ of his or her foot 20 during wear. One embodiment includes the first fabric layer 30 covering the sole 20′ of the wearer's foot 20 from his/her toes to a heel base portion 42 (see FIG. 4).
The second layer 40 of thick material extends distally from the transition seam 38 to cover at least an upper portion of the heel 46, and preferably encircles the wearer's ankle 48. The second layer 40 of fabric provides a thick material covering the wearer's instep 26, sides of the heel 46 and ankle 48, thereby providing warmth and/or support for each heel 46 and ankle 48 when worn with clogs 14, slippers, sandals 16, and/or mule “slide-on” shoes. The clog sock 10 includes the additional benefit of allowing the toes and forefoot portion of the wearer's foot to readily fit into a toe box portion of the “slip-on” footwear without stretching the toe box during wear in the fall, winter, and early spring seasons. Therefore, the toe box portion of the “slip-on” footwear is not stretched by wearing of other bulky, full-length socks. A tight and unstretched fit is maintained for clogs or sandals during wear indoors or wear during warm seasons.
The second layer of material is composed of materials including any of the following: wool blended with cotton fibers, wool blended with silk fibers, cotton blended with nylon fibers, wool blended with acrylic fibers, winter acrylic blended with hollow polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers blended with wool or cotton, and/or wool blended with elastic materials such as spandex. Other materials can readily be utilized as known to those skilled in the art of producing foot coverings that are woven and/or knitted for retainment of heat, release of moisture from the feet, and/or for enhancement of lower extremity circulation and muscle tissue support.
For people preferring to wear socks providing warmth for the upper portions of the foot, heel and ankle, but wanting a thin sock material covering the sole and lower curved sides of their feet, a clog sock 60 is provided as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The sock 60 includes a first fabric layer 62 of thin, stretchable material forming a tubular forefoot portion 64 enclosing the wearer's toes 22. The sock 60 includes an instep portion 66 and arch portion 66′ of thin, stretchable material extending to a heel base portion 72′ encircling the bottom of the wearer's heel 46. A sole portion 72 of thin, stretchable material extends to cover the sole of the foot 20 to the heel base portion 72′ without any seams or overlapping thick material underneath the wearer's foot. The sock 60 provides a thick second layer 70 of material covering the wearer's upper instep 26 and sides of the heel 46 extending to a leading edge 76. A back portion 74, 78 encircles the ankle 48 and back of heel 46 without covering the heel base 72′. When a wearer of the clog sock 60 inserts his or her covered feet into clogs, slip-on mules, or sandals, the forefoot and sole of each foot are separated from an interior 14′ of each toe box by only a thin first fabric layer 62, therefore minimizing stretching of the footwear.
The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes an instep portion 66 having a transition seam 68 on which connecting materials such as woven stitching, or an alternative connecting materials such as hook and loop strips of material, are utilized to bind the sides of the lower edges 76 of the second layer 70 of thick materials against the first fabric layer 62 of thin materials. An alternative embodiment includes the second layer 70 formed into a sleeve of thick material that is sized to be slidably positioned over the forefoot portion of thin first fabric layer 62. The sleeve of thick material is then moved past a person's instep 26 to be positioned around the wearer's heel 46 and ankle 48. The second layer of fabric 70 provides a thick material covering the upper portion of the wearer's instep 26, the upper portions of the heel 46 and ankle 48, without having a lower portion of thick material under the wearer's toes, arch or heel. The thin first fabric 62 forms the sole portion 72 of the sock 60 and extends to enclose the toes and forefoot portion 64, the lower portion of the arch 66′, and is extended to enclose the bottom of the heel up to the back of the heel 74. An additional embodiment 70′ can include a pleated, woven or layered type of thick material covering the upper portion of the wearer's foot, including the instep 26, heel 46, ankle 48 and lower leg (see FIG. 5).
An alternative embodiment of the sock 80 further includes a split toe portion 88 providing a toe pocket 88′ for enclosing the wearer's big/great toe, and a separate toe enclosure 88″ for enclosing the lesser toes, thereby allowing for comfortable wearing of the sock 80 with thong sandals (see FIG. 6A and 6B). The split toe portion 88 includes a thin first fabric layer 82 having respective thin fabric portions covering toes, forefoot, lower instep sides, arch and heel. A second fabric layer 90 extends from the thin first fabric layer 82 along the upper surfaces of the instep and provides a thick layer of flexible material covering the medial instep portion 84, the outer instep portion 84′, the heel portion 86, and the ankle portion 92 of the clog sock 80 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).
Additional embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, illustrating the clog sock 110 having a second layer of thick material extended to a selected height above the wearer's ankle. FIG. 8 illustrates the clog sock 210 having a second layer of thick material extending to a height of about the wearer's mid-calf portion of the leg. FIG. 9 illustrates the clog sock 310 having a second layer of thick material extending to about the wearer's upper calf portion of the leg. The second layer of thick material is selected from a group consisting of wool, cotton, layered silk, nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, and/or elastic fibers. Each of the embodiments 110, 210, 310 can include an alternative design having the upper, thick material positioned as illustrated, and lacking a lower heel portion of thick material (see FIGS. 3, 4, 6A and 6B).
An additional embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 10 for a pair of lady's tights 410 having a thin layer of material covering the wearer's forefoot 412, sole 422 and underneath the heel 442. A second layer of thick material is bonded to cover the thin layer of material along the instep 436 and back of the heel 446. The second layer of thick material is extended above at least the wearer's ankle 444, and can extend upwards to cover the wearer's lower legs 450, upper legs 452, and waist 454 for extremely cold locations.
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a unique clog sock is provided having a forefoot portion of a first fabric layer 30 of thin, stretchable material, and having a second layer of fabric 40 of thick material extended to encircle the wearer's heel, ankle and lower calf while providing warmth and/or support for the wearer's heel, ankle, and lower calf.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A foot covering for enclosing a wearer's forefoot, instep, heel and ankle while wearing footwear lacking an enclosed heel, comprising:

a sock including a first fabric layer having respective toe, instep and heel base portions sized to enclose the wearer's foot inserted through a sock opening extended above said heel base portion, said first fabric layer is composed of a thin elastic material and includes a transition seam circumferentially disposed across said instep portion of said first fabric layer; and

a second fabric material disposed to cover the wearer's instep, heel and ankle, said second fabric material having a leading edge attached to said transition seam on said instep portion of said first fabric layer, said second fabric material having a thickness greater than said first fabric layer and having an ankle portion extended a sufficient length above said heel base portion of said first fabric layer to encircle the wearer's ankle;

whereby said thin first fabric layer encloses the wearer's forefoot and minimizes stretching of footwear worn with said sock, and said second fabric material covers the wearer's instep, heel and ankle for warmth while wearing footwear lacking an enclosed heel.

2. The foot covering of claim 1 wherein said first fabric layer includes said toe, instep and heel base portions extending to encircle the foot and forming a substantially continuous sole portion of said thin elastic material having a low coefficient of friction thereby maximizing ease of insertion of the wearer's forefoot enclosed by said first fabric layer into footwear lacking an enclosed heel without stretching a forefoot portion of the footwear.

3. The foot covering of claim 2 wherein said transition seam of said first fabric layer extends to circumferentially traverse an upper half of said instep portion of said first fabric layer, said upper half of said instep portion encircling the wearer's foot proximal of a medial arch, an instep and an outer side of the wearer's foot without extending along said sole portion of said first fabric layer.

4. The foot covering of claim 2 wherein said first fabric layer includes a first material selected from the group consisting of a natural fibrous material interwoven with a synthetic elastic textile material.

5. The foot covering of claim 1 wherein said second fabric material includes said leading perimeter attached to said transition seam of said first fabric layer along an upper portion of the wearer's instep, said second fabric material extending distally from said leading perimeter to enclose the heel and ankle of the wearer's foot without enclosing a sole of the wearer's foot, thereby only said first fabric layer encloses the sole of the wearer's foot.

6. The foot covering of claim 5 wherein said second fabric material includes an elastic material interwoven with a second material selected from the group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, and polypropylene fibers.

7. The foot covering of claim 4 wherein said second fabric material includes a second layer of material disposed in overlying relation of said transition seam and extending to said heel base portion of said first fabric layer, said second layer of material selected from the group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, and elastic fibers.

8. A foot covering enclosing a wearer's foot and ankle while wearing footwear lacking a heel enclosure, comprising:

a tubular sock including a first fabric layer composed of a thin resiliently stretchable material sized to enclose the wearer's foot within respective toe, forefoot, instep and heel portions, said first fabric layer having a transition seam circumferentially disposed proximal of said instep portion; and

a second fabric layer of material having a thickness greater than said first fabric layer, said second fabric layer having a leading edge attached in overlaying orientation to said transition seam of said first fabric layer, and having body and ankle portions sized to cover the heel and ankle of the wearer's foot;

whereby said first fabric layer encloses the wearer's forefoot in thin material to minimize stretching of footwear and said second fabric layer covers the wearer's heel and ankle for warmth while wearing footwear lacking the heel enclosure.

9. The foot covering of claim 8 wherein said first fabric layer includes said thin stretchable material a low coefficient of friction thereby maximizing ease of insertion of the wearer's forefoot enclosed by said first fabric layer into footwear lacking the heel enclosure without excessive stretching of a forefoot portion of the footwear by the wearer's forefoot covered by said first fabric layer.

10. The foot covering of claim 9 wherein said transition seam of said first fabric layer extends circumferentially around a mid-portion of said sock, said mid-portion encircling the wearer's foot proximal of a medial arch, an instep and an outer side of the wearer's foot.

11. The foot covering of claim 10 wherein said thin stretchable material is selected from the group consisting of a natural fibrous material interwoven with a synthetic elastic textile material.

12. The foot covering of claim 8 wherein said second fabric layer includes a fabric material having a thick density and having said perimeter edge attached to said transition seam of said first fabric layer, said second fabric layer extends distally from said transition seam to enclose lateral surfaces of the wearer's heel and ankle.

13. The foot covering of claim 12 wherein said second fabric layer includes material selected from the group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, and elastic fibers.

14. A sock enclosing a wearer's foot and ankle to facilitate wearing of footwear lacking a heel enclosure, comprising:

a tubular sock including a first fabric layer composed of a thin resiliently stretchable material sized to enclose the wearer's foot in respective toe, forefoot, instep and heel portions, said first fabric layer having a transition seam circumferentially disposed proximal of said instep portion; and

15. The sock of claim 14 wherein said first fabric layer enclosing said toe portion of the wearer's foot includes at least one toe pocket for enclosure of the wearer's big toe separate from the first fabric layer of thin resiliently stretchable material enclosing the remaining toes, forefoot, instep and heel of the wearer.

16. The sock of claim 15 wherein said first fabric layer includes said thin stretchable material having a low coefficient of friction thereby maximizing ease of insertion of the wearer's forefoot enclosed by said first fabric layer into a forefoot portion of footwear lacking the heel enclosure without stretching of the forefoot portion of footwear by the wearer's forefoot covered by said first fabric layer.

17. The sock of claim 16 wherein said transition seam of said first fabric layer extends circumferentially around said instep portion of said sock, said instep portion encircling the wearer's foot proximal of a medial arch, an instep and an outer side of the wearer's foot wearer's foot.

18. The sock of claim 17 wherein said thin stretchable material is selected from the group consisting of a natural fibrous material interwoven with a synthetic elastic textile material.

19. The sock of claim 14 wherein said second fabric layer includes a fabric material having a thick density and having said leading edge attached to said transition seam of said first fabric layer, said second fabric layer extends distally of said transition seam to enclose lateral surfaces of the wearer's heel and ankle.

20. The sock of claim 19 wherein said second fabric layer includes material selected from the group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, and elastic fibers.