8 Common Types of Socks: Sock Lengths Explained

Socks are probably the most underrated piece of athletic wear and everyday clothing. However, they can really make or break a workout, travel experience, or simply your daily comfort.

When you think of socks, you may imagine a jumbo pack of white socks with gray toes and heels from your local big box stores. Socks are so much more than that. They're available in a variety of styles, lengths, and materials to maximize your comfort, appearance, and more.

This guide will introduce you to eight types of socks and their ideal uses. Our goal is to help you elevate your life and overall comfort by choosing the right socks from your drawer every time.

Men's and women's socks come in a variety of lengths, but no show socks are some of the most popular. This is one of the lowest sock cuts, as their purpose is to remain unseen in your shoes.

Athletes and people who wear shorts often tend to appreciate no show socks because they're designed to disappear beneath your shoe line. They're also great for wearing with loafers.

An essential part of buying men's no show socks is to purchase ones that have a silicone tab at the heel to keep the socks from slipping. Our Feetures Heel Hugger technology is designed to keep your no show socks where you want them, whether playing a round of golf, attending a gala, or running a marathon.

Women's no show socks have many of the same qualities as men's no show socks. They're designed to slide smoothly and comfortably into a pair of sneakers or other low-rise shoes.

Feetures no show socks, also known as invisible socks, have an anatomical design specifically for your left and right feet. This creates a custom-like fit that prevents slipping while reducing blisters and enhancing comfort.

Ankle socks are exactly how the name sounds. They're socks that rise to or just below the ankle. If you want your socks to show slightly above your shoe, you'll appreciate this height. It also makes fun, colorful socks more visible for those who want to add a little style to their outfits.

An advantage of Feetures ankle socks is that they never slip, feature moisture-wicking materials, and offer a snug, supportive fit. We offer a variety of men's ankle socks and women's ankle socks to suit varying needs, such as merino wool ankle socks, plantar fasciitis relief ankle socks, max cushioning ankle socks, and more.

Ankle socks are what started it all here at Feetures, and we're proud to continue our tradition of making the best ones out there.

Quarter-height socks are designed to cover just the lower part of the leg. They're shorter than crew socks yet taller than ankle socks and provide additional protection for the ankle.

Men's quarter socks and women's quarter socks are ideal for hiking, biking, and other activities where you need a little extra ankle protection. They’re also great for showing off unique sock designs when wearing shorts.

Mini crew socks are the middle ground between quarter-length and crew socks. Feetures men's mini crew socks and women's mini crew socks are a perfect combo of style and comfort.

We offer our mini crew socks in a variety of styles and colors, so you can show them off with your sneakers or enjoy added lower leg protection while hiking.

Mini crew socks are ideal for men and women who like a bit more sock coverage. These socks rise just above the ankle, providing an extra layer of warmth and support while ensuring a no-slip fit, no matter the terrain or intensity of your activity.

Crew socks are one of the most classic sock types on the market. Many people know them as dress socks, but they can undoubtedly be casual, too.

At Feetures, we offer many styles of men's crew socks and women's crew socks, including those with max cushioning, therapeutic crew socks, merino wool crew socks, and more. The taller height of crew socks also makes them perfect for applying targeted compression, so many of our crew socks double as plantar fasciitis relief or compression socks.

Knee-high socks can serve many purposes, from providing compression to offering warmth and simply looking stylish. Our knee-high socks are designed to promote healthy blood flow and optimal performance while easing soreness after workouts. The goal is to help you achieve quicker recovery times so you can perform your best.

Feetures women's knee-high socks and men's knee-high socks are available in a variety of colors, so you can show your personality while optimizing your health, performance, and recovery times.

Graduated compression socks can save your feet and improve your performance with unrivaled support. Our men's compression socks and women's compression socks promote a quicker recovery and superior daily comfort, so you can continue doing the activities you love. They make a huge difference for anyone with special foot care requirements.

Plantar fasciitis sock styles feature targeted compression in the areas of the foot where you need it most. The purpose of women's plantar fasciitis socks and men's plantar fasciitis socks is to ease the pain in your arches or heels by stretching the plantar fascia and supporting your Achilles tendon. They provide instant, convenient relief so you can keep running, exploring, traveling, and performing everyday activities.

There's no doubt we have sock styles to suit your wants and needs. Whichever pair you choose, you're guaranteed to enjoy our unmatched comfort, support, breathability, and technical sock features designed to make your life better. Shop all our sock cuts and styles online today.