New Socks for the New Season

by Dan Brosious · Published November 9, 2014 , 11:31 am · Updated June 11, 2020 , 5:18 am

As winter is approaching, it is time for all you runners out there to take a good look at your sock collection. It is common to acquire new socks in the spring, as training plans are set and race schedules are made. But come fall, those new socks are stretched, stained, and well, worn.

Besides, what could be better than getting a new pair of socks? Well, what about lots of new pairs of socks. I have had the benefit of running, hiking, and just plain living in a bunch of new socks over the last couple months, and must say I was impressed with most of them. They were very different, and all have pros and cons, so read on for which ones would best fit your activity level and personal preference.

Feetures Elite Merino+ Ultra Light No Show Tab $14.99

The Elite Merino+ was my favorite sock of the bunch. It is extremely comfortable with extra padding around the toe, heel, and tab. The remainder of the sock has a much lighter design. The best feature (no pun intended) of this sock is the Power Arch, which adds targeted compression on the arch, keeping the sock tight around the foot. Also, the merino fibers are soft, insulating and moisture wicking. The toe seam of the Elite Merino+ is located on top of the toe, but uses a semi-flatlock design to prevent irritation. As for performance, the sock feels great on my feet, and offers a sense of luxury inside your shoe. My one gripe with this sock is that it began pilling after the first dryer cycle. I have since been hanging them to dry with no issue.

Feetures Graduated Compression Light Cushion Knee High $49.99

Compression gear is all the rage these days, especially among endurance athletes. If you are in the market for a compression sock, it is hard to go wrong with the Feetures Graduated Compression Knee High. I was very impressed with the no-slip, tight compression offered by this sock. This knee high also has the Power Arch as discussed above. Once again, this is my favorite aspect of the sock. I have a relatively high arch, and I hate when a sock becomes loose in this area after just a few wears. This arch adds a level of stiffness not ordinarily found in socks.

The fabric is 79% iWick Nylon, 13% Polyester, and 8% Lycra Spandex. The iWick fibers keep your feet dry and odor-free, as moisture is removed from the foot and through the sock. Another nice feature to this sock is the anatomical left and right foot design. I find this especially helpful in a compression sock, as the calf sleeves match perfectly against your muscles. While wearing these on runs of up to 10 miles, the Graduated Compression Knee High kept my feet stable, dry, and confident. I highly recommend this sock for someone looking for full compression: from the calf to heel to arch.

Feetures Plantar + Calf Sleeve Light Cushion $59.95

The Plantar + Calf Sleeve utilizes an interesting new design by Feetures, with a toe-less sock. This sock is clearly made for recovery, and incorporates compression throughout. The calf sleeve features graduated compression, which has been shown to improve circulation and promote faster recovery. The sleeve also stabilizes the calf muscle to reduce muscle vibration. However, this has less of an impact with a pure recovery sock as it would with a compression sock/sleeve used during activity.

The sock also stabilizes the plantar fascia, which is the connective tissue that supports the arch on the bottom of the foot. Many runners have issues with their plantar fascia at some point in their life, usually after increasing training miles too quickly. Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the bottom of the foot due to inflammation of the plantar fascia. This sock includes compression zones around the midfoot and ankle which lift and stretch the plantar fascia. This reduces inflammation and therefore the associated pain.

I have worn these socks numerous times now, and while I have not had a full-blown case of plantar fasciitis this year, I could definitely notice the stretch that is placed along the arch. It is not as tight as a true compression sock, which kept my foot and calf more comfortable. The targeted compression around the midfoot and ankle is thoughtful design at its best. The one gripe I have for this sock: the lack of toes makes it difficult to wear outside the house. I tried wearing underneath another pair of socks, but it just didn’t feel right.

Fox River PEAK Series: Velox LX Ankle $12.99

Fox River has introduced the PEAK series, which include various socks all made in the USA. Made with TENCEL fabric, these socks are both durable and soft. TENCEL, which is comprised of sustainable wood pulp, also uses an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. The theme of the year appears to be a better fitting sock, particularly around the arch. In this regard, Fox River does not disappoint. They utilize their Helix Fit, which forms to your foot. This keeps the sock tight around the arch similar to the Feetures socks discussed above. The Velox LX is definitely a lightweight sock, but does have some added padding in the toe, forefoot, and heel. These have become one of my go-to socks, especially on warmer days, as the vented panels kept my feet cool and dry.

Fox River PEAK Series: Velox LX Quarter $12.99

The Velox LX Quarter is essentially the same as the Ankle, but of course with a higher cut. The Quarter fully covers the ankle, which is always helpful when hitting the trails. It is also made of TENCEL, and includes the same fit around the arch and foot. The midfoot and arch are supported by a spandex compression zone, which keeps the sock in place. The Velox line is made with memory-knit construction, which maintains the shape after many wears and washes. I have now worn each of these Velox socks about a dozen times, and so far they have kept their shape. The Velox Quarter is once again a good sock for warmer days, with vented panels in the midfoot and along the ankle.

Fox River PEAK Series: Velox LX Crew $13.99

The Velox LX Crew is also the same as the Ankle and Quarter, just in the crew cut. It has the same spandex compression zones in the mid-foot, and the same reinforced toe and heel for an extended life. In general, I am not a fan of a crew cut sock, but I did appreciate the extra warmth on cool days. This sock stayed nice and tight on the foot and heel, but did slip slightly at the calf. This is a pretty typical experience for me with a crew cut, possibly due to my thin legs, so it is not really a reason to take this one off your list. Once again, this is a quality sock that serves its purpose: tight fit around the foot with a bit of extra warmth on colder days.

FITS Ultra Light Runner No Show $14.99

The FITS Ultra Light Runner is exactly that, an ultra light sock with no added cushion. It features FITS’ Full Contact Fit, which combines a contoured toe cup, heel lock, and full contact cuff. This sock stays tight on your foot, and runs a bit small (I tested a size 8.5-10, and wear a size 10 shoe). Because of the size, there is no room for bunching or slipping, even when wet. The fabric of the Ultra Light Runner is majority merino wool (56% wool, 35% nylon, 6% polyester, and 3% lycra spandex), so the sock does not absorb much moisture. When FITS says this is a no show sock, they mean it. This sock is cut well below the ankle, and does not offer any protection on the Achilles. If you are one to get hot spots from the back of your shoe, I would not recommend this sock. However, if you prefer a barely there, minimalist feeling with a flat-knit construction, this sock is for you.

FITS Light Runner Low $15.99

The FITS Light Runner Low includes the same Full Contact Fit of the Ultra Light Runner No Show mentioned above. It also includes a wool based fabric (73% wool, 21% nylon, 4% polyester, 2% lycra spandex). Contrary to the Ultra Light, this “Light” sock offers a medium amount of cushioning in the heel and toe, which happens to be my personal preference. However, the fabric is lightweight, so I must give credit to FITS for creating a sock with the right amount of cushioning while maintaining low weight. The Light Runner Low is designed to stay on tight, and not slip into your shoe. I have found this to be true, as the sock stayed in place on runs of over 7 hours. On that note, the Light Runner protected my feet for hours, with no indication of hot spots, blisters, or moisture build-up.