Besides the health benefits that you enjoy from running, another perk is that the sport doesn't include lots of gear which are also relatively easy to access. A significant part of running includes having protective wear for your feet, like shoes and the best running socks to prevent blisters.
When choosing running gear, it's essential to select comfort above all other features. The slightest discomfort can build up as you pick the miles and leave you with nasty blisters. You can avoid all these pain and regrets by running in comfortable underwear and outerwear apparel.
Special features like fabric, material, fit, construction, and breathability top the charts when picking running socks. Find out more about the best running socks for 2022.
Image | Product | Feature |
|---|---|---|
   | Formeu Women's Athletic Cotton socks - Best for Sporting activities |
|
   | Lapulas Low Cut Anti Blister Running Socks - Best Anti-Blister |
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   | Paplus Low Cut Socks - Top Compression socks |
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   | Rockay Accelerate Seamless - Best No-show Socks |
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   | Rockay Accelerate Seamless - Best Unisex |
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   | Bering Performance Socks for Women - Best Ankle Socks |
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   | Tilos Sports Skin Athlete Socks - Best Outdoor socks |
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   | Injinji Run 2.0 Toe Socks - Best Toe socks |
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   | Balega Unisex Socks - Best Anti-slip Socks |
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   | Runderwear Anti-Blister Athlete Socks - Best Arch support |
|
Check the Detailed Review of Top 10 Best Running Socks
1. Formeu Women's Athletic Cotton socks (Best for Sporting Activities)
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The Formeus women socks have a soft cushioning at the soles that complement the soft fabric to offer you the best protection the whole day. The cushioning is placed in all the strategic places to provide extra shock absorption when running.
The material is durable, and the moisture-wicking fabric helps keep sweat away from your feet, keeping them dry when running.
You won't experience any irritation or discomfort when socks rub off your feet. The double fabric prevents the socks from rolling or slipping. Also, the heel design offers extra stability and support, giving you the perfect fit when running.
Pros
Cons
These are the best anti-blister and friction socks suitable for all kinds of sports, including tennis, hiking, running, or jogging, among other physical sports.
2. Lapulas Low Cut Anti Blister Running Socks (Best Anti-Blister)
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Lapulas anti-blister socks are perfect for running and jogging because they are ergonomic. It has a breathable mesh material to make your feet stay cool even when running under humid conditions.
It has a moisture-wicking technology that drains the sweat away from your feet, leaving them dry and keeping odor at bay. With the paddings on the sole, you have an extra layer of shock absorption protecting your feet when running in rough terrain.
Lapulas socks are recommended for health conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon, heel pain, metatarsal, and swelling. In addition, these socks help with blood flow, ensuring enough oxygen circulation to your feet when running.
The elastic cuff at the front of the socks holds on to your feet tightly to prevent slipping. The back design features a Y-type heel for lasting comfort and reducing fatigue.
Pros
Cons
These are the best anti-blister socks in the market suitable for running and other sports. These socks have health benefits and are ideal for athletes, traveling, backpacking, camping, mountaineering, and walking.
3. Paplus Low Cut Socks (Top Compression socks)
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Paplus compression socks have the best fabric of nylon and spandex, which keeps feet dry and frictionless. The material is also breathable making it comfortable to wear while taking long runs, marathons, or jogs in any weather condition.
Paplus brand is keen on providing athletes with socks that have health benefits. These anti-blister socks prevent cramps by allowing blood circulation, which supplies oxygen to your feet. Other health benefits include relieving your feet from pain, fatigue, injuries, and swelling enabling muscle recovery.
The socks are non-restrictive to allow your feet joint flexibility and motion—the seamless toe is an essential feature that prevents friction and eventually blisters. In addition, the toe area is void of any abrasions.
Athletes also enjoy the firm grip from the ankle compression because they give support and stability. In addition, it uses a 3D pressure design(circular) to keep your feet at a right angle, limiting sports-related injuries.
Pros
Cons
Paplus anti-blister compression socks are the best for most sporting activities like running, cycling, jogging, traveling, yoga. They are also suitable for whole-day wear regardless of the climate.
4. Rockay Accelerate Socks (Best No-show Socks)
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The Rocky accelerated running socks are designed for the modern athlete. It takes all the effort that guarantees your feet stay dry and protected from all adversities. In addition, these socks offer a ventilated mesh for the professional athlete, making them breathable when undertaking sweaty and strenuous activities.
The breathable mesh also makes them odorless, keeping your feet fresh all day. The manufacturers consider all levels of safety for the athletes. The socks come with a reflective logo that's visible when running in low-light environments.
Your toes are safe from abrasion and blisters because of the seamless design at the front. You will also enjoy maximum comfort and extra protection from the padded heels. Health benefits include arch support and compression for better blood circulation.
The socks are snugly and give an anatomical fit to ensure that your feet are stable.
Pros
Cons
These are the best socks if you are looking for an eco-friendly design. They use 100% recycled materials, and buying one pair is equivalent to removing 22 plastic bottles (125g) from the ocean. It's the best way to show commitment to our planet's ecosystem recovery.
5. Rockay Accelerate Seamless (Best Unisex Socks)
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If you are always on your feet, you know how vital wearing comfortable socks are. However, Rockay accelerates more than comfort as it also gives you health benefits, making it the best to wear for any situation.
The design is low cut to hide in your running shoes. But these running socks have firm arch support to give you right-angle stability when running, walking, or jogging. They are suitable for male and female athletes and come in various sizes.
The fabric has a breathable mesh that supports ventilation, eliminates odors, and prevents your feet from becoming moist. In addition, it's assuring that the socks are also anti-blisters making them ideal for all sporting activities under the harshest conditions.
Rockay accelerates socks are a trusted brand worldwide, and the ergonomic design targets professional athletes.
Pros
Cons
Rockay accelerate running socks are eco-friendly, and buying a pair of socks takes 125g of plastic bottles from the ocean. It's 100% nylon and durable, lasting over ten washes and more.
6. Bering Performance Socks for Women (Best Ankle Socks)
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Athletes are always looking for the best protective socks. The Bering's women's ankle socks are designated for professional athletes because they cover all aspects of protection and comfort.
The extra padding at the sole is an anti-shock feature for running in harsh terrains and reducing friction. Bering socks use heel tabs that prevent them from slipping off. In addition, it has a breathable mesh that keeps away odor and moisture-wicking technology to keep away sweat.
The arch support keeps injuries away by keeping your feet at a right angle. You will find the seamless toe design to be comfortable as it prevents abrasions and blisters that might form after wearing your socks the whole day.
The socks are available in a range of sizes for every female athlete. They are durable and reliable, meaning they can undergo many machine wash cycles before wearing off.
Pros
Cons
If you aren't fond of loosening the screws when lubricating the belt, you will find the easy applicator quite handy. The lubricant is long-lasting, so that the maintenance cost will be low.
7. Tilos Sports Skin Athlete Socks (Best Outdoor Socks)
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The Tilos sport skin athlete socks are complete footwear for summer activities, including going to the beach. You don't need shoes as the extra sole padding might make it bunch up, making it uncomfortable.
On the bright side, they are light wear socks that permit mobility while protecting your feet from elements like the hot beach sand or water from getting to your feet. The fabric is made of recyclable plastic bottles, making them eco-friendly wear.
The design features adjustable ankle cuffs that you can tighten to keep away sand and other intruding objects from the beach. They are also anti-blister, making them suitable for overall protection to your feet, which includes being odor-repellent.
The Tilos brand specializes in making socks for hypoallergenic people with sensitive skin. Even though the toes don't feature a seamless stitch, they are flattened and glued to offer protection by reducing friction and irritation.
Pros
Cons
The socks can stretch four-way to give the perfect and comfortable fit that gives your feet the best protection for summer outdoor activities. They are the best for snorkeling, tide-pooling, paddle boarding, and other beach sports.
8. Injinji Run 2.0 Toe Socks (Best Toe Socks)
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The Injinji Run 2.0 brand is for athletes looking for maximum socks performance. The individual toes style gives extra comfort and protection to each toe without making it bulky. Also, you can wear them without shoes because of the padded soles.
The moisture wick technology helps prevent sweat and moisture, leading to smelly feet. The mesh fabric is breathable to keep your feet cool as it allows some aeration.
The main advantage of the Injinji 2.0 Run socks is that they are anti-blister socks that protect each toe individually. You can ignore the weird discomfort at first, as the socks are designed to fit as gloves do to your hands.
The no-show design is suitable for most running wear as they have arch support to offer extra stability and comfort. In addition, the material is ultra-thin, making it a light wear ideal for hot and humid climates.
Pros
Cons
These are funky running socks comparable to wearing gloves. However, unlike ordinary socks, the toe separation keeps your toes from warming each other. It means that there's less heating and also reduced chances of blisters.
9. Balega Unisex Socks (Best Anti-slip Socks)
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The Balega unisex socks are famous for their protective abilities that provide extra cushioning and comfort to athletes when running long distances. The material uses a combination of synthetic fabrics and natural fibers to give you the ultimate anti-friction socks performance.
No friction means no blisters, and the soft fabric keeps your feet from rubbing against the shoe. As the best anti-slip socks in the market, the moisture wick technology keeps sweat, allowing your feet to remain dry.
The fabric is also anti-shrink, and you can machine wash without fear that they will reduce in size or get damaged. The toe box is seamless, meaning that there are no abrasions and the deep heel pocket ensures that your feet fit in snugly with no room to slip off during runs, walks, or hikes.
These race-tested socks are the best for all adult athletes and come in rainbow colors to match any outfit. They are flexible, soft, and have a padded sole to absorb shock when running in harsh terrains.
Pros
Cons
They blend synthetic and natural fiber to give optimum protection for all rigorous sporting activities. They are also ideal for athletes with sensitive skin as they prevent blisters and have a soft fabric.
10. Runderwear Anti-Blister Athlete Socks (Best Arch Support)
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Runderwear arch support socks are the best performance running wear for the modern-day athlete. These are cushioning socks with soft fabric at the top to reduce chafing that may lead to abrasion and blisters.
The socks are specific for each foot, meaning that you can't wear the left side on the right. It's designed this way to give you the perfect fit making you comfortable all day, even when under harsh conditions.
The mid-foot grip is a welcome feature that uses elastane support to arch the foot and keep your socks firmly in place. However, the grip is firm, but it's still breathable because the fabric has a mesh that allows your feet to cool.
You are assured of dry feet because of the moisture-wicking technology that keeps the sweat off your feet, making the sock slip if wet. Runderwear socks are also odor repellent, and you can wear them the entire day without fear of having a foul smell once you take them off.
The double-layer technology ensures that the fabric rubs against each other, protecting your feet, making it among the best anti-blister socks you can find.
Pros
Cons
The athletes looking for unrivaled comfort when running, jogging, or walking, Runderwear is your go-to-socks. The double-layer feature is the best for anti-blister and whole-day wear comfort. The extra padded sole absorbs shock.
The Buying Guide to Find the Best Running Socks
1. Comfort
Comfort is a necessity that you can't go without if you are a professional athlete. Check the fabric of the sock and go for the top quality. Extra paddings in the soles of socks also add comfort while protecting you further by reducing the shock when running.
The arch support in socks also contributes to comfort. Without it, you might experience pain after long hours of training or run, hindering further activities.
2. Odor Repellent Socks
You need to buy odor-repellent socks if you can smell a stink after removing your shoes and socks. The anti-bacterial technology uses moisture-wicking fabric to keep your feet dry and cool, eventually ridding away any smell even after wearing socks the whole day.
Brands are particular about the wicking material and specify if they use it in their socks.
3. Thickness
It's better to have a thick sock than a thin one when going out for a run. While sock thickness can also be uncomfortable, it gives protection to your feet when undertaking strenuous activities like running, jogging, and hiking.
Thick socks provide extra padding that helps the shoe reduce shock as you run on harsh terrains.
Professional athlete socks are always designated for the left and right foot because paddings on areas that absorb the most impact.
However, sock thickness is a personal preference, with each having its advantages and disadvantages.
4. Compression Socks
Compression in socks aims to increase blood flow which is helpful if you plan to go for a long run. They help prevent injuries and also assist in reducing the recovery period. Unfortunately, most athletes mistake stiff socks for compression.
While the intention is to squeeze your muscles, it's not supposed to cut off blood supply to your feet. Using compression socks reduces tiredness and prevents cramping. You can choose between the knee and ankle-length socks.
5. Anti-blister Technology
Blisters are uncomfortable and can be painful to athletes running long distances. If you are a professional athlete, anti-blister running socks are essential to prevent soreness and pain that might inhibit your performance.
The double-layer socks have revered anti-blister technology because they prevent the hose from rubbing against your skin by rubbing against each other. It immensely reduces the friction and also prevents the socks from slipping.
6. Seam-free Socks
It's incredible how something as small as a seam can cause significant discomfort to long-distance runners. Seamless socks reduce chafing and friction, keeping your toes protected.
7. Style and Size
Getting the perfect fitting socks isn't hard because the size should match your running shoes. Too small or too big are both dangerous and ill-advised. They can either slip off or be the cause of blisters.
Choose your sock style by the beneficial features like arch support and contours that take the shape of your feet. The heel should fit your heel without stretching out the socks.
Conclusion
Seasoned athletes understand the importance of buying professional running socks to help them stay comfortable and endure rough terrains. The best affordable running socks can determine your success in sporting events. The editor's choice for the best running socks to prevent blisters and offer maximum comfort is the Injinji 2.0 Run Lightweight socks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the best pair of running socks to wear?
If you are a professional athlete, you should consider buying compression running socks. Other features include breathability, arch support, anti-blisters, moisture-wicking, and anti-bacterial technology.
2. Will there be a difference if I don't wear unique running socks?
Wearing ordinary socks for long and strenuous sports activities isn't a risk you should undertake. Regular socks don't have supportive features like extra padding or heel protection. The difference when wearing running socks is that you get additional protection and can work out for several hours.
3. Thick or thin running socks. Which is better?
The type of running socks depends on your personal preference and the running shoes you have. For example, thickness might not mean extra protection as it can add to the bulkiness and little aeration, causing immense discomfort. But you can wear thick socks without shoes.
4. Are there any cooling socks for running?
Choose socks with moisture-wicking technology and a breathable mesh at the top.