The 5 Best Ankle Socks for Men

What’s worse than arriving at your pick-up basketball game in knee-length tube socks? Well, ok, it could be worse, like being that tourist who struts the city in black business socks and sandals. Indeed, is there nothing that pegs the Dork Meter harder than a calf-length tan line? Today’s active male needs a rugged, durable sock that converges at the outside line of the shoe: the ankle sock. Whether you wear walking shoes, athletic shoes or stylish, casual shoes, a good ankle sock is critical for your comfort. We’ve looked into many different brands, styles, and construction materials and have concluded that these are the 5 best ankle socks for men on the market today.

Coolplus Men’s Ankle Socks

Who Doesn’t Want To Be Cool Plus?

Coolplus provides best-in-class quality, design, and cost value for men who want ankle socks for both workouts and everyday wear.

Best Overall

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It’s easy to see that a lot of thought went into the design of Coolplus’ ankle socks, which is why they get our top honor. Though made from 100% polyester spandex and nylon, the sock is still breathable due to its mesh construction. Coolplus also features a diamond-shaped fabric to protect the dorsal foot, along with a tab cuff to protect the heel and reduce slippage. The 3D “Y” heel’s ergonomic design was created to prevent the sock from slipping, while elastic stabilizers allow the arch to move freely. The sole skids are cushioned, both as an anti-abrasion measure and to provide slip protection, which also helps to prevent blisters. It’s a whole lotta sock for what comes out to about $2.50 a pair.

Pros:

Shock absorbant
Available in three colors
Added compression in the arch

Cons:

Sizes err on the small side
Slightly taller design

Balega Hidden Comfort No-Show Running Socks

Run And Get Some

With a special emphasis on comfort and protection features, Balega has developed the best sock for running enthusiasts.

Best Runner’s Sock

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What a runner needs most of all is a sock that doesn’t slip around inside their shoe. Balega understands this and has developed a runner’s ankle-length sock with hand-linked toe seams and 30% more stitches than normal socks. Additionally, Balega sews fabric branches into the heel, reinforced with Elastene, to ensure stretching around the foot without slipping under the ankle. Since runners’ feet are most likely to perspire, Balega has developed a proprietary “Drynamix” fiber, reinforced with microfiber panels composed of mesh ventilation, keeping feet dry and comfortable. The Hidden Comfort design is the only one in the Balega line with a 200-needle count fabric construction, providing the best in impact resistance. And all these features are seamless. We mean literally seamless – no seams in the manufacturing of the sock!

Pros:

Comes in five sizes
Available in 19 colors
Manufacturing facility in North Carolina

Cons:

A bit expensive
Best if hand washed

Hanes Men’s FreshLQ Socks

Just The Socks, Ma’am

From one of the most trusted names in men’s undergarments comes a no-frills ankle sock for guys on a budget.

Best Value

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Hanes is a name you know you can trust – after all, they’ve been around for over a hundred years – and their FreshlQ No-Show Socks are exactly as advertised. For twelve bucks you get a 12-pack of durable, everyday ankle socks, made from cotton, polyester, rubber, and nylon. Hanes sews these socks with a heavy-duty cushioned sole to keep them long-lasting and comfortable, and uses an advanced, odor-fighting technology that attacks the bacteria that can cause smelly feet. Are these ankle socks packed with crazy reinforcements, paddings, cushions and stitching? No – these are workaday socks for everyday life, and they’re a great bargain.

Pros:

Machine washable
Available in four styles
Reinforced toe

Cons:

Closer in design to a dress sock
Smaller sizes reach over ankle

Balega Silver Antimicrobial Socks

When Silver Is Better Than Gold

For men who need an ankle sock with both comfort and odor-protection, Balega Silver provides the perfect solution.

Best Odor Control

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It’s not often that we feature two products from the same manufacturer in our list, but Balega’s dominance in the world of athletic socks is almost unmatched. With their antimicrobial socks, Balega tackles one of the biggest problems for active men: foot odor. By sewing antibacterial silver ions into the fabric of the sock, the feet are kept dry, clean, and odor-free. The strategically-placed ventilation panels in the mesh fabric create excellent moisture wicking. Runners will appreciate the fact that the sock is produced to mimic the design of a running shoe, so that the heel and midfoot are locked in, while the toes are free to move. This design is augmented with variable strength bands that run along the arch, providing even greater support. No one likes foot odor, but Balega has your back (or your foot, as the case may be).

Pros:

Seamless toe for minimal friction
Available in a wide variety of colors
Great for extended training and endurance events

Cons:

Nearly $15 a pair
Loose threads on the inside

J.wmeet Cushion Ankle Athletic Socks

Meet Your New Favorite Sock

For men wanting to be both stylish and active, J.wmeet provides durable ankle socks in a variety of colors and styles.

Best Colors

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J.wmeet has designed an ankle sock utilizing all the elements that men require for an active lifestyle, but also provides a stylish accent to athletic apparel. Made from 80% cotton, 17% polyester and 3% spandex, the material is breathable yet strong, made even more so by reinforced heels & toes and arch support along the top. Each package of five comes in Darkred, Skyblue, Green, Grey and Black, with a color-accented heel tab that keeps the sock in place and prevents it from sliding down into your shoe. The tab also helps to prevent chafing and blisters on the heel, and provides an easy way to pull up the sock if necessary.

Pros:

Perfect for sports teams
Moisture-wicking to keep skin dry
Maximum cushion placed at impact points

Cons:

No size over 12
Can shrink after washing

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between ankle socks and crew socks?

Ankle socks have a top band that sits just below the ankle. Crew socks are actually the “second” size up from ankle socks – about six to eight inches from the heel to the cuff. Quarter-length socks are the ones that come up just above the ankle. There are, in fact, seven different official lengths of sock design.

How do you keep ankle socks from falling into your shoe?

This is one of the great moral and philosophical questions of our generation. Ok, maybe not so much, but nothing is quite as annoying as an ankle sock that slips. We like the new designs that feature a tab at the heel that prevents slippage – or helps you to pull the sock up in case it does slip – but nothing works quite as well as a strong, elastic band around the edge of the top of the sock. Make sure this feature is prominent in the description of whichever sock you choose to purchase.

How come socks don’t come in sizes larger than 12?

This is mostly a question of supply and demand. Most shoe sizes average between 6.5 and 12, so not a lot of socks are manufactured over or under those sizes. But they’re not impossible to find. Just be prepared to pay a little extra for XX and XXX sizes.