Boys Socks Brands List Boys Socks Brands List
Photo-Illustration: retailers
You put them on every day and forget about them — if they're good. If they're bad, you can't help thinking about them. There are so many ways socks can go wrong: When they don't hug your ankle tightly enough, when the no-shows slip off in your shoes, when you hate the pattern that's peeking out from under your pants, or when one wash cycle turns them into an entirely different pair than the one you bought.
To find the best socks for men, we talked to our favorite men's-fashion insiders to get the intel on the pairs that have served them the best over time. To ensure no stocking was skimmed over, we also dipped into our archives for recommendations from other cool men, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and musician Jimmie Allen. Below, their top picks (to which we've added a few Strategist-approved pairs we love), from simple and affordable everyday staples, to statement-making styles for those who like to show off their socks, to a pair for guys with very large feet.
For ease of navigation, we sorted their selections into eight categories: crew socks, athletic socks, socks with personality, patterned socks, dress socks, wool socks, quarter-length socks, and no-show socks. Click through if you know exactly what you're looking for, or scroll to read all the recommendations.
For those looking for a proven pair of socks suitable to wear the entire year, a whopping eight of the men we spoke with praised Uniqlo's affordable and colorful cotton-blend crew socks. "They're medium height and thickness, so they're versatile for many different outfits and activities," says Phillip Wong, the co-founder and creative director of Hawthorne. "They also come in a wide range of amazing colors, so depending on your outfit, you can have a nice tonal moment." Photographer David Cortes told us these are his favorite because they're "warm, soft, and don't sag." Another fan is photographer Patrick O'Rourke, who likes to "wear them with black loafers so you can catch a glimpse of color on top" and says he grabs a few pairs every time he shops at Uniqlo. And, according to photographer Christopher Fenimore, who is known for his weekly street snaps of New York City's best-dressed and told us he wears these "for the gym, and pretty much any other occasion," the socks "last hundreds and hundreds of washes before fading or tearing." Nicolás Lazaro, a community specialist at menswear-resale platform Grailed, adds he's been wearing his pairs of these socks for "more than a decade now," agreeing that they're "cheap without sacrificing quality or fit."
Another affordable, quality pair of socks from Uniqlo is the right-angle rib socks made from organic cotton, which fashion designer Thakoon Panichgul included as one of the items he can't live without. "They're thin enough that you can wear them with any pair of shoes, and they're good for summer and winter," he says. He's worn this heather-gray color with everything from white sneakers to black dress shoes. Even though they're a cheap $5, they last a long time. "They literally don't rip. I've worn some pairs for a couple of years and they're still holding on."
Photo: retailer
Like Uniqlo, Bombas is another brand that came up multiple times in our reporting. As Jeremy Kirkland, the host of menswear podcast Blamo !, explains, the brand is known for reinforcing their socks in key areas, which results in a fit that publicist Nick Roberts says "hugs the foot and provides great support." Both men wear these Bombas crew socks, with Kirkland noting he mostly puts his on for working out. "Quality socks can just put you in a better mood," says Roberts, who promises that these are "extremely comfortable and can withstand wash after wash." Do-gooders, he adds, "will admire their mission of donating a pair of socks every time you purchase a pair."
Photo: retailer
For his daily wear, Kirkland, swears by these bamboo socks from CDLP. "They're thin enough to wear with dress shoes and thick enough to wear with sneakers," he says. "I like the bamboo material because they don't shrink, are anti-odor and antibacterial and made from a natural, more sustainable fiber. Last but not least they're just comfy AF." If the price makes you balk, a reminder that you're spending $90 for five pairs, so each breaks down to a much more reasonable $18.
While Calvin Klein may be better known for its underwear, writer Kevin Smith tells us these socks from the brand are are his go-tos. "These are my favorite socks because they're long-lasting (I've had mine for several years), durable, and very comfortable," he says. "They never fall down, but at the same time, they don't cinch your leg so hard that they leave an indent once you change into gym shorts after work." Sold as a set of three, the cost of each pair normally breaks down to a little more than $7 bucks — but the socks are even cheaper now that they're on sale.
Jarod Taber, the co-founder of creative agency Wash and Fold, told us he loves the "classic, ribbed silhouette" on Lady White Co.'s socks, which he says look "really good with a low top sneaker." At $28 per pair, they may cost a little more than others in this list, but Taber cites their craftsmanship (the socks are made in a 50-year-old hosiery factory in Japan) as proof of their quality, alongside the fact that they've proved to be incredibly durable for him. "I typically blow through socks skateboarding, running, and just down to the fact that I walk a ton," he told us. "But not these."
Photo: Retailer
For a slightly more affordable, made-in-Japan crew sock, men's-fashion writer Jordan Mixson — who also runs the sock-focused site the Sockateur — loves Tabio's. "I love their take on crew socks," he says. "They feel so smooth and silky, like a fancy dress sock. And they come in a nice, wide range of colors if you want elevated basics."
If you prefer to buy American, Lazaro says his other favorite crew socks are these made-in-the-U.S.A. ones. Their "robust organic cotton holds up to heavy wear," he says, "and they have all the classic details for a comfortable fit without the bells and whistles you find on most brands these days." Summing it up, Lazaro says these are a "throwback to when things were simpler and still made here with sustainable fair-trade resources."
For a crew sock that's both exotic (made in Korea) and local (designed in Brooklyn), consider these from Plus Ultra that Strategist senior editor Anthony Rotunno says he's been wearing multiple days a week since getting a couple pairs to try out from the brand last year. After a disappointing run with Bombas ("they developed holes within a couple months of regular wear and wash"), he says the Plus Ultras — which also come in black and navy and in shorter quarter and ankle styles — have proved to be truly durable and to keep their shape and stretch in his months of wearing and washing them. "I'm not a gym person, so I haven't really put them to that test, but for regular life, these have made the daily task of choosing a pair of socks to put on a no-brainer," Rotunno says.
For guys with bigger feet, Strategist contributor Jason Stewart — who is also a DJ and co-hosts the How Long Gone podcast with columnist Chris Black — suggests these crew socks from Oddball, saying they're the best he's found for his size-17 foot. "Standard socks don't really work out so well for me," Stewart told us. "These socks fit amazingly (or how I might imagine normal socks fit on normal people)." Beyond being functional, Stewart likes Oddball socks for thoughtful design details such as the "navy detail on the heel and toe box."
Frequent travelers might be interested to know that these are the socks that The Points Guy (a.k.a. Brian Kelley) wears on his longest hauls. "These breathe so you don't overheat, and are great for travel and workouts alike," Kelley promises. Musician Jimmie Allen told us they're the only socks he buys. He wears them "for everything from playing basketball to fishing to running errands to performing. The only thing I don't do is wear them with sandals. I'm not that type of person."
If you're anything like musician Joji, you somehow lose socks on a regular basis. So you might appreciate that you can get his go-to socks for less than $3 per pair. "I ruin stuff very easily, and I lose things very easily, which is why I go for the cheaper stuff. If I lose a pair of Hanes, I know I only paid a couple bucks for it, so I'm not going to lose too much sleep." That said, Joji doesn't consider these to be low-quality socks. "I've been wearing these my whole life. They're very comfy and kind of thick."
Photo: retailer
If you love the feel of a classic gym sock but find yourself wearing suits more often than streetwear, Republican New York City mayoral election candidate Curtis Sliwa recommends these discreet and affordable crew socks from Under Armour. "They're like a white tube sock, except black," he says. "I like the feel of an athletic sock, but you can't wear white ones everywhere. Some guys will wear white athletic socks to weddings, and they look like real gavones." He's worn them to numerous formal events, and promises that "nobody ever notices."
For a "daily running sock," menswear designer Dan Snyder, the founder of Corridor, likes these Bombas ankle socks. While designed for exercise, they're also the favorite everyday sock of Antonio Nuño, a co-founder of clothing brand Someone Somewhere, who says the ankle socks are "extremely comfortable, durable, and have a lot of small details that you discover as you wear them." Of all those details, Nuño says his favorite is a "blister tab that protects you when wearing new sneakers for the first time."
"I wear Puma socks every single day," says designer Samuel Krost of Krost, who adds that he "can't go to the gym without wearing" these cushioned athletic crew socks.
For an athletic sock that can double as something more stylish, copywriter Jon Roth likes American Trench's Kennedy socks, which are inspired by a pair the former president wore in a photo of him sailing. "Like white briefs, there's old-school perfection in a pair of red, white, and blue tube socks, and American Trench makes some of the best. I wear these pulled up high with shorts and sneakers, but they're also a good choice for dancing around the house Risky Business-style."
When we asked him about the things he can't live without, Dashboard Confessional singer — and frequent skateboarder — Chris Carrabba told us about these socks by Stance (a brand that's also a favorite of dancer Stephen 'tWitch' Boss). "The Stance socks are great for adventure sports," Carrabba says. "They last forever, and they're moisture-wicking. I think they come with, like, the antimicrobial stuff or whatever — the workout material that makes it not gross."
Sean Paul's favorite socks are constructed from comfy, moisture-wicking fabric and feature a classic Champion logo that peeks out above your sneakers. He likes them for their versatility, saying that they can be dressed up with designer kicks for a night on the town. But they're just as good for casual sports or, er, other athletic pursuits. "If I need to kick somebody and run, I still want to be able to kick somebody and run."
Lots of guys we spoke to told us about socks that make a bit more of a statement. This pair from Bricks & Woods — a Black-owned brand cool women have also told us about — is a favorite of clothing designer Ashley Sky Walker. According to him, all the brands' socks, including these, feature "positively affirming logos and designs that can easily meld with classic pieces."
When it comes to socks with "creative designs," Snyder and two more of our cool men are fans of Japanese company Anonymous Ism, which makes unique knitted socks in old-school herringbone and patchwork styles. "When I'm showing some ankle with sneakers or more casual footwear, I go with Anonymous Ism," Fenimore told us, adding that "the variety of beautiful colors are timeless, and they're substantial enough to wear even in the colder New York months."
"Hansel from Basel has a small team in L.A. that designs really amazing, intricately detailed socks," according to Dan Small, who directs partnerships and special projects for Baggu. "They are total sock nerds through and through," he adds, calling the brand's "premium Made in Japan line" (which includes this fun mushroom design) "luxury for your feet."
While tie-dye aficionados can probably replicate this treatment at home with any white socks, those less eager to make a mess should consider these already-dyed socks recommended by O'Rourke. He "appreciates the colors Stussy has been using to dye theirs the last couple of seasons," and as for how to style them, he suggests wearing the socks with Birkenstocks like he does.
While there are several pairs of warm wool socks further down on this list, this smart-looking pair of "relatively thick" cotton socks from Japanese brand Beams Plus are as "warm as the mercury drops in the thermometer," according to writer Timothy Latterner. Their thickness, he adds, "means that they hold their shape and don't slide around on your feet when you're wearing a roomier shoe." In his opinion, they're also "just the right level of fun for a sock," because the bold stripes are high enough to be disguised by most pant legs.
Taber says that fans of the beloved West Coast fast-food chain can get their In-n-Out fix from afar with the company's house line of socks. "Great burgers," he says, "and just as great socks."
For a dressier but no less fun sock, Mixson is a big fan of Bugatchi. "They have all kinds of prints and patterns made with mercerized Egyptian cotton," he says, and he's particularly into their floral designs. As he puts it, "Nobody does floral socks like them. NO ONE!"
"At the moment, I am obsessed with Afrisocks," says fashion and branding consultant Ronny Oppong. According to its website, Afrisocks was "founded by Ghanian entrepreneurs who love colorful socks." Oppong thinks that "they have the coolest designs to add a pop of character to any look." He adds that "they're also great quality and pretty affordable."
Photo: retailer
Former Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Shaun Donovan is no stranger to a novelty sock, but he admits he's honed his tastes over the years from zany Bugs Bunny patterns to this more refined pair from the Met Museum. Featuring geometric artwork by Piet Mondrian, these socks are both formal and funky, as well as appropriately Zizmorcore. He's been "wearing them a lot" on the campaign trail.
Should you want more traditional — but no less statement-making — prints and designs, PR consultant Terence Edgerson says to check out Happy Socks. "I first got them as a gift, and then I went out and purchased more," Edgerson told us. He says they're so great because they never leave an itchy ring around his calves and fit without being too tight, an issue he's had with other pairs. "They also have this wide range of patterns, from near solids to socks with polka dots," Edgerson adds.
As you'll learn below, publicist Jon Salas wears Uniqlo no-show socks as much as he can. However, as he notes, "I do need something longer when it's like 32 degrees out." But even then, "I still stick with Uniqlo," says Salas. He likes these lighter Supima-cotton socks with subtle dots because "they're not super-bunchy or thick but they still manage to keep me warm."
"I wear Stance socks all the way, in tons of different patterns," says photographer Eric Ray Davidson. "Everything from solids to the ones in the really insane patterns. I like to save the really wild ones for big shoots."
For dress socks, stylist Brian Coats prefers a longer "over the calf" model and particularly likes this pair from Pantherella. "They actually become essential for your circulatory system when you have 25 showroom appointments a day," he says. His praise is seconded by Fenimore, who told us he's been wearing Pantherella socks for the last four years. "They're supersoft and thin, so it almost feels like you're not wearing a sock at all."
For truly cold temperatures, Snyder loves these "super-high wool boot socks" from American Trench. They're made from a wool and silk blend knit in Pennsylvania and available in four textured color options with Donegal-like flecks.
Ralph Lauren creative producer Yale Breslin says he's been wearing Roots's thicker cabin socks since he was a kid. "I grew up going to summer camp in Northern Ontario for 13 years and everyone would wear these," he says. While the socks are made with only a small amount of wool, the way Breslin describes them, they sound plenty warm. "With the world falling apart, don't you want to feel like your feet are nestled in a cozy cabin with a campfire and great wine?"
Small told us he bought these wool socks in Ireland as a gift for someone else but in the end couldn't part with them and "ended up keeping them for myself." These "technicolor beauties are my house socks," he explains, adding that, to him, a thick wool sock is fun because it "seems so antiquated, and makes me nostalgic for the knit-savvy grandmother I never had."
Another winter-appropriate pair we've heard good things about are these Merino wool hiking socks, which U.S. secretary of transportation (and former Democratic presidential candidate) Pete Buttigieg told us he wears "on every red-eye or if I'm doing anything where I'd care about my socks." Buttigieg says he's still wearing many of the same pairs he first purchased five years ago, when they were recommended to him as boot socks ahead of his deployment to Afghanistan.
O'Rourke admits that this sock height — which is taller than an ankle sock, but shorter and less formal than a crew — "can be a no-no for many." But he finds that, as someone with big calves who wears shorts a lot, it's the length that "just looks the most normal" on him. Of all the quarter-length socks he owns, these from Ralph Lauren are the ones he wears the most regularly. "They come in a pack of six," he adds, "and last forever."
Roberts told us he also likes a quarter-length sock when he wears shorts. Like his favorite crew-length socks, his go-to quarter-length pair is again from Bombas.
Small is another quarter-length-sock wearer (and Darn Tough fan) that we spoke to. "Darn Tough is a hilarious name for a brand but an apt description of their socks," he says. His favorite pair — a collaboration between L. L. Bean and Darn Tough — is no longer available, but Darn Tough makes plenty of other quarter-length styles, like these, that by all appearances are very similar.
When the temperature permits, men may be looking to give their sunlight-starved ankles some fresh air. To prevent the blisters and odor that can come with not wearing socks at all, Salas told us he "lives and dies by Uniqlo's no-show socks," explaining that "they're supercomfortable, durable, light, and breathable." He tries to wear them as close to year-round as possible, which can be hard in New York City, but he especially likes them in the summer with sneakers because they "show a little ankle" and the sock stays hidden. "And you just can't beat the price," he adds.
Photo: Retailer
Menswear consultant Nick Wooster is another no-show diehard. He told us, "Unless it's snowing outside," he likes to wear no-shows, and his favorites are made by Mr. Gray. "Thanks to the exact fit and the quality of the yarn, they don't slide and really grip my foot unlike any other."
These are marketed as women's socks, but The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Brooks Marks says he's worn them his whole life, as has every man in his family. "They sell them at Costco; whenever I went there with my mom or babysitter growing up, I would always get socks." These are "super-thin," he says. "They fit perfectly with every pair of shoes. It almost feels like nothing is on your feet, but it's not like you're wearing a shoe without socks."
Additional reporting by Katherine Gillespie
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Boys Socks Brands List Boys Socks Brands List
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