Knitted into your X-SOCKS® is SilverNODOR®. SilverNODOR® is a yarn with a polyamide fiber core and a surface consisting of 99.9% pure silver. The special Terry-Loop design of SilverNODOR® means that elasticity is maintained and insures that 80% of the foot's surface remains in constant contact with the pure, oxidation- free silver. Your body heat activates SilverNODOR®, releasing charged silver ions that are totally safe to humans and non-reactive on your skin. But these silver ions mean certain death for bacteria and fungi living on your socks. These microscopic silver ions bind to the bacteria, disrupting RNA and DNA synthesis, thus inhibiting reproduction and killing the organism. In comparable products containing silver, the silver yarn is simply woven alongside the conventional yarn. This fails to bring a sufficient amount of the potent silver material into direct contact with the surface of the skin. The tiny circular bands of the unique SilverNODOR® terry-loops guarantee that 80% of the skin's surface maintains constant contact with the bacteria-inhibiting silver. Foot perspiration passes right through the circular bands of yarn (terry-loops). Because SilverNODOR® does not absorb moisture, any foot perspiration is immediately conducted to the outer layer of the sock. Thus, an otherwise ideal breeding ground for germs and bacteria is prevented from forming, so that foot odor and athlete's foot cannot develop.