Written by admin on January 2, 2023

How to choose the best running socks for every weather

Running

At a certain point in your running journey, you may feel the need to upgrade your socks, and you begin your search for the best running socks. This is normal. I have been there too. When you start wearing $20+ socks for running (and feel the difference), you have reached a new milestone in your running journey. So, Congratulations if you have come to this point!

At first, when I felt I needed better socks, I was put off by the price of most running socks, but once I tried them, and felt the difference in my running I was hooked.

With many options on the market, I will go through the ones I have tried, and share the ones that worked for me and why, and hopefully it will make choosing which running socks to buy easier.

So just a but of background on what prompted me to make the switch: Before I made the jump, I was aware that my socks made a difference, and somewhat knew what features I liked. However, only some of the ones I had met my needs, so I began my search for comfortable running socks that met my needs.

The following are important features of the best running socks:

• fitted – Running socks should be fitted, so there is no additional friction from my feet against my socks. I like the next to skin feel.
• seamless – Running socks should be seamless. I can not stand when there are strings hanging, or yarns getting tangled in my toes
• arch support – Many running socks feature arch support. I always made sure the ones I currently wore had this, as I felt it made a difference, and my feet did not swell as much when I had arch support/compression
• compression – If your feet tend to swell when running then look for socks with compression. I do not need this for every run, but for longer runs compression helps blood flow, and reduces foot swelling
• material – I am sure you know that running socks should never be cotton. Synthetic is most common for running socks because they are moisture wicking, and keep your feet cool. For the winter or rainy days I prefer wool to keep my feet warm.
• cushion – There are many options for thickness of running socks. I choose the thickness of my socks based on how the shoe fits. Note: Cushion and weight may be differentiated in some brands. In that case, weight is describing the weight of the yarn, which relates to the overall thickness of the sock. Cushion, or level of cushion often refers to targeted areas.
  • Lightweight (no cushion or cushion) – I prefer the “feel the ground”, and “next to skin” fit, so my preference is lightweight without cushion, but I recognize that it is not always the best choice. Lightweight with cushion is designed to keep you cool, but cushion is to prevent blisters.
  • Mid-weight (cushion or no cushion) – Mid-weight running socks are generally warmer, and a good choice for winter running. Mid-weight socks with or without cushion are great for colder temperatures. The wool socks I wear in winter are mid-weight with cushion.
  • Max cushion – Max cushion offers lots of cushioning for comfort and protection of high impact areas, such as the bottom of the foot. I choose max cushion running socks to wear with shoes that have a bit of room. The extra cushion improves the fit of my shoes, similar to a mid-weight sock when I do not want the added warmth.
• Length/Height – There are two main length of socks I wear:
  • No show with tab – I like the appearance of no show socks the best, but I admit it is not always the most functional. I always make sure they have a heel tab, so the socks do not slip in my shoe. I mean what is more annoying then having your socks slide down mid run!
  • Crew – I wear crew socks in the winter, so my ankles are not exposed to the cold. I have found that a crew sock, especially compression reduces foot and ankle swelling. Note: The Darn Tough Micro Crew is slightly shorter than the tradaitional crew length. The length of the Adidas Mid Crew is between 1/4 Socks and the Micro Crew.

Best Running Sock Rotation

Just like a running shoe rotation, you may want to have a running socks rotation. Each pair works best in each situation. I wear different socks depending on the shoe, weather or length of run. Below is a list of all my favorite running socks that I wear:

• Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Running Socks
• Feetures Elite Lightweight No Show Tab Running Socks
• Adidas Compression Ankle Running Socks
• Darn Tough Lightweight No Show Tab Run Socks
• Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Wool Socks
• Darn Tough CoolMax Micro Crew Socks
• Adidas Compression Mid-Crew Running SocksFeetures Elite Lightweight No Show Tab Running Socks

How to choose the best running socks based on weather conditions?

Disclaimer: There is no best running sock out there, but there are socks that are better for each situation, and will be based on your individual preference.

Best Running Socks for Different Weather

Most Comfortable Running Socks Overall

Best No Show (Ankle) Running Socks

Best Running Socks – Crew Length

Comparison Chart of Top Running Socks

Featured Running Socks:	Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab Running Socks	Adidas Ankle Running Socks	Feetures Elite Ultra Light-weight No Show Tab Running socks	Darn Tough No Show Ultra Light with Cushion	Darn Tough Micro Crew Wool Sock	Darn Tough CoolMax Micro Crew Sock	Adidas Mid- Crew Running Sock
Material	74% Polyester, 21% Nylon, 5% Spandex	87% Nylon, 13% Spandex	95% Nylon, 5% Polyester	49% Merino Wool, 47% Nylon 4% Lycra Spandex	59% Merino Wool, 39% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex	58%Coolmax Polyester 39%Nylon, 3%Lycra	87% Nylon, 13% Spandex
Cushion	Cushioned in Impact Areas (Soles of Foot)	Lightweight	Ultra Light-weight	Lightweight with cushion (also available without cushion)	Mid-weight with cushion	Mid-weight with cushion	Light-weight
Compression	Targeted Compression at Arch	Full compression with Arch Support	Targeted Compression at Arch	Targeted Compression at Arch	Targeted Compression at Arch	Targeted Compression at Arch	Full Compression with arch support
Length	No Show with Tab	No Show with Tab	No Show with Tab	No Show with Tab	Micro Crew	Micro Crew	Mid Crew
Anatomical Design	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Seamless Toe	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Raining				X	X	X
Cold Weather					X	X	X
Warm Weather	X	X	X			X	X
Long Run/ Compression		X					X

Reviews of other Running Sock Brands:

Above are the best socks of the various socks I have tried, and currently wear. Below are my reviews on some other running socks I have tried, and did not like.

• Balega – Balega has a huge following, and their running socks have tons of positive reviews on Amazon, so of course I had to try them. When I bought Balega running socks, I was very disappointed. I and did not like them. The Balega socks I ordered were not seamless at all, and have lots of strands inside the sock, which I found quite uncomfortable and irritating. I returned these without wearing them for a run because I knew they would not work for me.
• Smartwool – Smartwool is a very well known brand of wool products and wool socks. They have a variety of wool running socks, and I have a few. I think they do a great job at making wool products, but I have not been impressed with their running socks. They are not bad, but there are better ones out there. I personally prefer Darn Tough wool socks.
  • Crew Socks – For crew socks, I prefer Darn Tough specifically for the micro crew length. SmartWool is a great brand too, and I often see better deals for SmartWool. The pairs I own I wear in the winter under boots as they are comfortable and warm, but I do not wear them for running.
  • Smartwool Ankle Running Socks – I have these, but I do not wear them. The elastic around the ankle is tight, and uncomfortable. It almost feels like it restricts blood flow, and when I wore them I noticed more ankle swelling and aching. I will say that these are the thinnest of all the wool socks I own, so if you are looking for a thin wool sock this may be an option.