Best Running Socks Guide
Select Best Socks for Running
Often overlooked, but when it comes to socks, the ideal thing is you don’t notice them. Selecting the ideal running socks will help you achieve your best performance. Good quality running socks can also keep you running more comfortably by reducing issues like blisters, overheating, and discomfort. Aspects such as ventilation, sweat and odor resistance, and compression provide a good comfortable fit, keeping your feet happy with an overall better running experience.
What to look for in Running Socks
We recommend socks with a blend of fabrics like merino, polyester, and nylon makes them breathable, sweat-wicking, and durable. They should be anti-bacterial and odor-reducing. Merino wool has antimicrobial properties that naturally repel odor-causing bacteria.
Good Merino wool like that from New Zealand is also softer than other wools which give socks a nice feel. Finally, Merino wool adapts to temperature. When it’s cold, the natural fibers of wool bend to trap in air and insulate your feet, and when it’s warm outside, wool moves sweat away from your body to keep you cool.
Counter to conventional wisdom, try to avoid 100% cotton because it tends to hold a lot of moisture which helps create blisters and a breeding ground for bacteria. Cushioning feet in the right areas can keep your feet comfortable and help to prevent injury.
Sock Characteristics to Consider
Seamless construction to pressure points reduces chafing and potentially blisters, especially around the toes.
Compression improves blood circulation, which reduces tiredness and boosts recovery. Everyone should have a little compression, the length of the sock a personal choice to cover the calves, ankles, or just the feet.
Material thickness again is a personal choice you prefer. Thinner socks are the more breathable and can feel more natural in terms of stride. Thicker socks can be more comfortable and feel more protective.
Added Protection comes in the form of extra padding across the toes, forefoot, heel and ball of your foot, to minimize shock in high impact areas. Also look for blister protection.
Arch support use of Lycra or other elastane material keeps the sock in place and support for the arch.
Left and Right construction will eliminate fabric from bunching around your toes. L and R labeling is useful to match wearing on correct foot.
Higher tab socks are good for preventing blisters, or irritation where your shoes hit your ankles. A low - or no-tab pair of socks are lighter, cooler, but also a matter of preference.
Ankle support uses the same arch reinforcing material providing extra support for achilleas and ankle muscles.
OUR BEST RUNNING SOCK PICKS
Balega Resist Quarter Running Socks
You cannot go wrong with Balega socks and this quarter sock with a rib top keeps out grit and grime plus add comfort. Made from Drynamix moisture wicking fibers the sock has reinforced mesh ventilation panels to keep feet cool and dry. The material at the toe is seamless and helps eliminate abrasion across the top of the foot. The extra deep heel pocket ensures a good fit, and the sock has elasticity to keep it from sliding down. The sock gives a superior performance reducing the risk of friction blisters.
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: Natural mohair with Drynamix
Cushioning: Ultra high
Fit: Super plush and supportive
Hand-linked seamless toe closure, enhanced and wide arch support band
These Stance Low Tab socks are made with a slight cushion, but not too thick, for impact protection and high-quality moisture-wicking to keep your feet comfortable. These lightweight socks have Stance Feel360 technology to keep your feet dry and odor-free. Stance running socks have a little compression which gives them a good feel plus adds stronger construction to high-friction areas for increased durability to last longer.
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: 71% Nylon, 20% Polyester, 5% Elastane, 4% Combed cotton
Cushioning: Light
Engineered ankle protection
Infiknit anti-tear technology
Seamless Toe Closure
Low, No-Show Running Socks by On
Low Socks from On are super light in weight and are great for warmer weather runs. They have maximum breathability while providing comfort and support around the toe and arch to keep your feet protected. These socks are also work well for strength training.
The concept behind the design was simple: cushioned landing, firm take off. But the result is a sock with unique running sensation, comfortable and supportive.
Soft landings followed by explosive take-offs – otherwise known as running on clouds. We liked using these socks for indoor biking and rowing as well.
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: 94% Polyamide, 6% Elastane
Cushioning: Light
Arch support: a reassuring snug fit keeps socks firmly in place
Technical mesh: sections provide temperature-balancing ventilation
Flat toe seam for comfort
Lululemon Power Stride Tab Socks in fun bright color
These Lululemon tab socks hug the shape of your foot for a comfortable cuddly fit as you move. 3D-knit PerformaHeel™ (a compression band in the center) creates a shaped fit to your foot and locked-in feeling. They have left and right toe construction with 360 degrees of arch support. Overall Great socks, with a low tab profile that that are thin, cool, and comfortable and prevent blisters.
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: 95% Nylon, 5% Elastane
Cushioning: Light
360° arch support wrapped around foot from top to bottom
Left and right toe construction for a comfortable fit
3D-knit PerformaHeel ™
These lululemon running socks are designed to cushion, hug, and breathe in all the right places. Your feet will love the support that reduces the impact with its medium cushioning. Breathable and stretches to fit your foot. To inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria socks are treated with No-Stink Zinc.™
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: 94% Polyamide, 6% Elastane
Cushioning: Light
Arch support: provides a reassuring snug fit and keeps socks firmly in place
Technical mesh: sections provide temperature-balancing ventilation
Flat toe seam for comfort
This On Mid Ankle running sock balances protection and performance. Extremely comfortable with superior ankle support. The sock is extremely lightweight and breathable. The technical mesh keeps your feet cool. Left and right construction so there is not too much fabric bothering your toes. Super comfortable, there is a nice hug to the sock with semi-compression. They stay in place with without rolling down while in motion. To prevent Achilles rub from shoes there is double-walled heel protection, a nice touch.
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: 94% Polyamide, 6% Elastane
Cushioning: Light
Arch support: provides a snug fit and keeps socks firmly in place
Technical mesh sections provide temperature-balancing ventilation
Flat toe seam for comfort
Unisex UA ArmourDry™ Run Crew Sock
Under Armour has taken socks seriously. Their collection of socks is designed to empower their shoes best performance and comfort. These are the fastest-drying socks ever. The fabric evenly disperses moisture, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly, so you run lighter, drier, and cooler. Supportive and cool these are simply AWESOME socks.
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Fabric: 97% Polyester/3% Elastane
Cushioning: Medium in toe, forefoot, arch & heel protects high-impact areas without added bulk, left and right construction
Allows sweat to evaporate quicker for a lighter, drier & cooler run
Mesh panels on top & bottom of foot for added ventilation
Material wicks sweat & dries fast
Embedded arch support reduces foot fatigue
Fitted heel contours around your foot for a better fit
Reflective detailing for low-light runs
