The 25 best women's socks for comfort in every activity in 2023

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Contrary to popular belief, socks aren’t just for popping into one’s Christmas stockings once a year. In fact, because they take up some precious real estate in your dresser drawer, you’re likely due for an upgrade.

Enter our guide to the best women’s socks of 2023. The New York Post Shopping team put in the research time to outline top picks for every activity and style preference — from hiking and no-show to running and fuzzy.

Much like men’s socks, you can add bundle-and-save packs to your online shopping cart for a one-time stock-up that should last you for at least a year (or, until you find another snazzy pair to add to your collection; in that case, revisit this guide).

We also outlined some top-of-the-line compression socks to help alleviate pain — ones that pair well with shoes for flat feet. Whether you’re showing off your socks (or not), we also recommend shopping our edit to the best white sneakers.

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Meet the socks we never want to take off (and are at the very top of our drawer): Cozy Earth’s The Plunge Lounge Socks. This three-pack is also one of Oprah’s Favorite Things — enough said, if we’re being honest — and have a texturally ribbed, ultra-lightweight and extra-warm design that’s worth raving about.

For less than $10, you can grab the top-rated Hanes Women’s Lightweight Breathable Ventilation Ankle Socks. This six-pack is one of the most acclaimed on Amazon — with more than 26,000 reviews to its name — and boast a cushion-free, lightweight knit.

Want some no-shows at a great price? The adidas Women’s Superlite No-Show Socks fit the bill, thanks to their well-fitting design with built-in arch support to remain one of the most versatile socks in your wardrobe. Plus, with a name like adidas, spending only $20 for a six-pack ain’t too shabby.

Another no-show, value-driven pack is Under Armour’s Women’s Essential 2.0 Lightweight No-Show Socks. This six-pack is applauded by nearly 5,000 reviews, much ado to the sock’s ultra-light design for that coveted ‘barely there’ feel. Say it with us: add to cart.

Meet Bombas, the well-respected, direct-to-consumer brand known for dishing out top-quality socks for every purpose. As far as no-show socks go, these are our most-worn, thanks to them offering all-day comfort and breathability. Its long-staple cotton material is also heavily indulgent.

Grab a pair of no-show socks from a respected brand in the athletic-wear space: lululemon. Its Women’s Power Stride No-Show Sock boasts an active grip, which is especially ideal for pairing with running shoes and even sporting around the house. Though more of a splurge more than most, they’re worth it.

No-show and compression? We’re all about multi-purpose socks (who knew such a thing existed?) — and SPANX is doing it right. The brand’s Active Arch Compression No-Show Sock, which also comes in black, is performance-ready and non-slip to ensure comfortability and support all day long.

Clove knows how to make a good compression sock, and this less-than-$30 pair is worth the spend. Available in a boatload of colors, they’re praised for helping to “make your feet fresh and happy” — per the brand — and feature soft, cushioned bottoms to keep that blood flowing in unmatched style.

If you’re seeking the health benefits of compression socks without the knee-high look, the PAPLUS Low-Cut Ankle Compression Sock is your best bet. They’re a No. 1 Amazon best-seller with a whopping 60,000 reviews, helping to provide targeted compression-based support with a sweat-wicking, breathable finish.

Score a great deal on the Compression Sale Second Skin Women’s Sheer Knee-High Support Stockings, a centralized online shop dedicated to offering some of the best compression socks in the biz. Impressively, these socks are available in extended size ranges, including XXXL.

Don’t the UGG Women’s Cozy Chenille Sock simply look like you’re walking on a cloud? That’s reason enough to add this $20 pair to your online shopping cart. Not to mention, they’re backed by nearly 4,500 riveting reviews (and available in plenty of colors) because of they’re perfectly giftable, cozier-than-ever charm.

Much like its blanket (that we reviewed and love), the Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks are how you take comfort to the next level. With more than 4,000 satisfied reviews on Amazon alone, this pair is one you’ll want in every fuzzy color.

Comfort on a budget has never looked better than with the Universal Thread Women’s Cozy Marled Crew Socks. This two-pack is selling quickly, so we recommend stashing ’em ASAP to get ahead of the chillier days ahead.

The EBMORE Wool Socks are a five-pock that are ideal for lounging around the house, thanks to their sit-by-the-fireplace feel and thick and cozy exterior. More than 8,000 shoppers echo their appeal, too, and its wool-cotton design is sure to have you loving their plush-soft comfort.

The Bombas Women’s Merino Wool Blend Calf Sock is a four-pack that’s one of the most riveting to the touch, thanks to each sock’s natural fiber construction and moisture-wicking material. With the brand’s Honeycomb Arch Support System, they’re a firm yet comfortable pair to have on deck.

The L.L.Bean 10″ Adults’ Merino Wool Ragg Socks, though marketed as a men’s sock, are some we love wearing — especially in the colder months. Even better, their cozy-soft charm doesn’t get lost after a few trips to the washer and dryer (finally!)

One of the best hiking socks to pick up are from Merrell, its three-pack of Unisex Everyday Hiking Socks garnering nearly 5,000 positive reviews. Its cushiony arch support and moisture-wicking material are sure to pair nicely with your hiking shoes, too.

For a crew sock that’s thin enough to fit into most shoes, the Alpine Design Performance Hiker Crew Socks are a four-pack to pick up for just $15. Above all else, they’re known for their snug fit that’s like no other.

Best to be worn with hiking boots, the L.L.Bean Women’s Katahdin Hiker Mountain Classic Socks are thicker than most but still breathable — deserving a top spot in this guide. For less than $20, they double as a supreme loungewear pair.

Nike is one of the best brands in the running industry, and its women’s socks are no exception. Fairly priced at less than $25, its Everyday Plus Lightweight Training No-Show Socks are a six-pack to score, each pair offering support and breathability in their sweat-wicking material.

Yes, Bombas does it again with the Women’s Running Ankle Sock — another six-pack worth your dresser’s real estate.They are, in fact, the most expensive on this list, but feature proprietary Hex Tec construction — plus, an all-around cotton material — to keep you cool, calm and collected while on your run.

The reason we love the Balega Hidden Comfort Performance No-Show Athletic Socks is for its visible breahtability. See all of the openings on the front and sides of this particular sock? That’s what we want to see, and more than 20,000 reviewers bow down to this trusty pair.

It’s not too early — the Disney Women’s Mickey Mouse No-Show Christmas Socks is a five-pack bundle that brings us back to childhood. With one for every day for the weekday, there isn’t a better option to sport during winter break (and every other day of the year, just sayin’).

Classic within every pattern in this six-pack, the I&S Christmas Crew Socks are ones you shouldn’t hide away in a Christmas stocking — they should be worn. Like, all the time.

More than 3,000 reviews nod to their characteristically cute charm, and we’re about to celebrate a few months early.

Where else can you find a 12-pack of adorable Christmas socks for less than $50? None other like Macy’s, the department store that has a suite of premier grabs in stock on its site. From penguins to reindeer, you’ll want this buy-in-bulk collection that takes ‘holly jolly’ to the next level.

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.