These Worth-Every-Penny Walking Socks Make Shoes Feel Instantly More Comfortable | HuffPost Life

A good walking shoe can be a total game-changer for your feet, but you might not have thought as deeply about the socks you wear with those shoes. If you’re looking for a boost to take your shoes to the next level of comfort and support, allow us to introduce you to the HuffPost editor-approved cushioned socks from Thorlo.

We know — there might be some initial sticker shock from that price tag, but reviewers confirm that the brand gives customers their money’s worth. For one thing, Thorlo offers a lifetime guarantee to ensure your socks will be of the highest quality with no defects. For another, Thorlo socks are specifically engineered to distribute padding density where it’s most needed throughout the foot for the most supportive, comfortable fit. (NBA player P.J. Tucker told the New York Times his Thorlos were “the most comfortable socks ever.”)

HuffPost audience editor Gina Escandon is a big fan of Thorlo’s maximum cushion ankle walking socks (Escandon bought them in the six-pack, but you can also buy these in three-packs or single pairs).

“I never understood why specialized socks were tailored to different activities — until I wore these, and it clicked,” she says. “Splurging on proper walking socks has made a huge difference in alleviating my foot and heel pain. The ultra-thick cushioning helps so much with shock absorption, it seems like I can walk all day without any soreness or blisters.” (Escandon discovered the socks through her mom, who finds them so comfortable that she often wears them — sans footwear — while driving.)

The maximum cushion socks come in three women’s sizes. They have a cushioned instep and spandex arch for a better fit, are made with moisture-wicking fiber and are designed specifically for women’s feet with a smaller heel pocket and more stretch in the ankle.

They also offer the most cushion of Thorlo’s styles (which range from ultra-light to maximum). “They’re so cozy I often wear these socks around the house instead of slippers,” Escandon adds, “and they provide tons of support standing on hard floors. I never thought I’ve be raving about a humble sock, but these are truly worth every penny!”

Reviewers agree with Escandon’s rave review, with some calling them their “secret weapon” or even “heaven in a sock.” Shoppers love them for reducing blisters and their slipper-like feel thanks to the immense cushioning. Nurses, golfers and more love the comfort they provide for standing or walking for long periods. “So far life seems easier wearing these socks,” one reviewer wrote. “You most definitely feel the support on your pressure points which create a perfect little cushion for feet.”

Admittedly, color options are limited — this style only comes in pink, and both Escandon and other reviewers wish more colors were available. But for the amount of support they provide, we’d say these are still worth the buy.

As mentioned earlier, Escandon's only complaint about the maximum cushion ankle socks is the lack of variety in colors. When she's not feeling the pink or needs socks that blend in, she opts for these similar moderate cushion socks that come in a plain white. They do have less cushion, as implied by the name, but are still designed to reduce blisters and pressure from walking, and reviewers claim the high-quality socks last them years, even over a decade in one case. As one reviewer puts it, "These provide the same level of cushion and comfort I've come to expect from Thorlo socks for several years. Two thumbs up!" You can get these in medium or large.

Kristen Aiken, editorial director of life and commerce at HuffPost, says her mom is also a fan of Thorlo socks and likes these light cushion low cut socks to wear in the summer because "they really hug your arches tightly." These are definitely a sportier option, made with a lighter-weight breathable polyester and with cooling fiber in the ball and heel. The foot pads are also anatomically engineered to absorb impact. These socks also offer a much wider color range, and come in sizes XS-XL.

If you're more of a hiker or outdoorsy person — or just want socks you can wear with your winter boots — Aiken says her mom "loves these hiking socks because they don't cut off the circulation in her ankles and they keep her feet SO WARM without making them sweaty." The higher-cut crew socks feature the maximum cushioning of Escandon's favorite ankle socks, with a cushioned instep and moisture-wicking fiber. As one reviewer notes, they're also great for workers who stand all day: "I walk stairs and walk in concrete all day and these socks made a world of difference. It’s easier for me to climb the stairs and feet are no longer fatigue at the end of the day." You can get these in three colors and sizes small or medium.

Speaking of standing all day, if that's a regular concern for you, you might like these ankle work socks that were made with the 12-hour shift in mind. Available in white or black and sizes M-XL, these socks have arch and ankle compression, an aerodynamic and breathable fit and clinically tested padding to reduce friction on the ball and heel. Reviewers can vouch for the claim that these reduce foot fatigue and are worth the slightly high price for a pair of socks. "The answer to that is 'how much is your health worth?'" one reviewer points out. "I've seen nothing else offered like Thorlos socks maximum cushioning socks."