We put so much time, effort and money into purchasing the right running shoes, yet often seem to ignore the value of picking the best running socks for our feet.
It’s a strange scenario, as running socks can have a huge impact on the comfort and support that are feet are subjected to. So with that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of the best running socks on the market right now.
Underneath all of these reviews, you'll also find out guide to how we tested and also our advice on what to look for when buying running socks.
Best running socks
Stance Run Crew Sock
- £16.99
These socks have been reliable throughout a damp winter and spring test period.
They stay in place well, utilise lightweight cushioning to enhance comfort and are supportive, too.
I liked the subtle style and they dealt with sweat rather well, though they’re not exactly thin or lightweight, so may be a bit warm in the height of summer.
If you get caught in a heavy downpour, like I did, they do soak up quite a bit of water, too, which isn’t the case with thinner options. RS
Verdict: Comfy and supportive but best for autumn, winter and spring.
Score: 85%
On Running All Day Socks
- £20
Available in 10 colour-fade options (shown here in doe/moss) these longer socks tick the hipster box and are the perfect choice if you’re the kind of person who worries about your socks matching your kit.
But did they perform? Well, they certainly feel good quality with a nicely-padded area around the toes and under the heels, which made them super comfortable.
The seams are well knitted in, too, which meant there was no annoying rubbing on longer runs.
The middle of the sock is lighter, which kept them less sweaty, though they are sold for cold weather and were warmer than others here.
They’re expensive, but the fabric is mostly organic cotton and recycled polyamide, with a touch of elastane, so good from an eco point of view. HW
Verdict: Great looks and fabrics, with comfortable padding. Pricey, though!
Score: 84%
Inov-8 TrailFly Sock Mid (2-pack)
Buy from Ellis Brigham (£23.99)
- £24
Coming in a twin-pack (the other pair in purple) these are already good value for this test, coming in at £12 a pair. Plus, whoever only needs one pair of running socks?!
I liked the mid cut, too, which sat just above the top of my trainers and prevented the socks slipping under the shoe’s collar, but didn’t come up too high, so kept things cool.
Padding under the toes and heel was good, while the mesh construction on the socks’ larger panels felt cool and comfortable and very breathable over longer runs.
With slightly plusher construction in key contact areas (the darker areas on the soles) I also felt these socks would have good longevity.
Fabrics are polyamide with 3% Lycra for stretch, 68% of which is made up of recycled materials. HW
Verdict: Good value set of socks that were cool yet comfortable.
Score: 90%
Asics Cushion Quarter Sock (2-pack)
Buy now from Sports Direct (£9.49)
- £11
These twin-pack socks work out at £5.50 a pair, which is an absolute bargain.
Okay, so they might look a little basic, and white wouldn’t be my first choice for socks as someone who does a lot of muddy trail running, but that’s a minor quibble – and they’re also available in black!
You get a little padding on the toes and heel here, but they’re not in the same league as the Ons or Inov-8s.
The thin, breathable mesh on the midfoot and upper is comfortable and cool, though, and these would be a good choice if you’re a runner who doesn’t like thick running socks or who has slightly snug shoes.
Fabrics are a mix of cotton and polyamide/elastane with no mention of recycled fabrics being used in the mix. HW
Verdict: Lightweight and breathable sock. Not as plush as others, though.
Score: 81%
Darn Tough Grit Micro Crew Ultra-Light
- £20
One of the first things you notice after pulling these socks on is just how much support is on offer.
There are multiple ‘zones’ and a particularly close fit, which is great for reducing the risk of blisters.
They’re also breathable and deal with moisture well, but aren’t quite as comfortable as, say, the Smartwool socks on test.
That’s not to say that they’re uncomfortable, but they just don’t feel as plush against the skin or as nice around the toes.
There isn’t any dedicated cushioning, either, which may or may not be a negative depending on your preferences.
Durability has proved good so far and, judging by my past experiences (and the lifetime guarantee), I see no reason why this wouldn’t continue. Ankle and quarter-length are also available. RS
Verdict: A great, supportive fit but comfort isn’t as good as others here.
Score: 83%
Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion Ankle
- £20.99
That sounds like a lot for a pair of socks, and it is, but these are some of the most comfortable run socks I've ever run in.
The material is a mix of merino wool, nylon, recycled nylon and elastane, but it feels luxuriously soft against the skin.
The toe seams are also virtually unnoticeable, while the dedicated cushioning on the ball and heel of the foot helps provide a comfortable ride without adding much bulk.
The fit is decent and supportive, too, and I experienced zero bunching during our test runs.
Moisture management is also pretty good, but not quite on par with some thinner socks on test.
Given their slightly thicker nature, they may also get a bit warm at the height of summer. Other lengths are also available. RS
Verdict: Want cushioning and comfort in abundance? Then look no further...
Score: 92%
Adidas Terrex Heat.Rdy Trail Running Agravic Crew
- £25
These trail-running socks from Adidas Terrex look and feel great when on.
The material, which is made out of recycled polyester, recycled nylon and elastane, is comfortable and wicks moisture well, while sections of lightweight mesh help with the ventilation.
However, due to that lack of weight, we did wonder how durable the mesh would prove in the long run.
Support is also decent thanks to dedicated arch support, but the socks’ overall fit isn’t quite as tight
as this tester would like, with a bit of movement in the fabric on the heel.
Adidas Terrex says there’s also padding in all the right places and, while it felt fairly limited, I appreciated it all the same. Also available in white/orange colourway. RS
Verdict: Great ventilation and moisture management, but fit wasn’t perfect.
Score: 82%
Runderwear Anti Blister Socks
- £15
This offering from Runderwear is designed specifically with the task of reducing the risk of blisters and, in my experience, it does that with aplomb.
This is due to the two-layer construction, which reduces friction forces on your foot.
It works well, though pulling these socks on did require a little more care and attention to ensure no bunching of the inner layer, which could add unwanted seconds to your transition time.
Once on and correctly in place, the socks were really comfortable. There’s a decent amount of cushioning and the result is a plush running experience.
Due to the double layered nature of these socks, they do run a little warm and moisture wicking isn’t quite as efficient as other socks in this test.
However, I didn’t find that an issue on my shorter training runs. RS
Verdict: Impressive blister protection, but not the quickest for pulling on in transition.
Score: 86%
Darn Tough Run No-Show Tab Cushion Ultralight Running Socks
- £16.95
These running socks were just a delight to run in. They have cushioning in all the right places, which helps deliver a plush running experience.
A cushioned heel tab ensures the sock doesn’t slip down into the shoe and also helps get these socks on quickly when in transition.
The close fit ensures it’s hard for dirt to get into the sock, but that heel cuff occasionally caught debris.
A blend of nylon, Merino wool, and lycra makes for a good balance of durability, comfort, support and anti-odour properties, while the seamless construction boosts comfort further.
As with all Darn Tough socks, these come with a lifetime guarantee, though this is something I've never had to utilise before. RS
Verdict: Hard to fault; excellent, comfortable and among the best running socks out there.
Score: 94%
Under Armour UA Armour Dry Run Crew Socks
- £15
These running socks from Under Armour are unlike many on test here in that they have a high ankle cuff.
This is great if you’re running on trails, as it offers protection against nettles and brambles, as well as dirt finding its way into your sock.
That being said, the white colourway we have on test here doesn’t stay clean for long (luckily, there's also a blue and black).
Under Armour says these are their fastest drying socks and, while I can’t verify that, I can say that they managed moisture very well.
They’re also well ventilated thanks to mesh panels on the top and bottom of the foot, though the higher ankle is slightly warmer than no-show socks.
I found them to be comfortable, with a secure fit ensuring no bunching of the fabric.
There’s slightly less cushioning than the likes of the Darn Tough and Runderwear socks on test, but I didn’t find this detrimental to comfort. Meanwhile, there’s arch support to help with foot fatigue. RS
Verdict: Great support, ventilation and moisture wicking.
Score: 90%
Smartwool Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks
- £20.99
The Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks (and breathe!) are super comfortable, look good and offer additional warmth compared to standard run socks, which is ideal for the winter months.
The mix of Merino wool and nylon deliver strong thermal properties even when wet, and they’ve proved durable and supportive so far, too, but they’re not cheap!
They're available in blue and black. RS
Verdict: Eye-watering price but a pleasure to wear and run in.
Score: 87%
Enertor Energy Socks
- £12.99
These ankle-high running socks from Enertor are super lightweight and deliver a close, secure fit.
Despite their thin nature and minimal cushioning they proved comfortable and I had no issues with blisters or rubbing. They ventilate and breathe well, too, but I'm wary over their long-term durability.
Enertor says they also use an advanced Nilit Innergy energy return fibre to increase performance and endurance, though I've not personally seen any major breakthroughs in this regard. RS
Verdict: Lightweight and breathable, but limited cushioning and questions over durability.
Score: 82%
DexShell Running Lite Waterproof Socks
- £24.99
Waterproof running socks can be a good option in harsh winter conditions, keeping your feet warm and dry, and DexShell are one of the industry leaders in this regard. On test here is the brand’s Running Lite Waterproof Socks.
As with all waterproof socks I've tried, comfort levels aren’t quite as high as standard socks, but these were certainly not uncomfortable, and I had no issues with wearing them.
There was ample cushioning and good arch support, but the fit isn’t quite as close as standard socks.
Weather protection is good, as expected, but unless it’s particularly cold, you should expect to end up with sweaty feet, which is what happened on our test runs. Based on this, I'd recommend saving these for properly miserable weather days.
There were no issues with durability and I liked the added visibility on offer thanks to the colourful band at the top of the ankle cuff. RS
Verdict: Great for particularly cold, miserable weather, but can get sweaty inside.
Score: 82%
Monkey Sox Ultra X1 Sport
- £16
What can I say about these socks? Well, a lot as it happens. The first thing to note is that 50% of profits generated by the sale of these socks are donated to multiple sclerosis charities, which is great to see.
The next thing to note is that these socks are bright. Very bright. And there’s a monkey on the back too.
While that might not be to the taste of everyone, I found it good for visibility and, despite normally wearing subdued colours, I soon began to embrace the madness.
Comfort-wise, these socks are luxurious to wear. It’s like sliding your feet into your favourite pair of fluffy slippers.
Cushioning is good, while the 1/4 cuff helps keep out debris. They were quick to pull on too, making them a reasonable choice for in transition.
After sustained use, I noticed the fabric started to pill, but at this point this seems to be purely only an aesthetic issue and the socks have continued to perform as expected. RS
Verdict: Super comfortable and we love the charity involvement.
Score: 85%
Smartwool PHD Run Light Elite
- £17.99
Made of a mix of Merino wool, nylon and elastane, these socks are designed to offer excellent durability and performance. In testing, I saw nothing that suggested otherwise.
Thanks to the targeted cushioning on the ball and heel of the foot, mesh ventilation zones and a ‘Virtually Seamless’ toe, these socks were extremely comfortable.
With Merino wool making up part of the construction, they remained odour-free and stayed warm when wet.
There was a great deal of support on offer, while the close fit meant there was no issue with dirt or debris sneaking into the sock.
Thankfully, they’re also quick to slide on, making them a reasonable option for race day. RS
Verdict: Not cheap, but high quality and comfortable, making them one of the best running socks on the market.
Score: 88%
2XU Vectr Light Cushion No Show Socks
The Vectr socks utilise 2XU’s X-Lock technology in order to help protect against injury and offer ankle and arch stability.
While I can't comment on the injury protection claim, I will say they felt supportive and offered good stability.
A wide toe box allowed for toe splay, though the socks do fit quite tightly, which admittedly helps keep them in place.
I had zero issues with blisters, while a Polygiene treatment and multiple ventilation zones helped keep the socks fresh.
They're not the most cushioned, but unless you're running in harsh running shoes, I found there was plenty to help stave off foot fatigue. RS
Verdict: Comfortable and great in warm weather.
Score: 85%
How we tested
The running socks featured here have been tested by 220 Triathlon's editor, Helen Webster, and the magazine's content editor, Rob Slade.
Both have over 10 years of gear testing experience and have been running for even longer.
All of these socks have been tested over multiple runs, including varying distances and intensities.
We've also endeavoured to run in them in different weather conditions.
Our testing criteria included comfort, fit, moisture wicking, speed of pulling them on and breathability, but you can find out more on what we look for in running socks by scrolling to the next section of this article.
Anything that scores over 90% is among the best running socks on the market. Meanwhile, 80-90% represents a fantastic product, while 70-80% is still an option that will do the job well.
If an item scores below 70%, it means there are some quite significant flaws with the product.
What type of socks are best for running?
As with most products, a lot comes down to personal preference. For example, running socks that venture above the ankle can be beneficial if your runs incorporate trails with long grass, brambles/nettles or loose terrain underfoot, helping fend off any debris getting into your socks and protecting your skin.
The best running socks need to fit well too, which means no movement between the material and your skin, as this can lead to blisters. Many no-show or ankle socks also have a cushioned heel tab that helps keep them in place, eliminating the risk of them sliding down into your shoe.
Ventilation is also key, particularly in summer. You want your socks to breath, wick moisture away and dump heat well to keep your feet as dry and comfortable as possible.
And then we come to comfort. Depending on the terrain and the running shoes you wear, you may want varying levels of cushioning. Key locations for cushioning include the heel and ball of your foot, as this is where most of the impact is.
For more running reviews, see:
