7 Cool Socks for Runners Who Like to Show ’Em Off
Fresh finds for those who say “no show” is a no go.
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Socks are like the neckties (albeit more necessary) of the running world—a chance to show off your personal style. They can be long, short, or no-show, wacky or understated, matched or mismatched, or pretty much any combination thereof.
If you’re a runner who likes to wear your flair on your feet, you’re in luck. There’s a sea of socks that will let you show off your personal style as you stride down the street.
Of course, as a runner, not just any flashy foot cover will do. Socks are second only to your shoes in importance for fit, comfort, and performance. You need your socks to be well constructed, made from wicking materials, to stay put without slipping or bunching, to provide cushioning and support where you need them most, and to hold up to marathon level training demands.
RELATED: 10 High-Performance Socks for Runners
To help find ones that fit the bill, we’ve surveyed seasoned runners, flagged our personal favorites, and rifled through the world’s giant online sock drawer to bring you the best showy socks from brands we know, trust, and have experience running and training in.
When choosing socks, always double-check the sizing chart. One company’s small can be another’s medium. Often companies will alert you to how the socks fit and whether or not they’re true to size or run large or small (you can also check the online reviews, which often include notes on size and fit). The closer the fit to your actual size, the happier your feet.
High Flair Favorite: Stance
As the name implies, these socks are all about taking a stance with your style. But they’re not all show and no go. Stance socks are constructed from moisture-wicking fibers and employ graduated compression to keep your feet feeling dry and fresh. The cut is anatomical and seamless with integrated arch support for added comfort and to prevent bunching and blisters.
Buy it: $15, dickssportinggoods.com
Best Stylish Squeeze: Zensah
Sure you could squeeze your feet into plain black compression socks and call it good, but what fun are high socks without a little style? Zensah serves up their knee-high graduated compression socks, which encourage blood flow back to your heart from your lower extremities, in a snazzy argyle print that will make you smile with every step. They’re made from wicking materials and are equipped with arch support and heel and toe padding so your last mile is as comfortable as your first.
Buy it: $35, walmart.com
Toe Sock Style: Injinji
Lovers of anatomically-designed socks like Injinji can get in on the flashy fun with a wide array of bright patterns and designs on their crew length and knee high offerings. Injinji socks provide a glove-like sleeve for each individual toe, allowing your piggies to splay naturally and not rub against each other as you run. As with other high-performance running sock, Injinjis are made from sweat wicking material to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Buy it: $16, backcountry.com
Wool Lovers Winner: Smartwool
Merino wool is well known for its natural warmth, moisture wicking, and breathability. Smartwool socks are constructed of more than 50 percent merino wool blended with nylon and elastane to hug your feet and maintain their shape wear after wear. They also come in some seriously sweet tribal inspired designs, especially in the crew and knee-high lengths.
Buy it: $17, backcountry.com
Best Touch of Flavor: Swiftwick
If you’re looking for just a little pop of sporty style without screaming, “Check out my funky socks!” during your next 5K, Swiftwick’s got you covered. Their Aspire sock wraps some fun colorful stripes around your ankles while providing compression and contoured support for your feet. A little cushioning in the toe and heel provides a layer of shock absorption without adding bulk.
Buy it: $17, backcountry.com
CrossFit Aficionados: Reebok
Show your WOD-love as you crush your 400-meters and farmer carry combos in Reebok’s special edition CrossFit Socks. They’re padded in the heel and toe for cushioning as you land those box jumps and mesh paneled to let your feet breathe while you work up a Tabata-inspired sweat. The no-slip, ribbed crew fit keeps them in place on your calf no matter how hard you try to knock ‘em off.
Buy it: $15, reebok.com
Best Mix and Match: Wigwam
Got a half a drawer of sad, mate-less socks? Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could just wear them together and they’d match just well enough to look like you meant to do that? You can! Just got a trifecta of socks from Wigwam. They have all the hallmarks of great running socks—wicking merino wool material, light cushioning, and seamless stitching—while also offering unique designs in complementary color schemes, so you can just toss any two on your feet and call it good to run.
Buy it: $40, zappos.com
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