Millennials Beware: Crew Length Running Socks Are Here to Stay And These Are Our Faves (2025)

For this piece, I took my previous testing experience (and dug through my sock drawer) to narrow down the pairs I reach for the most, and that feel the most comfortable in a variety of situations. I also spent this testing period making sure I wore a variety of socks in different crew heights, levels of cushioning, and for different purposes, from treadmill workouts (gross) to more enjoyable runs around town and local trails.

I aimed for a range of socks that will appeal to runners looking for different levels of support and for different pursuits, and also noted how well the socks maintained their shape (I’ve had some pairs for years) how well they stayed up without rolling, and whether I noticed any fraying or material degrading.

Swiftwick has been steadily gaining traction in the running world for the past few years, and for good reason. Its no-nonsense Pursuit line might lack the zany colors and patterns of other running socks, but they are a solid, comfortable pair of socks. With a high percentage of merino supported with durable nylon and enough elastane for shape and moderate compression, the Pursuit Crew retains their shapes when worn multiple days in a row (on a backpacking trip, ok?) and I have never noticed bunching in the heel or toe.

They slide on smoothly and come in four unisex size options. The 7-inch height has light compression around the ankle and calf for support and fatigue prevention, and they also have reinforced toes and heels for durability and to ease pressure from repeated impact. They are also built with a “flex zone” where your foot and ankle meet to prevent bunching and hot spots.

These have been my go-to socks for the past few seasons also thanks to their versatility. Swiftwick defines the cushioning as “medium,” but I’ve found them to be on the lighter side, with enough warmth and padding for long runs but with excellent breathability for warmer days.

All in all, these landed at the top of my list thanks to excellent structure and support, long-lasting wear, and a good in-between height and weight for variable conditions and distances. And if you like this material blend and weight, the Pursuit line comes in three different heights: crew, quarter-crew, and ankle.

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These fully synthetic socks are relatively new on the market, but when I want something quick drying with extra coverage, they’ve been a solid choice. REI consistently designs and builds excellent gear, and their running socks are no exception. These socks fit snugly but don’t feel restrictive, which is a good thing considering how tall they are. They are lightweight but have just enough reinforcement under the impact zones (heel and toe) to provide a little extra cushion, and the seamless toes are a blessing for people whose feet bang into the front of their shoes.

These socks are a simpler design and knit than more expensive pairs like Darn Tough and Smartwool’s running line, and they don’t have too much variation around the arch, top of the foot, and flex zones. That said, I haven’t noticed any extra fatigue with these socks, and while they wouldn't be my first choice for longer runs, they’re fantastic for days when I predict stream crossings and don’t want the extended drying time of merino.

The CoolMax EcoMade is a recycled polyester (also used with other brands) that is highly effective at wicking moisture and keeping your feet cool. These would be my top pick for warm-weather trail runs or desert excursions where I need to keep my lower legs protected but want a lightweight, fast-wicking sock to stay as cool as possible.

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With three different heights (no-show, quarter-crew, and micro-crew), these socks are my versatile pick for warm-weather runs when I want the odor resistance of merino and a little support, but don’t need too much cushioning. The micro-crew length is an excellent summer trail run option. The heel-to-cuff height of 7.5 inches sits around 6 inches above my shoes, and protects my lower legs from scrapes on overgrown trails or tech sidehills.

These fit remarkably well, with no signs of bunching or sliding down, and they never feel too tight around my calves. The foot-mapped design is well thought out, with extra support under the arch to help reduce fatigue and flexion areas similar to Swiftwick’s Pursuit line, removing extra material at the base of the ankle to avoid impeding range of motion.

These are made with less merino than thicker Darn Tough models, which keeps them lighter and faster drying for warm-weather runs. The 49-percent natural fibers do an excellent job with odor resistance though, and the 4-percent Lycra adds extra support and shape retention compared to other warm-weather socks that I’ve found to lose their structure after repeated washing. And if they do happen to develop holes or lose shape, you can’t beat Darn Tough’s lifetime guarantee. Find the men’s here.

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These have become my pick this year for everything from in-town snowy runs to cross-country ski outings. The 7-inch height works well under tights and with ankle-height cross-country boots, and they’re also warm enough for winter hikes, though I wouldn’t take them on serious peak-bagging expeditions.

Smartwool is consistently one of my favorite hiking sock brands, and I was really impressed with these running-specific socks this winter. They use the brand’s proprietary Indestructawool technology, which feels sturdier and has less tendency to stretch out— my main complaint about past Smartwool models.

These are heavier than the other pairs on this list (good for winter running), but not by much. Smartwool calls them a light cushion, though I’d say they’re more mid-range between light and medium. If you’re looking for a thicker pair of socks, I also like Smartwool’s Full Cushion hiking socks, which have more padding underfoot and a heavier knit. But for most outings, their cold-weather running socks have enough warmth in the higher merino percentage, and I’ve found them to be more breathable than hiking socks. Find the mens’ here.

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Made with nearly 50 percent pima cotton, these socks are soft, structured, and have additional padding on the top of the foot with light compression on the upper portion. Pima cotton is a smoother, softer variety of the cotton often seen in non-technical apparel, and has a lovely, silky feel. These socks slide on snug but not suffocatingly tight, and have a supportive arch band, minimal seams, and a dedicated left and right for a more precise fit.

These are honestly some of my favorite socks this year (as a gear tester I have to think about things like “what are my favorite socks?”) and while I don’t wear them specifically for running, the crew height, supportive fit, and soft material make them a go-to for recovery when I don’t want to wear actual compression socks. I’ve also worn them to the gym for lifting workouts and appreciated the added support.

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As a millennial, I am still aesthetically partial to shorter socks, so I feel as if it is my duty to include a quarter-crew model. I discovered this company at an industry event several years ago, and they’ve become one of my favorite merino brands since then.

With a 4-inch height, these have the shortest cuffs on the list, which is perfect for days when you want the technical benefits of merino without a tall sock. Minus 33 calls this the “mini” in their lineup, and they rise just a few inches above the top of my running shoes—enough to protect my ankles without feeling bulky.

I appreciate the combo of a shorter height paired with a full cushion—not often seen in the technical sock world. The full cushion eases impact over long distances, but you’re not stuck with a super tall model on warm days.

Like my other faves, these are foot-mapped with arch support, flexion at the ankle, and reinforced toes and heels. Despite the fairly minimal 1-percent Spandex, these feel plenty stretchy and I love the doubled material on the cuffs which helps them stay up. Plus, the socks are made in New Hampshire and come in seven different heights, from no-show all the way up to over-the-calf.

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RW Senior Editor and treadmill enthusiast Cat Bowen loves Jogology quarter crew socks for everyday runs. They're designed with breathable panels on the tops and sides that facilitate airflow helping keep skunk foot at bay. They have great arch and heel support that fights foot fatigue on long runs, and a cushion-wrapped toe box that does wonders at protecting toes and toenails when you're putting in the miles.

Cat says that she's a huge fan of the zoned cushioning and support noting that with her narrower feet and especially narrow heel box, the additional support helps fill the gaps that shoes might not meet. Their rise comes just to the ankle without rubbing unnecessarily while still giving ample protection from blisters and sock creep. Jogology lists these as medium cushioning, but they're on the higher end of medium, especially at the toe box. The high level of cushioning could be warmer, but the breathable panels offset it enough that you really don't notice it, says Cat.

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Why wear a crew sock instead of a lower-cut model?

The benefits to a taller sock (standard crew height of 5- to 7 inches above your shoes) include light compression around the lower leg—which helps promote blood flow and reduce fatigue—as well as abrasion protection on overgrown trails or slush on winter runs. Crew socks also add a layer of warmth when paired with running tights, and help keep debris out of your shoes. Finally, you can pair these with running gaiters to add another layer of snow and dirt protection.

Do I need to wear a bigger shoe with thick winter socks?

Typically you don’t need to size up with thicker socks, especially for running. Even heavier winter running socks are slimmer than winter hiking socks. If anything, you might have to wear your laces a little looser. If you’re pairing thick hiking socks with running shoes, expect to loosen the laces even more. And if you’re pairing expedition-level winter socks with running shoes, why are you even running? I suggest going for a nice hike with some winter hiking boots.

What type of socks prevent blisters?

Hot spots and blisters appear for a variety of reasons, but two main culprits behind chafing are wet feet and material moving against your skin. To solve this, look for wicking material like merino blended with synthetic, and make sure to get a running-specific sock… not a six-pack from Dollar General. Technical hiking socks are built with foot-mapped patterning that fits snugly and moves with your feet, not against them. And unless you’re looking at a recovery sock, I’d advise against cotton, as it doesn’t wick moisture and will keep your feet damp and more prone to blisters.