The Best Everyday Socks for Men

Your socks are some of the most worn and washed items in your wardrobe. As such, make sure to routinely invest in versatile, durable pairs. Crew ones are my recommendation, as they rise high enough to cover the space between your pant’s hem and the uppers on your boots, sneakers or loafers. Plus, plenty of crew socks come with elasticated cuffs and arches, meaning they won’t slide down or lose their shape after a few washes.

What to Know

When to Refresh Your Sock Drawer

Socks do eventually diminish, though. It’s inevitable. Explore a range of hard-wearing materials and choose colors that complement your pre-existing wardrobe. And make it a habit to buy a new pair every so often so your sock drawer stays fresh.

If you’re buying better socks, though — see our case for pricier ones below — you can just buy a pair at a time in an effort to keep to a “one in, one out” rule. (Otherwise, your sock drawer will overflow — and fast).

Buy Singles, Not Bulk

If you see socks in packs, that means the brand made a lot of them. Higher volume means factories can produce more of the same product without having to switch out materials and patterns to make different products for different brands, saving the factories time and money. The higher quantity also implies, in most cases, they used cheaper materials. In this case, that means lower-grade cotton blended with a higher percentage of synthetic materials: aka stretch.

Lesser-quality cotton has shorter staples (essentially, a staple is a length of fiber). The shorter the staple, the weaker the fiber, the easier it is to fall apart in a weave or a knit. As for synthetics, most socks will need some kind of nylon or elastane for durability and stretch — these man-made materials are also cheaper to produce than natural fibers.

Price

While the price point for a pair of quality socks will vary, a good pair of socks will likely cost you well over $10 a pair. But you’ll own them longer, and a higher up-front investment makes you more inclined to repair a ripped sock down the road.

Still not sold? Learn more in our post explaining why pricier socks are actually worth it.

How We Tested

Arvin Goods

Best Overall Socks

Best Overall Socks: Arvin Goods Crew Sock

• $14.00 at Arvin Goods

• Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material(s): 36% upcycled cotton 43% recycled polyester (RPET) 19% polyamide 2% elastane
• Sizes: S/M, M/L

The Crew Sock by Arvin Goods comes in eight colors and two different sizes, S/M and M/L. Built with an elasticated cuff and arch, these socks also have a padded footbed for added comfort. There’s nothing to complain about here — they’ve got plenty of stretch, and synthetics lend solid durability to its upcycled fabrics .

Bombas

Best Upgrade Socks: Bombas Merino Wool Calf Socks

• $19.00 at Bombas

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: Taiwan, China
• Material(s): 78% merino wool 20% polyester 2% elastane
• Sizes: M, L, XL

Bombas makes some of the best socks, period. Its Merino Wool Calf Socks hit well above the ankle and stay there, too, courtesy of tightly woven cuffs and arches, where additional support is always welcome. They sport a seamless toe and a cushioned footbed for supreme comfort. Bombas also replaces socks as part of its “100% Happiness Guarantee” policy in case your pair gets a hole or two, or even lost.

Learn more about Bombas in our dedicated guide to the brand’s catalog.

Uniqlo

Best Affordable Socks

Best Affordable Socks: Uniqlo Standard Socks

• $4.00 at Uniqlo

• Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: Taiwan, China
• Material(s): Cotton, acrylic, nylon, elastane, polyester
• Sizes: One size

We all know about Uniqlo’s socks. Or, at least, you should. The Japanese brand sells them in 50 — yes, 50 — different colors so you can match them with everything you own. Plus, they cost less than $5 dollars. They’re a fan favorite and only come in one size, making a few pairs of these a simple must-buy.

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Best Merino Socks: American Trench Supermerino Socks

• $28.00 at americantrench.com

• Care: Machine wash, air dry
• Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
• Material(s): 77% merino wool, 14% nylon, 7% polyester, 2% elastane
• Sizes: One size

Made using fine Italian merino wool, American Trench’s Supermerino Socks come in a number of colors, each with a tight shaft, roomy footbed and chafe-free seams. The merino wool makes ‘em breezy enough to stop sweaty toes, plus padding gives them extra plush. They’re also made in the United States. Grab a pair in one of five colors.

Todd Snyder

Best Old-School Socks

Best Old-School Socks: Rototo Old School Crew

• $30.00 at Todd Snyder

• Care: Machine wash, air dry
• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Material(s): 73% cotton, 12% acrylic, 12% polyester, 3% polyurethane
• Sizes: M, L

Rototo’s Old School Crew conjures designs from gym classes of yesteryear, when collegiate stripes were all the rage (and standard issue). They’re made in Japan from mostly cotton on a low-gauge machine that creates chunky, thick look.

J Crew

Best Multi-Pack Socks

Best Multi-Pack Socks: J.Crew Athletic Crew Sock (3-Pack)

• $18.00 at J Crew

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material(s): 89% cotton, 11% nylon
• Sizes: One size

The elastic in these J.Crew Athletic Crew Socks is some of the strongest I’ve tested, which means these are not only more comfortable once on but they also last a hell of a lot longer. This multi-pack doesn’t cost much, either.

darn tough

Best Socks for Active Individuals

Best Socks for Active Individuals: Darn Tough The Standard Crew Lightweight Lifestyle Sock

• $24.00 at darntough.com

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
• Material(s): 49% nylon, 46% merino wool, 5% elastane
• Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL

If you like to straight from home or the office to the mountains, whether hiking or camping, these are the right socks for you. They’re lightweight yet tight, breathable yet plenty supportive, and I found they were the best at deterring blisters. Plus, they come in a number of colors and are the right thickness to work with boots or sneakers.

Amazon

Best Multi-Pack White Socks

Best Multi-Pack White Socks: Gildan Half Cushion Crew Socks

• $19.00 at Amazon
  $21.00 (10% off)

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material(s): 96% polyester, 3% elastane, 1% nylon
• Sizes: 6-10, 10-13

Gildan’s Half Cushion Crew Socks run tall, meaning they look great stacked lower around your ankle and kind of slouchy. That’s the look nowadays anyway, which means you’ll fit right in with Tiktokers and stylish teens. In normal settings, though, i.e. the gym or on weekends, they work well around the house, too, with their cushioned heels, padded toes and tall shaft.

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Best Upgrade Multi-Pack White Socks

Best Upgrade Multi-Pack White Socks: Pair of Thieves Every Day Kit Cushion Crew Socks (6-Pack)

• $13.00 at pairofthieves.com

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material(s): 78% cotton, 17% polyester, 3% nylon, 2% elastane
• Sizes: One size

$13 is a great price for these Pair of Thieves socks, which have an atypical rib knit, a cushioned arch and a seamless toe. They hit at the right height on your leg, while being tight enough not to slouch. The only off-putting part, though, and this may be just me, is the abstract “Thief” logo at the rear, which is a little distracting considering most don’t recognize it.

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Best Snug Everyday Sock

Best Snug Everyday Sock: Definite Articles The Crew Sock

• $16.00 at

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: Colombia
• Material(s): 51% nylon, 23% cotton, 23% recycled polyester, 3% elastane
• Sizes: M, L, XL

Definite Articles’s The Crew Sock fits tight… like, really tight. That means it wraps snugly around your arch and ankle, and it doesn’t fall down with wear. It’s one of those socks that leave marks — obvious proof you had socks on all day — after you take them off.

Nice Laundry

Best Custom Socks

Best Custom Socks: Nice Laundry Personal Edition Luxe Socks (3-Pack)

• $68.00 at Nice Laundry

• Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat dry
• Country of Manufacture: South Korea
• Material(s): 80% combed cotton, 19% nylon, 1% elastane
• Sizes: One size

Why not add a personal touch to your socks? Nice Laundry lets you add a monogram to its luxe three-pack, and they price them super fairly considering they’re custom-made.

CDLP

Best Socks for the Office

Best Socks for the Office: CDLP Mid-Length Socks

• $20.00 at CDLP

• Care: Machine wash, hang dry
• Material(s): 89% bamboo, 9% polyamide, 2% elastane
• Sizes: UK 5-8, UK 8.5-11

CDLP constructs its socks primarily from bamboo, which has anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic and anti-odor properties. They’re breathable and flexible and you save when you buy in bulk.

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Best Hemp Socks

Best Hemp Socks: Anonymous Ism Go Hemp Crew Socks

• $36.00 at

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Material(s): 74% cotton, 17% hemp, 8% polyester, 1% elastane
• Sizes: L

Anonymous Ism is known for its expressive tie-dye socks. But these dense hemp socks are far more subtle. They’re serious, but the hemp makes them breathable. Plus, they’re a natural white rather than an optic, bright white.

Filson

Best Midweight Socks: Filson Midweight Traditional Crew Socks

• $28.00 at Filson

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry low
• Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
• Material(s): 67% merino wool, 31% nylon, 2% spandex
• Sizes: M, L, XL

Filson makes a suite of fine boots, so it’s only right they make socks, too. The Midweight Traditional Crew Socks are just that, a perfectly heavy sock with elasticated cuffs and arches and graphics only where no one else can see them.

Druthers

Best Organic Cotton Socks: Druthers Everyday Organic Cotton Crew Sock

• $28.00 at

• Care: Machine wash, tumble dry
• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Material(s): 92% organic cotton, 8% polyester and elastane
• Sizes: One size

Druthers simple Organic Cotton Crew Sock is an easy everyday sock, considering this Japan-made option comes in a bunch of colors and lasts far longer than big pack pairs. Enjoy that soft organic cotton, plus with elastane, some extra stretch.

Kotn

Best Classic Style Socks: Kotn Rib Socks

• $13.00 at Kotn

• Care: Machine wash, hang dry
• Country of Manufacture: Egypt
• Material(s): 87% cotton, 6% polyamide, 5% polyester, 2% elastane
• Sizes: S/M, L/XL

Right at the intersection of dress and sport socks lies Kotn’s Rib Sock, a refined pair made in Egypt from a blend of materials. Choose from two sizes and save 15% when you grab five pairs.

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