8 best men’s socks for walking, running, hiking and more

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

If you’re the sort of person who has never really invested any attention or money into what you put on your feet, then the Icon 200s from Stance will literally blow your cheap, multi-pack socks off. The cushioning on the toes and heel has a luxurious, soft feel, and the socks lovingly hug your feet, providing all-day support. The elastic above the ankle grips your lower leg without being restrictive, and they never feel like they will slip.

At £12.99 per pair, they are certainly something of an outlay, but your feet will thank you. What’s more, Stance offers up a lifetime guarantee with all of its Infiknit-featuring socks, so if they rip, tear or get a hole, it’ll replace them for free.

Best: For walking

Rating: 9/10

Walking in bog standard socks will soon leave you wishing for a bit more support – especially if you are strolling on footpaths and bridleways. These socks from Vermont-based brand Darn Tough are an answer for all but the most intense off-piste action.

Made from a blend of Merino Wool and nylon, they are comfortable, breathable and keep sweat at bay, but also offer up some warmth on colder days. The socks didn’t slip or bunch once during our regular walks in them, and still look as fresh as their first wear. Darn Tough guarantees them for life too, so they should live up to their decade name.

Best: For hiking

Rating: 8/10

Blisters are a common issue with hiking. Ensuring that walking boots fit properly is the first thing people tend to do, but having hiking socks that are up to scratch can be just as much of a revelation.

The three season socks from 1000 Mile are boot length and are ideal if you have mid-height boots (ones that cover the ankle). Padded zones offer protection for the Achilles, ankles, toes and ball of the foot, keeping blisters at bay.

Our favourite thing about the three season socks though was how breathable they were. Even when on testing scrambles in mild conditions, our feet stayed bone dry and comfortable.

Best: For running

Rating: 9/10

Running is another sport where it’s best to invest in a dedicated set of socks. The mid sock from Swiss brand On Running is certainly premium (setting you back £18 per set), but is a worthwhile investment. The first things you’ll notice is how lightweight they feel and how much support they offer to your foot’s arch. When running, this translates to a sock that prevents your feet from getting sweaty (even on hot days) and one that stays comfortable and secure, mile after mile.

Best: For trail running

Rating: 8/10

Pounding the pavements requires a certain amount of support from your sock, but when you head off-road, it’s handy to have some extra protection to hand. These trail running socks from Columbia provide just that. Their mid-height length extends about 10cm above the ankle, and gave us protection from brambles, ferns and overgrown greenery when hitting the trails. A mesh zone above the toe box kept the air flowing freely, and arch support felt great even on the toughest terrain.

Best: For toe socks

Rating: 9/10

While they might look strange and alien-like, toe socks are actually great if you find that you suffer from blisters on the tips or sides of your toes. By encasing each toe in its own little compartment, skin-on-skin rubbing is minimised, keeping you comfortable long into a walk or run.

Although aimed at ultra-distance runners, these socks from Injinji were amazing even on short sprints around the block. If that wasn’t enough, they are super soft to touch. They do come up quite high on your calf, but we found this just offered up even more support and protection on trails.

Best: For boot socks

Rating: 8/10

When wearing boots like wellingtons, you need a long sock that won’t slip down but also offers up some warmth against the rubber insides. Another pick from Darn Tough, the scout boot midweight’s merino wool and nylon blend keeps your toes feeling snug even on ice-cold starts, but leaves your feet dry and comfortable – even in the clammy confines of a wellington boot on a milder day. The socks didn’t slip once when testing and provided a snug and reliable fit without feeling restrictive.

Best: For cycling

Rating: 8/10

Unlike all other sports, your feet don’t actually move that much when cycling – sure, they go round and round on the pedals, but cycling-specific socks don’t require the protective features seen on hiking or running socks. Instead, their whole mission objective is to be lightweight, breathable and supportive.

The spring fall socks from Assos do just this and more, and quickly became the pair we reached for in the sock drawer before going for a ride. As can be guessed from their name, they’re designed to deal with a range of temperatures. We found that they could handle anything the British late summer could throw at them – from unseasonably warm afternoons to those cold, grey days.