wildexpanse.com

Best socks for cowboy boots in 2023: an expert guide

By

What kind of socks are the best socks for cowboy boots?

Today we’re going to share our top 10 sock recommendations.

We’ll look at the best 5 pairs for women, and the best 5 pairs for men.  

In a hurry?

Then I’d recommend Dickies Dri tech moisture control PUT IN LINK? as the best pair for men.

And I’d go with Wrangler Women’s Western Boot Socks as the best women’s socks to wear with cowboy boots.

Read on to find out why these 2 pairs came out on top.

Here’s a list of the socks we’ll be reviewing today:

Men’s:

Womens:

Why finding the right socks is important.

Poor sock choices lead to the 3 B’s:

Bunching, blisters, and bad smells.

Finding the right pair of socks to wear with your cowboy boots is super important. It will keep your feet happy and keep you stress-free.

A great pair of socks will not only keep your feet comfortable, but it will help to keep them healthy, too.

How to choose socks that work with cowboy boots.

What should you consider before you buy?

Let’s take a look at some of the key features that make socks work well with cowboy boots.

Cushioning

Cowboy boots don’t offer much cushioning. So it’s important to get a sock that does.

For max comfort, go for socks with extra padding, arch support, or built-in insoles.

You may also want to consider socks that have cushioned heels and toes. 

Socks with cushioning in the heel and toe, or reinforced heels and toes are a great buy for cowboy boot wearers.

Not only are they more comfortable, but they make your socks last longer, too.

Height/Elasticity

measuring socks with a tape meausre

Tired of your socks bunching up around your ankles?

When your socks are constantly falling down, your boots are far more likely to rub and chafe your legs.

Socks that don’t stay up well can cause painful blisters.

Not to mention that having to keep taking off your boots to fix your socks gets super annoying real quick.

That’s why you should look for a sock with good height and good quality elastic around the calves.

This can be a tricky one to get right. Too loose and you’ll be forever digging down into your boots. Too tight and you risk cutting off your circulation!

Socks with spandex in them tend to stay up well, so you may want to start there.

Keep in mind that elastic (especially cheap elastic) does tend to give quite a lot. 

If in doubt, go for a tighter pair and wear them in a bit until they fit perfectly.

Breathability

breathable material

If you want to keep your feet sweat-free and sweet-smellin’ then you’ll need breathable socks.

Cotton is a good lightweight choice for breathability. Cotton socks are also great if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

You could also opt for polyester or acrylic socks.

Many socks are made with cotton which is then blended with other materials like acrylic. These cotton blends do work well to keep your feet feeling fresh. 

Keep in mind that cotton is more breathable than polyester. So go for higher cotton percentages if you want the best chance of keeping sweat at bay.

Moisture control

If you’re working, dancing, or strutting around in the heat wearing your cowboy boots – you’re going to want good moisture control.

To keep feet dry, look for socks made from moisture-wicking fabrics. Fabrics like merino wool, cotton, acrylic, and nylon blends are all great.

Let’s take a look at each of these materials in a bit more detail:

Merino wool

Merino wool is a great option because it’s a rugged yet soft feeling material. Some folks think it’s itchy but it’s not itchy at all!

Wool also traps moisture and prevents odor and bacteria growth.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a good inexpensive option, but it doesn’t absorb moisture as well as wool.

Cotton

Cotton is good at trapping moisture, but the sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly once you take your socks off.

So if you’re going for cotton socks, make sure you put them straight into the machine after wearing them.

Nylon blends.

nylon material for socks

Pure nylon socks are not absorbent.

Nylon is added to socks to make them stronger and more durable. 

But, nylon is often blended with fabrics that are moisture-wicking.

Stick with nylon socks blended with cotton, acrylic or wool and you should be fine.

Insulation

Heat retention may also be a concern for you if you live in a cold climate. Or even if you live in Texas with the recent weather y’all have been having!

Leather cowboy boots don’t provide much insulation. So warm socks that lock in the heat are a godsend in cold weather. 

The only problem with this is that it can be tough to find the right balance of warmth and breathability. 

This is something that only trial and error will fix.

Look for socks that say “thermal” or “cold weather socks” as a starting point. 

Thickness

I have a pair of mid-calf winter hiking boots that rub up against the back of my left ankle.

After a few wears, the blister was killing me and I thought I was going to have to get rid of them.

But it turns out that all I needed was a thicker pair of socks.

If your boots can accommodate them, I’d always recommend a thicker material. Especially if you’re going to be wearing the boots often or for long periods.

Fit

Finally, you need to make sure that your socks fit you well. If your socks are too big, they will bunch up around the heel or the toe.

Big socks also move around a lot. This causes friction and leads to nasty blisters.

Here’s a handy guide to help you check if your socks are the right size.

Best men’s socks to wear with cowboy boots

Best sweat control/most durable

Dickies Dri-tech Moisture Control Crew socks are made from cotton mixed with polyester.

They are great at wicking moisture and have extra ventilation channels under the foot. This allows the air to circulate well.

They also have a reinforced heel and toe so that they don’t wear out as quickly.

These socks will work as hard as you do and keep on truckin’.

There’s a little bit of spandex in them to help them stay up, too.

Dickies dri-tech socks come in packs of 6, 12, or 18. There are quite a few color choices including, grey, black, white, navy, brown, and even a high vis option.

If you want quality, durability, excellent sweat/odor control, and value for money – these are a great pick.

Pros:

  • Highly durable
  • Wash well
  • All-weather socks
  • Good quality elastic
  • Breathable
  • Comfortable to wear all-day
  • Good choice of colors

Cons:

  • A little thick – not great if you don’t have extra room in your boots!
  • Inconsistent sizing
  • They shed lint onto your feet
check amazon price

Best feeling material

These western boot socks from Wrangler are made in the USA with cowboy boots in mind.

The material is soft and light but very strong.

This pair is moisture-wicking and has a half-cushioned foot to support the arch. 

A unique feature of these socks is the seamless toe. The lack of a seam means less bulk and less chance of rubbing around the toes if your socks move around.

The Wrangler men’s western boot socks also have a good level of compression. This helps prevent foot fatigue.

They also stay up pretty well so no more annoying bunching!

Pros:

  • Made in the USA
  • Durable
  • No toe seams
  • Reasonable price
  • Stay up well
  • Good compression

Cons:

  • Feel tight at first
  • A bit too long for some
check amazon price

Best hot weather performance socks

Looking for comfortable socks that wash well and are good for all year round? 

Then these Under Armour crew socks could be a good fit.

These socks are great for keeping sweaty, hard-working feet nice and dry. Even in hot climates.

The thickness is just right for wearing comfortably all year round.

The quality of these socks is very good, and they feel amazing. 

They will last you a long time, but they aren’t as durable as some of the other socks on this list.

Pros:

  • High quality
  • Soft and comfortable
  • Stay up well on the calves
  • Good cushioning and arch support
  • Hold up well in hot climates

Cons:

  • Not much compression
  • The odor control isn’t the best
  • Not the most durable option
check amazon price

Best cold weather performance socks

Columbia has a great reputation for producing tough, high-quality outdoor clothing and accessories. 

Their moisture control crew socks certainly live up to that.

They are great at wicking moisture and are very comfortable to wear. This is due to the fact that they have a decent amount of cushioning.

They are very warm without being too bulky.

The material is quite thick, which is great for keeping your feet warm in winter. It also helps to prevent blisters.

There’s a nice choice of colors available, too.

Pros:

  • High quality
  • Just the right thickness
  • Keep feet warm and dry
  • Stay up well
  • Long-lasting
  • Hold their shape well after washing

Cons:

  • Leave lint on your feet after the first few wears
  • Not suitable for all year round
check amazon price

Best waterproof socks

Say goodbye to soggy socks forever!

These socks from Randy Sun are pretty amazing.

They offer a rare combination of being waterproof and breathable.

But are they really waterproof?

Yup. You can walk into a river with these on and your feet will stay dry! 

You can wear these socks all year round, they perform well in both the heat and the cold.

They are pretty thick though, so make sure you have plenty of wiggle room in your boots.

These are perfect for wearing out in the rain.

The reinforced heel gives extra comfort and they have done away with the toe seam. So no need to worry about painful blisters.

The designs are cool, too. There are lots of bright colors to choose from and you can even get a pair with the US flag on them.

There is one drawback to these otherwise awesome socks.

Because they are waterproof, any sweat produced stays trapped inside the sock. It just doesn’t wick away.

Here’s the fix. Wear a thin sock liner with moisture-wicking properties underneath for max comfort. 

Pro tip – make sure that you air-dry these socks to maintain the waterproofing.

Pros:

  • Completely waterproof
  • Great quality
  • Awesome designs
  • Very comfortable
  • Worth every penny

Cons:

  • Take a while to dry (air dry only)
  • Don’t absorb sweat
check amazon price

Best year-round wool socks

Are you looking for a durable sock that also feels nice and soft? Then these Merino wool socks from Smartwool are a great choice.

This pair is 66% Merino wool, so they are great for controlling moisture and odor.

These socks are also very comfortable and not at all itchy.

You might think that wool socks are only for winter, but you’d be wrong!

Smartwool socks are designed to be worn all year round. They will keep your feet warm and toasty in winter and cool and dry in summer.

The quality is very high and they breathe pretty well, too.

Pros:

  • A great mix of comfort and durability
  • Moisture-wicking and odor control
  • Regulates the foot temperature well across seasons
  • High quality
  • Breathable
  • Good cushioning

Cons:

  • Quite thick – make sure you have space in your boots!
  • Need to be washed on a wool cycle and air-dried
  • A bit pricey but worth it
check amazon price

Best women’s socks to wear with cowboy boots

Best “stay up all day” socks

These Wrangler Western Boot socks are made in the USA. 

As the name suggests, they are specifically designed to be worn with cowboy boots – yay!

What makes them great to wear with cowboy boots is that they stay up well – without cutting off your circulation.

Because they stay up so well, these socks are fantastic if you need to protect your legs while horse riding.

Even if you have big calves, these should work great and shouldn’t dig into your legs.

The thickness is perfect. Good enough for avoiding blisters without being too bulky. 

The medium weight thickness also means that these socks are thin enough to breathe. But not so thick that they make your boots feel tight.

They are on the warm side. Perfect for autumn through to spring, but not great for summer.

Pros:

  • Stay up well
  • Perfect thickness
  • Great quality and value
  • Good for thick calves
  • Comfortable to wear all-day
  • Nice amount of cushioning
  • Good blister protection
  • Wash well

Cons:

  • Not much color choice (white, gray, or black)
  • The foot part runs small and narrow – not the best for wide feet.
check amazon price

Best quality/work socks

Do you want high-quality comfy socks that work hard? The kind you can wear all year round? If so, these Dri-tech moisture-wicking socks from Dikies are a must.

You can work or walk in these all day and your feet will stay dry and odor-free.

They have good cushioning to protect from blisters and foot fatigue. But the best part is that they don’t fall down every 2 seconds.

So no more rummaging around in your boots to stop them bunching – phew!

The length is great – they should fall somewhere around mid-calf depending on your height.

They have cool designs and lots of bright happy colors to choose from.

Be warned! Some people find these too tight around the ankle and the calf. 

If you have big calves – you might prefer the Wrangler’s western boot socks above!

Pros:

  • Fantastic quality
  • Good choice of colors
  • Stay up well
  • Comfortable to wear all day and work in
  • Wash well
  • Great odor control
  • Good arch support

Cons:

  • Can be tight at the top and around the ankle – not great for thick calves
  • Toe seams are big and a little bulky
check amazon price

Best horse riding socks

These high-performance riding socks are designed to be worn with any tall boots, including cowboy boots.

This is a great pair of soft and comfortable boot socks that you can wear all year round.

There’s a nice choice of colors. Features like the seamless toe, reinforced footbed, and diamond-stitched arch support make these socks comfortable to wear with boots all day.

They are easy to put on and stay up really well without being too tight.

They also make a great gift for anyone who loves horses and riding!

Pros:

  • Good arch support
  • Durable
  • Stay up well without being too tight
  • Excellent blister/chafing protection
  • Cute color choices

Cons:

  • Some pilling after washing
  • Only 1 size available
check amazon price

Best women’s cold weather socks

Danish endurance

Are you going to be wearing your cowboy boots in cold weather? 

Then you’ll need a pair of cozy socks that will stay up and keep your feet nice and warm.

These danish endurance socks are great. They are Merino wool, which means that they are soft, warm, and great at keeping moisture and odors at bay.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – Merino wool is not itchy! 

These socks are perfect for winter. Because they are super warm but also lightweight and breathable.

They keep your feet toasty without adding extra bulk. So they should easily fit under your cowboy boots without stretching them out at all.

Pros:

  • Easy to get on
  • Super warm
  • Good support
  • Soft feel
  • Great quality
  • Very comfortable to wear all-day
  • Good moisture/odor control
  • Don’t slip down
  • Wash well

Cons:

  • A little pricey, but worth it.
  • Narrow fitting – not great for wide feet
  • Tight-fitting – not the best for bigger calves
check amazon price

Best socks for sweaty feet

Realtree’s Ultra-dri boot socks are proudly made in the USA.

If you have sweaty feet and you wear boots a lot, these are a great buy. Because they last for ages and keep your feet nice and dry.

These are warm, soft, high-quality socks. They have arch support (for increased comfort) and slight compression to lessen foot fatigue.

The heel and toe areas are also reinforced so that the socks last longer.

They wick away moisture, stay up well, and don’t dig into your calves.

They are mid-calf height. Which is perfect for wearing with cowboy boots!

Pros:

  • Perfect height for cowboy boots
  • High quality
  • Good breathability
  • Keeps feet dry
  • Don’t fall down or bunch
  • Comfortable to wear all-day
  • Good value for the price

Cons:

  • Too short for some
  • Too tight for some
  • Some shrinkage after first wash
check amazon price

Final thoughts and sock buying checklist

Everyone’s sock needs are different. 

Some people like a lot of compression and arch support. 

Some want moisture-wicking and odor control. 

While others look for a soft feel or a cute design.

The sock you go for is going to depend on several factors. Like your own personal needs, the fit of your cowboy boots, and the weather/season.

If your boots are a little roomy – you might need a thicker sock to make them comfortable and to avoid blisters. 

If your feet are always cold, you might want a material that insulates well like Merino wool.

The best socks to wear with your cowboy boots should meet your specific criteria.

Here’s a handy checklist you can use while buying

  • What materials are they made from? (Merino wool, cotton, acrylic, and nylon blends are all good choices).
  • What thickness are they? (Will they fit in your boots without making them too tight?)
  • Do they have enough cushioning? 
  • Are they warm enough?
  • Are they breathable?
  • Do they have good moisture and odor control?
  • Will the height work for your boot length?

That’s it ya’ll.

I hope you found this guide useful and that you found what you were looking for.

Thanks for reading.