When it comes to us guys buying athletic socks, it’s fair to say we don’t think about them as much as we probably should.
Many of us run on the sock ethos that as long as they don’t have any holes and don’t smell they’re ok to keep in our drawers.
We’re not here to say that practice is necessarily wrong, but it’s worth taking a different approach to buying socks.
Why You Should Buy High-Quality Socks
Making sure you acquire quality, performance wear socks will provide you a level of comfort you won’t ever want to go back on. High-quality athletic socks are made with fabrics and materials that are breathable, lightweight, and cushioned in all the right places.
Great athletic socks also last longer, so you won’t have to guess if it’s time to throw them out or not like your crusty dollar store pairs.
Best Athletic Socks for Men
We’ve rounded up the best types of athletic socks for men below. We say “types” because there are socks suitable for specific activities!
Take for example golf. A solid pair of golf socks should have compression and breathability. You also want to opt for a pair with a low cut—they look better with shorts and will feel better when golfing in hot temperatures. The prior notion is true for finding tennis and cycling socks.
All of the socks below have been curated for athletic wear use and for specific sports and activities.
Aside from the styles mentioned above, we’ve also added specific pairs of athletic socks for running, hiking, playing basketball, and more.
Read about each pair of socks below and tap the button under the image to shop! Make sure to let us know your favorites!
Best Value: adidas Roller Crew Socks
- Three pairs per pack
- Crew length
- Cushioned heel and toe
- Arch compression
buy now via adidas.com
Best for Running: Bombas Merino Wool Running Ankle Sock 3-Pack
- Hex Tec made with blend of polyester/nylon/cotton/spandex
- Strategic Zone Cushioning
- Airflow Venting
- Honeycomb Arch Support System
- Left-Right Contoured
buy now
Best for the Gym: Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned
- Dri-FIT technology helps your feet stay dry and comfortable.
- Breathable knit pattern on top adds ventilation.
- Reinforced heel and toe are made to last.
- Doubled-up cuff creates a layered look.
buy now via nike.com
Best for Outdoor Training: Filson x Ten Thousand Training Socks
- Made from breathable, quick-drying blend of nylon and polyester
- Egonomically right/left contoured
- Oder resistant
- Strategic cushioning
- Compression ribbing
buy now via filson.com
Best for Golf: Bombas Golf Quarter Sock 3-Pack
- Hex Tec made with blend of polyester/nylon/cotton/spandex
- Strategic Zone Cushioning
- Airflow Venting
- Honeycomb Arch Support System
- Left-Right Contoured
buy now via bombas.com
Best Performance Ankle Length: lululemon Power Stride Ankle Sock Multi-Colour
- Designed for Running and Training
- Ankle length
- PerformaHeel™ is 3D knit with dual yarns
- ErgoToes™ foot-specific design
- 360° arch support
buy now via lululemon.com
Best for Tennis: Bombas Performance Tennis Ankle Sock 3-Pack
- Hex Tec made with blend of polyester/nylon/cotton/spandex
- Strategic Zone Cushioning
- Airflow Venting
- Honeycomb Arch Support System
- Left-Right Contoured
buy now via bombas.com
Best for Cycling: Bombas Performance Cycling Ankle Sock 3-Pack
- Hex Tec made with blend of polyester/nylon/cotton/spandex
- Strategic Zone Cushioning
- Airflow Venting
- Honeycomb Arch Support System
- Left-Right Contoured
buy now via bombas.com
Best for Playing Basketball: Stance Icon Crew Socks
- A classic sock height that hits the mid-point of your lower leg
- Moderate cushioning throughout the sock for a secure fit with enhanced impact protection
- Targeted Cushioning for added comfort where you need it most
- Engineered Arch Support stabilizes your swing in style
- Comes in 3 Pair Pack
buy now via amazon.com
Best for Hiking: WORN T3 Hike Sock
- Boot height covers your calf to cut down on chafing
- 360 degree support for a snug fit that won’t slide around on you
- Naturally antimicrobial and odor-resistant
- Knit with WORN’s performance enhanced Merino Arrowool™
buy now via huckberry.com
Best High Compression Long Socks: Bombas High Compression Socks
- Hex Tec made with blend of polyester/nylon/cotton/spandex
- Strategic Zone Cushioning
- Airflow Venting
- Honeycomb Arch Support System
- Left-Right Contoured
buy now via bombas.com
The BroBible team writes about gear that we think you want. Occasionally, we write about items that are a part of one of our affiliate partnerships and we will get a percentage of the revenue from sales.