The Best Socks for Sweaty Feet in 2021 Reviewed
Whether you suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or are simply prone to sweaty feet: investing in a pair of quality socks to keep odors at bay is always a great idea. The right socks for sweaty feet will not only fight odors, but also keep your feet comfy, dry, and blister-free. Which is something every hiker, trail-runner, and outdoor enthusiasts should invest in!
In a hurry? Here’s an overview of the best socks for sweaty feet:
With so many socks on the market, it can be difficult to determine which products are worthy of your attention. That is exactly why we’ve created this Best Socks For Sweaty Feet Overview. Our experts have rounded up the top-rated socks for sweaty feet that tick all the boxes. These socks are moisture-wicking, durable, absorbent, made of high-quality sock materials, and have excellent odor-fighting properties.
We’ve ensured there’s a match for every preference. Whether you’re looking for high-cut socks that can be paired with hiking boots, or low-cut/no-show socks to be worn with runners or sandals: we’ve got you – and your sweaty feet – covered.
Our top-rated Best Socks For Sweaty Feet are:
- Darn Tough Merino Wool Hiker Crew Cushion Socks
- Darn Tough Coolmax Crew Cushion Socks
- Darn Tough Hiker No Show Socks
- Smartwool Ultra Light Mini Hiking Socks
- Balega Blister Resist Quarter Socks
- Smartwool Diamond Jim Crew Socks
This overview includes both socks made of synthetic materials such as Coolmax and socks made of natural materials like merino wool. Though every fabric offers some type of moisture control, there is some important difference between wool and synthetic fibers. If you’re doubting which type of material you prefer, check out our Buying Guide at the bottom of this overview for more information about the different fabric types.
Discover our top-rated socks for sweaty feet in the product overview below, and discover your perfect match to keep you comfy, dry, and odor- and blister-free; every step of the way!
Best Socks for Sweaty Feet – Overview
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Merino Wool Socks
The Darn Tough Hiker Wool Socks are made of a blend of 61% Merino Wool, 36% Nylon, 3% Lycra Spandex: moisture-wicking with just the right amount of stretch. The style has a flexible performance fit, which prevents the socks from slipping or bunching up, reducing the chance of blisters. These high-quality socks by Darn Tough future have additional cushioning underfoot, and come with elasticated arch support, ideal for hiking and walking. Additionally, the silhouette features ‘True Seamless’ construction, which uses an undetectable seam fusion for an ultra-smooth feeling without chafing.
Antimicrobial properties
The merino wool blend fabric itself has natural breathability and moisture-wicking abilities, helping keep your feet dry and sweat-free. Additionally, the merino wool used has antimicrobial properties, which aids in repelling bacteria and unwanted odors.
The Darn Tough Hiker Merino Wool Socks are made in the USA, available in a range of colors and sizes, and come with thousands of 5-star Amazon reviews to confirm their comfy performance and durability. Affordable, comfortable, and a great match for sweaty feet: the Darn Tough Hiker Merino Wool Socks are a solid choice to keep stinky feet at bay, and blisters and discomfort away!
Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Socks
The fabric composition of this popular pair of socks by Darn Tough is 37% Nylon, 34% Coolmax Polyester, 26% Acrylic, 2% Lycra Spandex, 1% other fibers. Coolmax is a lightweight fabric, engineered to quickly wick moisture away from the skin, whilst offering excellent quick-drying properties.
The Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Socks are cheaper than the wool-version, whilst offering a similar level of comfort. That said, when it comes to merino wool, it’s breathability is hard to beat. However, Coolmax gives it a run for its money; and gets our seal of approval.
Darn Tough Hiker No Show Socks
The Darn Tough Hiker No Show Socks are made of 54% Merino Wool, 43% Nylon, and 3% Lycra Spandex. Ideal for pairing them with runners or low hiking shoes, these no-show socks are perfect for outdoor activities. The style has a performance fit that prevents the socks from slipping or bunching, which is especially handy for no-show socks – as this kind of sock tends to slip quite a bit in action. However, the Darn Tough Hiker No Show Socks stay firmly in place, helping to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
Seamless finish
The design has a seamless finish and is fast-drying and moisture-wicking. The antimicrobial properties of the merino wool help prevent bacteria from settling, reducing the chance of smelly feet and athlete’s foot. The moisture-wicking fabric has great breathability, keeping your feet well-ventilated and preventing sweat from settling into the fibers.
Comfy, affordable, made in the US, and with a premium quality assurance: the Darn Tough Hiker No Show Socks are a solid addition to your sock drawer. Whether you wear them hiking, running, or simply paired with regular shoes: these no-show moisture-wicking socks are a treat to your sweaty feet!
Smartwool Ultra Light Mini Wool Socks
The Smartwool Ultra Light Mini Hiking Socks are made of 69% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, 1% Elastane, and 1% Polyester: providing just the right amount of stretch, whilst retaining the softness of merino wool. The silhouette of the sock features a flat knit toe seam for added comfort, plus comes with an elasticized arch brace for extra arch support. The sock also features minimal cushioning on the high-impact areas, preventing blisters without feeling bulky or restrictive.
Machine-washable
Though these merino wool low-cut socks already boast natural breathability, the design is additionally equipped with special ‘mesh ventilation zones’. This mesh-zoning, applied throughout the silhouette, makes the socks even more breathable and quick-drying – enabling dry feet, every step of the way. The Smartwool Ultra Light Mini Hiking Socks are also machine-washable, allowing for maximum hygiene and quick clean-up.
Still not convinced? Then know that the Smartwool Ultra Light Mini Hiking Socks are even covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee by Smartwool. The brand is so convinced that you’ll love these low-cut athletic socks, it covers your purchase with a product warranty – making them a risk-free purchase you won’t regret!
Balega Blister Resist Quarter Socks
These high-performance Mohair/Drynamix blend socks are designed to eliminate any risk of sheer friction blisters and hot spots. The elasticated silhouette has a stretchy fit with a knitted sock ribbed top. The sock is enhanced with reinforced microfiber mesh ventilation panels, helping wet feet dry quicker. The seamless toe and wide arch support band add to the sock’s comfort.
Reinforced in high-wear areas
The Balega Blister Resist Quarter Socks are designed for all kinds of activewear, including hiking, running, and other sports. The quarter-height sock comes with medium-volume cushioning, which encloses and protects feet. The sock also has a reinforced heel and toe, adding to its durability and preventing wear and tear on high-wear areas.
If blisters are as much of a concern to you as foot odor, these quality socks with excellent moisture-wicking properties could be a great sock to keep you comfy and blister-free.
Tip: More concerned about foot odor than blisters? Consider the Balega Anti-Odor No-Show Compression Running Socks instead. This no-show sock comes with extra odor-control and antibacterial properties, effectively dealing with stinky feet and excessive sweating.
Smartwool Diamond Jim Crew Socks
The Smartwool Diamond Jim Crew Socks are made of 58% Merino Wool, 40% Nylon, and 2% Elastane. The style comes with a supportive arch support base for extra durability and comfortable, all-day wear. Though not as heavy-duty as hiking socks, the Smartwool Diamond Jim Crew Socks are out top choice in breathable, moisture-wicking dress socks.
Verdict
All 6 styles in this Best Socks For Sweaty Feet Overview are worthy of your time, money, and attention. Which is ‘the best’ depends a lot on your own preferences, and whether you prefer natural wool or synthetic fiber. Though natural wool, such as merino wool, has outstanding moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial properties – it can be slightly more tricky to care for, often requiring hand-washing and air-drying. Plus, the price-point of natural wool is often slightly higher, making merino socks slightly more of an indulgence. In contrast, synthetic socks, such as Coolmax fiber designs, are outstanding in durability and can easily be chucked in the washing machine after wear; but can lack some of the breathability and natural moisture-absorbing properties that make wool socks so well-equipped for dealing with smelly, sweaty feet.
Rest assured: both the wool socks and synthetic socks on this list will keep you comfy and dry. We’ve ensured every style is breathable and moisture-wicking enough to effectively deal with sweat and odors. We’re confident each sock in this overview has the right properties to qualify as ‘the best sock for sweaty feet’. All you need to do is determine which of these winners is ‘the best’ fit for your needs:
Best Socks For Sweaty Feet – Fabric Buying Guide
What fabrics should I avoid?
Synthetic Fabric Socks
As a general rule of thumb, avoid sock made of synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester. Synthetic fabric socks often lack breathability and the ability to wick moisture. This means that not only will they make your feet sweat more, but they will also stay wet longer. The result is moist socks for hours, which in turn causes them to soak up odor. The result? Smelly, sweaty feet – which is exactly what you want to prevent in the first place.
That said, some synthetic fabric socks are treated with special odor-fighting techniques and water-repellent coatings (such as Olefin), making them wearable for sweaty feet. These are 3 types of synthetic fabrics that do get our seal of approval: Olefin, Drymax, and Coolmax – on which we will explain more in the next section of this Buying Guide.
Cotton Socks
Another type of socks to avoid, which can be surprising to some, is cotton socks. Though cotton socks are more breatheable than synthetic fabric socks, they still lack moisture-wicking properties. Cotton can absorb sweat, but it can’t dispel it, which means this type of socks tends to stay moist longer. Additionally, cotton socks are known to retain warmth. This heat retention, combined with moisture, creates an environment in which certain bacteria thrive on. When bacteria infiltrate the fabric of your socks (and the inside of your hiking shoes or runners), this can cause very unpleasant odors – leaving your feet to smell anything but fresh. Even worse, excessive moisture in your socks and shoes can lead to conditions such as Athlete’s foot and may cause other discomforts such as blisters.
That is why we’d advise against 100% cotton socks, though you can opt for a fabric blend with only a minor percentage of cotton, as long as the other fibers used do have moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties.
What fabrics are the best for sweaty feet?
Wool Socks
Though we’ve just explained that some synthetic fabrics such as Olefin, DryMax, and Coolmax are a suitable choice, our preference for sweaty feet is an all-natural option: wool. Granted, natural wool may be slightly more expensive than synthetic fibers, but for us, nothing beats the natural sweat-wicking properties of wool. Natural wools, such as merino wool and alpaca wool, are known for their warmth, breathability, anti-microbial properties, and quick-drying appeal.
The biggest appeal of wool socks though remains their absorbing/moisture-wicking properties. Wool socks are proven to absorb as much as 30% of their weight before you’ll start noticing any dampness. Another perk is that even when wool socks get moist, they still keep their insulating properties – keeping your feet warm and comfy, even in cold weather conditions.
That said, there can be quite a difference in the quality wool socks, so we do recommend you to stick with trusted outdoor brands. As this guarantees the wool in your socks is of the highest quality standard, instead of low-grade wool weaved with cheaper synthetic fibers – as is also available on the market. Want to make sure you’re making the best choice in wool socks? Then check out the products includes in our Best Socks For Sweaty Feet Overview, as all of these tick the box when it comes to comfort, durability, and quality.
Bamboo Fiber Socks
Another great fabric choice for socks is bamboo fiber: an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fabrics. These types of socks are weaved of natural bamboo fibers: known for their hypoallergenic and anti-microbial properties. Bamboo fiber socks are very breathable and soft, making these socks very comfy and quite luxurious. The bamboo fiber fabric contains small gaps in the patterning, which allow for excellent breathability and aid ventilation, helping to keep your feet dry and sweat-free. Bamboo is also very durable, though not as insulation as wool. Which makes bamboo fiber socks great for warm weather hiking, but less recommended for cold weather conditions.
Olefin
Olefin is a synthetic fiber derived from two chemicals: ethylene and polypropylene or polyethylene. Olefin is known for its incredible strength. The strength of the chemical fibers and the thick weave pattern used to make Olefin allow it to be a highly-durable fabric, less prone to wear, tear, and abrasions. Which makes it less likely to wear out quickly on high-contact areas such as the heel. Olefin is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Instead of sweat penetrating the entire fiber, Olefin enables droplets to pool and sit on the top of the fabric. Furthermore, Olefin is mold- and mildew-resistant, preventing odor-causing bacteria to settle into the fibers of your sock.
Drymax
DryMax is the brand name of a specific type of premium Olefin fabric. DryMax fabric features a special type of 3-layer knitting, which makes it more breathable without compromising on durability. The fabric is also produced with an anti-microbial treatment, enabling it to stay moisture- and odor-free. DryMax is often used for sports clothing and work apparel, due to its excellent strength, comfort, and heavy-duty performance. Another advantage of Drymax is that it offers excellent stretch, which is why its often used in the manufacturing of compression socks. Drymax is also machine-washable without losing its shape or stretch.
Coolmax
Coolmax is a specifically engineered fabric, made from a mix of different polyester fibers such as spandex and lycra. First introduced in 1986, Coolmax was designed to improve durability and breathability, compared to natural fiber fabrics. Contrary to regular fibers, Coolmax used oblong-shaped fibers instead of round fibers. The oblong-shaped fibers are weaved in a specific pattern to enable more moisture-wicking properties. Instead of pooling sweat, Coolmax enables moisture to spread out to a wider surface area, enabling quicker evaporation. Or, to put it simply: it’s a quick-drying lightweight synthetic fabric that mimics the natural moisture-wicking properties of wool.
Recap
