Doc Martens is the signature brand of the rebellious, the punks, and the iconoclasts.
Their 80s “punk rock” look remains popular to this day, particularly among counterculture youth dressing to stand out from the crowd. The fact that they’re just so beautifully comfortable makes them an even better choice for boot-lovers of all shapes and sizes.
As with all boots, it takes a good pair of socks to make the boots fit right. Not only will the right socks stop your feet from sliding around, but will protect against blisters and offer cushioning to keep your feet comfy in the boots all day long.
After testing out all the pairs I could get my hands on, I’ve cobbled together a list of the five best socks to wear with Doc Martens to ensure you stay firmly grounded in your favorite footwear.
How Did I Come Up With My List?
I’ll be honest: I, like so many others, went through a Doc Martens phase.
Mine didn’t involve spiky hair and bright-colored plaid pants, though. No, I was among the “modern” Doc Martens wearers who opted for dark gray jeans rolled up at the ankles, a plain white tee, and a (I thought at the time) stylish canvas jacket.
To be fair, I still love and often wear my Doc Martens (the 1460 Smooth Leather Lace Up model) because they’re among the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. They’ve held up incredibly well over the years, more so than almost any other boot I’ve worn.
When I was first breaking in the Doc Martens, I found my regular socks just didn’t work. They were too bulky and bunched up or too thin and didn’t provide proper traction.
I ended up going through nearly two dozen brands of socks before I found the ones that fit right.
Years later, those socks are still going as strong as the boots.
In addition to my personal testing, I’ve combed through hundreds of products and tens of thousands of reviews.
My research has led me to this list, which I organized starting with the pair I most like wearing with my Doc Martens, followed by the other socks I believe will suit a specific purpose or preference.
5 Best Socks to Wear with Doc Martens
Best Overall: Camel City Mill Lightweight
The Camel City Mill Lightweight Wool Work Socks are one of my favorite pairs of socks to wear with any boots. Period.
They’re lightweight, amazingly breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. Plus, there’s light cushioning in the heel and toe. I found these kept my feet very comfortable even over a long day strolling around town. And I was delightfully blister-free, too.
The socks combine Merino wool with nylon and spandex, a blend that’s sturdy, reliable, and versatile as athletic, work, hiking, and everyday socks. The cushioned underside features a unique ribbed pattern that allows air to flow to your feet to keep even heavy sweaters (like this guy) from soaking through their socks.
What I Like
The light compression in the arch and shaft help to improve circulation.
Breathable, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking.
Keep your feet cool and prevent excess sweating.
Nice cushioning in the underside to provide foot support.
Backed by a 10-year guarantee.
What I Don’t Like
The price tag is a bit higher, as expected of a premium quality product. You definitely get what you pay for with these bad boys, though.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviews who’ve tested the sock love them as much as I do. Positive reviews mention everything from the durability of the hard-wearing fabric to their light weight to their versatility. They’re used for everything from hiking to summer sports to work to daily commuting.
One issue some reviewers found was that the socks’ sizing was a bit on the larger side. Men with smaller feet (under 10) should choose the smaller of the two available sizes, while guys with big feet (like me) are better served by the bigger size.
The Verdict
After personally testing the Camel City Mill Lightweight socks, I fell in love with their comfort, versatility, breathability, and durability. I’ve stocked my sock drawer with as many pairs as I could fit, and I keep pulling them out every time I wear not only my Doc Martens, but pretty much any heavier boot.
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
Best Retro: SuNi Striped Crew
For guys who want to match their socks to their retro-looking footwear, it doesn’t get more stylish than these. The SuNi Striped Crew socks bring back the classic-white-with-bold-colorful-stripes look you know and love, and are tall enough that they’ll stick out of your boot tops to show everyone your flair for the stylishly dramatic.
Each pack contains four pairs of three-striped white crew socks, and you can’t argue with their affordable price tag. They’re comfortable enough you can wear them in just about any pair of Doc Martens.
Really, the one downside is that they’re made using 91% cotton. Cotton tends to get soggy when your feet sweat heavily (which they usually will in boots). Still, on those days you want to go full old school with your outfit, they’re an amazing choice.
What I Like
Comfortable everyday socks.
Stylish retro flair.
Good value for the money.
What I Don’t Like
They’re made with primarily cotton, which isn’t the best boot sock material.
What Other Reviewers Say
Users agree with me that these are some of the best-looking “old school” socks around. Plus, they’re crazy comfortable (for cotton socks), stay up without sagging, and are just the right size for everyday use.
Some users didn’t like their lack of cushioning, while a few found the ankles were a bit too tight. One reviewer remarked that they weren’t as breathable as they’d like (a common problem with cotton).
The Verdict
If you’re going to pair a retro outfit with your Doc Martens, these three-striped white SuNi Striped Crew socks are the ideal choice. You won’t be able to wear them for too long (cotton tends to get sweaty/sodden quickly), but while you do, you’ll feel truly “old school” stylish.
If you’re going to pair a retro outfit with your Doc Martens, these three-striped white SuNi Striped Crew socks are the ideal choice. You won’t be able to wear them for too long (cotton tends to get sweaty/sodden quickly), but while you do, you’ll feel truly “old school” stylish.
Best for Breaking in Docs: Camel City Mill Heavyweight
Doc Martens (particularly the Made in England Docs) are crafted using Quilon, a type of smooth leather that is stiff and resilient. While the use of Quilon leather makes for tougher boots, it also leads to a longer (and sometimes more painful) break-in time.
Thankfully, these extra-thick heavyweight Merino wool socks will keep your feet comfortable over the days and weeks that you’re breaking in your Doc Martens. I’ve worn them to break in pretty much every pair of leather boots I’ve bought, and their thick fabric, cushioned heel and toe, and breathable design makes them ideal for wearing with tough and inflexible boots.
They’re even useful for breaking in the Doc Martens that feature a steel toe.
What I Like
Thick enough to protect your feet while breaking in stiff, inflexible boots.
Good insulation against cold but also beautifully breathable.
Moisture-wicking and thermoregulation properties keep your feet dry and cool.
All-day comfort guaranteed.
What I Don’t Like
They’re much too heavyweight for use in the summer. Better to break in your Doc Martens during the spring or autumn when it’s cool enough to wear such thick socks.
What Other Reviewers Say
Poring over the many many reviews for these socks posted online, it’s pretty clear users love them as much as I do. Reviewers praise their durability, comfort, insulation, moisture-wicking properties, and, of course, their heavy weight. More than a few users keep them on hand for the same purpose I do: staying warm in winter and breaking in new boots.
The negative reviews focused largely around their thickness and warmth. A few who made the mistake of wearing them over the summer overheated quickly. Better to keep them in the back of your sock drawer during the warmer months, they all said.
The Verdict
I have yet to find a better pair of socks for breaking in any new pair of boots, be they Doc Martens, Red Wings, or Blundstones. Between their thickness, durability, padding, and breathability, the Camel City Mill Heavyweights are my all-time favorite cold-weather and workwear socks. No matter how stiff and tough your new Doc Martens are, these socks will protect your feet and keep you comfortable.
The Heavyweight from Camel City Mill is the best work sock you can get for a steel toe boot. The padding is heavy in the heel and toe, but since it's made with Merino wool, this sock is also very breathable and won't make your feet sweaty.
Best for Women: thorlos Kxw Crew Socks
The thorlos Kxw Crew Socks are a wonderfully versatile pair of boot-friendly crew socks. Made using a blend of acrylic, nylon, and elastic, they’re flexible, breathable, and will keep your feet dry and cool. You can take them hiking, play sports, or stroll around town in your Doc Martens.
The socks are specifically engineered for women’s feet, with a smaller toe box and heel pocket as well as extra elasticity in the ankle. Thanks to their padded heel and forefoot, you’ve got plenty of support for a long day on your feet.
What I Like
Breathable, moisture-wicking, and well-ventilated.
Sturdy fabric that holds up well to daily use.
Comfortable for women’s feet—not too tight or too wide.
Won’t sag, pill, or stretch with repeated use.
What I Don’t Like
I noticed that over time, as my wife (my real-life product tester extraordinaire!) used them more and more, threads in the heel and toes began to snag and pull.
What Other Reviewers Say
With more than 1,000 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, there’s no doubt these socks are a popular choice among wearers. Users love their quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties, their versatility, cushioning, and stay-up design.
While many praised the fit, there were a number of reviewers who commented that the socks were too tight in the forefoot or the heel. Likely this was a problem for women with wider feet, but it’s something to be aware of nonetheless.
A few users also found the same problem my wife did: the socks began to unravel at the heels, which led to snagging and pulling.
The Verdict
For an everyday sock that will be wonderfully comfortable in a pair of Doc Martens, the thorlos Kxw Crew Socks are a great pick. You can wear them for any activity—hiking, walking, commuting, or relaxing on the weekend—and trust they’ll keep your feet cool, dry, and supported.
For an everyday sock that will be wonderfully comfortable in a pair of Doc Martens, the thorlos Kxw Crew Socks are a great pick. You can wear them for any activity—hiking, walking, commuting, or relaxing on the weekend—and trust they’ll keep your feet cool, dry, and supported.
Best Over the Knee: Aneco 6 Pairs Over Knee Thigh Socks
I’ll be honest: it was not easy to find a pair of over-the-knee thigh socks that are also boot-friendly. My wife ended up testing nearly a dozen options before she chose these Anecos one as her top pick.
The reason she picked them was because of how light and airy they felt when enclosed in thick Doc Martens. The polyester fabric is breathable and quick-drying. Even after wearing them all day long, she still found them surprisingly comfortable, great for wearing around the house as well as out and about.
The range of style choices were also a huge “win” for her. The 6-pack of socks includes six color options: white, gray, and black, with a striped variation of each. All the outfit choices she (or any other boot-wearer) could ask for.
What I Like
Lightweight polyester fabric is breezy and breathable.
Trendy, available in multiple colors and styles.
Very affordable price tag.
Easily pair with a wide range of outfits (mini-skirts, shorts, booties, coats, etc.).
What I Don’t Like
The socks lack cushioning, so they provide no foot padding or support.
What Other Reviewers Say
Users who’ve tested these socks have largely good things to say, as evidenced by the 7,000+ reviews and 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Reviewers praise their stay-up design, comfort, softness, fit, feel, and elasticity.
On the downside, a few testers (particularly active ones) found the toes tended to wear out and rip quickly. This is likely due to the lack of reinforcement at the toe seams.
A few reviewers also commented that they were too thin to provide any real insulation or warmth. Not great for winter use, clearly, but ideal for pairing with summer and warm-weather outfits.
The Verdict
For a classy look, pair these Aneco Over-the-Knee thigh socks with your favorite Doc Martens and you can trust you’ll always stand out from the crowd. Their light weight, breathability, stay-up design, and affordable price tag make them an option I’m happy to recommend.
For a classy look, pair these Aneco Over-the-Knee thigh socks with your favorite Doc Martens and you can trust you’ll always stand out from the crowd. Their light weight, breathability, stay-up design, and affordable price tag make them an option I’m happy to recommend.
Stride Loud and Proud
Doc Martens are a popular choice among “punk-rockers”, counterculturists, and people who want to stand out from the crowd. They’re a fashion choice that will never truly go out of style so long as there are people who choose to express their individuality through the way they dress and the boots they wear.
If you’re going to wear Doc Martens, my research leads me to conclude the Camel City Mill Lightweight socks are the best choice for versatility, breathability, comfort, and long-lasting durability. Plus, that 10-year warranty guarantees they’ll last you as long as your boots.
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
For those who want to bring back the “retro” style, the SuNi Striped Crew Socks are the ideal choice to pair with your 80s outfit. But for anyone new to the Doc Martens life, I recommend the Camel City Mill Heavyweights to make the break-in process more comfortable.
If you’re going to pair a retro outfit with your Doc Martens, these three-striped white SuNi Striped Crew socks are the ideal choice. You won’t be able to wear them for too long (cotton tends to get sweaty/sodden quickly), but while you do, you’ll feel truly “old school” stylish.
And for the ladies who wear Doc Martens, the thorlos KXW Crew Socks will be your everyday choice, and the Aneco Over-the-Knee Thigh Socks are the pair to keep in your closet when you want to add flair to your outfit.
