Stance

Stance

A neglected child, a forgotten piece of clothing. And then there are five men who see an opportunity and seize it: socks ! Stance strives to achieve the best performance with their socks and inspire at the same time. By being different, working with people who think creatively, looking for original solutions and striving for perfection.

The headquarters of the young brand looks like a dream: modern design and a mega kitchen with a chef, so everyone can eat what they want. Music installations, art on the wall, bookcases full of inspiration and creatives at work everywhere. But more importantly: testing rooms for newly designed socks. A basketball court, a skating rink, a golf course. It evokes the atmosphere of a fancy festival, but this is the headquarters of the gentlemen who made the sock brand a success in no time . In such an environment you can only develop good ideas.

This seems to explain the success easily, but how do you ensure that your logo is the first ever to appear on every NBA uniform? That your brand makes the official on court socks that all top players wear in the largest basketball competition in the world? Of course, more is needed.

History

Stance is a young brand. Compared to Adidas , Nike or Puma, it is a green leaf in the sports and lifestyle world. Yet the founders see something that all those other brands do not: an opportunity. An opportunity to take socks to a new level. It is not that the five gentlemen have a sock fetish or have been working on a breakthrough in the sock world for years. They are simply looking for an opportunity. Jewelry, sunscreen, school supplies, electronic devices ; everything is viewed and analyzed. Until one of them, Jeff Kearl, is standing near the socks in a supermarket. He sees black, white, gray, brown. Cheap. Offered in 3-packs or 6-packs or in a large basket  thrown for grabs. He sees a new market in the socks and although his associates laugh at first, they agree.

So before Stance comes onto the market, socks are a boring category in sports and lifestyle . Always the same colours, materials, packaging. Nothing inspiring about it and also zero focus on the function a sock can have. Strange, because everyone wears them. Nowadays your socks can be seen; they add value to your outfit. Design is therefore important, the guys at Stance quickly realize that. But socks can also contribute to better performance. It is an essential part of a sports outfit. Whether you are on the golf course, skateboarding or have a basketball in your hands.

Before the gentlemen from Stance have completed their first design, they do research. They set up their own lab and look for a way to develop beautiful and good socks. Perfection is what they strive for. Performance socks that provide support and comfort, but also look attractive. Socks that prevent blisters and injuries, with cool graphics and surprising colors.

The lab is working on socks that fit. No slip-ups, no irritating seams at your toes or pinching elastics around your ankles. Each sock is anatomically designed, which means that there is a separate design for the left and right. The seamless socks are comfortable and support the metatarsal bone. In addition, a special process is being developed in the Stance lab, called 'INprint'. This innovation in the production process allows the brand to print photos on different materials. The functional aspect of the sock is just as important to the brand as the cool appearance.

National Basketball Association ( NBA )

For example, prints of NBA legends appear on socks, in the most diverse colors and designs. Because it concerns photos that are used, and not drawings, it looks slick. No deformed faces or unrecognizable basketball legends. Stance has made a selection of the greatest players in the NBA . All photo archives were searched and this is how the Legends line was created.

The collaboration with the NBA is a special one. In 2016, both parties reached a multi-year agreement. This makes Stance the first brand to have its own logo visible on league clothing. The NBA allows it because the socks are not part of the official uniform, but are an accessory . Just like Spalding can have the logo on the basketball . However, the basketball players are required to wear the socks, so it doesn't matter to Stance. All fans and enthusiasts will see their socks shine on court . And of course beyond that, because all socks are available for everyone. This also includes the fashion line that Stance created together with Dwyane Wade ( Miami Heat) . Other players from the basketball world who have linked their names to the sock brand are James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Klay Thompson ( Golden State Warriors )

Familiar names

Stance socks are not only popular within the sports and specifically basketball world. It seems like the whole world wants to be part of the brand's 'Punks and Poets'. The 'Punks and Poets' are a select group of ultimate brand ambassadors , according to the brand. They are known for their individual style and celebrate and honor it, just like Stance does. The select group includes Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Big Sean and Billie Eilish. A number of skateboarders and celebrity athletes, such as Jon Jay (MLB) and Daniel Ricciardo (Formula 1), are also affiliated. And this is just a selection of the faces of the brand.

Two major artists in particular were there early: actor Will Smith and rapper Jay-Z. Jay-Z even gave a shout out to the brand in lyrics of the song FUTW, in which he rapped: “ This ain't gray sweat suits and white tube socks / This is black leather pants and a pair of Stance”. Together with Jay-Z, Will Smith is now also an investor in the company. In collaboration with the actor, Stance even launched Fresh Prince Of Bell-Air socks. His children Jade and Willow are also part of the Punks and Poets at Stance.

The combination of good socks that look fantastic turns out to be a smart move. Socks can determine your outfit, especially these days! Fashion asks almost everyone to show their socks. With cropped trousers and joggers you automatically show what's around your foot and ankle. A fancy sock is sufficient for your neutral choice of clothing  freshen up. Socks can be so decisive for your outfit! Stance's designs are endless. It's impossible to say ' There's nothing for me' if you looked at all the collections. The variety of colors, patterns, collaborations (Disney, Harley Davidson, Star Wars, Nirvana, Marvel, etc.) has no end.

Quality

In addition, there is the quality that the brand strives for. It has to be perfect. The brand is driven by innovation and claims to be always superior in its craftsmanship. What Stance delivers is original and put together with care. It is therefore not surprising that there are so many different collections, divided into several categories. 'Something for everyone' has never had such a clear meaning.

For example, there are the casual socks with the Infiknit technology. Mega-durable socks that cannot be broken. They do not sag and cannot be torn. Within the casual socks category there is also a separate line with socks from teams from the NBA , MLB and NFL . Here too, the quality makes the socks extra attractive. The material is soft on your foot and remains beautiful, no matter how often you wash the socks. No more old, fluffy socks with holes in your toes.

Another line from Stance is the FEEL360. When developing this fabric, we focused on comfort and performance. The sock stays fresh, dry and simply good. No unnecessary wear and tear due to your workout , no matter how hard you exercise. And it doesn't stop at this link with the sports world. Performance-enhancing socks are also part of the Stance collection. Or better said: collections. There are special performance socks for almost every sport. Sports in the snow, running, cycling, outdoor sports, golf, fitness and basketball . Every sport requires something different from the athlete and Stance has adapted the socks accordingly.

Basketball

When purchasing basketball gear, many people mainly look at basketball shoes . That makes sense, because they absorb a lot of jumps, give the ankles support and the footwork is sometimes decisive. Socks, on the other hand, are often forgotten, but can just as easily make a difference. At Stance they think the same and that is why special basketball socks have been designed. The top players from the NBA wear these socks every game, proving the quality that the brand promises.

Stance's basketball socks are technical highlights. The cushioning (padding) is anatomically determined and therefore tailored to the shape and function of the foot during basketball. The targeted compression provides support and prevents injuries or pain. Another thing that has been considered is the sweat of the foot. Wet socks are a nightmare, especially during an important match. You don't want to have to change socks during halftime. The technique that Stance has developed ensures that moisture is transported from the foot upwards. It can evaporate more easily at the ankle, keeping these special socks dry and fresh.

Hoops Icon
The Hoops Icon line is part of Stance's basketball socks . When making these socks, extra attention is paid to cushioning. Just as this is important for basketball shoes , the same applies to socks. The shock absorption in the sock provides protection and comfort where it is needed. Moreover, the breathing of the socks is something that plays a major role. So they stay fresh, no matter how many meters you make and how many points you score. What is not unimportant is how the sock feels and fits around your foot: nice! It is a seamless sock and therefore you will not have any irritation at your toes, around your ankle or under the foot. These Hoops Icon socks are made from combed cotton and developed with the aforementioned Infiknit technology.

Game Day
Game Day. Everyone knows the feeling. You're getting ready, you feel the tension, your outfit is on point ; it will start. It can also be different, maybe you prefer to play a game of basketball without all the fuss and just have fun with your friends by throwing a ball. Either way, the Game Day sock line was developed for anyone who celebrates basketball on and off the court. Stance makes a custom mix of moisture-absorbing socks with breathable material. The socks are seamless, which provides a comfortable feeling. The cushioning is extra special. There is strategic filling in certain places for extra cushioning and air regulation. You can play your best game in these basketball socks. Whether in an NBA arena or on the field around the corner!

Stance at Burned Sports

Burned Sports and Stance both share the passion to deliver top quality in the field of performance. It is therefore logical that Stance's socks are sold at Burned Sports. The focus is of course on basketball socks and the collection consists of different lines.

The socks from the Hoops Icon Crew line offer support and comfort. The breathable material makes it a sock that is ideal for playing basketball. This sock is made with Infiknt technology. Can't be broken, no holes near your toes. Indestructible.

The Game Day socks are available at Burned Sports in different colors. The fabric has moisture-wicking fibers, so your sweaty feet are a thing of the past. The moisture is drained to the area around the ankle, where it evaporates more quickly. Add to that the extra cushioning and you have an ideal sock to win every basketball match.

Of course, a trip to Stance's Legends line cannot be missed at Burned Sports . There is the design with DeMar DeRozan , which features on a pair of beautifully designed socks. The basketball player of the San Antonio Spurs (and previously the Toronto Raptors ) is a must have for the true basketball fan, but the socks are also a nice item for anyone who wants to freshen up their outfit.