I used to think all socks were the same, a pack of cotton socks were all-purpose in my eyes. I would pick up a pack from the drugstore and use them for everything. That was until I finally tried dedicated workout socks. These socks help me get through my exercise in ways I couldn’t imagine, including giving me more compression in my arches and increasing overall comfort.
However, not all workout socks are the same. Many are designed for specific exercises like running, cycling and more. To help you find the best workout socks for your fitness journey, I spoke to experts about what to consider, including fabric compositions and gathered NBC Select-staff favorites that align with their expert guidance.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best workout socks | The best workout socks | How to shop for workout socks | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best workout socks
Choosing the best workout socks is often based on personal preferences, including design features and materials. However, our experts helped weigh in on key features to be mindful of when shopping. When curating this list, I kept the following in mind:
- 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 and wool. 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.
- 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.
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The best workout socks in 2024
Best overall: Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab Socks
Feetures make some of our favorite socks, including the Elite Max Cushion pair. I wear them for every activity — running, HIIT classes, strength training — because they make my arches feel more comfortable, thanks to its medium compression. They also offer so much cushioning that it feels like pillows are on my feet. Although they initially feel thick and plush, they are lightweight and breathable, so my feet never feel sweaty after 30+ minutes of constant movement. Plus, I noticed they hold up well even after frequent wear and washes.
Material: 74% Polyester; 21% Nylon; 5% Spandex | Compression: medium | Size range: women’s 4-13, men’s 6-15.5 | Color options: 13
Best crew socks: Saucony Rundry Mesh Ventilating Comfort Fit Performance Crew Socks
To run the New York City Marathon, NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson chose her Saucony sneakers with these accompanying socks. “I prefer the ankle-height option because they help make me feel more stable when running,” she says. The Saucony is also good at wicking away sweat thanks to the polyester construction and it has decent stretch thanks to the spandex.
Material: 97% polyester, 3% spandex | Compression: light | Size range: L (8-12), XL (13-15) | Color options: 3
Best ankle sock: Bombas All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin loves these Wellness Award winners, which she can wear with all shoes for any fitness activity because they have enough cushion to support her as she runs, trains and more. Our testers also love that they are breathable and moisture-wicking, and they never have issues with the socks falling or slipping off their heel as they move around.
Material: 63% polyester, 18% nylon, 16% cotton, 3% elastane | Compression: n/a | Size range: S (4-7.5), M (8-10.5), L (11-13) | Color options: 7
Best for cycling: Swiftwick Pursuit Four Trail Running & Cycling Socks
When running outside or cycling in sub-40-degree temperatures, NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz chooses this Swiftwick Pursuit pair. “My hands and feet get cold easily, so I pay special attention to socks and gloves during winter,” he says. “These socks are made with 60% Merino wool, which keeps my feet much warmer than any other material I’ve tried.”
Material: 60% Merino wool, 36% nylon, 4% spandex | Compression: moderate | Size range: women’s 8-13, men’s 7-11.5 | Color options: 6
Best for Pilates: Tavi Savvy Grip Socks
Experts in our guide to the best Pilates socks suggest these grip socks because they’re durable, snug and support your arches. The ankle socks have slight cushioning, and to prevent any discomfort, they also have a heel tab to protect the Achilles tendon, according to the brand.
Material: 73% cotton, 14% nylon, 7% elastane, 6% polyester | Compression: light | Size range: XS (4-6), S (6-8), M (8.5-10.5), L (11-13), XL (13-14) | Color options: 28 colors, including bold and neutral options
Best for running: Danish Endurance Cushioned Running Socks
“These running socks hug my arches just the right amount, which helps reduce swelling when I’m on my long runs,” says Swanson. “Inevitably, my feet will always be sore after 17 miles, but these make a huge difference in the level of comfort I experience.”
Material: 65% polypropylene, 33% polyamide, 2% elastane | Compression: moderate | Size range: women’s 5-13, men’s 3.5-12.5 | Color options: 8
Best for yoga: Gaiam Grippy Studio Yoga Socks
“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,” says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who practices yoga most mornings in her living room. “The grips on the bottom work on a range of yoga mats, in my experience, and they help to keep the sock from sliding around on my foot. I’ve had these socks for years and the grippies are all still in place after being washed over and over.”
Material: 98% polyester, 2% spandex | Compression: n/a | Size range: one size fits most | Color options: 2
Best bundle: Bombas Marl Ankle Sock 4-Pack
“These are by far my favorite workout and lounge socks,” says NBC Select page Ella Morrissey, who loves the Bombas Marl Ankle Socks so much she purchased them in a pack. “They are incredibly comfortable, have the right level of thickness, and don’t get worn down by my shoes when I’m running.” Although this quartet is in women’s sizing, it also comes in men’s sizing.
Material: 74% supima cotton, 23% polyester, 3% elastane | Compression: n/a | Size range: S (4-7.5), M (8-10.5), L (11-13) | Color options: 3
How to shop for workout socks
To help you determine which workout sock is best, our experts suggest looking at material composition, compression, cushion and more.
Material
You might notice a few different fabric blends in workout socks because certain materials have specific benefits, including sweat-wicking. Below, Preeti Gopinath, an associate professor of textiles at The New School’s Parsons School of Design, breaks down five you may commonly see on a label:
- 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.
While the material of your sock may depend on personal preference, it’s also essential to pay attention to how it impacts the overall health of your foot when working out. Socks made 100% out of synthetic materials may increase the risk of infections like athlete’s foot because they may not find the balance of moisture-wicking and breathability, says Dr. Alicia Canzanese, a board-certified podiatrist. Therefore, socks should combine natural and synthetic fabrics to increase the benefits and lower risk, Canzanese says.
Compression
On the sock label, you may see arch support and arch compression; however, they do not mean the same thing or are used interchangeably. Arch compression is an excellent quality in workout socks because it helps with comfortability by increasing blood flow and helps reduce swelling and fluid build-up, according to Canzanese. It can also provide relief from plantar fasciitis, says Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a board-certified podiatrist. Calf compression socks can help support conditions like shin splints and ankle instability and prevent generalized swelling, according to Parthasarathy.
Cushion
With socks, you don’t want too much of a good thing; instead, you’ll want more balance when it comes to cushioning. 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
The socks should fit like a glove especially around the arch, says Parthasarathy. You also want the heel area of the sock to align with your foot without the sock itself stretching out. Your feet should not slide around in the socks, nor should your feet feel restricted in them. This helps you avoid blisters, discomfort and injury, according to our experts.
Cut
Workout socks will come in multiple lengths including no show, ankle, crew and quarter. The decision of the cut will likely fall on personal preference and the activity you choose, according to our experts. 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.
- Preeti Gopinath is an associate professor of textiles at The New School’s Parsons School of Design.
- Dr. Alicia Canzanese is a board-certified podiatrist at Gordon Podiatry in Pennsylvania and is an adjunct faculty member at Temple University.
- Dr. Priya Parthasarathy is a board-certified podiatrist at Foot & 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 an associate reporter at 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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