The Best Men’s Dress Socks for Sweaty Feet

Men’s dress socks are often made from cotton, are super thin, and have limited moisture wicking properties. Jam them into some hard faux leather dress shoes which offer little-to-no breathability, and you have the perfect breeding ground for sweaty feet, and all of the other issues that come along with that.

Nobody likes having a desk mate with sweaty feet. If you struggle, we’re here to help you with tips, tricks, and the best men's dress socks to fight the funk. Ever wonder why your thin cotton dress socks start to smell when you take your dress shoes off? Let’s dive in and make your office a more pleasant space for noses everywhere. Your coworkers will thank you.

Why Do Feet Get Sweaty?

Before we talk about the best dress socks for sweaty feet, let’s talk about why it’s happening. There are a handful of reasons why our feet get sweaty aside from the obvious of sweating to cool down when it’s hot or you’re exercising. There are also some less controllable reasons like genetics, hormonal changes, and stress.

There are two main reasons why we sweat: Physiological and Environmental.

Let's start with physiological. There are a few physiological factors that can cause you to sweat like stress or anxiety. When people are stressed or anxious they tend to sweat. Maybe you're anxious about that big job interview or you’re a groomsman who is nervous to give a speech for your best friend.

The more obvious reason we sweat is environmental, like from overheating. Maybe the office is too hot, or you’re speed walking to your next meeting and get a bit overheated to avoid being late.

Regardless of why you start sweating, once you have started to sweat, it’s all about moisture management. Damp feet not only feel gross, but are also prone to blisters. And as the sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin, it causes odor.

If you’re not wearing socks (big mistake), the sweat and odor are going to get absorbed by your footwear. If you’re wearing socks, they’re going to do the absorbing – and what happens next depends on the sock’s material.

Sweaty feet at some point or another are inevitable, so what can we do to prevent feeling sweaty and smelly?

Avoiding Sweaty, Smelly Feet

Nobody likes smelly feet or sweaty dress socks, so how can we do everyone a favor and keep our feet fresh? Proper footwear is the key to keeping your feet sweat, smell, and blister-free. Let’s start with socks.

Sweat Wicking Dress Socks

The best dress socks are the ones that wick moisture, eliminate odors, and last for a lifetime. Darn Tough men's dress socks are all made from high quality Merino Wool and are Unconditionally Guaranteed for Life. Merino Wool will ensure that you have one less thing to worry about - sweaty and smelly feet.

Traditional cotton socks will hold onto sweat like a sponge, keeping the area around your feet damp and clammy. Not what you need when you’re trying to focus on your presentation. This can cause skin irritation or blisters as well as create bacteria which can lead to some unwanted smells.

Unlike cotton, Merino Wool naturally moves moisture away from your skin. Once you begin to sweat, the Merino Wool socks will collect the moisture and wick it away rather than holding onto it like cotton.

Not only that, but the Merino’s fibers are naturally anti-microbial (aka good at fighting odor-causing bacteria), making Merino Wool the perfect material for eliminating odors and smells. Just ask the Merino sheep; they’ve been romping around in Merino Wool for centuries.

Breathable Dress Shoes

A good pair of sweat-wicking dress socks will do a lot of the heavy lifting, but let’s discuss the other half of footwear: dress shoes. Dress shoes are often made from leather or faux leather. Leather is a great shoe material that’s semi-breathable due to its pores. The pores in the leather will work with a good pair of Merino Wool socks, allowing moisture to be wicked away from your feet and released into the air.

Many brands offer shoes made using faux leather, which is made from plastic. These typically more cost-friendly shoes lack the breathable properties of leather. This can cause your feet to sweat with no escape for moisture and heat, which makes choosing the right pair of socks even more vital.

And if you're prone to really sweaty feet, considering saving up for that real leather pair. 

Fashionable & Functional

All our men’s thin wool dress socks include designs fit for all different styles and a couple different levels of cushion to fit your preference. From solid to stripes to animal patterns, we have a sock to suit your personality for any occasion. 

One of our fan-favorite Men’s moisture wicking dress socks fit for any occasion is The Standard. This is a basic crew solid dress sock made with lightweight Merino Wool.

If you’re looking for something dressy with a little more flare, you can check out our Men’s Oxford or Druid socks. These men’s lightweight dress socks are both classy socks with some colorful stripes.

• The Oxford features a no-cushion design to create a lightweight, barely there feel.
• The Druid includes cushion for those days where you’re walking around a lot and need some extra comfort.

Pro Tip: In addition to adding comfort and durability, cushion can help with moisture management. The Terry loops that create cushion add more Merino Wool into strategic places on the sock. More Merino Wool means more moisture-wicking fibers ready to pick up that unwanted moisture and dispose of it.

Finally, if you want to show off your personality, you can check out our animal dress socks like the Duck Duck Moose, Spey Fly, Animal Haus, and more.

Don’t Sweat It. Try a Pair

If you or an office mate are struggling, don’t worry. You can try out our Merino Wool men's dress socks, and you won’t be disappointed. Not only are we in the business of creating the best socks ever and guaranteeing them for life, but also making the world less of a smelly place. Your coworkers will appreciate this.

For more help choosing the right pair of Merino Wool socks for you, dive into Men's Dress Socks: A Complete Guide. And trust us, our offices have never smelled like feet.