20 Best Wool Socks For Running (2023 Updated)

So I haven’t been the best about reviewing, I spend enough money on clothes and gear from REI and plenty of other outdoors and hunting stores that I really should start reviewing more gear. I first found Smartwool over 10 years ago when I got myself a baselayer midweight quarter zip, shirt.

I love it, and to this day it’s one of my favorite articles of clothing, miraculously holding shape and integrity after all these years. That said, I’ve always liked their products, and obviously R&D pulls their weight for the entire merino industry.

I just put these socks on half an hour ago, and I can already tell I’m going to love them. I’m about to go buy another couple pair during my errands this morning. I can’t imagine these will give out too quickly, so long as they’re taken care of.

Merino doesn’t need to be washed after every use, I frequently wear my merino socks for a few days total. After I have worn them (except for some brands that need a little dryer shrinkage love) I drape them over the side of my hamper to air-out, and will reuse them after a day with a different pair.

These socks (along with some more cheaply made ultralight merino socks) will be in my daily work, and workout routines going forward. Keep up the great work Smartwool! If I have any problems with these, I’ll quickly change my star rating, and update the text with the issues.

This will be your new go-to running sock. They are very comfortable, hugged my ankle perfectly and stayed in place throughout the various activities I used them for. I have worn these to the gym, while taking my dog for a walk, running errands and at work where I am on my feet all day.

I am looking forward to the miles I will get out of these training for my half marathon this summer! The targeted cushioning prevented the dreaded foot fatigue I can sometimes get if I am not wearing appropriate socks for extended activity – and they do all of this without smelling (you have to appreciate the antimicrobial properties!).

I have absolutely nothing to complain about with these socks – they are a very good quality sock. After constant wear and washing they have held their shape and have not started pilling. Do your feet a favor and get yourself a pair of these socks – they are guaranteed to become a staple in your foot wardrobe #SmartwoolLove!.

I am a Smartwool fan and have many pairs of their socks. But these socks are not up to their usual high standard. The first problem is sizing. I am a Euro 45, which falls between L and XL on the sizing chart.

I purchased two pairs of the XL. It was a mistake. They are so large the heel ends up in the middle of the ankle. The second problem, these socks do not grip your feet. As a result they slide down below the heel to your instep when in use.

I forlornly hoped, they might shrink in the wash, but no luck, they are still too large all round. Clearly, a large size might have been better, but their very thin construction, they are advertised as thin, indicates a lack of foot grip might still be there.

Disappointing. Luckily, I purchased a pair of Balega Hidden Comfort Socks, in Large, at the same time that turned out to be perfect. I should have bought two of those!.

I tried them during hot summer conditions. I hardly felt the heat and perspiration on my feet eas minimal. Coushioning works fine. The utem was used with mid hiking boots

The most comfortable socks ever. Padding in all the right places and really helps to control moisture. A little pricy but worth it. wash inside out to minimise those wool bobbles

These socks are extremely comfortable and can be worn all day without noticing they are there. I haven’t worn them over very cold weather yet but I expect they would regulate the temperature.

When I saw these sox, I wanted them because the colors would perfectly match one of my gym outfits. I work with a personal trainer in an upscale gym where most clients dress very smartly in their gym attire.

While the colors did match, the striping pattern did not line up with each other at the back of the sock. In fact, you can see that the horizontal strips mismatch in the online photo. I also found them extremely tight and confining.

Overall, Stance Sox seem to run small. I know that there is to be a certain degree of compression for running and sports, overall, but these are way too restrictive. I think Stance should take a look at their size chart and make a few changes.

I am a “perfect” mens size 12, medium width. The Stance size large is tight and restrictive, but is supposed to fit, per the size chart. I am hoping that they will loosen up a bit over time. Nevertheless, they are good quality sox, do wick moisture away, and look good with my matching top and shorts.

I would buy them again, only larger.

I’m no connoisseur of socks or habitual writer of reviews, but I really like these socks by Stance and hope Als keeps bringing them in as new colors and patterns are released. I know these are on the spendy end of socks, but the number one most important thing for me with socks is that they don’t make my feet stink.

I know foot stench is caused by a combination of things like sock and shoe material, sock and shoe breathability, and personal hygiene, but these socks check the box for their part. The fit is great.

The height of the socks is great. They are comfortable and seem to be very durable long-lasting socks.

Recommended to me by Paul Casey a few years ago. I figured he was just a pitchman, so took it with a grain of salt. I’ve tried 4 or 5 different brands, and I always come back to Stance. If anything, they’re a little too overwhelming with all the colors; thicknesses; heights; etc.

I’d like to see better filtering on their website along those lines. If you select Mens Tab Multi-packs, for instance, you’ll get different thicknesses spread out through the results. That also needs to be a filter option.

Nifty low waste packaging, really like the reusable elastic band! The color I got (medium grey) looks pink on the website but is much more saturated and is a really beautiful purple. Got a women’s large for my size 10.

5 feet and the fit is generous which I liked. Toe room is important. So far used on several treadmill runs and a snowshoe hike, they keep my feet cool, dry and warm – How is that even possible? SmartWool Sock Magic.

The tab on the back didn’t slip down into my sneakers like some of my “bargain” socks, and the cushion at the toe and heel was really comfortable. This pair easily climbed to the top of the sock drawer hierarchy as the top pick, and now I’m going to be sad when they are in the wash and I have to pick a different pair.

Going to add another pair or two to my mothers day wish list. #runon #SmartwoolLove.

Smartwool has been the only brand sock I wear for years. Always has been worth every penny. Until now. These are thin and flimsy – they will not hold the shape and do not fit your feet. The reason to buy quality socks is that they will really fit and help reduce blisters.

These actually slip down and the corner seem was unraveling before washing them. Pulling them on – if you pull them up a little rough – the corner splits apart. I have socks from smartwool that have hiked 100’s of miles and do not even seem worn down, let.

alone unravel or easily split at the corner seem. Even the unpadded thin socks. Please go back to manufacturing the right quality. PLEASE!!!!.

Finally purchased some socks after using the compression sleeves for years. I figured if the sleeves are **** excellent quality then the socks must be too! Right out of the package, on to my feet and out for a run.

These socks felt great! No bunching or hot spots on my feet at all! Thanks for another great product!.

Love these socks and they stay on my feet without sliding down. My heel pain and toe pain is gone In these socks plus my feet stay warm and dry. 💯 Percent Happy. Besides my swift Wicks and Features Zensah are my favorite and the are more comfortable.

Thank You Zensah.

I got a pair of these socks from zensah to try (the orange pair), and at first I thought they were so ****! Gave them the benefit of the doubt and on my trail run the next day I wore them and instantly knew I’d be getting more! I ended up buying every pair, except the navy, right after! I have now worn these socks on both trail and road runs, in upper 60s/low 70s temperatures as well as 30s and every time they have kept my feet dry, comfortable, and no matter the temperature they have been perfect! They are sooo squishy and have great padding! I have since washed and dried each pair and none of them have shrunk or lost their amazing cushion.

Put aside the looks of them, and do your feet a major favor; get them! They are worth it! Thank you again Zensah for another great product!.

Super socks, comfortable and breathable. Discovered in 2017 in a Vibram shop, a couple lasted me thousands of km! I bought 4 more pairs here at Trekkinn, great colors and prices are really affordable!

Very good quality and application. They are comfortable and pleasant whether one has Vibram Five fingers shoes or not. They breathe very well and the foot does not sweat. They are durable over time after many washes.

I used to get blisters on trail runs longer than 10 miles, mainly between my toes. Foot powder didn’t stop them, and even applying sports tape over the sensitive spots didn’t guarantee a blister-free run.

A fellow runner recommended the Injinji and I picked up a pair to try. That was five years ago, and I haven’t used anything since. I’ve run 50-mile and 100k trail ultras in Injinji socks without any blistering.

No need for Trail Toes or foot powder, either, I just put an extra pair in my drop bags and change to a new pair every 15-20 miles or so. The Nuwool are my favorite. A little more expensive but very soft and they seem to wick away moisture better.

Their only downside is they don’t seem to have the same durability. The soft texture pills a bit and tends to catch cheat grass and stickers. Pulling them out of the softer material is a bit tricky, too, so I reserve the Nuwool for winter and spring runs and races.

No complaints on durability, either. I have 5-6 pairs in the medium and heavy weights and I get 2-3 years from them, running 1500-2000 miles/year.

I really wanted to like these. The reviews are pretty compelling, and I am not disagreeing with any comments that have been made. I think my feet are pretty typical; nothing special. I did my own experiment, wearing one Injinji on one foot and a typical line on the other.

I did 4 multi-day backpacking trips, putting in 8 to 15 miles per day. There was no difference in the way my feet felt at the end of the day or the end of my trips. Here are the things I didn’t like.

First, you have to pull them over each individual toe. I am not a limber guy and it was so much easier to pull on my old liners sitting on my sleeping pad in my little tent vs leaning over and pulling the Ininjis over each individual toe.

Second, they are left-right specific. If you are one of those people (like me) who loses an occasional sock, you may end up with a pair that only works if you have two left feet. Third, they are more expensive than the regular liners.

Fourth, they didn’t make my feet feel any better at the end of the day.

Many one star reviews complain about the socks wearing sooner than anticipated. I could see if I wore these socks solely by themselves in a shoe or wore the liner without a shoe this could shorten the lifespan of the wool liner.

I have about about 8 pairs of the ijinji nuwool liner crew socks and have less wear than most reviews state. I wear them everyday to work and have minimal wear. I wear them on all my hikes (average 2 hikes/week @ 8 miles each).

The biggest difference is I wear them as a liner, not a stand-alone sock. So I wear the injinji wool liner with a sock over them. I do this everyday. Especially in summer months, my feet are dryer than they would be with non-wool socks.

Not perfect for every setting. Lounging in these socks can be uncomfortable. Made for being active. I would recommend getting a sock to go over the wool liner if you want it to last longer.

I had worn 2 pairs of lightweight daily crew’s in rotation last winter into early spring. Within the 4 months of average use I noticed the heels wearing thin. I just added them into rotation again this December and the heels are now showing holes.

I do my best to take excellent care of my gear. Only wash when its warranted, in room temperature or cool water, and lay flat to dry. I am saddened in the quality of this product as I really love the neutral design.

At this price point, I had expected years of use. It does not match the value. If not for the wearing on the heel, this product would rate much much higher!.

Finding socks with a good amount of Merino wool has become harder the past 20+ years. Manufacturers have reduced and reduced the content. You REALLY have to look a the garment contents to see. I shoot for minimal 70% but ideally, over 80% (which is what it used to be).

When I saw these, and saw that they had over 90% Merino in them, I jumped at them. But, when I got them, they did not have 90%. It was a far lower number. I tried them on, they felt great, so I kept them.

I may still return them. But the reality is that Patagonia is still selling a lot of plastic clothing. Why?.

Wow! I never knew socks could feel so luxurious! I have purchased a lot of Patagonia in the past, but had never given their socks a try. So glad I did! Very comfortable and great weight yes, they are thinner than a sock I would wear on a winter night but they fit perfectly in any kind of boot or shoe.

I really like to wear them with my Chelsea boots. I now own multiple pairs of Patagonia socks, this style is my most purchased and used! I wear a women’s size 8 1/2 to 9 shoe and wear a size medium.