8 Sock Brands We Actually Endorse

Bandit Running makes socks for, you’ll never guess, running. But they are actually great for any activity or for no activity at all. They are on the thinner side but they are super snug, which is great for preventing slipping and sliding. The brand makes a variety of cushion types, and the cushier ones are excellent for anyone who tends to get underfoot blisters.

Feetures might be it, if this is a competition about best socks. They are well-designed and super comfy to wear. They don’t feel like they have cut any corners on materials, design, or production. There are a ton of weight and cushion options, but for a cozy, cushioned pair, the classic crews are excellent.

Darn Tough has a cult following of people who would swear their lives on these socks. They are durable—least likely to get a hole, so far as our extremely unscientific testing goes—and the material just feels substantial. They are one of the pricier socks at $25 a pair, but you can exchange worn-out pairs for new ones instead of doing a full drawer refresh.

For a cheaper dress sock, we like Uniqlo’s absolute simplicity. These just do the job well: they are light, comfy, and come in literally 50 different colors. For socks you can stock up on, there’s nothing better.

I bought a six pack of CS CelerSport socks during the pandemic when I really needed socks and didn’t feel remotely like spending too much money on socks that would just disappoint me. I certainly did not expect to love them, but I did and I do. These quarter socks are light but not too thin, snug around the midfoot and ankle. For summer, I’m not wearing anything else.

Swiftwick’s socks are extraordinarily light. If we’re spending any time outside doing physical activity, these are the socks we’re doing it in. They are a wool, nylon, and spandex blend, making for something light, stretchy, and breathable. Anyone into any sort of endurance sport should try these.

My first Smartwool socks were for skiing. They were so much thinner than any ski sock I’d ever worn that I really didn’t think they would work. They actually felt more akin to a high dress sock. And yet, keep me warm they did. Smartwool’s material blends (wool, nylon, and elastane) give the sock breathability without feeling bulky at all.

Our style director loves a Pantherella sock. Loves ’em. A few things: they are dress socks, but they wear much more approachable than how you might normally imagine a dress sock to feel. They are a little snugger, a little higher, and feel soft. They are also nearly seamless, one of the standouts here. The toe construction is smooth, with barely any extra fabric or threads to speak of.