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Cringe to Comfort: A Guide to Wearing Socks with Sandals, Crocs, & Beyond
This might be a controversial take, but socks and sandals are awesome and belong together. Socks and Crocs are awesome. Socks and Birkenstocks, also awesome.
Wow, that felt good to say.
Maybe that’s not too surprising of a take, coming from a sock company. But as THE authority on maximizing comfort and embracing personal style no matter the footwear, we can confidently proclaim this.
But Darn Tough is a diverse company with diverse opinions on the matter (and many other matters). To honor that, we decided to make a guide for exactly how to wear socks with sandals and dispel some of the myths while highlighting some of the practical — and stylish — benefits.
Why Wear Socks with Sandals
You might be asking yourself, is it alright to wear socks with sandals? Well, is it alright to dream? To fall in love? To LIVE???
The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES. Not just for the pure style of the socks and sandals look, but also for the functional benefits of wearing Merino Wool socks. To fill any gaps for the uninitiated:
- Cozy warmth when it’s cold out
- Sweat wicking power when it’s hot
- Blister prevention — not to mention cushioning
- Oh, the cushioning…
Like the saying goes, “haters gonna hate,” but we think it’s just because they haven’t experienced this level of nirvana yet. There’s nothing wrong with wearing socks with sandals. (The bias is everywhere; even spellcheck wants us to delete “with sandals” from that last sentence!)
Name a better feeling than slipping on a fresh pair of thick Merino Wool socks and sliding those sock-clad feet into a pair of sandals. It’s easily up there with other life-changing experiences like a person’s first mountain summit view or reaching a deep meditative state.
Are Socks and Sandals Cool?
What’s the first image that pops into your head when you think of someone wearing socks and sandals? It’s alright if you immediately pictured a crusty old hippie at a farmer’s market. No judgement.
That may be the cliche, but socks and sandals have reached new fashion levels and new demographics. It’s a look that knows no bounds. From ankle and crew socks to calf-height, the length of socks chosen can alternate between functionality (i.e. weather) and fashion (up to the wearer).
The type and style of sandals you sport may have a say on what kind of socks you want to pair them with. We’ve broken it down by style (granola, sporty, clog) represented by some of your favorite sandal brands — Birkenstocks, Chaco, and Crocs.
Socks with Birkenstocks: For the Festival Go-er
Birkenstock sandals have been around forever. They have a timeless look that has managed to fit in seamlessly at music festivals across the decades — from Woodstock to Woodstock ‘99 to Coachella.
Socks and sandals are actually perfect for music festivals, not just because the style makes you look like a true fan, but because you are outside all day and all night long. If the day starts out hot, toss a pair of socks in your bag to slip on when the sun goes down and the temps drop.
While at first glance, taller Merino Wool socks are the perfect pairing, we’ve also seen the younger generation pair their Birks with ankle-length partners.
As far as prints go, it’s really up to the wearer. Everyone will see your socks, so keep that in mind.
Socks and Chacos: For the Outdoorsy or Outdoorsy-adjacent
You know the type: sporty outdoors person, probably wears a lot of tech fabric clothing, a fan of shorts. This person isn’t limited to river rafting or hiking around Zion National Park; you’re just as likely to see them on the streets of Boulder, CO, Burlington, VT, or anywhere else there’s that perfect convergence of active lifestyles, microbreweries, and sunshine.
Pairing socks with Chacos can be equal parts fashion statement and equal parts practicality. Thicker Merino Wool socks are great for hiking because the extra cushioning can help prevent friction from the straps. Thinner, lightweight socks can also feel great on warmer days.
As far as sock height, the biggest tip is to wear socks that come up higher than your sandal’s ankle strap.
Crocs with Socks: For Those Who Keep It Weird
Crocs will get you. They look ridiculous, feel fabulous, and walk a fine line between irony and sincerity.
A lot of people began their foray into the quirky style of Crocs in a jokey kind of way. Pick a fun pattern, claim they’re “only wearing them for gardening,” then find themselves efficiently and quickly passing through airport security — wearing their Crocs.
It’s all good. Happens to everyone.
Crocs are comfortable, go on easily and are super lightweight. But socks with Crocs take this comfort to a new level, especially on extra cold or hot days.
- For cold days, fight the chill coming through those little holes by throwing on a pair of thick Merino Wool socks for extra warmth.
- On hot days, fight slimy Croc sweat with thin, moisture-wicking Merino Wool socks.
For patterns, go wild. You already jumped the shark by wearing Crocs. Nothing can stop you.
How to Wear Socks with Sandals: Consider Function and Fashion
So, you’ve picked your sandal style, booked your festival tickets or found the funkiest pair of Crocs around — now it’s time to choose socks. Guess what? The legendary comfort and cushion levels of Darn Tough socks (that fit so well with hiking boots and running shoes) are the perfect complement to sandals.
Not only are Darn Tough socks known for their legendary durability, but they are also all back by our Guaranteed For Life promise. Got a problem with them? Send ‘em back and we’ll send you a new pair.
While our proven durability promise is one thing, function and fashion are considerations all savvy socks and sandals aficionados can follow.
Function
Two of the biggest benefits of Merino Wool — breathability and moisture wicking — really shine in these open-toed situations. Wearing socks with sandals exposes your socks to the elements — rain, snow, heat, spilled drinks — that’s why it’s more important than ever to wear socks that can perform in these conditions.
Whether you’re on a rainy hike, trekking around festival mud, or spending a hot afternoon pruning your favorite rose bush, feel confident knowing Merino Wool has you covered.
Fashion
We’ve preached at length about the various ways you can style our wide range of sock colors, patterns, and designs, and a lot of the same principles apply to sandals.
Patterned socks and socks with designs pair best with solid-colored sandals. Patterned sandals match up well with solid-colored socks.
Or… do whatever you want. There are no more rules when it comes to fashion. Fashion is cyclical. Time is a construct. If you want to wear some of our most wild-looking socks with the craziest Crocs you can find — go for it. It’s called fashion, sweety.
If you’ve ever seen any of the looks from the Met Gala, you know the only thing setting apart a celebrity wearing a dress made of cardboard boxes and bubble wrap or a suit of swan feathers apart from everyone else is confidence. If they can wear that, there’s no reason you can’t wear whatever pairing of socks and sandals your imagination can think up. Just do it confidently.
The biggest thing to remember to consider your entire outfit, not just what your feet are doing. How does wearing socks with Birkenstocks contribute to the overall look you’re hoping to achieve? The bolder the statement, the more consideration (and confidence) is needed.
But no matter what you wear, be sure to prioritize your comfort with Darn Tough socks.
Where to Next?
Get out there, throw on some socks, slide your feet in some sandals, and start pushing style boundaries. Experiment with some different colors, patterns, and sock-sandal combos. There’s nothing to lose.
Not only is socks with sandals an acceptable fashion statement that’s here to stay, it’s also a practical choice for the everyday.
Ready to find your perfect pair of socks for any footwear adventure? Explore Darn Tough’s full collection of incredibly comfortable, durable, and stylish socks — whether you’re wearing sandals, boots, or shoes.
