The 5 Best Ankle Socks for Men
What’s worse than arriving at your pick-up basketball game in knee-length tube socks? Well, ok, it could be worse, like being that tourist who struts the city in black business socks and sandals. Indeed, is there nothing that pegs the Dork Meter harder than a calf-length tan line? Today’s active male needs a rugged, durable sock that converges at the outside line of the shoe: the ankle sock. Whether you wear walking shoes, athletic shoes or stylish, casual shoes, a good ankle sock is critical for your comfort. We’ve looked into many different brands, styles, and construction materials and have concluded that these are the 5 best ankle socks for men on the market today.
Coolplus Men’s Ankle Socks
Who Doesn’t Want To Be Cool Plus?
It’s easy to see that a lot of thought went into the design of Coolplus’ ankle socks, which is why they get our top honor. Though made from 100% polyester spandex and nylon, the sock is still breathable due to its mesh construction. Coolplus also features a diamond-shaped fabric to protect the dorsal foot, along with a tab cuff to protect the heel and reduce slippage. The 3D “Y” heel’s ergonomic design was created to prevent the sock from slipping, while elastic stabilizers allow the arch to move freely. The sole skids are cushioned, both as an anti-abrasion measure and to provide slip protection, which also helps to prevent blisters. It’s a whole lotta sock for what comes out to about $2.50 a pair.
Pros:
- Shock absorbant
- Available in three colors
- Added compression in the arch
Cons:
- Sizes err on the small side
- Slightly taller design
Balega Hidden Comfort No-Show Running Socks
Run And Get Some
What a runner needs most of all is a sock that doesn’t slip around inside their shoe. Balega understands this and has developed a runner’s ankle-length sock with hand-linked toe seams and 30% more stitches than normal socks. Additionally, Balega sews fabric branches into the heel, reinforced with Elastene, to ensure stretching around the foot without slipping under the ankle. Since runners’ feet are most likely to perspire, Balega has developed a proprietary “Drynamix” fiber, reinforced with microfiber panels composed of mesh ventilation, keeping feet dry and comfortable. The Hidden Comfort design is the only one in the Balega line with a 200-needle count fabric construction, providing the best in impact resistance. And all these features are seamless. We mean literally seamless – no seams in the manufacturing of the sock!
Pros:
- Comes in five sizes
- Available in 19 colors
- Manufacturing facility in North Carolina
Cons:
- A bit expensive
- Best if hand washed
Hanes Men’s FreshLQ Socks
Just The Socks, Ma’am
Hanes is a name you know you can trust – after all, they’ve been around for over a hundred years – and their FreshlQ No-Show Socks are exactly as advertised. For twelve bucks you get a 12-pack of durable, everyday ankle socks, made from cotton, polyester, rubber, and nylon. Hanes sews these socks with a heavy-duty cushioned sole to keep them long-lasting and comfortable, and uses an advanced, odor-fighting technology that attacks the bacteria that can cause smelly feet. Are these ankle socks packed with crazy reinforcements, paddings, cushions and stitching? No – these are workaday socks for everyday life, and they’re a great bargain.
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Available in four styles
- Reinforced toe
Cons:
- Closer in design to a dress sock
- Smaller sizes reach over ankle
Balega Silver Antimicrobial Socks
When Silver Is Better Than Gold
It’s not often that we feature two products from the same manufacturer in our list, but Balega’s dominance in the world of athletic socks is almost unmatched. With their antimicrobial socks, Balega tackles one of the biggest problems for active men: foot odor. By sewing antibacterial silver ions into the fabric of the sock, the feet are kept dry, clean, and odor-free. The strategically-placed ventilation panels in the mesh fabric create excellent moisture wicking. Runners will appreciate the fact that the sock is produced to mimic the design of a running shoe, so that the heel and midfoot are locked in, while the toes are free to move. This design is augmented with variable strength bands that run along the arch, providing even greater support. No one likes foot odor, but Balega has your back (or your foot, as the case may be).
Pros:
- Seamless toe for minimal friction
- Available in a wide variety of colors
- Great for extended training and endurance events
Cons:
- Nearly $15 a pair
- Loose threads on the inside
J.wmeet Cushion Ankle Athletic Socks
Meet Your New Favorite Sock
J.wmeet has designed an ankle sock utilizing all the elements that men require for an active lifestyle, but also provides a stylish accent to athletic apparel. Made from 80% cotton, 17% polyester and 3% spandex, the material is breathable yet strong, made even more so by reinforced heels & toes and arch support along the top. Each package of five comes in Darkred, Skyblue, Green, Grey and Black, with a color-accented heel tab that keeps the sock in place and prevents it from sliding down into your shoe. The tab also helps to prevent chafing and blisters on the heel, and provides an easy way to pull up the sock if necessary.
Pros:
- Perfect for sports teams
- Moisture-wicking to keep skin dry
- Maximum cushion placed at impact points
Cons:
- No size over 12
- Can shrink after washing
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between ankle socks and crew socks?
Ankle socks have a top band that sits just below the ankle. Crew socks are actually the “second” size up from ankle socks – about six to eight inches from the heel to the cuff. Quarter-length socks are the ones that come up just above the ankle. There are, in fact, seven different official lengths of sock design.
How do you keep ankle socks from falling into your shoe?
This is one of the great moral and philosophical questions of our generation. Ok, maybe not so much, but nothing is quite as annoying as an ankle sock that slips. We like the new designs that feature a tab at the heel that prevents slippage – or helps you to pull the sock up in case it does slip – but nothing works quite as well as a strong, elastic band around the edge of the top of the sock. Make sure this feature is prominent in the description of whichever sock you choose to purchase.
How come socks don’t come in sizes larger than 12?
This is mostly a question of supply and demand. Most shoe sizes average between 6.5 and 12, so not a lot of socks are manufactured over or under those sizes. But they’re not impossible to find. Just be prepared to pay a little extra for XX and XXX sizes.
Why Trust Us
Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.