Student’s odorless sock ready to hit the market
ATHENS, Ga. – Matthew Tesvich’s destiny was lined up for him from the time he played little league baseball. Now a senior at the University of Georgia, Tesvich still remembers the routine of having to take off his dirty socks directly after practices and games, and put them in the washing machine before being allowed to do anything else.
Last month, Tesvich was awarded a $2,500 prize at the Terry College of Business’ UGA Entrepreneurship Idea Accelerator Demo Day for an invention he has named Ox Sox, a type of odorless sock that retains its fresh smell for days without any need for washing.
The management information systems student said the spark happened in his sophomore year at UGA when a roommate whose aunt worked in research at the University of Tennessee brought home a prototype hand towel designed to eliminate the need for soap.
“I knew that odor stems from bacteria. And if you kill bacteria, you could kill odor,” said
Tesvich. “I started doing research on the antimicrobial effects of the towel, and I figured out how to use those effects, pair that with fabrics for socks and then create Ox Sox.”
Over the 18 months that followed, Tesvich estimated that he went through more than 100 manufacturers and 50 samples trying to find out how to bring his idea to life.
After multiple combinations of chemicals, deodorants and fabrics failed to produce the desired result, Tesvich turned his focus to the threads rather than the entire sock, which yielded a product that would be durable and environmentally friendly.
Tesvich successfully tested a pair of what would become Ox Sox and started putting the experimental footwear though the paces by enlisting the help of athletes who have a history of embarrassing foot odor.
Tesvich said a friend on a rowing team reported having tried her hardest to make the socks stink, but the invention had a 100% success rate with her and others.
“I’ve been telling people that I’m able to wear Ox Sox for up to a week,” said Tesvich. “Whether you’re the person that wants to wear a fresh pair every day, or you want to wear them up to a week, it’s going to neutralize your foot odor.”
In time for the holidays, perhaps as stocking stuffers, preorders for Ox Sox can be made at getoxsox.com. Tesvich plans to graduate in May 2023 and pursue the Ox Sox venture full time by hiring additional staff.
Though Tesvich could not provide specific details, he said that a major Division I college baseball team has already asked to outfit all of their athletes in Ox Sox.