I never thought of using the same pair of running socks several times until I saw this question on the forum “Can you wear running socks more than once.” I decided to try and see how it would work.
In principle, running socks can be worn more than once as they are made of quick-drying materials. But, it’s not advisable to wear the same running socks repeatedly as they accumulate sweat. Wearing sweaty socks regularly can lead to foot infections, blisters, and athlete’s foot.
Continue reading this article if you are interested in learning more about how to wear a pair of socks more than once. I’ll tell you what makes running socks so you can wear them more than once and how to look after them.
Can you wear running socks more than once?
Mondays are a double running day for me, I run 12 km in the morning and another 8 km in the evening. So I decided to try running with the same socks.
In the morning, I put on my running socks and did a 12 km run. After the run, I came home, took off my socks, and hung them on the radiator, where they waited for me until the evening when I went for my second training session.
On this day, I wore running socks made of synthetic materials (nylon, polyester) during the run, which are breathable. And have wicking technology that draws sweat away from the skin for faster evaporation, helping you stay dry and comfortable. They are also very lightweight.
They dried out when my socks were waiting for me on the radiator between the two runs. They had a bit of a sweaty smell but were not unpleasant to wear.
It is more uncomfortable for me to wear the same running shoes twice a day than the same socks. Because the shoes don’t dry as quickly and are still wet after a few hours. That’s why I always have 2-3 running shoes in my closet.
In addition to the synthetic socks, I also have running socks made of merino wool, nylon, and elastane (54% wool; 43% nylon; 3% elastane). You can read here for more about which material is best for running socks.
I know that wool absorbs sweat very well, 30% of its weight, and is still dry to the touch. That’s why I also tried running with wool socks twice a day. Wool socks are softer and more comfortable when running, but when I used them twice in one day, the sweat absorbed by the socks did not dry completely. For long-distance runners, it is good that the socks absorb sweat, which keeps the foot dry for longer. But when I ran twice daily, my feet produced more sweat than the socks could absorb.
Some suggestions for buying the best running socks made of wool:
For that reason, wool running socks are better for one daily run. Running socks made of synthetic materials can be used more times in a row because they do not absorb that much sweat.
| Synthetic running socks | Wool running socks | |
| Better for one run | X | |
| Better for multiple runs | X | |
| More comfortable | X | |
| Absorbe more sweat | X | |
| Sweat-wicking material | X | |
| Better odor resistance | X |
A pair of wool socks also come in handy if you like hiking and running. In this case, you can also use the wool running socks for hiking and save some money. Wool socks are suitable for hiking because they are thicker and more comfortable, which is handy as it tends to be colder in the mountains and hills.
What happens if you wear the same socks twice?
You can wear the same socks twice. The running socks are made of a quick-drying material, so they won’t get wet the second time you put them on. They might have a bit of an unpleasant smell, but you can get rid of that if you hand wash the socks after wearing them for the first time.
The downside of wearing the same socks repeatedly is that they will wear out more quickly. Running in damaged socks is less comfortable and can lead to uncomfortable blisters. You can find out what are the signs that running socks need to be replaced here.
Try different types of running socks
I have only tried regular socks made of synthetic material and wool. But there are also toe socks that can be made from either material.
Toe socks are better than regular socks in that all the toes are aligned and separated, which prevents rubbing and blisters. As each toe is in a different part of the sock, sweat is absorbed more quickly.
You can read a more detailed article on whether regular or toe socks are better for you by clicking on this link.
How do you wash running socks?
Before washing, turn the running socks inside out so that the outside is not damaged during washing. Running socks are mostly made of synthetic materials, so it is better not to wash them at too high temperatures. Hot water damages the synthetic fibers, making the socks less elastic and more challenging to put on over time.
If possible, wash them in cold water or hand wash them and hang them on a rack to dry. The same applies to running socks made of wool, which is even more sensitive than synthetic materials.