I purchased these because my old socks had the issue of sliding up on the front making them very visible. These socks stay hidden and only cover your toes. :) The reason is because there is a thin layer of gel on the back (above the heel) that keeps the sock from sliding out of place. This is really the best feature about it. You rarely ever have to adjust your socks! The gel can withstand heat from the dryer, although I prefer to just air dry them. They're neither thin nor thick, so they won't break/tear that easily and will fit comfortable in most shoes. However, if your shoes are already snugly on you, then these might make them feel tight. Luckily I didn't have that problem with my work flats. I highly recommend this product!