Clothing > Basics
Best Tough Work Socks for Men: 7 Brands to Know
You know the tools you trust for daily chores, for extreme situations and for the stuff that simply has to get done – why shouldn’t the same approach apply to your rugged work gear?
That includes the right canvas work pants, sturdy shirting and weather-ready outerwear, but it goes deeper than that – right down to your work boots and a pair of the best work socks.
One can’t quite work without the other, it seems – choose the wrong pair of work socks, and your feet might suffer from the moment you hit the field or the job site.
- Heritage that counts: Many of the top brands making the best work socks have a long pedigree of sturdy outdoor gear, from footwear to outerwear. This same knowledge makes for excellent socks.
- Technology that works for you: Some of the finest work sock brands out there use innovative materials that lend themselves to compression, warmth, stability or ideally, some combination of all three. Look carefully for the specs that fit your lifestyle.
- A match made in heaven: When shopping for the right pair of work socks, you’ll likely notice that plenty of bootmakers also make reliable socks made to go anywhere – this is a pairing you should use to great effect.
Plenty of rough-and-tumble brands are going the extra mile to make dependable pairs of the best work socks for men. You’ll likely recognize them – and you’ll grow to prize the socks they make for their comfort, for their reliability and their ready-for-anything construction.
In my experience, brands that go the extra mile – like a brand that’s fiercely committed to USA-made production of its sturdy, comfortable yet hard-working socks – are to be cherished and worn frequently. That’s certainly the case with Darn Tough, which delivers USA-made socks with extra cushion, comfort and durability in spades.
Try these:
Jack Reacher, James Patterson, Brandon Sanderson
Darn Tough Vermont
It’s not easy to make most menswear in the U.S. these days, and that certainly goes for socks, which go through a surprising number of steps and quality checks before they’re ready to slide into your favorite boots.
Darn Tough makes a range that are suitable for everything from hunting to job sites, with snug fits and cool, surprisingly stylish colors.
Ariat
When a brand excels at making Western boots that are truly at home on the range – the kind worn by ranchers and cowboys and rodeo riders – it’s a safe bet that the rest of its gear can pass muster.
In my experience, Ariat work socks offer a high level of performance, moisture-wicking capabilities and a tried-and-true fit that simply works with all manner of Western footwear (and more).
Thorlo Work Socks
From the shop floor to trade shows to long days at the factory or on a job site, Thorlo socks are primed to deliver best-in-class comfort, cushioning and fatigue management.
Helpfully, its socks are geared towards shifts as long as 12 hours, with varying sock lengths and pairs even made to team with steel toe boots.
Carhartt
Trust is an important part of the equation when shopping for the best work socks, and Carhartt prizes long-lasting designs and plenty of comfort in its sock rotation.
There are styles in midweight designs as well as heavyweight options for cold weather, each as tough as the rest of Carhartt’s gear offerings.
Fox Sox Work Socks
The best work socks aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all sort of approach – certain work socks are better suited to the demands of certain jobs and certain weather conditions, for instance.
Some types of socks even work better with steel toe boots than others, and Fox Sox knows this all too well.
That’s why its range of socks covers all the bases, from rugged thermal designs to wear-with-most-anything pairs of cotton crew socks in crisp colors like black and grey.
Wolverine
If you’re in the market for a new pair of boots, perhaps you’ve shopped the Michigan-ready pairs dreamed up by Wolverine – the inclement weather found in the Mitten State often lends itself to handsome yet tough boots.
The same can be said for its work socks, which run the gamut from lightweight moisture-wicking options to thermal options for cold mornings in the field.
Camel City Mill
Camel City makes it easier than ever to get strong work socks for every situation your to-do list or your daily grind throws at you – the brand sells its socks in helpful bundles, that way your feet are covered every day of the week (and then some).
Its technology incorporates special thread merino wool and lots of tech-savvy properties for comfortable feet.
WERD has been reader-supported since 2009. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept compensation for reviews.
