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It’s normal (but still highly unpleasant) for your shoes to feel a little damp after you take a spin class, go for a run, or walk around on a warm day. The best socks for sweaty feet are breathable and moisture-wicking to prevent that gross, soggy feeling—not to mention the smell that often comes with it.
For a sock to be breathable, it should be made from merino wool or synthetic materials, like polyester or nylon, Jay Spector, DPM, Atlanta-based sport podiatrist and former president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, tells SELF. These materials help wick moisture away so it can evaporate quickly, leaving your feet drier and cooler. If you’re trying to avoid smelly feet (isn’t everyone?), your best bet is wearing socks made with an antimicrobial material—something that can prevent the growth of odor-causing microorganisms like bacteria. Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it’s a safe bet. And some synthetic fabrics are chemically treated or woven with antimicrobial agents to give them the same effect.
But stocking up on high-quality socks that keep you dry is about more than just comfort: “Moist environments can lead to the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungus, that can result in athlete’s foot and nail infections,” Miguel Cunha, DPM, sport podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City, tells SELF. “These infections can change the appearance and smell of the foot.”
To help you avoid stinky or fungal feet, we asked outdoorsy folks for their favorite pairs and tapped podiatrists for their expert sock shopping advice. All of the picks below will keep your toes from feeling like they’re in a sauna.
- Best Overall: Balega Hidden Comfort No Show Tab
- Best Budget: Hanes Ultimate Lightweight Vent No Show Sock
- Best for Running: Bombas Running Ankle Socks
- Best for Hiking: Farm to Feet ¾ Crew Light Targeted Cushion
- Best for Cycling: Swiftwick Maxus Zero Tab
- Best for Arch Support: Feetures Elite Ultra Light No Show Tab
- Best for Humidity: Saucony Inferno No Show Tab Socks
- Best for Hiking: Farm to Feet ¾ Crew Light Targeted Cushion
- Most Stylish: Patagonia Lightweight Merino Performance Crew Socks
- Best No-Show: Lululemon Power Stride No-Show Socks
- Best for Yoga: Gaiam Grippy Yoga Socks
- Best for HIIT Workouts: New Balance Flat Knit No Show Socks
- Best for Lounging: Garnet Hill Cashmere Socks
- Best for Light Activities: Under Armour Performance Tech No Show Socks
- Shop the best socks for sweaty feet
- Which sock material is best for sweaty feet?
- Are cotton socks good for sweaty feet?
Prevent a potentially swampy situation in your sneakers with comfy socks that are easy to wear for almost any activity.
- Shouldn’t slip down
- Very durable
- Seamless toes
- Some Amazon reviewers say they’re too thick
As a marathon runner, Dr. Spector swears by Balega socks. “You would think, after running for four hours, that they’d be dripping in sweat, but they’re not,” he previously told SELF. This pair is designed to keep your feet cool and dry, with help from mesh vents and the brand’s proprietary “Drynamix” material (a moisture-wicking yarn). They’re also seamless at the toes to prevent irritation and have a deeper heel pocket so the back doesn’t slip down as you move.
Even better? These won’t get worn down and hole-y as soon as you take them out of your sock drawer. “I have Balega socks that are four-plus years old and still going strong,” one runner and hiker tells SELF.
Sizes: S to XL | Colors: 19 | Material: Polyester, nylon, neofil, elastane
- Solid arch support
- Help fight odor
- Some Amazon reviewers say they’re too thin
You can easily upgrade your sock drawer with this multi-pack of Hanes no-show socks. They’re made with synthetic materials to keep your feet cool and dry and hug the arch of your foot to provide extra support. “They are so soft and breathable, and the moisture-wicking helps keep away foot odor,” one Amazon reviewer says. “I didn’t overheat at all with these on.”
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Colors: 3 | Material: Polyester, spandex, other fiber
- Seamless toe
- Ankle tab prevents blisters
- Some Bombas reviewers say they run small
Dr. Spector also recommends Bombas socks, even though they contain a small percentage of cotton. Their proprietary “Hex Tec” moisture-reducing yarn blend allows your feet to breathe—plus its design hugs the arch of your foot for extra support on long runs. This pair has fans at SELF too: “They don’t slip or get eaten by my shoes, no matter what type of workout I put them through,” one editor says. “They aren’t overly thick or cushioned, but they manage to support my feet and soak up sweat.”
Sizes: S to L | Colors: 5 | Material: Polyester, nylon, cotton, elastane
- Great in all temperatures
- Help fight odor
- Very durable
- Pricey
You may associate wool with warmth, but it’s actually very breathable too. Wool socks are able to repel water, so they “do really well for blister prevention when it’s raining,” Dr. Spector says. These Smartwool socks are made of Merino wool, recycled nylon, and elastane, which all help wick away moisture (translation: dry, comfy feet).
Sizes: S to XL | Colors: 12 | Material: Merino wool, recycled nylon, nylon, elastane
- Cushioned in blister-prone areas
- Good arch support
- Some Amazon reviewers say sizing is inconsistent
SELF’s former commerce writer, who is also a cycling instructor in New York City, previously called these athletic socks a game changer for indoor cycling: “They’re sweat-wicking and feel snug around the arch of my feet and my ankles, and there’s extra padding around the toes and heels for comfort.” The socks have a thin upper for breathability and they’re made of recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex—all great for keeping moisture at bay.
Sizes: S to XL | Colors: 11 | Material: Recycled polyester, nylon, spandex
- Good compression
- Don’t slide
- Some Amazon reviewers say they’re too thin
Feetures, another brand Dr. Spector recommends, makes this pair of running socks that claims to have “zone-specific compression,” which hugs your foot where it needs more support (like in the arch). Plus, they’re made from a blend of nylon and spandex, which should help keep your feet cool. “I’m a believer that your sock is almost as important as your sneaker,” one runner tells SELF. These complement my sneakers well, and even as my feet get sweaty, there’s no sliding or rubbing.”
Sizes: 4 to 15 | Colors: 19 | Material: Nylon, spandex
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- Seamless toe
- Shoppers say they prevent blisters
- Some Amazon reviewers think they’re too tight
True to their name, these no-show socks will stay dry through the hottest, steamiest days—thanks to their mesh upper and polyester, rubber, and spandex construction. With a seamless toe and no-slip heel, they’re also designed for ultimate comfort. “My feet tend to sweat, and these socks keep my feet dry as a bone,” wrote one happy Amazon reviewer.
Sizes: 5 to 10 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester, repreve polyester, Sorbtek, nylon, spandex
- Cute designs
- Help fight odor
- Plenty of cushioning
- Pricey
You’ll be glad to have these for your next trek in the mountains, according to one SELF editor. “They’re super warm and don’t smell after hikes thanks to the sweat-wicking wool, and they have great cushioning around the heels and toes to protect your feet when moving up and downhill,” she says. “And how cute is the forest scene for a hiking sock?!”
Sizes: S to XL | Colors: 3 | Material: Nylon, Merino wool, spandex
- Dry quickly
- Cute designs
- Help fight odor
- Pricey
Not only are these Patagonia crew socks engineered to nix moisture and dry quickly (see their wool-spandex blend fabric and breathable top panel), but they also have a retro charm that’ll make you want to add several pairs to your cart. “My feet stayed cool, dry, and stink-free,” wrote one Patagonia reviewer.
Sizes: S to XL | Colors: 6 | Material: Merino wool, nylon, spandex
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- Won’t slide down
- Low profile makes them easy to style
- Some reviewers say the heel grip wears down with washes
Lululemon’s no-show socks offer the best of both worlds: They’ll help draw moisture away from your feet but won’t cramp your style. This pair also has a heel tab that grips your foot to prevent slippage. Reviewers say these stay put and actually sit comfortably below the ankle (shocking, we know).
Sizes: S to L | Colors: 6 | Material: Nylon, elastane
- Help you stay stable on slippery surfaces
- Allow for toe flexibility
- Some Amazon reviewers say they’re too thin
It’s really hard to stay in downward dog when your feet are sliding around, which is why we recommend grip socks for any mat-based activity. This Gaiam pair is mostly made from polyester, a wicking material that’ll absorb sweat so your feet don’t feel damp. Plus, they have individual toe slots with grips underneath to really keep you stable.
Sizes: S/M to M/L | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester, spandex, silicone grips
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- Plenty of stretch
- Very durable
- Budget-friendly
- Limited size range
HIIT workouts are notoriously sweaty, which is why one SELF editor recommends these thin socks that’ll let your feet breathe. “They’re so lightweight and stretchy—they’re made of spandex and have mesh panels for airflow—that I thought they’d fall apart pretty quickly, but I’ve had them for over three years (!) and they’re in excellent shape,” she says. “I wear them on hot days for walking and HIIT workouts when I want a low-profile, minimal sock.”
Sizes: M to L | Colors: 6 | Material: Spandex
- Super soft
- Pretty design
- Keep your feet warm but sweat-free
- Pricey
While cashmere (a thinner type of wool) is a go-to for many people in cold temps, it’s also handy to have around in hot weather because it can help regulate your body temperature. These Garnet Hill cashmere socks are a cozy option to wear around the house (or to bed)—and they come in a bunch of colors, so they’ll look cute peeking out over your boots too.
Sizes: One size fits all | Colors: 9 | Material: Cashmere, nylon, spandex
- Budget-friendly
- Shouldn’t slip down
- Good ventilation
- Some Amazon reviewers say they’re not durable
Throw these Under Armour socks on to run errands, go for a hot girl walk, or do yard work. They have a low profile and come in neutral colors to blend in with your regular or workout clothes. And, most importantly, they’re comfy: “They feel tight around my feet but light enough that it lets my feet breathe,” one runner tells SELF. “They don't slip or slide in my shoes and my feet never feel constrained.”
Sizes: M to XL | Colors: 5 | Material: Polyester, cotton, spandex
FAQs
Synthetic materials, like polyester, nylon, and elastane, sometimes get a bad rap for environmental reasons (namely, they contain plastics that contribute to pollution and they don’t decompose as fast as natural fabrics do). But they’re the best choice when your main goal is to keep your feet dry. If you want to avoid synthetics, seek out socks made from wool, a natural fabric that happens to have great sweat-wicking abilities.
Not really: Cotton absorbs moisture and isn’t very sweat-wicking, so it takes awhile to dry. But if your socks are mostly made of synthetic fabrics or wool, a small percentage of cotton is fine, especially if you’re wearing breathable shoes or only doing light exercise.
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