The 10 Best Men's Athletic Socks
This wiki has been updated 34 times since it was first published in October of 2016. If you're gearing up for regular workouts or game days, don't neglect the importance of appropriate apparel for your feet. These men's athletic socks are specially designed to be worn during strenuous exercise, boasting features that help increase comfort, reduce blisters, minimize sweat and moisture buildup, and provide arch support for all kinds of intense activities. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Saucony No-Show Comfort
2. Nike Performance
3. Physix Compression
Editor's Notes
May 07, 2020:
The term athletic is very broad, so we wanted to ensure this list had socks that ticked boxes any active man would want, like moisture-wicking fabric, good ventilation, and odor control, but we also selected pairs that are ideal for those who are extra hard on their apparel, runners, hikers, men who are involved in sports, and more. We paid special attention to footwear that doesn't wear down too easily, is fairly priced, has simple care instructions, feels snug without constricting, provides arch and heel support, and won't slide down or around in shoes.
To that end, runners will appreciate the Under Armour Resistor 3.0, Rockay Accelerate, Balega Blister Resist, and Saucony No-Show Comfort. The Rockay and Balega brands are made to minimize blister formation, while the Saucony and Under Armour selections are well cushioned and great for heavy sweaters. We added the Rockway option to replace the Champion No Shows, which are on the cheap side. We love that they're crafted from extremely hardwearing recycled fabric that doesn't show holes easily and helps eliminate plastic waste from oceans to boot.
For those who are on their feet all day, the Dickies Dri-Tech and Physix Compression are hard to beat for different reasons. The Dickies are engineered specifically for hot environments, like being encased in heavy work boots or pushed to the limit during a strenuous marathon. The Physix are high-quality compression socks that keep blood circulating, making them good for long bike rides, intense runs, and skiing, and are ideal for those who deal with varicose veins and swelling. The Dickies addition came at the expense of the Puma Quarter Crew, which became unavailable.
Special Honors
Bombas Bombas socks are meticulously engineered to be as comfortable and high quality as possible. They boast features like honeycomb arch support, hand-linked seams, Y-stitched heels, stay-up technology, and natural fibers with antimicrobial and moisture-wicking properties. They have a range of selections specifically tailored for movement that are made to help enhance speed and grace and are offered in an array of designs and prints. bombas.com
Gone for a Run Mid-Calf For serious runners, Gone for a Run offers an impressive catalog of apparel, footwear, accessories, and much more. Their wide selection of socks includes printed and custom printed crew-length options perfect for showing off your style during marathons and jogs around town. Made from moisture-wicking polyester, they guard feet against moisture-related discomfort and issues while training and racing. Much of what makes them suitable for running lends them well to a variety of other athletic activities. goneforarun.com
American Trench Kennedy Luxe Offering an innovative universal fit, the crew-length Kennedy Luxe were inspired by JFK and read as both retro and modern. They're knit in North Carolina from USA grown and spun Supima cotton, one of the finest extra-long staple cotton fibers in the world. They're easy to care for, stylish, and breathe well. americantrench.com
4. Balega Blister Resist
5. Rockay Accelerate
6. Under Armour Resistor 3.0
7. Dickies Dri-Tech
8. Adidas Athletic Quarter
9. Asics Unisex Low
10. Gold Toe Cotton 656
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.