Men's Socks

There are several major sock types to be aware of, and these types often come in assorted lengths. So, let's dive in head-first and equip you with the knowledge to find that elusive 'perfect sock'.

No-show socks
You guessed it: They're extremely short socks.
No-show socks are designed to be hidden from view at all times. They provide the comfort and protection of your regular sock, but don't distract from the style of your shoe. These are also good for warmer weather as they offer minimal coverage while warding off bad odours.

You won't typically find these secretive fellows in a variety of colours because they're designed to be invisible, so if you like to be an exhibitionist with your socks, these probably aren't for you. Nonetheless, they have become a staple of the modern gentleman's wardrobe.

Ankle socks
Unsurprisingly nestling themselves around your ankles are ankle socks. These can be seen above the lip of your shoe, but don't travel beyond your ankle, so they're also an excellent choice for when it heats up outside. They also don't distract too much attention from your shoes, but can be found in colourful varieties if you do want to add that bit of contrast and spice to your look.

They're great to pair with shorts or trousers (depending on the look you're going for), or for a gym session and you don't want your legs to overheat. They come in a variety of thicknesses and strengths to suit your needs and, when all is said and done, ankle socks are highly versatile and should probably make their way into your drawers.

Crew and trouser socks
Now we're into longer sock territory with crew and trouser socks. There's not a lot in it in terms of length, but trouser socks tend to be slightly longer than crew socks. Both will sit around your mid-calf and essentially conform to everyone's idea of a 'sock' when we picture a nice pair of socks in our minds.

You can roll them down to pair them with shorts or pull them up if your legs get chilly. They can be plain and pair excellently with smart trousers in a business setting or they can be colourful and stunningly eye-catching if you want to show off or show a bit of individuality.

They're great for day-to-day wear and the undisputed starting point for any sock collection. If you don't have at least six pairs of crew or trouser socks, you're playing the sock game wrong and need to change your ways.

Athletic socks
Don't you just love how most types of socks are self-explanatory? But that won't stop us from diving into more detail and explaining them anyway - we can't shut up about socks today!
If you're thinking about taking part in some daring sporting endeavour or engaging with a spot of other strenuous physical activity, then you're absolutely in the right place with athletic socks.

They come in a wide variety of lengths and styles to suit your needs, but tend to be made of a thicker material than your average sock.
Not only does this help to absorb any sweat from your hard-working feet, but it also provides that touch of extra cushioning for harder impacts. And, of course, they tend to be slightly harder-wearing as well to put up with the stresses and strains of the sporting lifestyle.

You can pair some ankle length athletic socks with shorts on a long run, cycle, or session in the gym. They come in a crew or trouser cut for pairing with… just about whatever you'd like to wear, really.

They're also great for you outdoorsmen who enjoy a good hike or woodland ramble. That extra cushioning comes in very handy after many hours spent up hill and down dale. The thickness is also good for warding off nettles and other nasties when you're out in the wilds.