The Best No-Show Socks for Men, According to Footwear Experts
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The best outfits pay attention to every detail, because even a great look can be undone by the wrong shirt or even the wrong socks. No-show socks for men make that a non-issue, delivering comfort and hygiene while staying hidden away under the heel and tongue.
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The best no-show socks for men — all the socks that fall below the ankle — open a whole new world of exposed-ankle style. That means highlighting the wearer’s shoe of choice, as well as keeping the lower leg cooler. “The main benefit of lower-cut socks is their no-show appeal,” says Josh Herbert, a stylist, footwear expert, and the founder of Captain Creps. “They’re functional on the comfort, hygiene, and warmth levels but they’re discreet, perfect when accompanying low-cut shoes or sneakers.”
Even the highest-quality no-show socks for men aren’t outrageously expensive (they tend to fall somewhere in the $5 to $20 range), but for men used to buying socks on sale on Amazon, that price can sound insane. But the subtle, not-always-immediately-detectable elevations in style, design, and comfort are real game-changers, making the difference between a pleasurable night out in top-shelf dress shoes or the inevitable limping to avoid aggravating a burgeoning blister. In other words, it’s worth paying a little more.
What the Experts Say
SPY talked with three experts to get the low down on the best no-show socks for men, including Herbert; Dr. Miguel Cunha, a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare; and Dr. Robert Conenello, a podiatrist and founder of Orangetown Podiatry.
Thankfully, most guys won’t need the experts to come to an expert conclusion because the best no-show socks for men are pretty self-explanatory: They provide minimal coverage for fashion purposes while helping to reduce sweating and foot odor like a sock should, Cunha says.
At the same time, no-show socks aren’t suitable for every activity or situation. “For example, when wearing walking shoes, ankle boots, or knee boots, you wouldn’t want bare skin rubbing on the taller part of the shoe,” Herbert says. “No-show socks won’t provide the same level of support and comfort as more technical and longer socks would.”
And then there’s the material and design aspects, which the experts note also affect a sock’s utility. For example, Conenello agrees that athletes might prefer the moisture-wicking and tight feel of a polyester-spandex sock while office-goers will generally get along fine with cotton. Herbert adds that many low-cut socks include silicone grips in or around the heel to hold the sock up and/or small tabs at the back of the heel for a little extra height and blister protection.
BEST OVERALL
Invisasox Men's No-Show Socks
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There are many great no-show socks for men out there, but Invisasox is the only one purely dedicated to making the best no-show socks. They feature a low profile, an absorbent cotton-spandex blend, and a mesh gel heel grip for added stability, Cunha says. Among other features, they include an uncommon chain link collar, which secures the sock without cutting into the heel or top of the foot. They also come backed by a one-year guarantee and a free replacement sock if one fails.
Given the attention to detail, the sock is expensive at just under $17 a pair. But where other cheap no-show socks cut into feet, fail to manage sweat, and fall apart after only months of wear, the Invisasox are designed to simply, well, not.
BEST FOR RUNNING
Wrightsock's Ultra Thin Blister Free Tab Socks
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Why It Stands Out: The Wrightsock Ultra Thin Tab Socks check all the desired boxes for a no-show running sock: They are, as their name suggests, ultra-thin. Critical for runners, they feature seam-free toes to minimize irritation and, thanks to their nylon-reinforced polyester construction with stretchy Lycra, can take a beating and still bounce back again and again.
ROI: At $13 a pair, these are undoubtedly pricey, but nobody except the five-mile-a-day joggers and marathoners run enough to wear these socks down. (Those folks may also wish to check out Wrightsock’s double layer anti-blister socks, too.) Plus, for any runners who are not 100% satisfied, Wrightsock offers a refund or exchange with proof of purchase.
Hot Take: Conenello specializes in foot care for athletes and runners, and Wrightsocks is one of a handful of brands he personally likes. But in case that’s not a sufficient vote of confidence, reviews on Wrightsocks are almost universally glowing, with wearers praising the sock’s comfort, thinness, and secure grip.
BEST BUDGET ATHLETIC SOCKS
Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Training No-Show Socks
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Why It Stands Out: Designed for everyday wear, with a fabric blend of mostly cotton and polyester as well as small amounts of spandex and nylon, the Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Training No-Show Socks work just as well in slides at home as they do in the gym. “These socks have reinforced terry soles and ribbed arches for arch support,” Cunha says.
ROI: Bargain hunters will delight at this sock’s price of $4.50 per pair. It’s the sweet spot for guys who want something comfortable and reliable but who are also at peace with the fact that socks get grody or break down after a lot of use. But with six pairs total, it’ll be a long time before a restock is necessary.
Hot Take: These are Nike socks and not the meh-quality ones always on sale at Nike outlet stores. With their added cushioning, moisture-wicking fabric blend, and little technical details that help support the foot and improve temperature regulation, these are some of the best no-show socks for the average guy, whatever he’s getting up to.
BEST CAUSAL SOCKS
Bamboo Men's Ankle Thin Socks
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Why It Stands Out: Amazon may have a million options for the best no-show socks for men, but some of them are actually good, like the Mundasokcs Bamboo Men’s Low-Cut Socks. Bamboo isn’t commonly used for socks, but it ought to be. It’s soft, breathable, and odor-resistant. A bit of polyamide — which is like an artificial wool or nylon — also adds strength and toughness while elastane promotes a secure fit.
ROI: Though these no-show socks still outpace the 12-pack of Hanes at Walmart, $2 per pair is still mighty cheap for socks — especially ones made with the less commonly used but highly effective bamboo.
Hot Take: “These low-cut bamboo ankle socks are great when wearing sneakers — they’re soft and comfortable, thanks to the added padding on the heel with the extra tab,” Herbert says. “I have white and black pairs to suit the style of sneaker I’m wearing. My feet stay much drier than in the cotton equivalent, which means my shoes smell better for longer.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Ankle Socks
Why wear socks at all?
Because we can! “We have been wearing socks as we know them for thousands of years. That in itself suggests that sock wearing isn’t just a fad,” Herbert says.
Obvious history aside, wearing socks is more hygienic and typically more comfortable, helping to minimize blisters and control sweat, experts say. Any regularly well-dressed man will also tell you that socks can be fashionable and a key part of personal style.
Why should I consider buying the best no-show socks for men?
Besides the hygienic reasons for wearing socks in general, no-show socks are more versatile (in some ways) than other socks because their low profile is barely visible or not visible at all.
No-show socks, due to their small size, are also designed to stretch over and fit snugly on most feet, Cunha says. Plus, they keep the feet and ankles cooler.
What do I need to know about no-show socks to make a good purchase?
For the most part, the same tips for buying other socks would apply to no-show socks, too. Cunha advises guys to look for moisture-wicking, breathable, antibacterial materials, features that support compression and arches, the right level of thickness for casual or athletic activities, seamless constructions as well as a comfortable fit — the wrong size can be seriously detrimental to a sock’s ability to function optimally. He also recommends trying a few different brands, including makers of higher-quality socks, and doing a little research.
What are the best socks made out of?
Different materials add different benefits to socks, but the vast majority of socks, whether cheap or expensive, use one or multiple of the following:
– Cotton: “Cotton socks are ideal for people who suffer from bunions and ingrown toenails as they help minimize pressure, irritation and friction of sensitive areas,” Cunha says. However, as good as cotton and its soft comfort are for daily use, he notes that they don’t wick moisture, generally absorbing it instead.
– Polyester: Alongside cotton, polyester is the most commonly used material in socks because it wicks moisture away, keeping feet more comfortable, Cunha says.
– Spandex/elastane/Lycra: These materials add stretch to socks and result in a snug fit. They will lose their elasticity over time, but do last a long while.
– Wool: Cunha says wool is a great material for socks because it’s naturally moisture-wicking and breathable. However, wool is often expensive because it’s really good at those two things (and because of the level of labor involved in retrieving and processing it).
– Nylon: Nylon adds strength, toughness, and more resilience to socks, which makes them more resistant to wear and tear, Cunha says.
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