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It's time to put one of your best assets on display. No, we're not talking about your calves or your thighs or even the work you've been doing on firming up your behind. Come on, let's see those ankles, baby. The sockless look is taking over, and the easiest way to perfect it is with no-show socks.
Best Affordable No-Show Socks
Fruit of the Loom Everyday Lightweight Comfortable Sport Socks
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Yeah, I'm talking about those low-cut socks that look absolutely ridiculous on their own but disappear entirely under a pair of lace-ups or sneakers. Some folks call 'em loafer socks because the lowest-profile versions of them are cut so that they're invisible. Others (we'll call them "no-show running socks") can't pull that particular parlor trick, hitting a little higher on the foot to protect from abrasion while leaving your ankles blissfully free to feel the breeze as you put in your miles.
Best of all, today's versions are even better. They've got high-end technical fabrics and grippy bits on the interior so they won't slip down your heels. They've got the kind of smart construction that keeps them snug at the mid-foot to support your foot while protecting your shoes from sweat. Go ahead and stock up. The world deserves to see those ankles, and your feet deserve a little kindness. Best of both worlds.
Two of each in all the classic colors: white, black, and good ol' heather gray. If you're looking to stock up on staple no-shows at an absolutely unbeatable price, this is the way to do it. Not only is this style moisture wicking, but it also has Y-shaped heels and silicone grips to prevent slipping.
One reviewer writes: "These are the best actual no show socks that actually stay on your heels. I’ve tried quite a few different brand and styles, and so far these are the BEST for seriously hot weather."
| Colors | 8 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 5-15 |
| Materials | 80% Cotton, 17% Polyester, 3% Spandex |
| Features | No-slip heel grips, anti-hole protection |
Fruit of the Loom Everyday Lightweight Comfortable Sport Socks
Fruit of the Loom makes a superlight liner sock at a price that just cannot be beat. You know (and love) the brand for its ridiculously comfortable underwear, and its socks are up to par, too. This style uses breathable mesh for ultimate ventilation and has a gripper on the back of the heel so your sock won't slip down.
One reviewer writes: "Nice quality Fruit of the Loom, comfortable with sneakers. Absorbent for those with sweaty feet! Washable & you can safely use bleach for these!"
| Colors | Assorted, White |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 6-12 |
| Materials | 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex |
| Features | Gripper on back of heel |
Cut a little higher but still low-profile enough to count as a no-show, Saucony's performance-sock design is perfect for running a few miles—or just to the coffee shop down the block. The brand nails these no-shows with every detail, like the targeted arch compression, cushioned soles, mesh ventilation, and moisture-wicking fabric.
One reviewer writes: "I wanted some no-show socks and this was a brand name at an affordable price so I ordered them. I was very surprised how comfortable they are. I mostly use them for long distance bike riding, but they are thick enough with enough cushion that they work for use as regular socks as well. Very happy with the fit and cushion. After several months of about 10 uses and 10 washes each they are holding up just like brand new."
| Colors | 28 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | M-2XL |
| Materials | 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex |
| Features | Arch support, cushioned sole, targeted compression, moisture wicking |
Stance makes some of the most comfortable socks on the market. The brand's no-shows are no exception, with a discreet design that gives you all the plushness you could want. This style has arch support and targeted cushioning that'll leave your feet happy as can be.
One reviewer writes: "Super comfy, they stay on my feet. Highly recommend."
| Colors | 16 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S-L |
| Materials | 55% Combed Cotton, 41% Nylon, 4% Elastane |
| Features | Arch support, targeted cushioning, seamless toe |
Seamless toe construction isn't the only thing that'll keep your feet happy in Lululemon's no-shows. The brand also built these with an interior grippy bit, so they won't slide down under your heels in the mid-walk.
One reviewer writes: "These socks stay in place better than any other no-shows I've tried."
| Colors | 3 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | M-XL |
| Materials | 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane |
| Features | No-slip heel grips, arch support |
For all your athletic endeavors, a bit of arch support will come in handy. Adidas's no-show socks are designed with targeted arch compression, along with moisture-wicking yarns to keep your feet dry and a whole lot of cushioning for all-day comfort.
One reviewer writes: "Excellent socks, just the right thickness and support. Great price and very comfortable! I highly recommend!"
| Colors | 6 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | L-XL |
| Materials | 97% Polyester, 3% Spandex |
| Features | Arch compression, moisture wicking |
Sometimes you need a thin, discreet pair of no-shows to wear with dress shoes, boat shoes, or loafers. For those occasions, Eedor's minimalist socks get the job done. They feature an anti-slip silicone strip at the heel, a breathable, moisture-wicking design, and a fabric that's so soft it easily slips into your shoe.
One reviewer writes: "So thin and very soft. Great value for the money."
| Colors | 6 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 5-13 |
| Materials | 80% Cotton, 20% Spandex |
| Features | Non-slip heel |
Speaking of "all-day" socks: Mack Weldon makes them in a two-pack with a no-slip heel grip.
| Materials | Cotton, Spandex, Nylon, Elastic |
|---|---|
| Features | No-slip heel grips, cushioned footbed, seamless toe |
Need a pair of no-show socks to wear with one of the Internet's favorite runners? This is it, folks. Allbirds has a go-to pair of socks that are lightweight and soft and have reinforced wear points so they can last you a long, long time.
One reviewer writes: "These are great, non-slip socks. Once on, they do not move or shift around."
| Colors | 6 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S-XL |
| Materials | 40% Recycled Nylon, 31% Lyocell, 21% Organic Cotton, 5% Nylon, 3% Spandex |
| Features | Reinforced wear points |
Are you the guy who's always losing his socks? This 12-pack of no-show socks will ensure you always have another pair in your drawer. Calvin Klein's soft, ventilated style is about all-day comfort, every single day.
One reviewer writes: "I love these!!! Very soft and thicker than the other types I have tried. These are all I will wear now."
| Colors | 9 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 7-12 |
| Materials | 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex Exclusive of Elastic |
| Features | Cushioned design, ventilating fibers |
If you need your feet to breathe, linen is the best no-show sock option for you. And Marcoliani makes some of the sleekest around. These are a healthy dose of luxury for your feet, with a reinforced heel and toe for durability and a level of breathability that only linen can provide.
| Colors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | One Size |
| Materials | 44% Linen, 30% Nylon, 23% Cotton, 3% Elastain |
| Features | Reinforced heel |
Are you prone to building up a funk with your footwear? Spare yourself the aggravation and get your toes into these odor-resistant socks from J.Crew. They're simple, soft, stretchy, and breathable, and with an ultrathin grip at the heel, they won't slip 'n' slide, either.
One reviewer writes: "Comfy and snug. They don't slip or slide off my feet."
| Colors | 3 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S-XL |
| Materials | Cotton, Poly, Polyamide, Elastane |
| Features | No-slip heel grips, odor-resistant |
If you're the kind of man who lives in low-top sneakers, you're going to need this eight-pack from Bombas, one of the leaders in the sock game. These are comfortable AF, with a super lightweight construction that feels even better than being barefoot does. They feature a seamless toe, a contoured construction, and heel grips so they won't slip down your foot.
One reviewer writes: "These no-show socks are very comfortable and stay put."
| Colors | 6 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | M-XL |
| Materials | 59% Cotton, 35% Polyester, 5% Elastane, 1% Other Fibers |
| Features | No-slip heel grips, seamless toe |
What to Look for in No-Show Socks
Design features: The most important thing in a pair of no-show socks—preventing slippage. Nothing is worse than your sock bunching under the arch of your foot halfway through the day, and due to their low-cut design, no-shows tend to be perpetrators of this crime the most. Many no-shows are made with grippy heels, so pay attention to this feature when selecting a pair of socks. If you're particularly sensitive, you might also enjoy a seamless design for extra comfort, or even targeted cushioning, arch support, and compression.
Fabric: You know your feet better than anyone else, and you know what works best for 'em. Maybe you need a super breezy sock, in which case linen would do you well. Maybe you want a thick, soft fabric, 'cause all your shoes are a half size too big. Or maybe you want a fabric that's particularly ventilating and moisture wicking, if you're prone to sweating more.
How We Chose
Personally, I love no-show socks. Sure, I can reach for a crew sock when the occasion calls for it, but on the day-to-day, I'm going no-show.
The rest of our staff at Esquire, even if they don't share my particular love for no-show socks, have a healthy rotation of styles they wholeheartedly support. So to put together this list of our picks, I chose socks I've personally tried, tested, and loved, as well as no-show socks that my fellow Esquire editors have tried, tested, and loved. After that, I went one step further and scoured the ratings and reviews for every pair here. Trust me when I say you won't find no-shows that have gone through this many checks anywhere else.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire's roundups has been carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to no-show socks, you can rest assured we're hand-selecting styles that we've personally tried, tested, and loved, along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We've had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these no-show socks are the ones that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don't, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, because no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you're looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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