Best running socks 2020 for men and for women, to help energy return and provide support on road and trail runs

We have all spent years putting a lot of thought into buying the best running shoes, but if you ever ran more than five minutes , you know that getting the best running socks is almost equally as important as getting your shoes right.

A supermarket multipack of cotton trainer socks just won't do, not in this day and age. The best running socks – all the pairs on the list below – can keep blisters at bay, wick away sweat and give you an extra edge when it comes to distance and speed. Socks not engineered for purpose can’t compete.

We didn't include any knee-high compression socks on this list, you'll find those on the best compression socks for running list. The best running socks on this list are for people who don't necessarily need compression but would still appreciate moisture wicking and odour control. The latter will be appreciated by people around you, too.

• Best trail running shoes: trail blazers for men and women from Adidas, Salomon, New Balance and more
• Best running watch: the best fitness watches for running, gym, workouts, cycling and hiking
• Best running headphones: best workout buds for gym, running and sports
• Best running shorts: hit the road in these lightweight and breathable running shorts for men and women

How to buy the best socks for running

Whether your biggest scourge is uncomfortable rubbing or damp, sweaty feet, positive reviews say you’re in good hands with each of our picks. If you’re after the best of the best though, that’s generally considered to be the SockMine GripLock, which, as its name suggests, stays firmly put while running thanks to woven-in silicon that keeps the sock in place and reduces the risk of rubbing, the biggest factor in painful blisters.

 While you might be inclined to think that naturally breathable cotton is best, these days synthetic socks (or even better, synthetic socks with a hint of wool) have the edge with their specially formulated sports materials. To find the pair that’ll help you achieve your PB, keep reading below.

• Best compression tights for men: only the best running tights and gym leggings for all fitness enthusiasts
• Best running top: keep your cool with the best running vests and running shirts for joggers and sprinters alike
• Best running backpack: the best commuter and hydration backpacks
• Best running gloves: top gloves and mitts for running from Nike, Gore Wear, Ronhill and more

The best running socks, in order

The SockMine GripLock sounds a bit of a Frankensock at first, but smitten reviewers found its various features presented a united front against discomfort while running. They feel lightweight on the foot, but still manage to pack in thick cushioning where it’s needed; they have a rubbery interior, but wick sweat away from the foot as well as any non-rubbery sock going, and weirdly, it all works. 

The very best bit is the GripLock technology, the silicone weave on the sock’s interior that keeps everything in place and prevents rubbing, meaning no blisters.

• Buy the Swiftwick Maxus at Amazon UK

As tough as some runners may be, even the most hardcore runners look after their feet. This is understandable since if they wouldn't, they get blisters all the time for no reason and that would prevent them from running, which is the sole purpose of their lives and even the thought of not being able to do your daily 15k is unbearable.

For training days in warm weather, we recommend wearing the American-made Swiftwick Maxus running socks. These socks use "structurally modified fibres" which, according to Swiftwick, "wick moisture away from your skin 40% better than competitive materials". We can't prove this statement wrong and one thing is for sure: during our test runs wearing the Maxus, our feet stayed dried, even though the weather was rather warm.

On top of excellent moisture and sweat management, the Swiftwick Maxus also provides comfort with its plush footbed that sort of extends the cushioning of your shoes, making landing even softer and less impactful. The Swiftwick even provides some compression, although not much; if you are after compression, try the Swiftwick Flite XT Five instead.

The Swiftwick Maxus comes in two cuff options: the Maxus zero has no cuffs and has a lower profile while the Maxus Tab has added heel protection at the front and the back. For stability shoes and Nike running shoes, we recommend using the Maxus Tab to avoid chafing.

• Buy the Rockay Razer directly from Rockay

There is more tech in the Rockay Razer Trail Running Socks than in some running shoes and they are also environmentally friendly, too: the regenerated nylon used in the socks is sourced from ocean plastic so by buying a Rockay socks effectively cleans the largest bodies of water on the planet.

The Rockay Razer also sports seamless toes and breathable mesh zones to reduce blistering and improve airflow around key areas of the foot. The socks also have an anti-odour coating (for obvious reasons), performance cushioning and arch support so your feet will stay fresher for longer.

At the back of the socks you'll find a reflective logo and the colours of the socks were chosen so they improve visibility, too. You can't be careful enough in low light conditions.

Nike make some of our favourite running shoes, so it stands to reason they’d know their way around a sock too. The no-show design of these Nike trainer socks means you won’t feel sheepish about heading straight into Costa after your run, although if you’re feeling particularly showy, you can undo all that low-key groundwork and go for the Day-Glo yellow option. 

They’re also particularly adept at wicking away sweat, and a dab hand at lightweight support, keeping you dry and comfortable with their Dri-FIT fabric and in good shape with snug-fitting arch compression.

These low cut running socks are a great understated shape to wear with trainers that hit low on the ankle, while those anything-but-low-key Jamaican flag colours let you channel a certain lightning-fast athlete – hopefully, anyway. 

The cushioned sole makes these socks useful on rougher terrain, so they’re great for trail runners, and the Dri-release Tencel material wicks moisture away from the foot like a champ. For dry, comfortable feet, no blisters and impeccable style, these seem to be a solid choice.

No-one warned us that the toe sock trend would be back, but while these Injinji socks might look strange, they’re our best pair for wearing with barefoot or minimalist running shoes as their digit-wrapping design allows your toes to splay more naturally than they would in a mitten sock (as we’ve now decided they’re called). 

One reviewer ran in them for a full 24 hours with no blisters to show for it, and a padded heel and metatarsal ensure your foot stays supported even if you’re enjoying a more stripped-back run.

Runners particularly prone to sweaty feet might want to consider running socks with woven-in antimicrobial technology, like these Hilly Marathon socks. The inclusion of the Polygiene treatment inhibits the growth of bacteria, which in turn leads to less funk, even after a strenuous session. 

As well as being smell-reducing, reviewers found these socks to be fantastically supportive, with strategic padding under the heel and toes (ideal for those with sensitive feet) and extra support under the arch to reduce the risk of pain post-run.