The 6 Best Socks for Sweaty Feet in 2022
- By George P.H.
After reviewing 14 sock models, Cooplus had the best socks for sweaty feet.
We co-wrote this article with a doctor. We talked to our test team and asked them for their favorite socks. We also looked through Amazon and bought a few popular sock models we hadn’t tried before.
We picked the Cooplus model because it’s versatile. You can use it for sports, everyday wear and even light hiking. It makes for a decent pair of dress socks and is durable.
We liked the other models on this page for specific use cases.
For example, the Carhartt All-Terrains and Ortis Merino Wool model are hard to beat for hiking. They’re breathable, durable and cushioned.
If you have strong foot odor, you may want a bamboo sock. The Bamboo Sports workout sock is our top choice. It’s light, odor-proof and great value for money.
To learn more about the products we liked most, keep reading through ’till the end.
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Table of Contents
Best Socks for Sweaty Feet
99/100
Our Score
Cooplus Ankle Socks
Cooplus Ankle Socks
Why this product?
The tab cuff and 3D-printed heel on these socks keep them snug on the foot, reducing heel slippage.
99/100
Our Score
These synthetic socks are some of the comfiest we’ve ever tried. They’re made of polyester, spandex and nylon. This means they’re stretchy and breathable with good moisture-wicking properties.
They’re ankle-high. This means you can wear them with anything: boots, sports shoes, your most comfortable dress shoes, etc. A tab cuff and 3D-printed heel keep them snug on the foot, reducing heel slippage.
The diamond-shaped mesh you can see in the image dissipates heat in the mid-foot and forefoot. The band in the middle is meant to stabilize your arch, although we just like it for keeping the sock on-foot.
The socks have excellent cushioning. Unlike other synthetic models, they’re soft enough to run in. Consumers and testers report their fit reduces blisters.
This sock doesn’t absorb moisture well. If you have excessive sweat no matter how ventilated your feet are, look for another model. No cotton means the Cooplus ankle sock doesn’t hold much (if any) water.
Pros
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Dissipates heat
- Blister reduction
Cons
- Not moisture absorbing
Best Sports Sock for Sweaty Feet
99/100
Our Score
Drymax Running Socks
Drymax Running Socks
Why this product?
The olefin fibers in this sock are cooling and comfortable on the foot.
99/100
Our Score
Drymax socks are our top choice for sports. They work best when worn with well-ventilated sports shoes.
This sock model combines olefin fibers with polyester and nylon. Olefin is cooling and comfortable on foot. It’s also durable; consumers say these socks last a long time.
The ankle sock’s elastic band prevents heel slippage. A second band runs through the midfoot for arch support. The toe section is attached with a flat seam to keep your feet chafe-free.
This sock has different cushion levels. We felt the “thinnest” model was cushioned enough for us. Heavier athletes and long-distance runners may prefer the medium-thickness sock version.
Compared to a cotton sock, the DryMax don’t rub on the foot at all. With higher-top shoe models, they can work as no show socks.
The one thing we didn’t like is that these aren’t L/R socks. Many running sock models have asymmetric ventilation panels, which we like. Still, given their overall quality, easily our favorite sock for general sports.
Pros
- Cooling
- Durable
- Chafe-free
Cons
- Not L/R socks
Best Bamboo Sock for Sweaty Feet
100/100
Our Score
Bamboo Workout Socks
Bamboo Workout Socks
Why this product?
The bamboo fiber in this sock is naturally odor-resistant and breathable.
100/100
Our Score
Bamboo fiber is naturally odor-resistant and breathable. When used in socks, it can help manage foot sweat. This model is our favorite bamboo sock.
The sock has a good, ergonomic fit with an ankle tab. This keeps it snug on foot. The toe seam is flat, which makes the sock chafe-free – even during sports.
The bottom of the sock has a smooth feel. The top section is well-ventilated, with a lighter criss-cross pattern. Unlike with most no show socks, the socks don’t slide down to your heel.
Unlike synthetic socks, these seem to absorb foot sweat well. They’re also breathable. Like synthetics and unlike cotton, these socks don’t chafe and should keep you blister-free.
One thing we didn’t like about these socks is limited cushioning. Compared to the cotton and synthetic models we tried, they’re not quite as soft on foot. We wouldn’t wear them on a long run.
Pros
- Odor-resistant
- Ergonomic fit
- Chafe-free
- Well-ventilated
Cons
- Limited cushioning
Best Boot Socks for Sweaty Feet
98/100
Our Score
GKX Crew Socks
GKX Crew Socks
Why this product?
This sock is a cotton, polyester, and spandex blend that wicks moisture away while absorbing sweat.
98/100
Our Score
This is our top choice for work boots and steel toe boots. If you have breathable hiking boots, look in the next section.
The GKX crew sock is 52% cotton and 48% synthetic fabrics (polyester, spandex). This means it wicks moisture away and absorbs foot sweat. This is important; most boots aren’t breathable, so wicking sweat away only does so much.
These socks are well cushioned. They’re smooth and soft, especially around the heel and forefoot. This protects the weight-bearing parts of your foot from stress.
The ribbed ankle section keeps the shoe snug on your foot without suffocating it. The arch support section keeps the sock in place while improving foot posture. We really liked the deep heel pocket, which also improves fit.
The socks are stretchy and darn tough. The cotton makes them durable; the spandex means they stretch instead of tearing. It also means they don’t suffocate your feet if they start to swell.
One thing we didn’t like about the socks? When you just start wearing them, they leave some cotton fuzz on your feet. This is especially noticeable if you have a sweaty sock by the end of a long shift.
Pros
- Moisture-wicking
- Sweat absorption
- Protects the weight-bearing parts of your foot from stress.
Cons
- Leaves some cotton fuzz
Best Hiking Sock (Men)
98/100
Our Score
Carhartt All-Terrain Boot Socks
Carhartt All-Terrain Boot Socks
Why this product?
These socks have excellent cushioning. Walking in them feels soft, especially in the forefoot and the heel.
98/100
Our Score
These men’s socks are our #1 choice for hiking and walking. They also make for a decent work sock as long as your foot sweat is moderate. They’re 87% synthetic fabric and 13% wool, which means they do hold some water.
These socks have excellent cushioning. Walking in them feels soft, especially in the forefoot and heel.
The ankle section and mid-foot both have soft, stretchy ribbing. This keeps the sock snug on your feet. It also provides arch support and prevents slippage for long walks and hikes.
The socks have mesh cooling panels and instep channels for breathability. Consumers report they also have good odor-resistant qualities.
We like the overall quality of these socks. They feel like they’ll hold up through months and even years of regular use. The stitching, the material thickness and the design are all top-notch to us.
This time, we liked everything about the socks. The cushioned, reinforced heel can be a little tough to get into – but that’s alright.
You can use these as compression socks for snowboarding and similar sports. This is how we found out about the model; one of our testers used it for winter sports before.
It’s essential to know how your hiking boots should adequately fit and the right socks to wear. This way, the experience will be much more enjoyable.
Pros
- Prevents slippage
- Odor-resistant
- Durable
Cons
Best Hiking Sock (Women)
97/100
Our Score
Ortis Merino Wool Crew Socks
Ortis Merino Wool Crew Socks
Why this product?
This merino wool, acrylic, polyester, and spandex blend is moisture-wicking and odor resistant.
97/100
Our Score
These moisture-wicking socks use merino wool blended with acrylic, polyster and spandex. They’re stretchy, moisture-absorbent, and well-cushioned. They also have strong odor resistance properties.
This model is almost as soft as a merino wool sock. Unlike 100% merino, it retains its shape well and has good ergonomics.
The ribbed ankle section keeps the shoe on your foot and prevents slippage. The heel section is nice and firm on the heel. The horizontal seam going through the sock is smooth, preventing chafing.
The reason we picked this sock over pure merino models was the fit. Pure merino can feel mushy and too soft. The Ortis model has good arch compression and ankle fit.
This sock also feels durable. The spandex makes it stretchy; the acrylic and polyester give it a nice, tough feel.
We couldn’t agree on whether we like the colorways. The hikers and athletes on our team like the range of colors. Still, love or hate the styles, these are some comfy, breathable socks.
Pros
- moisture-wicking
- odor-resistant
- ergonomic design
- chafe-prevention
Cons
Buying Guide
Moderate Thickness
Socks that are too thin can’t absorb any moisture. They get wet and slippery fast.
Once they do, your feet will get uncomfortable and wet. You’ll likely get blisters. If you’ve worn thin dress shoe socks with sports shoes, you might know what we mean.
At the same time, we don’t want a thick sock that’ll trap heat around your foot.
What we want is a moderately thick sock. One that can absorb a little sweat and stay dry without running hot.
Cooling Materials
We want ventilated, moisture-wicking socks with antimicrobial properties. This means no cotton. A cotton sock traps heat and gets hot fast.
Merino wool socks are good if you want a natural material. Merino wool is soft, odor-resistant and moisture-wicking.
We also like synthetic materials: polyster, olefin, acrylic, etc. Adidas’ Climalite,socks Drymax socks and others all use synthetics. A cotton-synthetic blend is also fine.
Moisture absorption
Some materials are better than others at absorbing moisture without getting wet. Merino wool can hold up to 30% of its weight in water before getting soggy and unpleasant. Cotton-synthetic blends are also highly absorbent.
Pure cotton sock models have good moisture absorption. They’re still to be avoided because of how they run.
Besides choosing moisture-wicking shoes, always go for waterproof footwear. This way, you’ll keep your feet dry all day long.
Fit
If a sock bunches up or slips below heel level, it’s no longer hugging your foot properly. That means it’s not wicking moisture away, absorbing sweat or ventilating.
In other words, even the best sock is no good if it doesn’t fit your foot. That’s why we want socks that have a good shape out-of-the-box and retain fit after multiple washes.
Sock type
Different sock types have different benefits. An ankle-high crew sock will absorb more excessive sweat. No show socks ventilate the foot and ankle more.
As a rule, buy socks that fit your shoe type. If you need an athletic sock for sports, go with lows. If you’re wearing hiking or steel toe boots, get highs. For dress shoes, get thin highs.
Conclusion
The best socks for sweaty and smelly feet is the Cooplus sock. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking and well-made. It looks like a regular sock once it’s in your shoe.
For other use cases, check out the other models on this page.
