Thin: Thin, lightweight socks are designed primarily to act as a barrier layer between your foot and your shoe. These socks are low bulk, ultra breathable, and fast drying. Thin socks provide more direct power transfer to the shoe and won't weigh you down with water if your foot gets wet. A good choice if your shoe fits very close to your foot.
Medium: Medium-thick socks are a blend of cushioning, moisture control, and comfort. These socks usually feature arch support, as well as heel or forefoot cushioning. The result is greater comfort in the ball of your foot and toes, more stability inside your shoe, decreased heat build-up (friction), and great moisture management. Medium-thick socks are a good choice for runners who feel they could be a little more forgiving to their feet.
Thick: Thick socks provide full cushioning for a plush ride. Great for runners who have some extra space to fill in their shoes. Thick socks help relieve the pounding on your feet, add dense cushioning for impact resistance, and can help keep your feet warm during cool temperatures.
Sock Height
Low: Low-cut socks go no higher than the middle of the anklebone. No-show socks, which do not go higher than the top of your shoes, are also in this category.
Quarter: Quarter socks are higher than low-cut socks and usually cover the anklebone entirely. This provides a feeling of stability in the ankle, and alleviates most blistering that could be caused when low-cut socks creep down and expose the skin on the back of the heel.
Crew: Crew socks go as high as mid-calf. They provide full foot, ankle, and low leg coverage for a variety of activities.
