The 7 Best Socks for Women of 2023

Best Overall Socks for Women

Dickies Dri-tech Crew Multipack - Women's

Material: 71% cotton, 27% polyester, 2% spandex | Height: Crew

If you are looking for the right combination of style and function, then the Dickies Dri-tech Crew is an ideal choice. Made of cotton, polyester, and spandex, they feel soft against your skin and yield perfect stretch. Although the Dickies Dri-tech is not a running-specific article, it breathes really well and, as the name implies, dries out quickly, making it a good choice for hiking or running. It utilizes moisture-wicking technology and has ventilation channels engineered to increase air circulation during exertion. In addition, we liked the design options and found them to be both fashionable and versatile.

After months of wearing the Dri-tech, we noticed the fabric started stretching out slightly and losing some of its form. This is typical of cotton models and was common among most products we tested. For wearers with large muscular calves, these may be too tight and uncomfortable to wear for hours on end. Overall, the Dri-tech was one of our favorites because of its high performance across the board.

Best Bang for the Buck

Champion No Show - Women's

Material: 97% polyester, 2% spandex, 1% other | Height: Low ankle

The Champion No Show is made from predominately polyester with a small amount of spandex to give it that stretchy yet snug fit. This inexpensive multipack offers a lot of bang for your buck and performed well during our testing. It is a great choice for moving in warm conditions as the thin material breathes well and dries out quickly after getting wet. It has a low ankle cut and is barely noticeable in shoes making it a versatile choice from the gym to the office. The material is also more durable than we expected, considering its thinness, making it a high-value product.

One issue with the Champion No Show is that the thin fabric doesn't offer much cushioning for extended pounding on the pavement. As part of our testing, we wore them for several days in a row without washing them, and they are by far the smelliest sock in our lineup. Polyester materials notoriously hold onto odor more than cotton, so we can most likely blame this on the fabric. Still, the Champion No Show is an inexpensive and solid option for activewear or general day-to-day use.

Best for Breathability

Saucony Performance Heel Tab Athletic Socks

Material: 98% polyester, 2% spandex | Height: Ankle

Looking for a do-it-all everyday-turned-running option that goes almost unnoticed on your feet? The Saucony Performance Heel Tab Athletic was a top performer and scored highly across all our testing metrics. This model is very comfortable, fits like a glove on your feet, is extremely durable, and dries quickly. It's a great choice for moderate exercise but also transitions well to casual outfits with its nearly invisible low ankle height. The heel tab helps keep the material from sliding down into your shoe, and they come in a variety of colors so you can match them with your favorite outfit.

Although we like polyester for its durability and breathability, it does have its downfalls — odor retention is one of them. This sock got stinkier than most, as polyester is notorious for holding onto odors compared to its cotton cousins.

Best for Comfy Cushioning

Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion

Material: 39% nylon, 34% Coolmax polyester, 19% acrylic, 5% polyester, 3% lycra spandex | Height: Crew

Darn Tough has a history of making great socks out of durable material and backing them with a lifetime warranty. The Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion is one of the most comfortable socks we had the pleasure of testing. Their thick material makes them our preferred choice for activities where we are on our feet all day and need that extra support. They have soft terry loops underfoot and the most padding of any of the products in our lineup. The Coolmax Micro Crew is engineered to move moisture out and keep your feet cool even while sweating, and the synthetic material dries quickly.

The main drawback of the Darn Tough Micro Crew is the price. It is expensive, but you can send it back and get a new pair if it ever wears out. Made of thicker material, this pair might not be the best choice for hot summer days and is better suited for colder temperatures. When all is said and done, the Darn Tough Coolmax is a high-quality and high-comfort product.

Most Stylish

Stance The Vitality Crew Socks

Material: 70% cotton, 17% polyester, 10% nylon, 3% elastane | Height: Crew

Born in a SoCal surfing town, Stance has made itself known for creating stylish foot coverings. With many different colors and patterns, the Stance The Vitality Crew combine fashion and function and scored well across our many tests. The fabric is a mixture of cotton, polyester, and nylon, making it comfortable, slightly stretchy, and well-fit on our feet. They can be paired with various outfits and transition well from outdoor activities to dinner parties.

One drawback of the Stance The Vitality Crew is the price. Although it comes in a multipack, it is more expensive than some of the other models we tested. The thicker material may also be a drawback for some who live in warm temperatures or have sweaty feet. Overall, the Stance The Vitality is a great, functional, durable option, and you'll look good wearing it.

Best for Hiking

Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion

Material: 66% Merino wool, 32% nylon, 2% lycra spandex | Cushion: Full

The Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion is our favorite hiking sock. It's thick and cushiony and provides excellent protection for your feet on the trail. It's also exceptionally durable and built to last through years of hiking and backpacking. The boot-compatible crew cut is great for hiking boots, and the soft, comfortable fibers feel nice and cozy on your feet. Although a bit pricey, this pair come with a lifetime warranty, so you can be sure you're making a wise investment. The men's and women's specific fits are true to size and work great on wide or narrow feet. This pair is the clear choice if you're looking for a top-of-the-line hiking sock, and it's our go-to for long backpacking trips, especially since it can also double as a cozy pair of sleepers.

Unfortunately, extra padding means less breathability, and this design does not incorporate a breathable instep like most lighter hiking socks. It isn't our top choice for the warmest weather, though it wicks sweat very well. All this aside, if you are looking for a boot-capable, durable, cold-weather sock with excellent underfoot cushioning, the Darn Tough Hiker is exceptional.

Read more: Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion review

Best for Running

Balega Blister Resist Quarter

Material: 32% Drynamix polyester, 32% polyamide, 30% mohair, 4% microfiber, 2% elastane | Cushioning: Midweight

For many reasons, the Balega Blister Resist Quarter is an excellent performer. First, the synthetic materials feel soft and comfortable against your skin, and padding is exactly where you need it. On long trail runs, your foot feels protected and cushioned from hazards like rocks and roots. The material on top of the foot is thinner and ventilated under your arch. Men and women have different styles, each with an impeccable fit. Our testers were impressed with the durability of this pair and found themselves reaching for this protective performer for trail runs from one to 100 miles in any season.

Although we love the Balega Blister Resist, it may not be the best option for folks with extra-sweaty feet on hot summer days due to its mid-weight cushioning. We never felt too uncomfortable wearing them on hot days, likely due to the thermoregulatory properties of the mohair wool, but they are a bit warmer than thinner options. Regardless, if you're looking for an excellent running sock with extra protection and great durability, the Blister Resist is our top choice.

Read more: Balega Blister Resist Quarter review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	82	Dickies Dri-tech Crew Multipack - Women's Best Overall Socks for Women	$16
	78	Saucony Performance Heel Tab Athletic Socks Best for Breathability	$16
	76	Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Best for Comfy Cushioning	$24
	74	Bombas Original Ankle Socks	$14
	72	Stance The Vitality Crew Socks Most Stylish	$12
	68	CelerSport Low Cut Running - Unisex	$22
	64	Champion No Show - Women's Best Bang for the Buck	$20
	62	Hane's Crew Socks - Women's	$12
	54	Wernies No Show Socks	$18
	52	Gold Toe Texture Crew - Women's	$17
	50	IDEGG No Show Socks - Unisex	$19

Why You Should Trust Us

Socks are one of the most basic yet important items of your everyday attire. Having a comfortable medium between your foot and shoe can greatly impact your day. Comfort is key and the highest priority in our intensive testing and evaluations. We researched over 20 top sock brands before buying the most promising 11 pairs to test side by side. We wore them on long walks, out on the town, and around the house to see how they would perform in different shoes and different environments. We used a diffuser to test breathability and checked how stinky they got after multiple back-to-back days of wear. We tried them on with different outfits and asked our friends to wear them and rate their style and versatility. And we washed them and wore them on repeat to see if they could withstand the everyday abuse.

Our side-by-side comparative testing was divided into the following four metrics:

• Comfort and All Day Performance (40% of overall score weighting)

• Breathability (20% weighting)

• Odor Retention (20% weighting)

• Style and Versatility (20% weighting)

Review Editor, Whitney Clark is our lead tester for women's socks. Whitney spends much of her time walking to various cliffs and crags, climbing mountains in Patagonia, or running around dirt trails in Owen's Valley. Living in an area of the West that has extremely hot summers and shockingly cold winters, Whitney understands the value of having the right sock for the right moment. Through decades of trials and tribulations, she has learned the correlation between having a fun day and having a good pair of socks.

Analysis and Test Results

No one wants blisters from fabric rubbing against the skin on your feet, which is why we spent back-to-back days walking, running, and lounging in each pair. We wore each sock for six miles walking down a dirt trail to find which ones held up to our standards. We evaluated comfort and all-day performance, tested breathability, smelled odor retention, and examined style and versatility to rate each product comparatively and fairly.

Value

Socks are unlikely to be the piece of your wardrobe that breaks the bank. However, getting six pairs of one type for the same price as one pair of another can leave you scratching your head as to why anyone would pay double digits for one pair of socks. Well, we can tell you. The Darn Tough Coolmax have exceptional value because that high price tag comes with a lifetime guarantee. If it wears out, Darn Tough lets you return it for a new pair. On the other end of the spectrum, a less expensive but still quality product is the Champion No Show. It performed well in all of our testing and can be purchased in multipacks at an affordable price. The Saucony Performance Heel Tab also offers exceptional bang for your buck as they are available in inexpensive multipacks, are high performing, and showed little wear after miles on the trail.

Comfort and All Day Performance

Comfort reigns supreme for our feet and is the most important factor in finding a pair we're happy with. They can be cheap, fashionable, smell good, and breathable, but if they're uncomfortable, they're not a good buy. We walked for six miles of trails in every pair of socks in similar conditions to see how they performed. We lounged around home to gauge coziness and roominess. We looked at the material, stretch, and fit and analyzed how they felt on our feet.

With its combination of mostly nylon and Coolmax polyester, the Darn Tough Coolmax Crew scored highly in this metric and feels nice on your skin. It has seamless toes, leaving plenty of room to wiggle and the perfect amount of stretch. A soft terry underfoot keeps the bottom of your foot well-cushioned. The Dickies Dri-tech also felt pleasant and perfectly cushioned on our feet. We enjoyed wearing them hanging out around the house all day and on a sweaty, 5-mile run.

Socks with thicker material like the Bombas Original Ankle gave the bottom of our feet a nice cushion, and the ankle cut made them a good choice for use during moderate exercise like running. The Saucony Performance was another favorite with a slightly thinner material than the Bombas.

We found the CelerSport Low Cut Running to almost be too thin for running in warm temperatures with sweaty feet. However, they are a cozy option for all-day wear at work or lounging around the house. The Stance Vitality has good skin feel and a great fit that we loved on hikes and couch surfing sessions. The Champion No Show impressed us by staying firmly in place on a long 6-mile run without even starting to slip down our heels.

Breathability

Having breathable clothing is important, especially if you plan to do any exercise, have sweaty extremities, or live in a warm environment. A breathable layer should wick away moisture while you're sweating and dry out quickly so you aren't left with wet feet all day. It's important to note that the thickness of a sock doesn't necessarily tell you how breathable it is. Breathability has more to do with the type of fabric used rather than its thickness. For example, cotton is more breathable than polyester, but it absorbs moisture and stays wet longer than its polyester counterparts. The best sock usually combines these two materials, giving you the best of both worlds.

To test breathability, we wore each pair running and hiking in warm temperatures. We used a diffuser to measure how much moisture permeated through the fabric. We also timed how long each pair stayed wet in a controlled environment. Not surprisingly, the cotton socks allowed more moisture to escape but stayed wet longer. One of the best performers during our testing was the Saucony Heel Tab. Its predominately polyester fabric with ventilated mesh panels allowed maximum airflow and kept our feet cool and dry on long runs. Another high performer was the Dickies Dri-tech Crew. It is made with a combination of cotton and polyester fabrics and does an excellent job of wicking moisture and drying quickly.

Though the Darn Tough Micro Crew is thicker than most other socks we tested, they are engineered with ventilation channels and moisture-control fibers to help with airflow. They handily kept our feet cool and dry after hours of walking around in warm temperatures. The Stance Vitality breathes decently well and dries out fairly quickly once saturated. The Champion No Show saturates quickly but also dries quickly because it's so thin. The Bombas Original is made of thicker mostly-cotton fabric that pulls sweat away from your feet but also holds in extra warmth during exercise.

Odor Retention

Stinky socks can be embarrassing, and if you don't have access to a regular washer and drier, how the material smells after extensive use matters. As a natural fiber, cotton doesn't retain odor as much as synthetic polyester does, so not surprisingly, the ones that performed the best are made of mostly cotton. To test odor retention, we wore each pair for several consecutive days without washing them. Luckily for us (and our friends), most of them didn't smell too bad.

After multiple days of use without washing, we could barely detect any odor from the Dickies Dri-tech or the CelerSport Low Cut. Both pairs stayed relatively soft and didn't get that 'crunchy' feel that often happens when dirt and grime build-up.

The Bombas Original, Stance Vitality, and Hane's Crew also proved to be less smelly. All three are made predominately of cotton and resisted taking on strong odors even after days of use without washing. The high breathability of the Darn Tough Coolmax and Saucony contributed to both of these pairs resisting becoming too smelly after repeated wear.

Style and Versatility

We recognize that style is subjective, and so we asked as many of our friends and family to weigh in on each pair. We also considered each product's versatility across outfits, activities, and situations. The products that scored the highest in this metric could easily look just as good and work as well at the gym as at a casual dinner out.

The Stance Vitality was our favorite in the style department because of its classic look. Everyone we asked liked these mid-calf socks' retro style, excellent color options, and great looks. Another favorite was the Dickies Dri-tech because not only does it have cool patterns and color options, but it's also a super comfortable and functional sock. The Gold Toe Texture is another pair that comes in plenty of classic colors, with a casual mid-calf cut that looks good with laidback outfits.

We also really liked the Hane's Crew for its style and versatility. It's hard to go wrong with a basic white cotton sock, and this one is a tried and true product that has been around for ages. Many of the low-cut socks we tested are also quite versatile, as they barely pop out of the tops of most shoes. Those include the Bombas Original, Saucony, CelerSport, and Champion No Show with their low ankle designs, and the super-low cuts of the Wernies No Show and IDEGG No Show.

Conclusion

As small as they seem, socks are an important part of our everyday attire. Having a comfortable medium between your foot and your shoe is important and can make a big difference in your overall happiness and attitude. With thousands of similar-looking socks available, knowing which ones will work best for your feet and lifestyle can be hard. We hope our rigorous tests and careful evaluation of details have helped you find the perfect sock to keep your feet nice and happy.