I used to believe that all socks were the same and that a pair of cotton socks could be used for anything. From the drugstore, I would get a pack and use them for everything. That is, until I tried wearing socks specifically designed for working out. In addition to providing me with greater compression in my arches and improving my general comfort, these socks enable me to complete my workout in ways I never would have thought possible.
But not every pair of exercise socks is created equal. Many are made for particular types of activity, such as cycling, running, and more. I talked to professionals about factors like fabric compositions to help you choose the best training socks for your fitness quest, and I compiled NBC Select staff picks that support their knowledgeable advice.
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Our top picks
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Best overallFeetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab Socks
$undefined$18.00Amazon
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Best crew socksSaucony Rundry Mesh Ventilating Comfort Fit Performance Crew Socks
$undefined$15.99Amazon
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Best ankle socksBombas All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks
$undefined$17.00Bombas
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Best bundleBombas Marl Ankle Sock 4-Pack
$49.40$52.00Bombas
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How I picked the best workout socks
Personal tastes, including materials and design elements, are frequently the basis for selecting the best training socks. Nonetheless, our professionals offered their opinions on important aspects to consider when shopping. I considered the following when compiling this list:
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Material
: One of the main things that make workout socks different from the socks you wear on a daily basis is their composition. Workout socks can include fabrics such as cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex/elastane andwool
. Traditional cotton socks tend to soak up moisture, while these fabrics wick away sweat, regulate temperature and offer more stretch. All of the socks below have at least two of these materials.
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Activity
: Workout socks are made for various low- and high-impact fitness activities. This list has options for all movements, including specific choices for running, yoga, cycling and more. -
Price:
Unlike standard cotton socks you might wear daily, workout socks tend to have a higher price point because of material composition and design elements. My list has individual socks as low as $10 and bundles as high as $52.
Related
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The best workout socks in 2024
Best overall:
Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab Socks
Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab Socks
- Great cushioning
- Minimizes irritation
- Breathable
- Higher price point
Some of our favorite socks, such as the Elite Max Cushion pair, are made by Feetures. I wear them for weight training, HIIT sessions, and running since their medium compression helps my arches feel more comfortable. Additionally, they provide so much cushioning that my feet feel like pillows. My feet never feel sweaty after more than thirty minutes of continuous exercise since they are lightweight and breathable, despite their initial thick and velvety feel. Additionally, I found that they maintain their quality even after repeated washings and usage.
Sizes range: women’s 4–13, men’s 6–15.5 | Color options: 13 | Compression: medium | Material: 74% Polyester; 21% Nylon; 5% Spandex
Best crew socks:
Saucony Rundry Mesh Ventilating Comfort Fit Performance Crew Socks
Saucony Rundry Mesh Ventilating Comfort Fit Performance Crew Socks
- Moisture-wicking
- Temperature control
- Light cushioning
- Limited size options
- Not sold individually
Lauren Swanson, editorial director of NBC Select, wore her Saucony sneakers and these matching socks to the New York City Marathon. Because they give me a sense of stability while I run, I like the ankle-height option, she says. Additionally, the polyester structure of the Saucony helps it drain away perspiration, and the spandex gives it a respectable amount of stretch.
Composition: light; Size range: L (8–12), XL (13–15); Color options: 3; Material: 97% polyester, 3% spandex
Best ankle sock:
Bombas All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks
Bombas All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks
- Durable
- Seamless toe design
- Has arch compression
- Nothing to note at this time
Since they offer enough cushion to support her while she runs, trains, and other activities, NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin adores these Wellness Award winners and can wear them with any type of shoe. Additionally, our testers adore the socks’ ability to wick away moisture and breathe, and they never experience any problems with them slipping or falling off their heel when they’re moving around.
Size range: S (4-7.5), M (8-10.5), L (11-13), Composition: 63% polyester, 18% nylon, 16% cotton, 3% elastane | Color options: 7
Best for cycling:
Swiftwick Pursuit Four Trail Running & Cycling Socks
Swiftwick Pursuit Four Trail Running & Cycling Socks
- Medium cushioning
- Temperature control
- Moisture-wicking
- Limited size options
This Swiftwick Pursuit pair is the one that NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz wears when he’s riding or running outside in temps below forty degrees. “I pay special attention to socks and gloves during the winter because my hands and feet get cold easily,” he explains. Compared to other materials I’ve tried, the 60% Merino wool used to make these socks keeps my feet significantly warmer.
Made of 60% Merino wool, 36% nylon, and 4% spandex; somewhat compressed; available in sizes 8–13 for women and 7–11.5 for men; six color options
Best for Pilates:
Tavi Savvy Grip Socks
Tavi Savvy Grip Socks
- Non-slip
- Can use for barre and yoga
- Light cushion
- Nothing to note at this time
These grip socks are recommended by experts in our guide to the best Pilates socks because they are supportive of your arches, snug, and long-lasting. According to the brand, the ankle socks contain a heel tab to support the Achilles tendon and a small amount of padding to avoid any discomfort.
Compression: light; Size range: XS (4-6), S (6-8), M (8.5-10.5), L (11-13), XL (13-14); Color options: 28 hues, including bold and neutral ones; Material: 73% cotton, 14% nylon, 7% elastane, 6% polyester
Best for running:
Danish Endurance Cushioned Running Socks
Danish Endurance Cushioned Running Socks
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Don t slip or bunch
- Not sold individually
“When I go on long runs, these running socks help reduce swelling because they hug my arches just the right amount,” Swanson says. After 17 kilometers, my feet will inevitably always hurt, however these significantly improve my comfort level.
Made of 65% polypropylene, 33% polyamide, and 2% elastane; somewhat compressed; available in sizes 5–13 for women and 3.5–12.5 for men; color options: 8
Best for yoga:
Gaiam Grippy Studio Yoga Socks
Gaiam Grippy Studio Yoga Socks
- Durable
- Toeless design
- Good for barre and Pilates
- Limited size options
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who does yoga in her living room most mornings, adds, “I love that these socks are toeless and breathable because I overheat easily so I can wear them without wanting to immediately rip them off.” In my experience, the bottom grips work on a variety of yoga mats and prevent the sock from slipping off my foot. I’ve owned these socks for years, and despite numerous washings, the grippies are still in place.
Compression: n/a; Size range: one size fits most; Color options: two; Material: 98% polyester, 2% spandex
Best bundle:
Bombas Marl Ankle Sock 4-Pack
Bombas Marl Ankle Sock 4-Pack
- Minimizes irritation
- Medium cushioning
- Doesn t move or slip
- Higher price point
According to NBC Select page Ella Morrissey, who bought a pack of the Bombas Marl Ankle Socks because she loves them so much, these are by far her favorite socks for working out and lounging. When I run, they don’t get worn down by my shoes, are perfectly thick, and are really comfy. Despite being in women’s sizes, this quartet is also available in men’s sizes.
Color options: 3 | Compression: n/a | Size range: S (4-7.5), M (8-10.5), L (11-13) | Material: 74% supima cotton, 23% polyester, 3% elastane
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How to shop for workout socks
Our experts advise examining material composition, compression, cushion, and other factors to help you choose the finest training sock.
Material
Workout socks may contain a few distinct fabric blends because different materials have varied properties, such as sweat-wicking. Associate professor of textiles at The New School’s Parsons School of Design, Preeti Gopinath, explains down five labels you could encounter below:
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Cotton
: This fabric will soak away sweat. However, it takes longer to evaporate and dry, so your feet might stay wet when wearing 100% cotton. -
Polyester and nylon
: These two focus on wicking away moisture and evaporating it quickly so feet stay dry and cool. This is called comfort cooling the faster the sweat evaporates from your skin, the cooler your feet will feel. These also help improve the socks durability because they are made of filament fibers versus cotton, which is made of multiple fibers twisted together where each joint becomes a breaking point. One of the main differences between polyester and nylon is that nylon has a little more stretch. -
Merino wool
: Merino wool is a great fabric to consider because it s soft, can keep your feet warm and resists moisture, which is great for short periods when working out. However, once it soaks up a lot of moisture, it can become heavy and gross. -
Spandex/elastane
: Spandex primarily adds a stretch to the socks and is the stretchiest of all fabrics. No matter how much they may spread, they will revert to their original shape.
Although your sock’s material may be a matter of personal preference, it’s important to consider how it affects your foot’s general health when exercising. According to board-certified podiatrist Dr. Alicia Canzanese, socks constructed entirely of synthetic materials may not strike the right balance between breathability and moisture-wicking, which could raise the risk of infections like athlete’s foot. According to Canzanese, socks should blend natural and synthetic materials to maximize advantages and minimize risks.
Compression
Although the terms “arch support” and “arch compression” may be used interchangeably on the same label, they have different meanings. According to Canzanese, arch compression is a great feature in exercise socks because it improves blood flow, which makes the socks more comfortable, and it also helps to decrease swelling and fluid accumulation. According to board-certified podiatrist Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, it can help relieve plantar fasciitis. According to Parthasarathy, calf compression stockings can help support ailments like ankle instability and shin splints while preventing widespread swelling.
Cushion
When it comes to socks, you want more balance in terms of cushioning rather than too much of a good thing. Cushioning plays a significant role in comfortability; however, too much cushioning can take up more room in your shoe and can increase the risk of blisters because there s a risk of more friction with a lack of space, says Canzanese. If you need lots of cushioning for comfort, you re better off looking for that in your workout sneakers instead of a pair of socks or wearing multiple layers of socks, she says.
Fit
According to Parthasarathy, the socks should fit perfectly, especially around the arch. You also want the heel area of the sock to align with your foot without the sock itself stretching out. The socks should not feel tight on your feet or cause them to slide about. According to our specialists, this helps you prevent blisters, discomfort, and injury.
Cut
There are several lengths of workout socks available, including crew, quarter, ankle, and no show. According to our specialists, the cut will probably depend on your own preferences and the activity you select. However, more fabric can provide more protection, says Parthasarathy.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Preeti Gopinath
is an associate professor of textiles at The New School s Parsons School of Design.
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Dr. Alicia Canzanese
is a board-certified podiatrist at Gordon Podiatry in Pennsylvania and is an adjunct faculty member at Temple University.
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Dr. Priya Parthasarathy
is a board-certified podiatrist atFoot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic
in Silver Spring, Maryland and is the president-elect on the Maryland Podiatric Medical Associations Executive committee.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am anassociate reporterat NBC Select who frequently covers beauty and wellness topics. For this story, I interviewed three experts, a textile designer and two podiatrists, and compiled a list of the best workout socks that align with their guidance and recommendations. I also gathered NBC Select-staff favorite socks for all types of workouts, including running, pilates, training and more.
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