9 best running socks that’ll help you go the extra mile

This running sock has it all: firm compression, breathable material, secure fit, soft feel, and moisture-wicking performance. Swiftwick even guarantees that it’ll last for life — if anything goes wrong, the brand sends you a new pair.

When I first slipped this sock on, I was honestly shocked by how delicate the fabric felt against my skin. But as cozy as it feels, this pair still performs like high-tech footwear, keeping my skin dry and blister-free, with just enough stretchy compression to give my feet a strong hug when they start to get swollen and achy.

If you’re looking for socks with plush cushioning, these are not it. (For that, I’d suggest Feetures instead.) Otherwise, I recommend these for long endurance runs, tough speedwork sessions, and anything in between.

If you’re looking for socks with enough padding to feel a little indulgent, Feetures’ high performance max cushion tab socks are my favorite option. Like a max-cushioned running shoe, they offer an extra pillowy sensation underfoot. But unlike beefier options that take up too much room in your shoe, the design only gets thick right around the toes, under the heel, and in the double-layered tab that sits behind the heel.

The sock also features a band of Lycra around the midfoot to keep your arch supported and the sock snugly in place without bunching. And the mesh on the top keeps your feet from overheating. Similar to Pacas, they’ve got a creamy texture inside that just feels really good to slip on your skin.

I have a lot of fancy socks in my drawer. But when I’m heading out on a short, low-key run, I reach for the Hoka invisible socks. They’re soft, easy to slip on, and have never let me down. They’ve got just a little bit of ribbing right around the arch to keep them in place, and extra thick fabric in the toes and heels — and especially on the heel tab — to provide cushioning where I need it (though they’re not quite as cushy as Feetures’s max cushioned socks).

While the invisible cut might “out” me as an elder Millennial, I appreciate that I don’t have to overthink whether the color will go with whichever shoes I wear. These make getting out the door quickly easy. Plus, they’ve only gotten softer with time.

Without adding excess bulk, the strategically placed pods in the Courier hifi sock provide lightweight shock absorption at common pressure points: under the ball of the foot, along the outside metatarsal bone, around the instep, and behind the heel. Meanwhile, lighter fabric above the toes allows them to breathe and splay out wide without feeling crunched.

I first slipped these on for a fast 5K, and loved how the compression and those impact-reducing pods kept my feet and ankles supported the whole way. Since then, I’ve taken them out for several races. At $29, these are definitely an investment; you could get three socks for nearly the same price from Hoka. But they have everything you need for the long run (literally).

I’ve sworn by Stance socks for years, and the ultralight performance quarter socks, in particular, are my favorite pair for running. The brand is known for its creative designs, but I’ve become a loyal fan thanks to the exceptional durability — I’ve never had a pair wear out or lose their elasticity. So I wasn’t surprised to learn that, like Swiftwick and Darn Tough, Stance guarantees them for life.

This style is my go-to for a few reasons. The length is just tall enough to make sure shoes with high heel tabs don’t rub my skin, but not so high that I overheat. There’s a little extra compression under the arch for a hint of support. And the breathable, sweat-wicking fabric keeps my feet blissfully blister-free. The only thing that’s worn out after years of wear is the reflective logo in the back.

Bandit is one of the trendiest running brands right now. But few runners realize that the company’s first-ever product was a sock. And if you’re looking to sport the brand name without forking over a big chunk of your paycheck, this lightweight pair can make you feel just a bit cooler on the run — in both senses of the word.

They’re made with uber-breathable, moisture-wicking coolmax, a synthetic material created from polyester. The design is also antimicrobial to fight off smelly odors. These are not as durable as Stance or Darn Tough socks — I’ve found they wear down right at the front of the ankle where they rub against my shoe. But I still feel extra sleek whenever I slip these on and sport that Bandit logo.

Pacas proves high performance can also be cozy. That’s thanks to luxe alpaca wool, one of the highest-quality fabrics in the textile industry: It’s thermo-regulating, strong, water-repellent, stain-repellent, flame-resistant, odor-resistant, and also sustainable. And it can be even softer than cashmere.

Although these socks are breathable enough to wear any time of year, I like them best for keeping my toes comfy on chilly runs. I’ve found the low-cut style can sometimes slip under my heel when I’m wearing too-big shoes and going uphill, so I wish these came in a quarter crew length like Swiftwick. But otherwise, I’ve found them to be gamechangers for wintry runs when cold feet might otherwise tempt me to stay inside.

Comrad makes compression cute — and possible to pull on without turning the act of getting dressed into its own workout. This pair is designed with moderate compression (15–20 mmHg) in a contoured fit that’s easy to slip on and is comfortable enough to wear for hours without feeling pinched. If you like a tighter squeeze for additional muscle support, check out the brand’s firmer (and pricier) running knee-high compression socks.

But this slightly more relaxed pair still has graduated compression that’s tighter at the ankle to encourage good circulation, and the fabric wicks away sweat to keep your feet blister-free.

I personally find it a lot more comfortable for longer periods of wear, whether I want to rock them on an actual run or use them for recovery afterwards. Just be prepared to air-dry them so they don’t lose their stretch.

When I’m running off-roads, I want a few specific things out of my socks: a crew cut that doesn’t slip down (to keep out dirt and rocks), super durable material (to stand up to tougher conditions), reliable moisture-wicking (in case I step in mud), and a little cushion (to soften the ride in stiff trail-running shoes).

Darn Tough’s merino wool-based pair checks off all those boxes with the extra bonus of a cheeky tortoise-and-hare design around the ankle — though there are 14 other styles if that’s not your thing. Like Swiftwick and Stance, these come with a lifetime guarantee.

Just know that they run small, so if you’re between sizes or have a particularly wide foot, size up.