Running socks are like air traffic controllers—taken for granted until something bad happens. The best running socks quietly stay in the background while protecting from abrasion, wicking moisture, providing underfoot comfort, imparting warmth, and, if you’re shallow like me, adding flair to your outfit.
That’s a lot to expect from a seemingly simple wardrobe staple. Fortunately, there are lots of brands up to meeting the challenge. For runners, the challenge is choosing among the scores of good socks.
As with other types of running apparel, the best socks for running tend to be made by specialty brands rather than shoe companies. Most of the socks that I singled out as superior are a blend of synthetic and natural fibers, with merino wool being the most common of the latter. The quality of the merino socks I tested is much higher than was the case a decade ago. Now, even the staunchest merino mavens acknowledge that the fiber is enhanced in socks by adding nylon and other materials for better stretch and durability.
The 11 running socks below represent the best of what I tested. They run the gamut, from barely-there thinness to plushly padded, and from no-show to knee-high, with something to suit every preference.
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