Soccer is a sport that requires its players to rely greatly on their skill and athleticism while out on the pitch.
Although, besides fitness and a sharp mind, the performance level of soccer players also greatly relies on their kit, and a good pair of soccer socks should never be overlooked.
Oftentimes, socks are viewed as an unimportant part of the uniform, with their only emphasis being placed on matching the colors of the rest of the uniform.
However, anyone who’s ever had a pair of soccer socks unable to keep shin pads in place, get bunched up in the heel, or leave them with blisters at the end of a game will know that not having the best soccer socks can be disastrous.
In this article, we’re going to be reviewing the top soccer socks available on the market today.
Towards the end, you’ll even find a helpful buying guide and F.A.Q area that will make sure that you make the best choice for you.
So, ready to up your soccer sock game? Just keep reading…
In a hurry? Check out our top pick:
If you need a quick recommendation, the Nike Vapor Crew sock is a popular design you’ll have likely already seen worn by pro players during their training sessions.
Wearers of this sock will benefit from Nike’s famous DRI-FIT technology which, just like the name suggests, helps keep the foot dry and comfortable.
The Vapor crews are made of sweat-wicking fabric, so they are super ideal for players who are keen to stay dry and comfortable on the pitch.
OUR TOP PICK
When it comes to playing soccer, a popular choice for many pro players and football enthusiasts is the NIKE Vapor Crew Socks.
Designed to keep your feet comfortable, the Nike Vapor Crew Men’s Soccer Socks will help to keep your feet and ankles protected from impacts of the pitch thanks to strategically placed padding and cushioning.
Offering tailored comfort, these socks will help to keep your feet comfortable dry. These socks also feature mesh fabric in high-heat areas, that are designed to keep feet cool during your most active parts of the play.
Not only that, but thanks to a ribbed welt positioned strategically across the top hem, these socks will be able to stay in place while you run around, kick the ball and perform different skills.
Made with patented Nike Dry fabric, these socks will wick sweat away from the skin in order to keep you dry, while zonal cushioning will help to absorb shock impact while you run.
Pros
- Shock absorbing
- Ventilated
- Ribbed welt helps to keep socks from rolling down
Cons
- May not be suitable for official club matches
EDITORS CHOICE
On the search for a brand new pair of knee-high soccer socks? We think you’ll love the Adidas AdiSocks Knee Socks.
The Adidas AdiSocks is the easiest way to elevate your game.
For starters, they have been designed to offer a secure, ‘locked-in’ fit that will deliver greater levels of comfort, all the while ensuring that they don’t roll down while you’re running around.
Adidas has strategically placed mesh ventilation in specific areas of the design which ensures comfortable ventilation.
Paired with Adidas’s own Climacool Technology, which helps to wick away moisture from the foot, these socks will ensure that you stay cool on the pitch.
Formotion Technology will promote natural movement of the ankle for a more secure and comfortable fit while in motion, while an engineered Adidas badge will make sure that you look the part.
The over the knee design is most suited to players that frequently play in club matches (as this style of sock is often a requirement) and feature labeled left and right socks for extra convenience.
If that hasn’t impressed you enough, they also sit just above the knee. This means that these socks are ideal for wearing under shin pads, and will offer an additional level of protection while out on the pitch.
Pros
- Climacool technology will keep you feeling fresh and sweat-free
- A knee-high design ideal for shin pads
- Arch and ankle compression
Cons
- Some find them to be too tight
BEST VALUE
If you’re buying for a child, the APTESOL Youth Classic Cushion II Soccer Socks will make sure that they’re the star player out on the field.
Made of 56% polyester, 17% elastane, and 27% cotton, these unisex youth soccer socks will provide a secure, snug fit that won’t feel uncomfortable.
They can be worn mid-calf or over the knees, and are ideal for pairing with shin pads.
Thir built-in moisture-wicking properties will be able to stop the feet from sweating while also preventing any odors from building up.
Plus, to ensure that your budding soccer star feels completely confident on the field, the soles of these socks contain grips that will prevent them from slipping.
Not only that, but for extra support, these socks provide both arch and ankle compression which will help to provide the foot with support.
As well as offering support, the built-in compression will offer a much snug, secure fit.
The APTESOL Youth Classic Cushion II Soccer Socks also feature structured cushioning that has been strategically positioned along with high-impact areas.
These will work to absorb any shock caused by running and other high impact activities.
Pros
- Moisture-wicking properties
- Structured cushioning for high-impact areas
- Snug fit
Cons
- Sizes can run large
RUNNER UP
Engineered to perform on the same level as the kind of socks that professional players wear, the Joma Classic II Soccer Socks offer premium performance at an affordable price point.
Though they might not be made by powerhouse’s Adidas or Nike, Joma is still a very well respected brand, especially in the soccer/football world.
In fact, you can almost be certain that if you were to watch any semi-professional match this weekend, at least one time will be sporting Joma soccer equipment.
The Joma Classics provide a snug fit and can be either worn just above the knee or they can be worn around the shin.
This makes them ideal for all types of shin pads during club matches, and they double up as great training socks, too.
For added convenience, they have been made with anti-microbial material. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria, all the while preventing any odors from building up.
Plus, for total comfort, their lightweight nylon fabric design won’t roll down while in motion, and will allow you to focus on what matters most - playing soccer!
Pros
- Affordable price point
- The lightweight nylon fabric will keep you comfortable
- A knee-high design ideal for wearing with shin-pads
Cons
- Some find them to be thin
RUNNER UP
If stretchiness is at the top of your list, then we think that you might like the TCK Elite proDRI Finale Soccer Socks!
Thanks to their high-quality blend of polypropylene, nylon, lycra spandex, and elastic, they have been made to offer extra stretch.
Ideal for players of all levels (and ages), the TCK Elite proDRI Finale Soccer Socks feature patented DRY-IQ moisture control technology which will wick away moisture in order to keep feet cool, dry, and free of blisters.
Boasting an effective ventilation system, the breathable mesh across the top of these socks which will allow air to effectively flow, while antimicrobial yarns help to prevent odors and control bacteria.
Plus, for total comfort, these socks consist of ergonomic cushioning and arch compression that will help to keep the sock in place and provide the foot with support during training or a game.
If that wasn’t enough, these socks also feature a double welt across the tops of these socks, you can be sure that, even during the most grueling game, these socks will stay in place and won’t slip down, so they’re great for wearing with shin pads.
Due to the fact that they’ve been specifically made to be extra stretchy, they’re not as thick as competing socks, but they still offer plenty of protection while wearing shin pads.
Whether you’re playing for a club or you simply want to brush up your skills, these socks are a steal!
Pros
- Antimicrobial
- Features a double welt that will stop socks from rolling down
- Ideal for players of all levels
Cons
- Some users find that they’re not thick enough
Best Soccer Socks Buying Guide
Material
The material is one of the most important factors to take into account.
If you or your child has been playing for a few seasons, we’re sure that you’ll be familiar with the way that certain material can stretch out by the end of the playing season, particularly acrylic.
Some people even choose to play with cotton socks, although these often don’t provide much support and will absorb any water if it rains.
The best material for soccer socks are fabrics blended from man-made materials such as polyester, spandex, and nylon.
Besides being much better at staying in place, they also often contain moisture-wicking properties that will keep your feet cool while you play, all the while keeping moisture at bay.
What’s more, soccer socks that are made of man-made materials also usually contain antimicrobial properties that will be able to prevent germ and bacteria growth.
Length
The next option to think about is what length you’d like the socks to be.
There are three common types of socks that are often used in soccer, which are:
Over the knee/calf soccer socks
These are seen to be the most ‘formal’ of the two kinds and are required to be worn on match days.
These kinds of socks are designed to have a secure fit around the entirety of the calf so that they don’t roll down and interrupt play.
Oftentimes, many clubs require the socks to be padded to offer an additional level of protection, although this isn’t always the case, so we recommend checking with your coach.
Crew soccer socks
Crew socks are quite similar to calf socks, the only difference being that they’re not as long.
Instead, crew socks sit around the mid of the calf, which gives the player more flexibility to try out different skills during training.
Therefore, if you’re a player that wants to practice some new skills, we recommend considering these socks.
Sometimes, clubs allow players to wear crew soccer socks during an official match, but we recommend double-checking to be sure.
Blister Prevention
Another factor you should consider is how well your socks will be able to prevent blisters from forming.
Any uncomfortable rubs will have you hobbling around the field in no time, so it’s important that you try to prevent the chances of blisters from forming.
The best soccer socks will be packed with advanced technologies that will help you to stay blister-free, so make sure that you keep an eye out for this.
Moisture-wicking
Believe it or not, nowadays there are even special sweat-stopping technologies that will prevent moisture from building up in your socks!
This is a win-win because, not only will it keep your feet nice and cool, but it will also prevent odors from developing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you wear soccer socks?
There’s plenty of ways that you can wear soccer socks.
As you’ll have probably already seen, Cristiano Ronaldo likes to pull his socks way up over his knee, which is a popular choice for many players.
On the other hand, other players like to wear them pushed down.
Though it’s important that you feel comfortable out on the field, it’s also very important that you ensure that the shin pads are securely fastened into place, so much so that they won’t budge while you’re running around.
Your socks will be able to offer additional grip for your shin pads to lock themselves onto and will enable you to be quick on the field, whether you’re defending or attacking with the ball.
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