The Best Running Socks, from a guy that used to never wear socks
I'm a big sock wearing guy now because my shoes got smelly...
In high school I was a repeat offender for wearing no socks. My first pair of “real” running shoes in 2009 (Mizuno Wave Riders) were purchased alongside a pair of Balega socks that I loved. But for some reason thought it was cooler to run sock free especially once I . I luckily was running enough to turn over shoes before they stank up my house, but frequently got complaints from teammates who kindly drove me to practices (thank you Elias).
Now as an adult with expendable income and a shame-induced fear of my shoes smelling, I love my nice running socks.
Socks Don’t Need To Be Cool
It’s hard for socks to look cool. They’re competing with a lot (shoes, shorts, tops), and are generally better off blending in. The most important thing is the fit and then length. I’ve heavily biased towards crew length socks. That break just below the calf looks good on just about everyone. Ankle length socks look silly, and no shows are diabolical for running. To-the-knee compression socks went out of vogue once we realized they don’t actually help during races.
Socks I’ve Loved So Far
Courier Hi-Fi Socks
I bought a set of Courier socks and love the feel of the Hi-Fi crew. I’ve spent most of my time wearing them cycling or casually vs running. The 3D knit here most importantly looks cool. Most socks can play double duty cycling and running honestly, but I appreciate that the socks were designed with both in mind.
Style: The texture is what really sells me, the logo is like 3D within the knit but still the same color. I dig the Kelly green they added recently too.
Comfort: After a few washes they toughened up a little bit and aren’t quite as “soft” as my Near Earth socks, but likely because they have a graduated compression, which I like especially for my cycling. Light cushioning with their “PODs”, which has pleasant feel under foot but not particularly noticeable (in a good way).
Durability: Some wear from walking around the house but after a few dozen rides, some runs, and casual wear they’re good. They are less soft after some wash cycles. Stood up to 50+ miles on trail, no blisters.
Price: $29, $50 for 2 pack. These are on the high end, likely due to the involved knit and smaller scale they’re operating on.
Swiftwick Aspire Crew
These feel luxurious and I’ve worn these to run, ride, and hit the gym. They are a little longer and stretchier than most of the other crew socks. Higher stretch, and relatively thin so fit my racing flats, cycling shoes, and daily trainers. They’re also manufactured in Tennessee which is rad.
Look: Some branding but crisp, modern look and feel and only branded at then ankle. I prefer this all white look to their socks vs the duotone on their Flite XT socks (which, to be fair, have some fancier tech in the heel and toe area).
Comfort: Despite the firm compression claim, I find these really comfortable and “soft” feeling because of the stretch in the material. These have no cushion, which is fine by me. Super comfy, stay soft between washes.
Durability: Some wear from walking around the house but after a dozen rides, some runs, and casual wear they seem fine. Stood up to 50+ miles on road and trail without blisters.
Price: $29, $51 for 3 pack. Value wise these crush.
Similar socks:
Saysky Combat High Socks - Pretty soft, quite stretchy, come up a bit higher than the Swiftwicks. Minimal branding with a foldover tag.
Tracksmith Speed Crew Socks
I got a 3 pack of these a couple years ago and they quickly transformed from running sock into dress sock as well. They’re not super soft fabric, but generally comfortable, stretchy enough with medium compression. No branding except for the locker loop tag on the back. These look sharp and are much more durable than the merino wool socks that Tracksmith also sells.
Look: Nice locker loop detail to complete the Tracksmith look. Otherwise nondescript, which I like. Next to no branding. Perfect length.
Comfort: Compressive, medium to low stretch. They are less compressive than the Courier socks though. Quite thin, so more of a racing feel. No cushioning.
Durability: Light wear from walking around the house but after a few dozen rides, some runs, and casual wear they’re good.
Price: $25, $67.50 for 3 pack
Similar socks:
Currently Running Honeycomb Quarter Sock - waffle like knit, nice colors. Same sort of feel on foot. Lower cut, but not ankle length.
Near Earth Distance Sock
These get a lot of hype on instagram and have a large following amongst the running influencer type accounts. That’s not to say they aren’t good though, but certainly why I decided to see what the hype was. I grabbed a pair in NYC at the Miler Running popup to give them some test runs. Overall good sock, and one of my favorite in my rotation.
Look: The branding is knit woven into the sock itself, except for the trace red line up top. I do wish they had a single color sock, but the white with red pipe will do.
Comfort: The engineered knit has a soft hand to it and is lightly compressive, but far less so than the Courier and Tracksmith socks. They also have some light cushioning which feels good under foot.
Durability: Some wear in the cushion area, but not noticeable.
Price: $29, $51 for 3 pack
Similar socks:
Pop Running Permanent White Sock - Multi-textured upper with no visible branding. Light cushioning. The rib on the sock feels really nice. Not too tight, decent weight to the fabric.
Socks That Look Cool But I Haven’t Tried
Can’t fully endorse these since I’ve never run in them, but they look nice!
Shyu Racing Socks
I haven’t tried these, but like that they make pairs to match popular racing shoe colors.
Bandit Lite Run Jacquard Socks, Grid Knit Socks
These puppies are sold out in this cool topographic pattern sadly. I haven’t worn any Bandit socks yet so cannot report on them. I think the roll top on the Bandit Grid Knit looks cute too.
SOAR Socks
Some of the colorways and patterns here are fun, and are aligned with the bright punchy neons that SOAR tends to use. For whatever reason I was drawn to the chocolate brown on their socks with the red. Unusual colorway that can look good but super hard to pair with anything else. I haven’t run in any SOAR socks, but trust that their fabrics and fit are down to a science.
I fought the no-show sock wars of the '90s, so as a veteran, I cannot concede the hill on which I died. That said, I'm a big Swiftwick Aspire fan and I've been a big fan of their rebrand. Can't go wrong with Feetures either. On the other hand, Bandit socks have been poor in durability and mediocre in feel for pretty much every pair I've had. Look great but the $ doesn't justify the performance.
I like that you took this route. My sock drawer is extensive so I appreciate you taking time to write this.
Any sock made in Italy seem to do the trick. I like the Rapha Team sock. The DIstrict Vision Sock with Cordura is great but does lose its softness after a while.
Im a fan of toe socks for longer trail runs. Injinji does it right for fit, branding and colors are another story. The Satisfy Merino toe sock creates a nice little house for each toe, and they have improved durability since the first round. Arc’teryx also has a nice merino blend that I find myself leaning towards. Stance socks are incredibly durable if you want bang for your buck.
I also liked the race day sock from Near Earth, first wear was really nice and it kept my feet blister free after a full day running in the rain.
Not sure if it matters but I like having a direct L and R on the sock.