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The Best Athletic Socks for Men in 2023, According to Fitness Experts
Give your workout-weary feet the care, cushion, and comfort they deserve.
IT'S EASY to assume that a sock is a sock is a sock, right? It’s true that for everyday wear—your morning commute, relaxing around the house, or puttering between the refrigerator and your WFH setup—a six-pack of cheap cotton crews will probably get the job done. Unless you’re on your feet for hours every day, you might not think too much about your choice of sock. But if you’re at all athletic or into working out on the regular, your feet demand better. We’re talking about proper athletic socks.
Athletic socks should fit like your best pair of workout shoes. They should be snug but not so tight that they’re cutting off your circulation. You want them to grip your feet and stay put when you really get moving. There’s no better recipe for blisters and sore feet than loose-fitting socks that slip and slide during your workouts. Look for breathable, moisture-absorbing (a.k.a. “quick wicking”) fabrics, too. They help draw moisture away from your skin, which helps fend off blisters, skin irritation, and foot odor
If you’re ready to upgrade your athletic sock game and finally give your feet the care, cushion, and comfort they deserve, we’re here to help. Our in-house writers and Men’s Health fitness experts routinely put every kind of athletic sock to the test. In the roundup below, we’ve narrowed down our top picks for the best nine athletic socks for men in 2023.
Best Compression Socks for Men | Best Men's Workout Clothes | Best Moisture-Wicking Socks | Best Wool Socks
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
Talene Appleton is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where she covers fitness, nutrition, health, and wellness. She was previously the Associate Editor of General Surgery News, and a nutrition writer for The Food Institute. Talene is a retired professional dancer, and loves to spend her free time cooking elaborate meals for her friends and family.
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