When we are on our feet all day, we tend to take a lot of steps or stand in the same place for a long time. In both cases, wearing comfortable shoes and socks is essential for comfort. Let’s see which are the best socks to wear when you are on your feet all day.
To keep your feet in good condition all day, you need to wear socks that are cushioned at the heel and toe, absorb sweat and dry quickly. These socks will keep you comfortable all day and prevent blisters. The best material for such socks is merino wool.
In the rest of this post, I’ll show you what socks you need to be comfortable in, even if you’re standing on your feet all day. Finally, I also give you some suggestions for buying socks.
What are the best socks to wear if you are on your feet all day?
When you stand and work on your feet all day, comfort depends most on the quality of your shoes and socks. Two factors contribute to the comfort level of socks: the choice of materials and the thickness of the sock.
Have you ever wondered why we wear socks in the first place, and whether it might be healthier to go sockless? I suggest you read an interesting article on this topic.
Why do materials matter when you stand all day?
The materials used to make socks are very important, especially if you are on your feet all day and wear shoes all the time. Socks should be made of materials that are comfortable, breathable, absorb moisture and dry quickly or do not get wet quickly.
When the foot is in the shoe all day, a dark and damp environment is created, which are ideal conditions for the growth of fungi and other bacteria. It is therefore necessary to wear socks made of natural materials that absorb sweat well, do not trap bacteria and keep the feet dry all day long.
| Natural materials | Synthetic materials |
| Cotton | Polyester |
| Bamboo | Nylon |
| Merino wool | elastane |
For socks that you will stand or work in all day, I recommend merino wool socks. If you get hot in them in summer, bamboo socks are a great alternative.
Natural materials that satisfy these properties include cotton, merino wool, and bamboo. For a more detailed comparison of materials, please click on the links below.
- Comparison of cotton and polyester
- Comparison of wool and cotton
- How To Pick The Right Socks: Material, Color, and Length
Although most socks are made of cotton, it is not the best material for socks that you work in all day (but it is still better than synthetic materials). Cotton absorbs a lot of sweat, but it dries slowly, so cotton socks will quickly become wet as soon as you start to sweat. Because cotton dries slowly, you will be wearing wet socks almost all day.
Merino wool can absorb more sweat than cotton and still feel dry to the touch. Bamboo, on the other hand, absorbs a lot of sweat and also dries quickly. It also has fine fibres and looks and feels very similar to cotton.
Are thick or thin socks better for the condition of my feet all day?
When you’re on your feet all day, thick socks are more comfortable and absorb more sweat than thin socks. I recommend socks that have extra cushioning in the toes and heels. This is where the cushioning is most important as this is where the most friction is created when walking.
Nowadays, most of the walking we do at work is done on concrete. Concrete is a hard surface that tires our feet more quickly, so I recommend thick or at least padded socks for prolonged walking on concrete. Thick socks cushion the hard surface, give us more comfort and keep our feet from getting tired. You can find out which are the best socks for walking on concrete here.
What type of socks are best for your feet?
The best socks for your feet are those made from natural materials that absorb sweat and keep your feet dry for a long time. Toe socks are also good for the health of your feet, as they put each toe in its place and prevent rubbing between the toes.
Toe socks act as a glove for your feet. At first, you have to get used to the slightly more complicated putting on and the unusual feeling when walking because you are not used to wearing socks like this. However, you will quickly get used to them and feel their benefits.
- They prevent rubbing of the toes and blisters,
- they absorb more sweat and prevent a wet feeling on the feet, thanks to more fabric between the toes,
- more grip when walking and a more natural feeling.
Read the full post about toe socks here. Where I outlined the pros and cons of toe socks and sought an answer to whether they are worth the hype.
Is it better to wear long socks or short socks?
Whether to wear long or short socks depends on the height of your shoes and the length of your trousers. If you wear high shoes and long trousers that cover your ankles, then long socks are appropriate. If you wear regular or low shoes and shorts, then low socks are more appropriate.
If you wear high shoes, such as boots or hiking boots, then you need to wear high socks to protect your skin from rubbing against the shoe. Low socks should be worn with trainers and other low shoes when wearing shorts or long trousers that do not cover the ankles (capri pants). Both high and low socks are available in a variety of natural materials and are lined at the heel and toe.
Best socks for staying on your feet all day
These are some suggestions for my favourite and most comfortable socks that are suitable for standing on my feet all day.
Smartwool Men’s Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks
Materials: 56% Merino Wool/13% Nylon/28% Recycled Nylon/3% Elastane
Size: M, L, XL (I’m wearing L size, the size of my feet is 12 US/46 EU)
Package size: 1 pair
Reviews: 4.8 stars of 180+ reviews
These Made in USA walking socks will make walking on concrete as comfortable as possible. They are made of merino wool, which means that these socks are very soft, comfortable and absorb a lot of sweat. Merino wool stays dry to the touch even though it absorbs a lot of sweat.
If you spend a lot of time on your feet, I would advise you to invest in socks that are made from merino wool. The most popular and well-known brand that makes such socks is Smartwool. However, they are very high quality and long lasting.
This is one of many helpful reviews on Amazon: “I’ve been wearing various Smartwool socks for a decade.
Their socks last long, are comfort and clean nicely. Recently bought some new Light Cushion crews to refresh inventory for summer wear and absolutely love these.”
You can buy your own pair of socks on Amazon by clicking on this link.
If you like comfortable socks and love hiking in the mountains. Then I recommend you read which are the best hiking socks.
DANISH-Endance merino wool hiking socks
Materials: Merino wool
Size: XS, S, M, L (I’m wearing L size, the size of my feet is 12 US/46 EU)
Package size: 3 pack
Reviews: 4.5 stars of 29.000+ reviews
DANISH-Endurance makes great sports socks that rival the biggest brands in quality. Their advantage is that you can buy their socks at a very competitive price compared to their competitors.
The quality/price ratio is simply unbeatable, as confirmed by the more than 30,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
This is one of many helpful reviews on Amazon: “They feel great in my work boots. When I slip them on they conform securely around the shape of my feet. Quality is great. Cotton socks are for those who just don’t know any better. When looking for wool socks I wanted to make sure they weren’t too hot and thick. These are perfect; light, sturdy, and dry.”
You can secure your DANISH-Endurance socks by clicking on this link.