Does this sound familiar?

You make an habit out of thoroughly washing your feet. You change shoes regularly and take them off when possible.

You make sure to wear at least 80% cotton socks. You even use foot powder.

And you have taken other measures to combat smellly feet as well.

Yet still, your feet are sweaty all the time and your socks damp and stinky.

It’s really embarrasing to take off your shoes when you enter a gypsy friend’s home, go shopping for shoes, or visit a Japanese restaurant.

When having to expose your sweat-discolored socks, contaminating the air around you, you are desparate for a solution.

You are wondering, “heck, I’m even using a quality antiperspirant, maybe it’s my socks that still cause my feet to sweat so much”.

And you are right.

Changing the type of socks you wear day in day out can help cure sweaty feet.

Footwear and socks prevent our feet from evaporating moisture. This trapped sweat quickly becomes smelly, because of bacteria that feed on it, producing the cheesy smell.

Since going barefoot* as much as possible is not a practical solution,  it’s helpful to choose your socks and shoes wisely.  (* I try to do so and especially love running barefoot in the woods which made my friends call me “barefoot walker” but that aside.)

One of the main causes of sweaty, smelly feet is wearing the wrong socks & shoes.

Which socks to avoid

Synthetic socks will make your feet sweat like a pig in summer. Plastic, nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fabric linings don’t allow sweat to evaporate and don’t absorb it either, so your feet stay wet. If such socks are tight they worsen the effect.

Polyester socks are often the preferred choice of athletes because they prevent blisters by keeping the perspiration away from the feet.

Cotton socks are better than synthetic socks because they are lighter and cooler than acrylic socks and allow the feet to breathe.

The problem with all-cotton socks is that they do not hold as much moisture without becoming sodden.

cotton socks absorb moisture but do not dispel it causing your feet to remain wet

They get wet, stay wet, and thus provide an environment the smell causing Brevibacteria thrive on.

Cotton socks also retain heat. Which is something these bacteria also thrive on.

Definitely get rid of synthetic socks such as acrylic and nylon socks but also avoid cotton.

Other reasons why it’s important to keep your feet dry are because moisture may cause fungal infections such as Athlete’s foot and blisters.

Not to mention cold feet in winter and overheated, extra sweaty feet with blisters in summer.

The best socks to prevent sweaty feet

Here’s why wearing the right type of socks is such an important and efficient element in combating sweaty feet.

If you own enough leather and other breathing shoes to rotate frequently, moisture will not be much of a problem in your shoes.

Soggy socks however, quickly cause foot odor (bromhidrosis). Especially if you suffer from plantar hyperhidrosis, which is the medical name for excessively sweating feet.

recommended: specialty socks with fibers designed to keep perspiration away from the foot (wicking socks)

Types of foot odor eliminator socks

There’s a wide range of socks that control foot odor available, designed to keep your free dry and fresh. These include; sports socks with ventilation panels, wicking socks, synthetic liner socks, wool socks, socks with metal threads woven into the yarn, and other types.

The best dress socks for sweaty feet are merino wool (Smartwool) socks. They are moisture absorbent,  and contrary to what you may think because it’s wool, will not make your feet hot and sweaty.

Moisture wicking socks

Most of the socks listed below are moisture wicking socks in one or another way. The bacteria that cause smelly feet live on the top layers of the skin on your feet. They thrive on moist. Therefore it is necessary to keep sweat away from them.

You can’t stop sweating anyway since your feet have the most eccrine sweat glands than any other body part. You can reduce the amount of sweat your feet produce though.

Feet are known to be able to produce a pint of sweat per day

Once your shoes have been exposed to sweat and lots of bacteria they will set up colony in your shoes too. That’s why it’s important to clean your shoes on a regular basis as well.

Wool socks

Wool socks belong to the best socks for sweaty feet because:

• wool socks wick perspiration away from your feet
• wool absorbs moisture in the inside of the fiber itself (whereas with cotton, the whole fiber absorbs moisture), the surface of wool socks stays relatively dry
• wool has almost twice the moisture absorbing  ability of that of cotton
• wool breathes well
• wool socks are commonly thicker than cotton socks

Wool can wick as much as 30% of its weight in water.

Personally, I love wool socks for another reason, wool has excellent insulating properties which means it keeps your feet warm when it’s cold but also helps your feet keep cooler when it’s warm. (which is often a problem for me, my feet heat up really quickly, leaving me with very warm or even hot feet)

Smartwool socks, a popular, well-reviewed brand, help prevent sweaty feet and most people find they are not itchy.

Of course, everybody is different so switching brands may be useful when itch is an issue.

Merino wool socks

Some people find that 100% wool socks still become clammy. If you experience this too, you may want to opt for sock liners combined with (wool) socks. Such a combination helps a lot of people keep their feet dry.

Quality lightweight 100% merino wool socks are generally sold as “liner” socks.

Merino wool socks are often valued for various reasons. For one because of Merino wools excellent insulation properties. These socks keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer. Which is great since overheated feet are common in people with sweaty feet.

Apart from that they are very soft, especially if you have socks with a micron count lower than 20. But that’s just a nice added benefit.

Merino wool socks are probably the best socks to prevent sweaty feet because:

• They can absorb a whole lot of moisture (sweat) while still feeling dry since the moist is kept inside the fiber thus blocking microbes from feeding on the sweat. Apart from that it also evaporates sweat into the air. Eventually even Merino wool will be saturated (it can absorb about 35% of its own weight) and start to feel wet but this takes much longer than cotton or normal wool.

• Because of this strong wicking ability Merino wool socks stay warm when wet.

• Merino wool dries quickly. So you can take off your shoes to let your socks dry while not having to worry about the stench.

• This special type of wool is naturally anti-bacterial. Its chemical makeup and structure make it a harsh place for bacteria and other microorganisms.

• It eliminates odor. And it does this well.

Popular brands are SmartWool and Wigwam . They are known for their hiking socks but these offer a great solution for daily wear too. After all, some folks may use these socks during a marathon but we tend to sweat as much by just strolling to the grocery store two streets down the block.

I recommend:

• These popular Wigwam Merino Comfort Hiker socks with Coolmax moisture control system. These are probably the best you can get to keep your ultra sweaty feet dry.
• CloudLine merino wool socks. Although advertised as hiking and trekking socks these are ideal for everyday use. Especially if you prefer a little cushioning and thickness.

Despite the benefits of wool socks, some people are just sensitive to wool.

• If you don’t want to wear socks containing wool I’d recommend Wigwam At Work Durasole socks.

Tip: turn them inside out and delicate wash or hand wash so they will last longer.

Here are some alternatives. Types of socks that help keep your feet dry and free from odor.

Liner socks

Synthetic (polyester) sock liners  (a.k.a liner socks) wick sweat away from your feet and keep it locked in the sock. Liner socks are worn inside traditional socks.

Thin synthetic liners worn together with wool blend outer socks are a popular solution for smelly feet.  They offer comfort, keep your feet dry, help educe foot odor but also prevent skin maceration.

Some  brands also feature additional protection against foot odor by adding substances that inhibit the growth of smell causing bacteria. An example: ProtectGuard® Anti-odour socks.

Antibacterial socks

You might consider antibacterial socks. These are impregnated to kill off the smell causing bacteria. Sock manufacturers commonly combine technologies.

Coolmax socks

Coolmax socks are specifically designed to move perspiration away from feet. Coolmax fabrics are made from specially designed polyester fibers with an enlarged surface. These fibers have four or six channels that form a transport system that transports moisture from the skin to the outer layer of the fabric.

A popular brand that features Coolmax technology are Thorlo Experia socks. They have cushioning which provides support and reduces friction and are extra breathable. Some users even say it’s like there’s air conditioning in these socks. Haven’t used them myself.

Coolmax offers different types of socks divided in everyday use and active use. Coolmax technology can be found in a wide range of socks including; liner, full cushion, running, ultra light, all season, and extra wide diabetes socks. View prices and ratings here.

Drymax socks

Drymax socks have so called Active Odor Control.

Made out of  olefin, polyester, elastane and nylon they are geared towards athletic performance and support and blister prevention but also keep your feet from sweating excessively.

The synthetic olefin is also known under the brand name Coolmax.

Sweat pulls heat away from skin 23 times faster than air. 

Under Armour socks

Under Armour socks are designed to wick moisture and accelerate evaporation. Made from polyester, acrylic and spandex these  socks fix the sweaty feet problem for some while others complain about durability.

Under Armour socks are valued for their padding, support, and slip resistances. On the other hand, some types of  UA socks don’t seem to last that long ending up with holes relatively quickly.

Because many Under Armour socks are not so durable as they used to be or tend to shed a lot they are not my favorite socks to help reduce sweaty feet.

If you do like this brand, make sure to check out Under Armour’s well-reviewed and popular Resistor 3.0 socks (available in no show, low cut, and crew as well as in a Youth and Adult version). Great for those with large feet too.

Coppersole socks

Back in the day I had those copper insoles in my shoes. Nowadays there are socks with copper fibers too. The copper fibers are embedded in the yarn.

Aetrex coppersole socks for example feature copper threads that don’t wash out and help prevent smelly feet by killing bacteria and fungi. These socks even restore collagen in your foot soles keeping them more supple and healthy.

Personally I think I’d rather go back to using copper insoles than wearing these socks. They seem a bit ‘gimmick-y’ to me.

* Update: * Since this post was first published quite a few new copper-infused socks have entered the market. Copper socks are actually comfortable and help fight sweating and foot odor. The most popular,  well-reviewed on Amazon are these socks by Copper Fit.

Bamboo fiber socks

Bamboo fiber socks are eco-friendly socks that are popular among people with diabetes, those with allergy-prone and sensitive skin, and other groups.

These socks keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer because of bamboo’s thermal regulating properties. They help reduce foot odor because they are almost 4 times more absorbent than cotton socks.

Bamboo fabrics are often claimed to be antibacterial and anti-fungal. The bamboo plant itself is antibacterial, whether the fabric, in for example socks, after the production cycle still is is not entirely clear. Researchers are looking in to fortifying bamboo’s antibacterial properties by adding additional antibacterial agents. Source Wikipedia.

The incredible soft and luxurious feeling of bamboo textiles however,  is undisputed. Check out these bestselling bamboo no show socks.

Covert Threads socks

Military socks, specifically designed for harsh climates and conditions. If you suffer from very sweaty feet these socks may be for you. They make great dress socks too.

Covert Threads is just one of the several military socks brands. Like most other brands these sculpted cushion socks are specifically designed for hot or extremely cold climates.

The wool & acrylic blends keeps feet dry and prevent blisters even when walking and perspiring a lot. Other features that help reduce smelly feet is the infection preventing silver lining which is claimed to distribute heat evenly.

Silver ion socks

Silver nano particles woven into the fabric of socks offer another way to combat stinky feet.  Silver’s antibacterial properties reduce the growth of bacteria, thus reduce the amount of propionic acid and isovaleric acid they generate when they break down human sweat. These acids are responsible for foul body odor.

Silver ion technology is just known by modern science to kill bacteria and a wide range of microbes. Silver actually has a long history as an antimicrobial agent. The ancient Romans and Greeks are known to put silver coins in milk and water to keep it fresh.

Some people are enthusiast about silver socks for sweaty feet while others are concerned about potential side effects. An alternative to silver socks is to spray your feet and shoes with a silver containing spray such as Primos Silver XP.

Besides silver and copper, these days there are also socks made of a yarn containing titanium. Titanium is claimed to have even more potent antibacterial properties than copper and silver.

X-Scent socks have threads with silver ions. A very popular running socks brand with silver ion tech is Balega.

Thicker socks for mildly sweaty feet

Additional advice

Some people only have mild complaints. Their socks may get damp after walking a while.

Others suffer from full-fledged plantar hyperhidrosis. They sweat so much that their feet slip around inside their shoes and emit a chronic and severe odor (bromodrosis).

No matter how severe your complaints, the right choice of moisture wicking socks made out of cotton, or even better, wool can make a huge difference.

Clean socks

• Remember to change socks during the day. Take a clean pair of socks with you to school or work.(Which is why I am no fan of liner socks. It’s a hassle enough to have to change one pair of socks during the day.)

• Use absorbent foot powder twice a day. Always wear clean socks.

• Wash your socks on the hottest cycle. After washing, rinse your socks in a diluted antiseptic solution and let them dry in the air.

• If necessary, wear a second pair of appropriate socks over the first pair for increased absorbency.

damp conditions inside a shoe and the wrong type of socks promote sweaty feet

Clean, breathable shoes

• Make sure to wear non-occlusive , breathable footwear. Leather, canvas, and mesh shoes are best and athletic shoes or boots should be avoided.

• Wear a different pair of shoes on alternate days, so they can dry fully.

• Take your shoes off whenever possible during the day. This way your socks can dry and your shoes can air out a little.

• Although hiking shoes such as Goretex are often breathable, some people still experience sweaty feet.  If that’s the case for you go for non-waterpoof boots without membrane.

• Washing the foot pads inside your shoes will help fight the smell causing bacteria.  Since they feed on sweat, make sure to clean them regularly.

• Absorbent insoles may help too.

• If your shoes don’t get the chance to dry, use a shoe dryer.

• If you wear boots a lot, consider purchasing a boot rack that lets you store your boots upside down.

Final note.

If wearing the right socks as well as other home remedies do not help cure your sweaty and smelly feet, go visit your doctor or a podiatrist.

They may prescribe a more powerful antiperspirant or advice you to get iontophoresis treatment or, in worst case scenarios, botox injections.

Check here to see if you have tried all proven-effective methods that are available.