The 7 Best Tennis Socks (2023 Buyer’s Guide)

Tennis socks are often overlooked and thought to play no role in your tennis game.

However, without the right tennis socks, this can result in a number of foot problems that none of us want. That is why you need to find good quality tennis socks in order to avoid blisters, stay comfortable, and focus on your performance.

But how can you know which are the best tennis socks for you?

Fortunately, I’ve created this article that reviews the 7 best tennis socks on the market to save you the hassle of finding them yourself. Each review covers everything you need to know such as comfort, arch support, protection, and much more.

Quick Summary

Reviews of the 7 Best Tennis Socks in 2023

1. Thorlo Max Cushion Socks

Price: $$ (1 Pair) | Types: Roll Top/Quarter/Crew

When it comes to tennis socks, the Thorlo Max Cushion Socks are the best.

They are designed to deliver maximum comfort and protection making them ideal for any player who struggles with blisters and foot pain.

These socks feature THOR-LON fibers for unrivaled softness, extra durability, and moisture-wicking to keep your feet dry during tennis matches.

When testing out this pair of socks, I found that the extra cushioning in the heel arch added a lot more support in my feet. Extended padding has also been added over the toes which provided additional protection while moving around on the tennis court.

While they are on the expensive side, if you’re looking for excellent quality socks then I couldn’t recommend the Thorlo Max Cushion Socks enough.

2. Feetures High Performance Cushion Socks

Price: $$ (1 Pair) | Types: No Show/Quarter/Crew

The Feetures High Performance Cushion Socks are made of premium polyester, making them extremely comfortable.

High-density cushioning has been added to high-impact areas, providing additional comfort and protection all over your foot. Furthermore, there is no irritating toe seam, which adds to the extreme comfort.

Feetures has thought about ventilation, with the top of the sock made of mesh to help with breathability. They’ve also used iWick fibers in the socks to help with moisture-wicking and keeping your feet dry. This is an important feature for me as I tend to play in hot and humid environments.

3. Adidas Alphaskin Max Cushion Socks

Price: $$ (1 Pair) | Types: Crew

The Adidas Alphaskin Max Cushion Socks, originally designed for basketball and soccer, are supportive and comfortable socks that can also be used by tennis players.

They have Alphaskin technology, which is a compression fit that adapts to the shape of your foot for a locked-in feel. They also have additional cushioning in the heel and toe areas to aid in comfort during high-impact activities.

Adidas has included Climacool technology as well as moisture-wicking yarn in these socks to keep your feet cool and dry.

I also like how there is a left and right foot design to ensure the best fit possible.

4. Balega Hidden Comfort No Show Socks

Price: $$ (1 Pair)| Types: No Show

The Balega Hidden Comfort No Show Socks are designed for running but also make excellent tennis socks due to their blister-prevention properties.

Hand-linked, reinforced toe and heel tabs keep the sock from slipping into your shoe, which is the most common cause of foot blisters. To further help prevent slipping, these socks have been constructed with high-quality elastane.

Balega has included Drynamix moisture-wicking fibers to keep your feet cool and dry at all times.

The downside is that they are only available in a no show design, but if you like no show socks, the Balega Hidden Comfort Socks might be the ones for you.

5. Lasso Athletic Compression Socks

Price: $$$ (1 Pair) | Types: Crew

If you want to try some compression socks for tennis, I recommend the Lasso Athletic Compression Socks.

Compression socks are primarily used by players who want to add extra support to their feet in order to protect and prevent injury while also reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. I must say, it was a weird sensation testing out compression socks, however, I did find them very comfortable.

The Lasso Athletic Socks combine compression weave patterns with sustainable yarns to provide the most comfortable and supportive experience possible. They’ve also been made with moisture-wicking fibers to help keep your feet dry.

If you’re someone who struggles with foot pain and is looking for more supportive socks then these are definitely worth giving a go.

6. Adidas Men’s Cushioned Socks

Price: $ (3 Pairs) | Types: No Show/Quarter/Crew

The Adidas Men’s Cushioned Socks are a low-cost option that not only look good but also provides excellent support and comfort.

These socks have arch compression for support as well as heel and toe reinforcement for protection. Adidas included their Climalite technology with these socks to keep your feet dry and prevent them from overheating.

Cushioning has also been added throughout to make sure you have the most comfortable experience possible. The only downside is that they aren’t very durable. However, at such a great price, you can buy many pairs.

7. Nike Dri-Fit Cushion Socks

Price: $ (3 Pairs) | Types: No Show/Quarter/Crew

The Nike Dri-Fit Cushion Socks are one of the most popular tennis socks produced by Nike.

They included Dri-Fit fabric to help with moisture wicking, keeping your feet cool and dry no matter the conditions. I also found these to be very supportive in the arch whilst not compressing my foot too much.

Plus, they look cool when paired with my Nike tennis shoes.

If you’re looking for affordable tennis socks made by a top-quality brand, then the Nike Dri-Fit Cushion socks are a great choice.

Importance of Wearing Tennis Socks

Tennis socks are specially designed to provide extra cushioning and support to your feet during the high-impact movements of tennis. They frequently have extra padding in the heel and toe areas to help absorb shock and reduce the risk of injury.

Tennis socks are typically made of moisture-wicking materials to keep your feet dry and cool while playing, which is especially important if you play in hot, humid environments. This is done to help prevent blisters and other foot problems caused by sweaty feet.

Tennis socks are also made to fit snugly without bunching or slipping. This is to further help prevent blisters and keep you comfortable so you can concentrate on your tennis.

Types of Tennis Socks

No Show Socks

As the name suggests, no show socks appear invisible when you are wearing shoes. The advantage of this sock type is that they will keep your feet dry as there is no extra fabric around the ankle. The disadvantage of no-show socks is that they can slip down during play, causing rubbing or irritation that can lead to blisters.

Roll Top (Low) Socks

Roll top socks have no tight band around the ankle or calf section ensuring a comfortable fit and making them ideal for sensitive legs. The roll can also help at absorbing extra sweat.

Quarter (Ankle) Socks

Quarter socks end right above the ankle and just below the mid-calf. They are a great alternative to no show socks as they won’t slide down meaning they won’t cause any irritation. They can also be a great alternative to crew length socks during extremely hot and humid conditions as they won’t retain as much sweat.

Crew (Long) Socks

Crew socks, also known as long socks, are the most common in tennis. They provide a snug fit and tend to have some compression which is useful for tennis players as this helps reduce muscle fatigue and relieve stress on the foot.

And they look the best.

How to Choose the Best Tennis Socks for You

There are a few factors that are worth considering when looking for the best tennis socks for you:

Padding

The amount of padding a pair of tennis socks has is an important factor to consider when looking for the best tennis socks for you.

Padding is the extra cushioning found in specific areas of the sock, most notably the heel and ball of the foot. The function of padding is to absorb shock and reduce impact from repetitive fast movements and high-intensity activities like tennis.

Padding also helps to protect your feet from a variety of foot injuries, such as blisters. This is done by reducing friction and pressure points on your foot.

Tennis socks with extra padding may be better suited if you are prone to foot injuries and blisters. If you’re a more advanced player who puts more strain on their feet, you may also want to consider tennis socks with added padding.

Material

Tennis socks are designed to provide support, cushioning, and breathability to the feet and different materials can offer various benefits. Here are some common materials used in tennis socks:

• Cotton – soft and comfortable but tends to retain moisture and can become uncomfortable when wet.

• Polyester – a popular choice for tennis socks due to its moisture-wicking properties.

• Nylon – a lightweight and durable synthetic material that provides excellent stretch making it ideal for a snug fit.

• Spandex – often blended with other materials in tennis socks to provide stretch and compression.

• Merino Wool – a soft and breathable natural material that provides excellent insulation. Often used in tennis socks to keep feet warm in cold weather and wick moisture away from the skin.

It is essential you choose a tennis sock that is made from a high-quality material that suits your specific needs and preferences.

Support

Support is an important aspect of tennis socks, as it helps to stabilize the foot and ankle during intense physical activity, such as playing tennis.

Tennis socks are designed with various features to provide support to the feet and ankles, including:

• Arch Support – this helps to reduce the strain on the arch of the foot, providing extra stability and cushioning.

• Compression – compression technology is used in many tennis socks to provide a snug and comfortable fit that supports the shape of the foot and reduces muscle fatigue.

• Ankle Support – some tennis socks have additional padding or compression around the ankle area to provide extra support.

• Reinforced Heel and Toe – these areas are often subjected to extra wear and tear which means they require additional padding to help prevent blisters and provide extra support.

Fit

Finding the right size tennis socks is a very important factor to consider.

Socks that are too tight or too loose can cause blisters and other foot injuries. This creates an unpleasant experience and can cause you to become distracted, preventing you from focusing on your performance.

Make sure that when you purchase your next pair of tennis socks, you are buying the correct size.

What Tennis Socks do the Pros Wear?

Tennis socks worn by professional tennis players will vary depending on the brand they are endorsed by. This is because they have a contract to wear that specific brand’s clothing, which can influence what tennis bags, tennis shoes, overgrips, and so on they use.

Here are some of the tennis socks brands that the top tennis players on the ATP and WTA Tour wear:

ATP Tour

WTA Tour

Final Words

Tennis socks are frequently regarded as a piece of equipment that isn’t important. However, without good quality tennis socks, this can lead to a variety of foot problems, including blisters, athlete’s foot, and more.

I hope this guide has helped you understand the importance of tennis socks and has provided you with some options to consider.

Image Source: Valentin Balan