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Almost no piece of clothing can make or break your daily comfort like a pair of socks. Our apparel experts researched over 20 pairs of socks before picking 10 of the most popular options to purchase for side-by-side testing. We looked at the comfort of the material, functionality, breathability, odor control, and style. Bulky seams, scratchy material, or poor moisture-wicking abilities can leave you an unhappy camper, especially if you’re on your feet all day for work. From budget multi-packs to premium pairs, our in-depth review will help you find the right pair of socks to keep your feet moving forward in style and comfort.
Best Overall Socks for Men
Darn Tough Men’s Merino Wool Micro Crew Cushion Socks
“Darn Tough is a hilarious name for a brand but an apt description of their socks,” says Dan Small, who directs partnerships and special projects for Baggu. Bowman agrees and has been wearing his pair of Darn Tough Socks for over a year. “They’ve survived multiple hikes, snow-shoveling, and winter storms, as well as plenty of trips through the wash,” he says. They’re padded to add comfort, so you will immediately notice the thickness in comparison to medium-weight socks like Uniqlo’s and Muji’s. They also have a snug fit, so they won’t slip around while hiking. Because they are made of merino wool, they regulate temperature to keep your feet comfortable and dry in a variety of weather settings. Darn Tough socks come with a lifetime guarantee of quality, and the brand will replace any pair that rips from normal wear and tear.
Dickies Dri-Tech Crew Multipack
Material:78% Cotton, 19% Polyester, 2% Spandex | Sock Height: Mid Calf
Our testers are always wary of bargains that seem too good to be true. With elastic cuffs that lose their integrity almost instantly and toes that blow out faster than it takes to walk around the block, cheap multipacks of socks often don’t deliver. The Dickies Dri-Tech socks, however, break the mold for affordable socks. Complete with technology usually reserved for pricer pairs, these socks were some of our favorites regardless of the price. These socks were made to withstand whatever you throw at them with reinforced heels and toes, built-in arch support, and good ventilation.
One of the few drawbacks to these socks is the minimal heel cushion. They wouldn’t be our first choice for sustained athletics with this missing element, but certainly not the worst. Whether you’re on your feet working construction all day or cooped up in a sweaty office, these socks will keep your feet dry, comfortable, and looking good.
Best Bang for the Buck
Champion No Show
Material: 75% Cotton; 20% Polyester; 3% Natural Latex rubber, 1% Nylon, 1% Spandex | Sock Height: Low Ankle
The Champion No Show socks are low-cut ankle socks made from a soft and stretchy blend of cotton and synthetics. This affordably priced multipack was extremely comfortable on the skin. The fit is tight but in a comforting foot-hugging sort of way. As far as style goes, these socks are fairly non-descript; the medium low cut has them sticking out just ever so slightly above your shoe line on an average pair of sneakers.
While these socks are generally comfortable, they are missing some of the bells and whistles found in more premium options. The heels are a little thin, and the advertised arch support is minimal. All in all, these socks are great as a daily driver that might not excel in every metric but score decently across the board.
Best Budget Runners
CelerSport Ankle Athletic
Material:88.3% Cotton, 10.7% Polyester, 1% Spandex | Sock Height: Low Ankle
The CelerSport Ankle Athletic sock lives up to its name of being built for athletics. With reinforced ankles and cushioned heels, these socks perform great for sustained athletics. After a long day of pounding pavement or dirt trails, our feet stayed dry, odor-free, and comfortable.
While great for running or other sports, these wouldn’t be the socks we wore to the office or out on the town. The cushioned ankle keeps your Achilles from rubbing on your shoes, but the obvious bulky tab that sticks out over the back of your shoe is too casual looking for anything but recreational wear.
Best No-Shows
Arvin Goods No Show
Material: Proprietary Blend of Recycled Fabric | Sock Height: No-Show
Arvin Goods is putting their best foot forward and aiming to produce socks that not only keep your feet happy but are also good for the planet. With a manufacturing process that uses recycled materials and a recycling program where they will take your socks back when they are finally blown out, this is a purchase you can feel good about. Thicker than your average no-show socks, they are surprisingly comfortable to stand around in all day, and the added piece of rubber in the heel keeps them from slipping off. Although hidden while wearing shoes, the fun colors these socks come in make for a stylish look while lounging around shoeless.
Less of a problem with these socks and more of an issue with no-shows in general; the low coverage can cause some chafing on your ankle bones if you’re not wearing low-cut shoes. This is an excellent pair of socks for the office or casual wear but wouldn’t be our go-to for athletics or manual labor.
Most Stylish
Stance Icon 3-Pack
Material: Proprietary Synthetic Blend | Sock Height: Mid Calf
Stance socks are known for their fun styles that were born out of the skate and snowboard scene. The company has evolved to make socks and accessories for a wide variety of activities, including casual everyday wear. The Stance Icon has subtle styling details that keep you looking good but are still appropriate as workwear. With a slight amount of heel cushion and elastic arch support, they provide added comfort to keep you on your feet all day. The proprietary material feels almost slippery against your skin but fits tight enough as not to slip down your shins. With good moisture-wicking abilities, they are perfect for hot and sweaty days spent on your feet.
While we found the Icons to be comfortable for casual all-day wear, they wouldn’t be our first choice as a pair of hikers or runners. These stylish socks will take you from the office to the skatepark, and in a pinch, perform just fine on a short run.