Are you the type of man who participates in various exercises but with underrated socks?
Well, socks just like any other type of clothes should be checked well and replaced or added when they are worn out or inadequate.
In a hurry? Get a quick pick here!
No-show high ventilating socks for loafers and sneakers – Saucony Men’s Mesh Ventilating Performance No-show Socks
Most breathable performance socks for running or training with moisture-wicking – Akoeny Men’s Performance Quarter Socks
Most comfortable summer socks to keep your feet dry and cool all the time – Under Armor Tech Crew Socks
As you add your jeans with flattering styles to your wardrobe, it is equally important that you add a few pairs of socks too. Replace the ripped and worn-out pairs with better socks that are breathable from the numerous options in the market.
This article explores types and styles of men’s performance socks and the review of the best performance socks.
What Are Performance Socks?
Performance socks refer to structured socks that are designed for endurance especially for athletes and other sportsmen. A 3D Dots technology is used in certain areas of these socks to prevent shoe abrasion and offer maximum protection from impact. Also, mesh technology is used in these socks to enhance airflow and ventilation.
Who Needs the Men’s Performance Socks?
Men’s performance socks are needed by anyone who participates in any sport for protection. This means that if you are the kind of person who participates in games such as running and experiences blisters or hotspots, men’s performance socks are a great option that you should embrace.
Also, if you experience overall leg fatigue or pains during your training, try out men’s performance socks.
Benefits of Using Men’s Performance Socks
Most men’s performance socks usually have a certain degree of compression and they have the following benefits:
- They protect your legs from the impact that would otherwise hurt you.
- They prevent the formation of blisters from the shoes you are wearing during summer. They also protect your feet from coldness in winter hence your performance remains high.
- They reduce the formation of blood clots in your legs due to improved blood circulation
- They help by providing you with the comfort you need during sports and hence they will increase your exercise stamina.
What Makes the Best Men’s Performance Socks?
Materials like cotton are not good for men’s performance socks because cotton holds moisture that may lead to infections on your feet and bad odor.
Materials like merino wool, polyester, and acrylic are instead the best materials for these socks because they wick away moisture from your legs.
How to Choose the Best Men’s Performance Socks?
Below are the features that you look for when choosing men’s performance socks:
- -The socks should have proper moisture management. Socks made of polyester and nylon are the best since they wick away moisture and keep your legs dry.
- Choose performance socks that have a graduated progressive compression of between 20 and 30mmHg.
- The socks should be designed with mesh technology that enhances foot breathability.
- The socks that you choose should also have an adequate heel and toe box.
Best Men’s Performance Socks Reviews:
1. Best No-show Type: Saucony Men’s Mesh Ventilating Performance No-show Socks
Pros:
- Breathable
- Wicks away moisture from your legs.
- They have compression that helps to maintain the stability of your arch.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
These socks are made of 98% polyester and 2% spandex and are excellent for tough training sessions. They can be washed either by hand or machine hence they do not inconvenience you. They are designed using ultra-wicking fibers that help to transport moisture away from your feet hence keeping them dry regardless of the activity you are doing.
They are also designed using an adequate amount of targeted arch compression that ensures stability and security of your arch. Saucony no-show socks also have air mesh venting that ensures an adequate amount of airflow to your feet and helps to keep them cool and dry.
They have cushioned soles that protect your legs from impact while occupying just a little space inside your shoes.
2. Best For Running Training: Akoeny Men’s Performance Quarter Socks
Pros:
- Durable
- Breathable
- Comfort fit
Cons:
- Available in limited colors
Akoeny men’s performance quarter socks are made with 70% polyester and a small proportion of spandex, rubber, and nylon. These socks are fit for a wide range of sports such as running, walking, workout, gym, golf, tennis, cycling, and hiking. They are also good for work and everyday wear.
These socks are designed with moisture-wicking fabric hence your feet remain dry throughout the exercise. They are also soft and breathable hence adequate airflow to your legs. This is made possible by the air mesh included on the top.
They have an elastic arch band that keeps them in place and a cushioned sole that helps to reduce impact. Their toes and heels are also reinforced to endure heavy activities and multiple washing.
3. Best For Bolt Performance: Saucony Men’s Bolt Performance No Show Socks
Pros:
- Excellent ventilation
- They help to keep your feet dry and fresh
- Provides you with impact protection through their cushioned soles.
Cons:
- They are only available in dull colors like black
Saucony bolt performance no-show socks can be washed either by hand or machine hence they do not inconvenience you. They are designed using ultra-wicking fibers that help to transport moisture away from your feet hence keeping them dry regardless of the activity you are doing.
They are also designed using an adequate amount of targeted arch compression that ensures stability and security of your arch. Saucony no-show socks also have air mesh venting that ensures an adequate amount of air flows to your feet and helps to keep them cool and dry. They have cushioned soles that protect your legs from impact while occupying just a little space inside your shoes. They are made of polyester and spandex.
4. Best For Foot Fatigue: Under Armor Tech Crew Socks
Pros:
- They help your feet to stay cool and dry during any performance.
- They offer you maximum comfort especially due to the arch support that comes with them.
- You will rarely have a foot odor with these socks
Cons:
- They are not very effective in wicking away sweat compared with other socks that are not made of cotton.
Under armor tech crew socks are designed with anti-odor technology that prevents odor in the socks. They consist of 71% polyester, 26% cotton, and 3% spandex. This mixture of fabrics helps to keep your feet cool and dry since they can wick away any moisture and sweat that forms in your legs.
They also have arch support that helps to prevent unnecessary foot fatigue. These socks also contain mesh channels that make them dry fast hence your feet will feel good for long when you are wearing them. You are also allowed to wash them using a washing machine.
5. Best For Athletic: Amazon Cotton Cushioned No-Show Socks
Pros:
- These socks have a zone cushion that offers you protection where it is highly needed.
- They are engineered with a zone mesh hence they are breathable.
- Designed with arch protection hence keeping foot fatigue low.
Cons:
- They are largely cotton hence their capability to wick away moisture is reduced.
The material used to make amazon no-show socks is largely cotton with 30% polyester, 4% nylon, and 3% elastane. Cotton makes your feet feel good and very comfortable when you wear them.
The zone cushion added on the toes and the heels make you feel more comfortable since it provides your feet with extra protection. These socks also have a zone mesh that enhances their breathability hence providing your feet with constant airflow.
This helps to keep your feet fresh for a long time. The arch compression in these socks ensures that they remain in place while reducing foot fatigue.
7. Best For Machine Wash: Under Armor Tech Low Cut Socks
Pros:
- They help to minimize foot fatigue through their arch support.
- They are made of fabric that wicks away moisture from your feet hence keeping them dry
Cons:
- Men with shoe sizes above 8.5 cannot get a fitting size.
Under armor tech low cut socks are designed with mesh panels that increase their breathability. This ensures that your feet are getting fresh air and hence they remain with no odor at all.
They are also engineered with arch support that helps to minimize foot fatigue. They are made of 69% polyester, 28% cotton, and 3% Spandex, a fabric mixture that wicks away sweat from your skin.
They can be worn by all men as long as their shoe size ranges from 4 to 8.5.
8. Best with Low Cut: U & I Cushion Cotton Ankle Socks
Pros:
- Available in more than one color
- Well-ventilated
- Designed with arch support hence reducing fatigue
Cons:
- Men with shoe sizes above 12 cannot find fitting U & I ankle socks.
These socks have padded heels and forefoot to protect you from impact as much as possible. They are also designed with a reinforced arch support area that reduces foot fatigue. They have ventilation in the upper area hence allowing airflow to your feet and keeping them fresh.
They are engineered with a Y heel gore fit that gives your heel area comfort at all times. Through these great features, the socks protect you well from blisters hence assures you outstanding performance in the activities you get involved with.
They are available in navy, brown, and charcoal colors. They can fit all the men whose shoe sizes range from 7 to 12.
Types of Men’s Performance Socks
– Cycling
Cycling socks are the kind of socks that you need as you ride your bike. They have certain features that make them suitable for this particular activity.
Cycling socks are usually thin because the shoes used to ride bikes fit tightly and hence cannot be used with thick socks. They are also made of materials that wick away sweat and dry quickly for your comfort when your feet sweat.
The mesh vents on them also help your feet to stay cool.
– Running
Running socks as the name suggests are the socks you use when you are running.
The style and fit of running socks depend on you but you should ensure that you are using socks of the right fabrics. You should rarely use socks made of cotton to run since cotton maintains moisture and traps it against your skin hence causing blisters during summer or too much cold in winter.
Use socks made of technical fabrics instead.
– Hiking
Hiking socks are crucial since they help to prevent blisters while you take a hike. They protect you against the rubbing caused by your boot, unlike the stinky cotton socks.
Specialists recommend hiking socks made of wool although polyester socks are also a great choice.
– Gym and training
Gym and training socks are commonly ankle socks and they are made to endure high-action sports.
Training socks are designed to endure heavy activity while they wick away moisture from your foot.
– Compression
Compression socks are designed with compression science in mind. They are specially woven to allow a specific amount of pressure to be directed on the areas that cover the skin, muscles, and joints.
For this reason, therefore, these socks allow free blood circulation hence toxins are efficiently taken away from the legs while bringing oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to your feet.
Styles of Men’s Performance Socks
– Ankle
Ankle performance socks usually cover the entire foot and reach to the ankle such that they are slightly above the shoe opening or slightly below.
They are strategically cushioned to protect you from impact. They are designed with arch support, mesh technology, and capabilities to wick away the moisture from your foot.
– Quarter sock
Quarter men’s performance socks usually cover the entire foot and the entire ankle. The length of quarter men’s performance socks usually lies between that of ankle socks and crew socks and hence they offer additional lower leg coverage, unlike ankle socks.
-No-show
No-show socks are also known as loafer liners or low-profile socks. These socks are not visible when you wear them with your favorite sport shoes and hence they protect your foot on the down-low.
– Crew
Crew men’s performance socks are six to eight inches high and hence they cover the entire foot and part of the lower leg.
– Knee-high
Knee-high men’s performance socks usually cover the lower leg entirely since they reach just below the knee as the name suggests.
What Materials Prove to Be the Most Suitable for Men’s Performance Socks?
Performance socks are best made of fibers like merino wool.
Merino wool is usually soft, light in weight, insulating, and also has anti-microbial properties.
Wool performance socks are capable of absorbing moisture and you will still not feel the dampness. Other synthetic fibers such as polyester, CoolMax, and acrylic are also good materials that can wick away the moisture from your feet.
FAQs:
What is the best way to care for the men’s performance socks?
Taking care of your performance socks is a crucial thing to do and you can do it in a couple of ways. One is by turning them inside out while you wash to maintain their outside smoothness.
Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals and instead, wash your socks using a mild detergent and cold water. Do not iron them since they are commonly made of flammable materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to emphasize that not all socks are equal and hence one pair will perform differently from another one. This is why you must buy your pair of performance socks depending on the level of protection or comfort that you need and the type of exercise as well.