Best men's athletic socks

Men's Athletic Socks

Socks are a piece of clothing that can make or break your performance in sports. In order to find the best athletics socks in the market, we interviewed over 50 athletes across 8 sports and established a series of side-by-side tests before finding the best performing and best-looking socks on the market.

We analyzed aspects such as material, functionality, breathability, odor control, and style. Poor moisture-wicking capacity, loose material, or undone seams can result in an unpleasant experience, especially if you're rallying on them to perform during a championship game or marathon.

From ankle socks to OTC socks, we hope our in-depth review can help you make a better buying decision when looking for the right pair of socks for you.

What are the best athletic socks to buy?

After compiling the feedback from 50 athletes, we've rounded up the best athletic socks below.

Best athletic socks for men, according to experts

XTD Scrunch Socks
Nike Everyday Plus Cushion
Stance Tab Socks
Adidas Creator 365 Socks
Nike Everyday Essential Socks

XTD Scrunch Socks

These socks have cushioning and supportive design features in all the right areas. "They're the best socks I've ever played in," said Bergeron.

Nike Everyday Plus Cushion

The socks are the more casual socks Nike produces. Perfect for sporting activities and for casual everyday life. "If I want to go on a quick run or to the grocery store, I can still have these on and know my feet will be taken care of," said Dwayne.

Stance Tab Socks

Extremely lightweight and breathable, these socks effectively eliminate all odors and will remain durable. "the INFIKNIT material never rips or tears and kills 99% of odor causing bacteria," said Morgan.

Adidas Creator 365 Socks

Perfect for any sport, the Adidas socks provide arch support and cushioning around the ankle. "These are lightweight, moisture-wicking and have all-around ankle padding," said McNut

Nike Everyday Essential Socks

The go-to socks for everyday life, the Everyday socks can be worn in a workout or at home. "They're light, offer cushioning and feature moisture wicking fabric to protect the feet," said Burns.

What are the best mens socks?

Great socks all come down to the material they're made from. Cotton is used in many socks but almost never recommended for socks of athletic use because of their bad sweat wicking capacities. In athletic socks, the best socks feature a blend of nylon and other synthetic materials that add stretch, hold their shape and evacuate sweat effectively for a comfortable wearing experience. For high performance socks, some brands may use Merino wool which function well across a wide range of temperatures.

Best everyday athletic sock:

Nike Everyday Cushioned

These socks breathe and feature cushioning under the heels and front foot with an arch support band on the under foot area that holds their shape.

What are the best cotton socks?

If you're on a budget and looking for the best socks for your money's worth, these cotton socks should become your go-to.

Best Cotton Socks:

Polo Ralph Lauren Crew Socks

These timeless socks come in a wide range of colors and patterns. With just the right blend of comfort and style, the Polo Crew Socks are extremely well-made and highly versatile.

What is a good sock brand?

When it comes to socks and style, they are either the very first or very last piece of clothing that comes to consideration. Some enjoy plain socks to work or gym while others enjoy wearing unique and pattern designed socks that stand out from the crowd. Whatever the occasion, we have curated a list of the best sock brands for you to choose from.