I’m getting back into running again after a few years away doing cycling only. I ran for a few months last year (peaking around 40 miles/week) and never had good running socks. It’s time for me to get something that works for me and the environment in which in run. I’m hoping someone can make some recommendations. The criteria:
I want the same socks so I don’t have to search around for missing socks. Nothing I hate more than a pile of single socks laying around.
Comfort. I’d like some cushioning. I have run in super thin socks for a while and they don’t work that great for me.
Sweat wicking/absorbing. Some socks wick too much and I end up with pools of sweat inside of my shoes. Living in South Louisiana, that’s a no-go.
Low-cut/no-show.
Established brand where I can find more if I need them (see number 1).
Edited to Add: I’d like to stay reasonably priced. Say <$10/pair or so.
Oh yea, I forgot to mention: <$10/pair if possible. I love Swiftwick cycling socks–I have quite a few pairs, but I can’t see spending that for running socks for some reason . . .
I’m a huge fan of Asics Quick Lyte 3-packs. They check all your boxes except that they aren’t cushioned, but it appears that Asics has a cushioned version called the Intensity that is the same price (currently $12 per 3-pack from their website). They aren’t the longest-lasting socks out there but they are so cheap that it doesn’t bother me. Plus they are almost always on sale somewhere. Personally I do not like wool socks for running.
They’re 90% of the Balega at a fraction of the price. So far so good. I use these in training and race in theBalega.
Foot (nerve) issues here. And wide feet.
Balega has been my answer. Because they don’t add in any ‘compression’ features, my feet actually fit and they don’t compress nerves.
Just enough padding from the sock itself, with no need to cram any additional material in there.
I wish someone would make a quality “wide” athletic sock with no compression. If I found one, I’d give it a try.
I have drawerfuls of every sock you can buy from running stores or Big Box Fitness Stores.
Fortunately my kids can use some, so I haven’t wasted too much money.
I have been partial to the Darn Tough brand, but they are over the $10 price point. On the other hand they are the only brand I know of that has a lifetime warranty. Not sure that is needed in socks, but I like them for running, and on the occasion I use socks for biking.
I’ve tried 7 or 8 different socks before I found these. They work great for me. They wick sweat while I’m running. At the end of my run if I stand around too long, they will get soaked - but that should be expected because I’m a heavy sweater and live in the south. One of the things I love about these socks is even after 30 or so washes at this point, the socks are still soft and have plenty of cushion.
This is me! I’ve been running in cheap Walmart socks exactly because the elastic sucks. Just like having a cloth bag around my foot. Would love a more technical material sock, if it didn’t compress. Smart wool feels so comfy for about 5 minutes. Then the aching starts.
This is me! I’ve been running in cheap Walmart socks exactly because the elastic sucks. Just like having a cloth bag around my foot. Would love a more technical material sock, if it didn’t compress. Smart wool feels so comfy for about 5 minutes. Then the aching starts.
So… The balega is not tight?
Nope. Not tight at all, at least for me. I’m a 12.5 E (US for ‘wide’) No more than a regular Kohl’s white ‘sock’ my wife buys me in mega packs for work (I own and work in a factory). There’s no compressiveness to them that I can see. I love them. Nothing better than wearing them the first time and 2-3 times after that. Feels like little comfy pillows. By the 3-4th time, they revert to a completely inert interaction with my feet. Nothing positive like the first few times, but zero negative. I always feel like my feet will kind of “swim around” in them when I first put my shoes on, but they don’t.
Nike and UnderArmor? It’s like a competition to see who can squeeze your feet the tightest. And they seem put that compression right where my neuroma issues crop up.