We tried 50+ workout socks — these 13 pairs are our favorites
Unlike traditional cotton socks, workout socks have additional fabrics to support you when exercising.
Forme Ankle Guard Socks
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$35.00
Best crew socks
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$15.99
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:
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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.
Forme’s Ankle Guard socks won an NBC Select Wellness Award for best overall workout socks. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio tested these socks and loved the support. “These are the perfect socks for all kinds of workouts, whether I’m running on the treadmill or taking a HIIT class,” says Godio. “They’re tighter around the ankles, which gives me a great amount of support when walking or running. The best part is that they’re not restrictive and very breathable, so I can wear them all day.”
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin also tested these NBC Select Wellness Award winners and loves wearing them during her reformer pilates and barre classes. “The material is soft and comfortable against my skin, and even though I’ve washed them dozens of times, they’re still pretty sticky,” she says. “I love the crew length — since they cover my ankles, they rarely slip down.”
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.
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves wearing these socks during her yoga and dumbbell workouts. “The fabric is nice and thick and the design is fun to show off too,” she says. “I can’t wait to wear them in the summer with shorts.” The crew workout socks come in either green or pink stripes and the ribbing holds the socks in place, according to the brand.
This pair of half-crew length socks from Set is another favorite of Godio’s, who wears them whenever she goes on long runs or walks. “I’ve looked high and low for crew socks that look good with my running sneakers (obviously in an attempt to be on trend), and these fit the bill,” she says. “They aren’t super long, so they don’t shorten my legs when I wear them, which is a huge problem I have with socks that go above my ankles. Plus, they’re amazing quality — I’ve put them through the wringer in terms of high-intensity workouts, and they’re still as good as new.”
Malin also recommends these no-show socks due to their versatility. “I love these socks because they’re so reliable — I can wear them for running, training and walking. The heel and toe is slightly more cushioned than the other parts of the sock, which is exactly where I need the most support,” she says. “I also appreciate the heel tab, which protects my ankles from rubbing against the back of my shoe and getting blisters. I’ve worn these weekly for about six months and wash them constantly, and they’re still in great shape.”
These Wellness Award winners are another favorite of Malin's, who wears them for any fitness activity because they have enough cushion to support her as she runs and trains. 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.
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.”
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.
“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.”
“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 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.”
“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.
To help you determine which workout sock is best, our experts suggest looking at material composition, compression, cushion and more.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select who frequently covers beauty and wellness topics. For this story, she 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. She also gathered NBC Select staff-favorite socks for all types of workouts, including running, pilates and training.
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