Running Socks for Christmas

Why Running Socks for Christmas

Many people are difficult to buy for, but runners love getting running socks for Christmas! Either as a stocking stuffer or several pair under the tree, running socks for Christmas are a welcome gift that will be used for years.

This blog post will give you a few ideas for running socks to buy for the runner in your life. I’ve worn each brand that I will be recommending, but sock designs change often. So I haven’t worn each sock in this post.

The links in this post are to the brand stores on Amazon. If you are kind enough to buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

The socks that runners wear don’t come in a 6-pack for $10 at your favorite department store. Prices for most of these socks begin around $15 a pair. It’s not unusual to pay up to $20 for running socks.

$15 Running Socks for Christmas?

While $15 or more for a pair of running socks for Christmas may seem expensive, you should keep two things in mind.

First of all, what other $15 gift can you give and know you are giving the highest quality gift? Some of these socks in my collection are 20 years old! Many are 10+ years old and they still wear like new.

These brands have great warrantees and exchange or return policies. They make high quality products that will last for years and they want you to be happy with them.

What other $15 will get used for years? This gift will not end up in the back of a closet or the bottom of a draw, never to be seen again.

These highly durable running socks will be in high rotation for many years to come. This gift will get used.

When you give running socks for Christmas, you give comfort that will last for years.

Balega Running Socks

Balega has been making great socks since 2003 in South Africa. They combine Balega’s Drynamix moisture management fiber with Nylon and Elastane to create a durable sock that will keep your feet dry and comfortable.

These socks feature a contoured left and right knit construction to ensure that each sock fits the foot properly. Each pair is hand inspected and comes with a one-year warranty.

By incorporating recycled Polyester in their yarn and reducing packaging, Balega has been able to reduce the carbon footprint of the socks they make for you.

My first pair of Balegas are 16-years old, and I still wear them. My collection now has four pair of Balega socks. They feel great and they wear well.

Your runner is sure to enjoy the comfort and durability of these socks. It just feels good to slip on a well fitting sock.

I recommend the Silver Compression Fit No-Show sock. I have several pair of the older version of these no-show socks. They stay on my heel and the compression feels great on my feet. This version incorporates silver ions to help control odor causing microbes.

These socks are available at Amazon for Cyber Monday for $15, which is 25% off of the list price of $20.

OS1st Running Socks

All OS1st products focus on comfort and support. Through a focus on compression, they make socks that offer support where your feet need it most. And that makes them very comfortable.

I have two pair of the Wicked Comfort Performance Socks in my rotation. They are soft and very comfortable to wear. These socks come with a left and right sock. This extra attention to detail adds to the fit of these socks.

Based in Hickory, NC their socks are Made in the USA and the business is family owned and operated.

These OS1st Wicked Comfort No Show socks are available at Amazon for $15.99.

The comfort of these socks is due in part to the 74% Comformance Poly, 24% Nylon, 2% Spandex fabric, light arch compression and 200-needle construction. All of this combines to make a truly wearable sock your runner will love.

Wrightsock Running Socks

Wrightsock Coolmesh were the first running socks I wore. Wrightsock is also a family run business that has been making socks since 1990 in North Carolina.

I’ve been wearing Wrightsocks since 2003 and have run many marathons and countless 5K, 10K and half marathons in them. When I get blisters its usually due to a new pair of shoes.

Their socks feature a double layer of fabric no other brand that I know of offers. Instead of being bulky, thick or hot, the two thin layers protect your feet from blisters.

With the stretch fabric tight against your skin the outer layer rubs against that fabric and leave you feet blister free.

The CoolMesh II is the latest version of the CoolMesh socks I wore for my first Boston Marathon in 2003. After 21 years, they are no longer in marathon shape, but do still wear them sometimes.

These CoolMesh II socks are available at Amazon for $16, list price is $18.00. I have four pair of this style sock in my collection and three pair are still in marathon condition.

Darn Tough Vermont

I’ve been wearing Darn Tough Vermont socks for more than ten years. These socks are actually made in Vermont and come with a life-time warranty.

Now, nobody offers a lifetime warranty anymore. Their website says “If your socks are inadvertently damaged. As long as we can tell that they were once a pair of Darn Tough socks, our warranty will apply.” “All claims made in good faith will be considered”.

They also have a 90-day return or exchange that includes free shipping. You just can’t go wrong with a pair of Darn Tough Vermont socks. They can even help you if you are on a thru hike on The Appalachian Trail! Check out their web site.

I have a pair of the Darn Tough Men’s Run No Show Tab Ultra-Lightweight with Cushion – Merino Wool Socks for Running socks. These socks are 48% Nylon 48% Merino Wool 4% Lycra Spandex and feature a flat seem you can barely see.

These Men’s Run No Show Tab Ultra-Lightweight with Cushion are available on Amazon for $17.95 in a variety of colors.

As a Vermont based company, Darn Tough has a commitment to the environment and responsible manufacturing. Key to this commitment is making a product that will last for years. Keeping worn out clothing out of landfill is one of the best ways to reduce the use of raw materials to make new socks.

In addition to making socks that last for years, they are moving to using recycled materials and merino wool that meet high standards of animal welfare, sustainable farming and land management.

This is a process that is not complete, and so they are careful not to make any claims they cannot backup 100%. But they are moving in the right direction.

How to buy Running Socks

Socks are made of stretchy materials so they are tight but comfortable to the feet. This stretch also makes it easier to size and buy socks.

If you are not sure what size to buy, check the size of the running shoes your runner wears. Then go the the manufacturers site.

Each heading in this post has a link to the manufacturer’s Amazon page. There you will find sizing charts that you can use to buy the right sock for your runner. Most sock sizes span three shoe sizes or more. So if you start with shoe size, you can’t go wrong.

And if somehow you do get the wrong size or a color they just don’t want to wear, most of these brands have a generous exchange policy. But, this is highly unlikely to happen.

Happy Holidays and Run Well my Friends! Andy