Wave goodbye to blisters and sweaty feet with the best running socks for women

Balega is known for its high-performance running socks and with over 2,500 five-star ratings on Amazon, the Blister Resist Sock is one of its most popular. It’s made with temperature-regulating mohair, keeping your feet fresh and cool across all distance when it’s hot outside and ensuring they stay warm and toasty in the chillier months.

They’re super soft and comfy to wear for long periods – no blisters here – and thanks to the brand’s unique moisture-management fabric, Drynamix, waterlogged socks won’t be an issue if you get caught in the rain.

We’re big fans of Sweaty Betty’s running gear here at GH and the brand’s crew socks are some of our editors’ all-time favourites.

With cooling mesh panels for ultimate breathability, they’re perfect for PB attempts and they boast soft, plush padding around the soles and heel to keep things comfy. According to the regular runners on the team, they won’t rub or slip down mid-activity. Plus, they come in a range of cute colours including white, black, matcha green and pink.

Lululemon is here to keep you stylish and comfy on all your jaunts with its classic crew socks.

They’re made from sweat-wicking nylon to prevent hot feet and feature integrated arch compression for extra support. Distinct left and right toe designs ensure a secure, comfy fit and they’re made to hug the shape of your feet as you move, so you don’t have to worry about them slipping down and causing blisters.

These quarter-length socks from popular sports brand Danish Endurance offer arch compression to keep your feet stable and supported, along with gentle cushioning to stave off blisters and ventilation panels to wick away moisture.

Best of all, the brand offers a year-long anti-hole guarantee – should they start to fall apart, you'll be sent a replacement pair for free. Excellent stuff.

We love these no-show socks from the experts at Saucony. They're extremely lightweight – ideal if you don’t want anything weighing you down – but they still offer a comfortable fit. Mesh ventilation panels and RunDry fabric control moisture levels and temperature, while arch support helps keep the socks firmly in place when you pick up the pace.

Icebreaker is best known for its toasty base layers, but the brand’s high-quality crew socks are also worth considering. Made with a technical merino wool blend, they’re the perfect combination of warm yet breathable.

Distinct left and right toe designs ensure a secure fit and there's reflective detailing around the cuffs for safety, while seamless detailing minimises the risk of any pesky rubbing and chafing.

Prefer no-show socks? Icebreaker does those, too.

If you prefer calf-length socks for extra coverage – or simply because they look chic with your favourite trainers – this lightweight pair from trendy German brand Falke is a top choice. They’re designed specifically for the female foot and feature a sturdy toe box, with a dedicated right and left sock to ensure the perfect fit.

They offer medium cushioning (they’re not too thin or too thick) to prevent chafing and blisters and thanks to the moisture-wicking, fast-drying fabric, they’ll keep your toes cool and dry.

If you’re browsing the Hoka site for a new pair of running trainers, add a pair of the brand’s running socks to your basket while you’re at it. Like the Saucony socks above, the no-show style means they won't peek over your trainers.

You don't have to worry about blisters, either – they feature tabs at the back to prevent rubbing and help you get them off easily. There’s also reflective detailing on the back, engineered arch support to help fight foot fatigue and a seamless toe construction to ensure a smooth fit inside your running shoes.

Looking for a pair of socks that will provide protection and comfort as you meander through woodlands and along coastal paths? Consider this dedicated trail design from 1000 Mile.

The socks feature temperature-regulating, sweat-wicking Merino wool and ventilation zones to keep things breathable as you go. The flat toe seams are designed to minimise irritation and chafing, and there’s padding around the sole and heel for durability, support and comfort. They also wash well and dry quickly – handy if you’re out on a wet trail.

Homes editor Hannah Mendelsohn, swears by these Stance socks for run clubs and half-marathon training. They feel light and airy, with woven channels and performance mesh for optimal air flow, and an anti-bacterial treatment to prevent smelly, sweaty feet.

They have a reinforced heel for durability and a handy heel tab for easy on/off and to prevent rubbing and unwanted blisters. There’s a reflective logo to help you remain visible and arch support for a moulded fit. If you’re after some lightweight no-show socks, you’ll barely notice you have these on.

Most running socks promise a comfy, blister-free experience, but this Runderwear pair actually lives up to its claims. It features two distinct layers, designed to rub against each other rather than your foot and boasts super-soft fabric which feels lovely against your skin.

As you’d expect, there’s a reinforced heel and toe to ensure lasting durability, an ergonomic left and right foot fit to prevent gathering at the toes and the material is moisture-wicking and breathable, so there’s no risk of hot, sweaty feet post-run.

According to the GHI’s senior homes & lifestyle writer Megan Gaell – who runs ultra marathons for fun! – there's lots to love about these simple ankle socks. Hilly claims you’re guaranteed blister-free running thanks to the double layered construction, which prevents any rubbing.

The lightweight socks have a sturdy toe box and protection around the heels for durability and there’s integrated arch support to absorb impact and stabilise the foot. They're ideal for Sunday long runs, interval sessions and casual jogs around the park.

These simple yet effective tab socks from Instagram's favourite activewear brand, Vuori, are just the ticket for runs, gym sessions and everyday wear.

They have anti-blister heel tabs at the back, they’ll stay dry thanks to the moisture-wicking fabric and are treated with anti-odour tech to prevent stinky feet. They feel extremely smooth against the skin and will retain their quality after numerous washes. The brand also has high-performance crew socks, if you prefer.

These classic New Balance crew socks (which come in black and white) provide comfy cushioning while still looking sleek and fashionable. Built-in arch support prevents foot fatigue, while they have reinforced toe and heel areas for protection and the calf-length design means blisters, rubbing and chafing won’t be an issue.

As they’re constructed partially from cotton, we’d save them for your easy runs, hiking or just strolling around the park. They’ll also work well for the gym.

Granted, toe socks may look a little strange (or freak you out completely), but if your weekly mileage is high and blisters are an issue, they’re worth considering. Designed to separate your toes and prevent friction, rubbing and chafing, they’re particularly popular among marathon runners.

Not only does this unisex pair from Hilly maximise blister protection, but they're also made from technical Coolmax fabric that promotes air circulation and wicks away moisture. Other features include a cushioned cuff for comfort and a raised heel tab for support and stability.

Kit supplier to tennis champ Andy Murray, along with the England cricket team and Newcastle United, Castore is making a name for itself as an elite sportswear brand.

Whether you’re going jogging, heading to a gym class or just running errands, these simple ankle socks will keep you comfy. They feel lovely and soft against the skin, the polyamide fabric is designed to keep you cool, and ribbed detailing keeps them in place, with no irritating bunching or slipping.