How to Choose Running Socks
A running sock is the one piece of kit that touches every stride. Get it right and you stop noticing it. Get it wrong and it is all you notice. Here is what matters, and why.
Material
Leave cotton for rest days. It holds sweat, stays wet and rubs. Look instead for a technical blend of polyester, polyamide and a little elastane, which moves moisture away from the skin, dries quickly and keeps its shape. Our socks are knitted in Italy from 70% polyester, 25% polyamide and 5% elastane.
Cushioning
More padding is not always better. Cushioning belongs where the foot meets the most impact and friction: under the forefoot and around the heel. Elsewhere, a lighter knit lets the foot breathe and keeps the fit close inside the shoe.
Fit
A good running sock should feel like part of the foot. Look for an arch band that holds the sock in place and a cuff that grips without pinching. A sock that slips or bunches is one of the most common causes of blisters. More in our guide to anti-blister running socks.
Length
A crew length protects the ankle from the heel collar of the shoe, keeps out grit and stays in place better than a low-cut sock. It is also the length that looks right, on the run and off it.
Breathability
Feet produce a surprising amount of sweat over a long run. A thermoregulating knit keeps the temperature steady and the skin dry, which is the first line of defence against hotspots. Training for 42.2 kilometres? Read our guide to marathon running socks.
Size
Too big and a sock wrinkles; too small and it pulls at the toes and heel. Our socks come in three sizes, EU 35–38, 39–42 and 43–46. If you are between sizes, size up. See the size guide.
Certification
OEKO-TEX® certification means the materials have been tested for harmful substances. For something worn against the skin for hours at a time, it is worth looking for.
The Permanent sock
Our Permanent sock brings all of this together: anti-blister cushioning, a breathable Italian knit and a crew-length fit that stays exactly where you put it, in black and white. Shop running socks.
