14 Best Socks for Men in Every Style Preference (2024)

Choose from a whopping 50 different colors, including orange (pictured), beige, green, blue, purple and more. One GH staffer has been wearing these crew socks for years and describes them as "very comfortable," adding that the socks don't feel too tight in the lower leg but stay put throughout the day. While our Lab analysts are still in the midst of running tests on this particular pair, so far, they have received a perfect score in our abrasion tests.

But don't just take our word for it — these socks have an almost perfect five-star rating on Uniqlo's site, with customers commenting on the high quality and versatility of these soft socks. One five-star review writes, "These socks are perfect as they are not only soft and comfortable but can be worn with whatever sneaker."

We appreciate the stylish crew height, as you can pair them with dress shoes or a more casual shoe depending on the occasion. We also think the price is also right for a trendy sock that is comfortable and breathable.

Material: Acrylic, Cotton, Nylon, Spandex, Polyester | Height: Crew

While we're still in the process of testing these Champion ankle socks, we have tested other Champion styles — in fact, we selected the brand's Heel Shield Socks as the best value pick in our guide to the best socks for women due to the level of comfort, minimal shrinkage and cushioning you get for the price.

At $3.50 per pair, Amazon customers love these budget-friendly socks that are as comfortable as they are good for your wallet. Multiple customers report a good fit and say they continue to go back to Champion for socks. One customer writes, "These socks are very comfortable, durable and last for a good long time. I've only been buying this brand and model of socks for the past 10 years because they're that good."

We appreciate the cotton and spandex blend that work to improve softness and fit. The socks also have a cushioned bottom to provide support, according to the brand, and the socks are designed to be moisture-wicking — which our own Lab testing confirms! A 4.6-star rating on Amazon with close to 4,000 five-star reviews continues to suggest this pack of six socks is a necessary addition to your sock drawer.

Material: 71% Cotton, 27% Nylon, 1% Spandex, 1% Other Fibers | Height: Low-Cut

One of our Textiles Lab experts says this is the most impressive pair of running socks she's come across, as it aced every test, receiving the highest overall score for consumer satisfaction, lack of shrinkage and moisture management.

These high-quality socks are super thin (measuring just 1 millimeter!) so they're lightweight, yet still durable. Made from merino wool, nylon and elastane, this pair is both moisture-wicking and stretchy. With all of that in mind, we named these Smartwool socks best overall in our guide to the best running socks.

Testers gave high scores for fit and comfort — and a 4.6-star rating on Amazon reflects the same among online shoppers. One five-star review calls it the "perfect running sock" and one of our testers agreed saying, "The socks are lightweight and perfect for exercise that requires speed and agility — that is if you desire an overall tight shoe-and-sock fit to achieve such agility."

Material: 50% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 21% Recycled Nylon, 4% Elastane | Height: Low-Cut

Our top pick for the best overall hiking socks, this sock by Darn Tough incorporates every design feature you'd want for beginner, intermediate or advanced hikes.

Ideal for year-round hiking, consumer testers said the socks kept their feet sweat-free during summer hikes and warm in the colder months. The durable socks are made from merino wool and nylon, and have good cushioning — important for those longer trails. "These kept my typically sweaty feet at a perfect temperature while hiking," one tester says. "They were super comfortable to wear while traveling as well and I just love how my feet didn't overheat."

We also appreciate that Darn Tough socks are guaranteed for life, meaning the brand will send you a new pair should you wear your current ones out. But our test results suggest this probably won't be a problem, as multiple testers say the socks hold up well.

Material: Lycra, Merino Wool, Nylon, Spandex | Height: Micro-Crew or 3/4 Crew

No-show socks are great for when you, quite literally, don't want your socks to show. But this height can lend itself to the sock more easily slipping down in your shoe — a particular annoyance we had testers keep in mind when trying out this pair.

But our consumer testers reported that this pair stayed in place and were also comfortable to wear. "As if by magic, my shoes do not “eat” the heels of these socks," said one tester. "The heels stay put thanks to a unique gripper feature on the inside." Others chimed in with high marks for comfort, fit and cushion. The socks do have a more simple look (although once your shoes are on, you will likely be the only one seeing the socks). These Bombas socks are popular among online shoppers too, with a 4.5-star rating on the brand's site across over 7,400 reviews.

Material: 86% Cotton, 12% Polyester, 2% Spandex | Height: No-Show

Although we have not formally tested these unisex dress socks in the Textiles Lab, GH Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine owns and a pair and says they fit great great and have held up over the years. "The socks are long enough to prevent any gaps when my suit pants inevitably ride up when I sit down," she says. Her husband (and even former-President Barack Obama!) own these socks as well.

"Over the calf socks will stay up on your legs and offer a polished look," says Textiles Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu (as opposed to crew socks which can sometimes slip down to show a sliver of skin between your skin and pant leg).

The socks have a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with over 2,660 five-star customer reviews. Multiple satisfied reviews describes them as "excellent socks" that are comfortable and don't fall down to reveal an awkward skin gap. We appreciate that you get three pairs in one pack, increasing the overall value of the purchase, and that the three neutral colors available will pair well with your work pants, whether it's a pair of khakis or trousers.

Material: 100% Nylon | Height: Over-the-Calf

If you aren't familiar, compression socks have a knee-high height and work to improve blood flow and therefore relieve swelling by applying gradual pressure to your feet and calves.

A winner in Good Housekeeping's 2023 Family Travel Awards, these top-performing compression socks received top scores for little-t0-no shrinkage and withstanding abrasion in our latest round of testing. Lab results also showed that the socks are great at moisture-wicking, which testers confirmed in their surveys.

Multiple testers appreciated the socks' stylish appearance and versatility, with one saying they pairs them with boots for work and with sneakers for long walks. The pair is also ideal for flights, an instance when you will be sitting for a long time and may experience some swelling. "They are soft and warm but didn't cause my feet to sweat and I really appreciated that after a long flight my ankles were not swollen," said one tester. "I love them, I will never fly without wearing compression socks again."

Material: 48% Cotton, 42% Nylon, 10% Spandex | Height: Knee-High

Both our own consumer testers and online shoppers love these ankle socks by Bombas — in fact, the pair has a 4.8-star rating on the brand's site and over 46,000 reviews.

Users say the socks are high-quality, very comfortable and run true to size, giving high ratings for each category. One five-star review says, "I love these socks! I give them as stocking stuffers every year. I love their durability and comfort. It’s the only sock I own!" The socks have great cushioning, perfect for long days on your feet. One customer even comments, "I wore these to Disneyland and Universal Studios, my feet were very happy and I contribute that to my Bombas."

Available in six colors, these socks also have a honeycomb arch support system to increase support and comfort in the midfoot area. The socks have a lot of pros, but in our testing, the socks were more prone to shrinking in the wash than others, and had poor abrasion resistance. Customers also point out the relatively steep price tag for a single pair of ankle socks. However, the comfort and support the socks offer can make the splurge worth it.

Material: Cotton, Polyester, Nylon, Elastane | Height: Low Ankle

Best for low-cut shoes, like your favorite pair of gym sneakers, these thick socks have maximum cushioning (hence the name) to provide added comfort during high-impact training.

Our testers gave the socks high marks for fit, comfort and appearance — you can choose between 26 different colors from a neutral gray (pictured) or a bright neon yellow if you want a pop of color on the gym floor. Testers appreciated the arch support and cushioning the socks provide, but noted that shoppers may want to size up as the compression feature can make the socks feel rather snug.

The socks also have a tab on the heel to help prevent chafing and blisters and many comment on how the socks are great at moisture-wicking, leaving their feet dry rather then wet post-workout. "Excellent feel and performance during high intensity workouts, I felt the moisture-wicking and cooling effects and they stay put," says one tester, adding that they are "the best workout socks I have tried!"

The brand also has an Ultra Light version if you want a thinner sock for lifting.

Material: 74% Polyester, 21% Nylon, 5% Spandex | Height: Low Ankle

This pair of socks by Darn Tough is similar to our recommended pick for hiking, but has a crew style that makes it ideal for wearing with winter boots, as they will cover more skin so your boot doesn't rub against your leg.

This pair also features full cushion for added support and has more insulation so your feet will stay toasty warm in the colder months. Per the manufacturer's description, the merino wool is breathable, moisture-wicking and fast drying — which is critical when you are trudging through snow, slush, rain and the like.

A 4.8-star rating on Amazon with over 5,000 online reviews suggests these wool socks are super popular among shoppers with one review calling them "the best wool socks to date" and others chiming in about how comfortable and durable the socks are, even if they are a little pricer.

Material: 66% Merino Wool 32% Nylon 2% Lycra Spandex | Height: Crew

Fuzzy socks exude cozy comfort, especially when paired with your favorite loungewear pieces. From head to toe (literally), you will be warm as you settle in to watch a movie, TV show or sports game.

When we tested this pair in the Lab, the socks barely shrunk and consumers testers noticed hardly any change in softness after washing. They have a slouchy style that manages to stay put and experts and testers alike confirm the super soft feel. Note that this pair of fuzzy socks don't have any type of grip on the bottom, which can make them slippery on certain surfaces in your home.

If we haven't already convinced you to purchase a pair of these lounge socks, this tester's review will do the trick: "These are by far the best fuzzy socks I have ever worn.... EVER! I look forward to putting them on when I get home and I even started wearing them to sleep, and I am not a regular wearer of socks in bed."

Material: 97% Polyester, 3% Spandex | Height: Micro Crew

We named Heat Holders best overall in our most recent testing of the best warm socks, thanks to our consumer testers reporting the socks were comfortable, provided good cushion and, most importantly, kept their feet at a warm temperature.

According to the manufacturer's description, these socks are thin enough to comfortably wear with boots but thick enough to allow Heat Holder's insulation technology to keep your feet cozy. One tester says, "These socks are like magical little ovens on my feet. The moment I slipped my foot into the sock, it felt like my feet were being wrapped in a wonderful cloud of softness."

Testers love the super soft interior and found that the socks didn't pill or stretch after washing. Some do note that the socks hit their leg at a weird length and that after a while they can get rather hot — which is, of course, the point of warm socks but can become uncomfortable as you warm up.

Material: 91% Acrylic, 5% Nylon, 3% Polyester, 1% Elastane | Height: Crew

This #1 best-seller on Amazon has a 4.6-star rating across over 57,000 customer reviews (78% being five-star ratings). You can buy them in packs of six, 12 or 18 and choose from sets of black, gray or multi-colored.

This popular, budget-friendly pick is designed to be moisture-wicking and has an arch compression system meant to provide support. It also features a cushioned sole and mesh ventilation on the top of the sock.

One five-star review says, "These bad boys are so comfortable, they make my feet feel like they're lounging on a fluffy cloud. Seriously, I've worn these socks every day, and I swear my toes are singing a happy tune." He adds that his wife even steals his pairs — and who can blame her! Some online reviews do note that the quality and sizing could be better, though.

Material: 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex | Height: Low-Cut

If you tend to run cold, or often partake in winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing or mountaineering, you may want to consider a pair of heated socks to keep your feet extra warm.

These socks by Snow Deer have three heat settings (red for high, white for medium and blue for low) and rechargeable lithium batteries that can last up to 6.5 hours when used on the lowest setting. While we haven't tried out these socks for ourselves yet, we appreciate that they have heating elements that cover the entire foot including the toes, top and bottom. The socks are also designed to be moisture-wicking to help keep your feet dry, too.

These have a 4.2-star rating on Amazon with over 1,100 five-star customer reviews, saying that the socks are worth the high price tag and help get you more excited about winter sports as you no longer have to worry about your feet being cold. One five-star review says, "We bought these for my mom’s 69th birthday. She tried to beg out of skiing because her feet were too cold, but now she’s back up the mountain with us and going strong."

Material: 80% Cotton, 12% Polyester, 8% Elastane | Height: Over-the-Calf

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, our experts test every style of sock out there, from cushioned hiking socks to knee-high dress socks.

Recently, we've tested over 90 different sock styles in the Lab and gathered feedback from hundreds of our consumer testers to see how the socks hold up in the real world.

Socks for men range in style, but here are a few things to keep in mind when finding the best pair for your lifestyle:

✔️ Materials: Socks are often made from a blend of fibers including nylon or polyester for structure and spandex or elastane for stretch. Meanwhile, cotton and merino wool can add comfort as well as breathability and moisture-wicking, respectively. Some people are sensitive to wool though, so think about which materials are most comfortable against your skin.

✔️ Height: Most have a preferred sock height but it's good to have a variety in your sock drawer, as some styles make more sense for certain activities. In ascending order of height, the most popular options include no-show, low-cut, ankle, micro-crew, crew and over-the-calf. A no-show sock is great for slide-on shoes while an ankle sock is good for activities like running or working out. Crew socks are ideal for hiking and wearing with boots while over-the-calf socks are perfect for going to work.

✔️ Price: The majority of socks in our guide fall between the $5 and $20 range, with some picks having an even greater value as they come in packs with multiple pairs. Of course, there are socks that ring in higher from around $25 to $45, and even all the way up to $80 for pairs that have special features, like heating. As with all clothing purchases, you want to consider your budget as well as the features that are most important to your lifestyle, but we think that while certain styles, like wool or compression, are more expensive, they can be worth it.

Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the GH Institute, where she works alongside GH's Lab analysts to ensure our product guides reflect the most accurate information. She has written about everything from the best daypacks to the best plus-size wedding guest dresses.

To write this article, Elizabeth consulted with Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu, who oversaw our recent in-Lab and consumer tests for almost all types of socks. Grace has a master's degree in materials science and engineering and a B.S. in fiber science from Cornell University.