They’re often overlooked but dedicated running socks are a must for regular runners. So treat your feet and check out our guide to the best running socks…
Happy runners need happy feet. And after choosing the right running shoes and running shorts, arguably the next most important piece of kit in your locker are your socks. A good pair of running socks can make the difference between running in blissful comfort or suffering run-ruining blisters.
Specialised running socks tend to be pricier than regular ones, but it definitely pays to invest a little extra. Ergonomic design, padded high-impact areas, breathable fabrics and seam-free designs all help to elevate running socks above your five-pairs-for-a-tenner kind. That’s why we’ve tested hundreds of pairs and have refined our selection of the best running socks you can buy right now. Just step this way…
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These are the best running socks
- Stance Icon Run Crew Socks – stance.eu.com
- Brav Performance Socks – bravendurance.co.uk
- Falke Stabilizing Cool Socks – amazon.com
- CEP Reflective Mid-Cut Compression Socks – cepsports.co.uk (not available in the US)
- UYN Run Winter One Socks – uynsports.com (not available in the US)
- Balega Support Quarter Running Socks – balega.co.uk (international shipping available)
- Tracksmith Merino Tube Socks – tracksmith.com
- Smartwool Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks – smartwool.co.uk (international delivery available)
Stance Icon Run Crew Sock
£16.99, stance.eu.com – not available in the US
Pros:
- Fantastic cushioned comfort
- Blister-busting fabric
- Good durability
Cons:
- Too thick for some race shoes
- Need to avoid tumble dryer
Comfort: 5/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
The Stance Icon Run sock’s appeal is two-fold. Firstly it provides great mid-cushion comfort for those longer runs. Secondly, that same plushness, combined with the mid-rise cut, doubles up as decent protection from the cold too, which we always like. There’s also decent ankle protection and arch support, and Stance is so confident in the Icon Run’s durability it offers a no-rip guarantee.
Read our full Stance Icon Run Crew Sock review
Brav Performance Socks
$15.16 / £12, bravendurance.co.uk
Pros:
- Durable
- Blister-busting comfort
- Lively designs
Cons:
- Too thick for some race-fit shoes
- No seamless toes
Comfort: 4/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
If you want to add some sass to your socks, Brav Performance socks are the way to go. There are 50 designs to choose from online, from sunflowers and reindeers to pirates and robots. But these aren’t just gimmicks; their mid-cut, medium blend viscose-polyester mix is supremely comfortable and durable. They wick well and we know from experience that they stand up to long endurance run efforts too.
Read our full Brav Performance Socks review
Falke Stabilizing Cool Socks
$35.95 / £23, amazon.com
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Pros:
- Incredibly soft with balanced cushioning
- Fast drying
Cons:
- Compression is quite mild
- Can’t tumble dry
Comfort: 5/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Falke were one of the first to pioneer an anatomical design in performance socks, and its expertise shows. They feature a pronounced toe sweep for a perfect fit, as well as a friction-free zero-seam design. The combination of five different fabrics makes for one of the silkiest socks we’ve tested, and they shift moisture as well as any on this list too.
Read our full Falke Stabilizing Cools Socks review
CEP Reflective Mid-Cut Compression Socks
£19.95, cepsports.co.uk – not available in the US
Pros:
- Well balanced zonal cushioning
- Reflective detail to boost safety
Cons:
- Mild compression benefits
- Colours fade quickly
Comfort: 5/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
CEP specialises in compression gear, and it brings this know-how to its running socks. They have extra padded zones in the toe and heel and we particularly like how the heel padding rises up the achilles for extra protection. As if the neon colourway wasn’t bright enough, there are reflective strips for extra night-time visibility.
Read our full CEP Reflective Mid-Cut Compression Socks Review
UYN Run Winter One Socks
£22.90, uynsports.com – not available in the US
Pros:
- Blister-busting seamless design
- Good warmth for winter miles
Cons:
- Not the softest fabric
- Can’t tumble dry
Comfort: 3/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Despite their one-piece, seam-free design, these socks from Italian performance gear expert UYN feature padded sections and breathable zones where you need them most. As the name suggests, these merino blend socks are made to withstand frosty winter runs, and their padded mid-length design does an impressive job of insulation. The legs are virtually cuffless too, creating a barely-there feel that we enjoy, and the blend of natural fibres deals well with moisture management.
Read our full UYN Run Winter One Socks Review
Balega Support Quarter Running Socks
£17, balega.co.uk – international shipping available
Pros:
- Super-soft fleecy feel
- Padded protection from ankle clipping
Cons:
- Can hold moisture
- Colours are a bit dull
Comfort: 5/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
The Balega Support Quarter Running Socks’ bend of Mohair fibre and Drynamic yarn delivers comfort in spades. There’s plenty of run protection too from the thickly padded footbed, silicone grippers on heels and toes and ankle pads that protect against ankle clipping. Strategically placed mesh panels boost ventilation and soft, substantial cuffs have stayed in place not matter how hard we’ve pounded the pavements.
Read our full Balega Support Quarter Running Socks review
Tracksmith Merino Tube Socks
$20 / £20, tracksmith.com
Pros:
- Slick old-school styling
- Highly padded heels and toes
Cons:
- Classic cream colour gets dirty easily
- Leg cuffs might loosen
Comfort: 4/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Who says socks can’t be stylish? Boston-based heritage running brand Tracksmith would beg to differ. It’s retro merino run socks look like they’re made for running connoisseurs – but they have a performance edge too. Padded toes and heels have a welcoming fleecy softness and flattened seams promise to reduce rubbing. Lanolin-coated merino fibres have microbial properties too, and we’re barely noticed any nasty niffs.
Read our full Tracksmith Merino Tube Socks review
Smartwool Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks
£23.99, smartwool.co.uk – international delivery available
Pros:
- Well padded heels and toes
- Impressively quick drying
Cons:
- Scratchier than some rivals
- Need care when washing
Comfort: 3.5/5
Breathability: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Smartwool socks give you the best of both worlds. They mix merino wool with nylon and elastane to give you wonderfully soft feeling and quick drying socks, with plenty of stretch and durability. These are mid-cut padded socks, made for when the mercury drops. They’re seam-free and thin enough to wear under leggings, and come in dark enough colours to make them suitable for muddy off-road excursions too. We reckon they hit the sweet spot between good insulation and protection without too much padding.
Read our full Smartwool Run Cold Weather Crew Socks review
What makes good running socks?
With dozens of brands and hundreds of styles, how do you know what makes a good running sock? It’s simple: you’re looking for comfort and durability.
What works for you might vary and it helps to think about the shoes you’ll run in, too. Thinner socks are great for race shoes; thicker socks bring warmth for winter but tend to need roomier footwear.
You might take as many as 40,000 steps running a marathon. That’s a lot of pounding those feet into the tarmac. Good running socks offer strategic cushioning and padding in the key impact zones to help soften your landings. They’ll also stand up to hundreds of miles of pounding themselves.
Next you want your feet to stay as dry as possible. Wet feet are a quick ticket to blisters, so good running socks need to offer reliable moisture management. You’ll never find socks that stay 100% dry but good wicking tech that move sweat away from your precious pinkies is paramount.
Another thing to look out for are socks with a seamless design, particularly around the toes. The fewer seams, the less potential edges to rub your toes up the wrong way.
How are running socks different from normal socks?
Unlike regular cotton socks, running socks use technical fabrics that reduce friction, increase padding, wick sweat and help prevent blisters.
Running socks often feature padded zones under the heel, ankle and behind the achilles. You can get different cuts, too, from no-show and ankle socks to mid-length and full calf socks. Some also offer compression to help reduce muscle damage and help speed recovery.
Many socks are made from man-made fabrics with anti-blister properties. Others use natural fibres like merino or blend merino with nylon or elastane to make them more stretchy and durable.
Some blister-busting socks use dual-layered fabric to reduce friction. Other toe-socks work like gloves for your feet, with fabric ‘fingers’ keeping your toes separated, in a bid to reduce potential for hotspots.
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