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Sock Cushioning 101
Finding the right cushioning comes down to your footwear, your ideal comfort level, and what you’re up to outside.
What Does Sock Cushioning Do?
Cushioned socks help provide extra comfort, performance, and additional padding and protection in key areas. Socks with thicker cushioning typically pack more durability and warmth—that is, if you’ve got the right footwear on. If your foot feels cold and squished, your sock might be too thick for your shoe. The right cushioning will help protect your feet and keep them comfortable while you're on the move.
A Breakdown of Our Cushioning Levels
Learn how each type of cushioning works to keep your feet feeling good.
The absolute minimum level of padding with a lightweight, breathable, agile feel.
Light cushion along the footbed enhances comfort and versatility, while the lack of cushioning on top helps prevent overheating.
Cushioning around the entire sock for extra warmth, protection, and durability.
Extra cushion for all-around comfort and warmth, without sacrificing breathability.
The highest level of padding for an enhanced fit and our most robust protection.
Comfort for Any Activity
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Run
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Hike
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Bike
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Everyday
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Train
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Ski & Snowboard
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Hunt & Fish
Ski & Snowboard
For newer, tighter boots, Zero Cushion socks are your best bet, with a performance-oriented, precise fit. For slightly broken-in boots, our Targeted Cushion socks are the most popular pick. And if your boots are well broken-in, Full Cushion socks are the ideal choice. Both Targeted and Full Cushioning levels provide extra padding on the shin for ski socks, while snow socks offer extra padding around the leg...all for added protection and warmth.
Available Cushion in Ski: Zero Cushion | Targeted Cushion | Light Cushion | Full Cushion
Available Cushion in Snow: Targeted Cushion | Full Cushion
Run
From casual runs to all-day marathons, our Run Socks help offer protection in a performance fit that stays put and feels good, mile after mile. Our Zero Cushion Run Sock has the most unnoticeable feel on your feet for those runners that may overheat and want the most breathability. Our Targeted Cushion provides padding in the forefoot and the heel of the socks to support extra durability, warmth, and comfort.
Available Cushion: Zero Cushion | Targeted Cushion
Hike
For all-season hiking, our Light Cushion Hike socks are a sure bet. With cushioning along the bottom and up the heel for comfort and durability, they're best paired with lighter hiking boots and sneakers. For heavier boots and cold weather hikes, our Full Cushion socks provide more warmth, with padding along the bottom of the foot and the leg of the sock, so your feet can feel good all the way out and back. And for those hikers looking for precise cushioning at the toe and along the heel, our Targeted Cushion Hike socks are for you.
Available Cushion: Light Cushion | Full Cushion | Targeted Cushion
Bike
All comfort, zero bulk. We offer our Bike Socks with Zero Cushion as they are designed to fit lower profile, tighter fitting bike shoes.
Available Cushion: Zero Cushion
Train
These versatile Merino socks are made for fitness and comfort—from hitting the gym for a training sesh to taking a stroll around town. Our Targeted Cushion Everyday Athletic Socks provide padding in the forefoot and the heel of the socks, and they feature 15% more stretch for a less compressive fit.
Available Cushion: Targeted Cushion
Hunt & Fish
Our Hunt & Fish Socks offer the most variety of cushioning levels, from light to maximum, to support whatever the day may bring: whether you’re sitting, trekking, or standing all-day. Light Cushion and Full Cushion are the best options when trekking and on your feet all day, while Extra and Maximum Cushion levels provide extra warmth when sitting in a hunting blind, or even ice fishing. Our Over The Calf options make for a great pair on cold days wading when fly fishing.
Available Cushion: Light Cushion | Full Cushion | Extra Cushion | Maximum Cushion
Everyday
Our Light Cushion Everyday Socks are versatile enough for daily wear, with a little extra padding to keep your feet comfortable during long days on your feet. If you’ve got tighter or stiffer footwear, or you don’t want the bulk and warmth that can come with a cushioned sock, go for our Zero Cushion Everyday socks. And in select styles only, our Full Cushion Everyday Socks provide the most padding needed to tackle whatever the day may throw at you.
Available Cushion: Zero Cushion | Light Cushion | Full Cushion (select styles)
Comfort for Any Activity
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Run
From casual runs to all-day marathons, our Run Socks help offer protection in a performance fit that stays put and feels good, mile after mile. Our Zero Cushion Run Sock has the most unnoticeable feel on your feet for those runners that may overheat and want the most breathability. Our Targeted Cushion provides padding in the forefoot and the heel of the socks to support extra durability, warmth, and comfort.
Available CushionLight Cushion | Full Cushion | Targeted Cushion
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Hike
For all-season hiking, our Light Cushion Hike socks are a sure bet. With cushioning along the bottom and up the heel for comfort and durability, they're best paired with lighter hiking boots and sneakers. For heavier boots and cold weather hikes, our Full Cushion socks provide more warmth, with padding along the bottom of the foot and the leg of the sock, so your feet can feel good all the way out and back. And for those hikers looking for precise cushioning at the toe and along the heel, our Targeted Cushion Hike socks are for you.
Available CushionLight Cushion | Full Cushion | Targeted Cushion
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Bike
All comfort, zero bulk. We offer our Bike Socks with Zero Cushion as they are designed to fit lower profile, tighter fitting bike shoes.
Available CushionZero Cushion
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Everyday
Our Light Cushion Everyday Socks are versatile enough for daily wear, with a little extra padding to keep your feet comfortable during long days on your feet. If you’ve got tighter or stiffer footwear, or you don’t want the bulk and warmth that can come with a cushioned sock, go for our Zero Cushion Everyday socks. And in select styles only, our Full Cushion Everyday Socks provide the most padding needed to tackle whatever the day may throw at you.
Available CushionZero Cushion | Light Cushion | Full Cushion (select styles)
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Train
These versatile Merino socks are made for fitness and comfort—from hitting the gym for a training sesh to taking a stroll around town. Our Targeted Cushion Everyday Athletic Socks provide padding in the forefoot and the heel of the socks, and they feature 15% more stretch for a less compressive fit.
Available inTargeted Cushion
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Ski & Snow
For newer, tighter boots, Zero Cushion socks are your best bet, with a performance-oriented, precise fit. For slightly broken-in boots, our Targeted Cushion socks are the most popular pick. And if your boots are well broken-in, Full Cushion socks are the ideal choice. Both Targeted and Full Cushioning levels provide extra padding on the shin and leg of the sock for added protection and warmth. All of our Ski and Snowboard socks pack the thermoregulation benefits of Merino wool, so your feet stay comfy and dry on the slopes.
Available inZero Cushion | Targeted Cushion | Full Cushion
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Hunt & Fish
Our Hunt & Fish Socks offer the most variety of cushioning levels, from light to maximum, to support whatever the day may bring: whether you’re sitting, trekking, or standing all-day. Light Cushion and Full Cushion are the best options when trekking and on your feet all day, while Extra and Maximum Cushion levels provide extra warmth when sitting in a hunting blind, or even ice fishing. Our Over The Calf options make for a great pair on cold days wading when fly fishing.
Available CushionLight Cushion | Full Cushion | Extra Cushion | Maximum Cushion
Go far and feel good
with Merino wool.
No other performance fabric compares to Merino wool. It’s naturally moisture-managing, odor-managing, and temperature-regulating. And the best part? It’s so. Darn. Comfortable. So you can stay outside longer and feel good doing what you love.
go far. feel good. guarantee™.
We make high quality Merino wool socks and apparel to equip all of your outdoor adventures. All backed by our go far. feel good.™ Guarantee. Click to learn more.