Fashion
Whether you’re touring the city by foot, power walking for exercise, or working at a job where you’re on your feet all day, having a good pair of socks makes life much better. While, yes, shopping for the best socks for walking is fairly straightforward (it's all about the cushioning and support), there are definitely a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, how far will you be walking and how do your feet typically react to these distances? If you’re just walking around the neighborhood for short periods of time, you can probably get away with regular walking socks with plenty of cushioning to keep your feet comfortable. If you’re planning a full day of trekking throughout the city, by contrast, you may want to look at special performance socks with compression technology or blister-proof sock designs. That will help reduce soreness and discomfort.
You also want to consider the temperature where you’ll be and how hot or sweaty your feet tend to get. If you perspire a lot when you walk, you’ll want socks with moisture-wicking features and cooling properties. If your feet tend to run cold, on the other hand, you’ll want something warmer and thicker.
But, let's not beat around the bush. Here is a list of the best socks for walking, no matter where you're headed.
1
Best Overall Socks For Walking
This lightweight walking sock offers an impressive combination of features that make it far and above one of the best socks you can slip on. It has an ultra-comfortable ribbed arch underneath that's reinforced with extra cushioning thick enough to offer support without being bulky. The elastic band at the top helps ensure it won't slide down or bunch up at your heels. It's built with some anti-blister features (although not quite as many as the sock below), moisture-management properties, and anti-microbial fabric to deliver odor control. Overall, it's a great sock that's a fantastic blend of well-made materials, an affordable price, and extra cushioning and support for walking.
2
Best Anti-Blister Ankle Socks
Designed specifically to reduce blisters, this anti-chafe sock will ensure you can walk forever without having to stick band-aids on your heels and toes. The clever design features hand-linked seamless toe construction to prevent rubbing on top of the foot while the heel pocket is extra deep with a tab to prevent it from sliding down and bunching at your feet. As a bonus, the high-performance sock is made with a unique mohair material blended with Drynamix that regulates temperature, keeping you warm when it's cold and cooling you down when it's hot.
3
Best Moisture-Wicking No-Show Socks
Walking around all day can get hot and sticky fast. These moisture-wicking ankle socks are constructed with a mix of polyester, spandex, and nylon that lifts sweat from your skin and quickly evaporates it. The result is that you won't feel like you're squishing around in damp, uncomfortable shoes. The material is breathable and ventilated to keep you cool as well as dry. On top of that, the low-profile no-show sock offers cushy arch support that keeps your feet from getting tired fast, along with a flat knit design that prevents them from bunching up.
4
Best Compression Socks
This high-tech compression sock can help reduce pain if you get sore feet after walking long distances. It's designed with special metatarsal compression in the middle part of the foot to increase blood flow, preventing swelling and minimizing DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). The advanced compression technology makes this a slightly pricier sock than some others; however, it's more than worth it if you're going to be walking around the city all day, running errands on foot, or standing on your feet at work.
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.
