The Best Men’s Athletic Socks

Trying to exercise without a good pair of athletic socks is like trying to eat soup without a spoon. In other words: if you like to stay in shape via vigorous workouts (be it running, lifting weights, or playing sports), then you absolutely need a quality pair (or several pairs) of athletic socks. Unlike regular old cotton socks, athletic socks are designed to keep your feet from sliding around in your shoes, wick away moisture while you sweat, and provide your feet with much-needed arch support and comfort. Without the right pair of socks, you could be looking at discomfort, fungal issues, and even injuries. All of which goes to say: it's time to do yourself a favor and pick up some of the socks on this list.

Nike Performance Cushion Crew Socks

Only the Best

These Nike socks provide the utmost in comfort, breathability, and support.

Best Overall

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When your sock drawer needs a serious refresh, it’s time to turn to Nike – specifically, their Performance Cushion Crew Socks. Made from an ultra-soft, comfy blend of nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester, these athletic socks offer the utmost in support and breathability. The rib cuffs allow for a more snug fit, while, crucially, the reinforced heel and toe give fantastic arch support. And these socks come in a pack of six, so you’ll be all set for your active lifestyle for years to come.

Pros:

Crafted from a soft, reliably durable blend of cotton, nylon, spandex, and polyester
Reinforced heel and toe
Rib cuffs allow for a more snug fit
Great arch support
Easy to wash

Cons:

A tad pricey

Nike Everyday Cushion Low Training Socks

The Perfect Length

Nike's go-to training socks are sized just right.

Best Low-Ankle Socks

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The Nike Everyday Cushion Low Training Socks are sized just right, fitting snugly right at the ankle. They’re effective at keeping sweat and odor at bay no matter how tough or long your workout is. How? Easy: the sweat-wicking fabric pulls every last drop of perspiration away from the skin so your feet stay nice and dry. And the high-friction yarn in the foot of these socks also helps to reduce slippage, while the terry sole allows for additional comfort and impact absorption. Durable, supportive, and ideally sized, these are perfect if you’re particularly peeved by a sock that doesn’t fit right at the ankle.

Pros:

Awesomely sweat-wicking fabric that pulls perspiration away from the skin
Feet stay dry and comfy
High-friction yarn helps reduce slippage
Terry sole allows for extra comfort and impact absorption

Cons:

Pretty thin material, so may not be the right product if you want warm, thick socks

Under Armour Charged Cotton 2.0 Crew Socks

Sweat Be Gone

If you're prone to sweaty, stinky feet, there's no shame – just get Under Armour's crew socks.

Best Sweat-Wicking Socks

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Sweaty feet got you down? The Under Armour Charged Cotton 2.0 Crew Socks are here to rescue you from stinky, itchy, sweaty despair. These socks do a wonderful job of keeping your feet cool and dry while you exercise thanks to their superior moisture-wicking capabilities and extra-strength anti-odor technology. They also offer dynamic arch support and strategic cushioning, so your feet feel comforted and supported during even the most grueling workouts.

Pros:

Material does an excellent job of wicking away sweat
Strong anti-odor technology
High-quality blend of cotton, spandex, and polyester
Sturdy arch support
Strategic cushioning

Cons:

On the thick side, so not the best pick if you want a thin running sock

Amazon Essentials Men’s Athletic Ankle Socks

Room to Breathe

Because you don't have to break the bank just to get a good pair of socks.

Best Budget

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If you’re shopping on a budget, you truly can’t go wrong with the Amazon Essentials Men’s Athletic Socks. These socks cover all the bases: they’re made from breathable, sweat-wicking materials (a nice blend of cotton, polyester, nylon, and elastane); they have zone cushioning in the heel and toe; and the smooth-toe seam and reinforced heel and toe are exceptionally well-constructed. On top of that, the price point is tough to beat, especially considering the fact that you get six pairs of socks.

Pros:

Breathable, sweat-wicking material
Zone cushion in the heel and toe for additional comfort
Smooth-toe seam and reinforced heel and toe for durability
Excellent value buy

Cons:

These tend to run a bit small, so you have to be careful about consulting the sizing chart

Saucony Men’s No-Show Socks

To Stand in Support

Saucony's no-show socks offer targeted arch compression, so your feet stay nice and supported throughout your workout.

Best Arch Support

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Need a little extra support in your life? The Saucony Men’s No-Show Socks offer targeted arch compression that’s engineered with just the right amount so that your feet stay totally secure. This technology also prevents bunching and slipping, which really comes in handy during long runs or other high-impact activity. Plus, the ultra-wicking fibers and top-notch mesh ventilation construction help to create great airflow and breathability.

Pros:

Targeted arch compression to keep your feet feeling stable and secure
Also prevents bunching and slipping
Ultra-wicking fibers
Mesh ventilation construction helps to create great airflow
Comes in a wide variety of colors and size options

Cons:

Not totally no-show

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a good pair of athletic socks?

A good pair of athletic socks should keep your feet dry (or at least as dry as possible), wick away moisture, and allow for proper ventilation. Choose a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric like merino wool or nylon. Your socks should also provide ample arch support and cushioning, especially if you’re doing an activity that involves a lot of impact on the ground, like running.

Are most athletic socks sweat-wicking, or is this something I should specifically look for in a product?

Unfortunately, not all athletic socks have sweat-wicking properties (although most do). This is a really important feature for your socks to have, of course. Look for socks that are made from moisture-wicking materials like nylon, polyester, and merino wool to ensure that your feet don’t turn into sweaty, stinky puddles while you’re working out.