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Feetures Merino 10 Review

A super plush and comfortable running sock with a compressive fit
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Feetures Merino 10 Review
Credit: Feetures
Price:  $20 List
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Manufacturer:   Feetures
By Amber King ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 2, 2020
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 11
  • Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Fit - 25% 8.0
  • Wicking & Breathability - 25% 6.0
  • Slip Prevention - 15% 7.0
  • Durability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

Are comfort and coziness your top priority? The Features Merino 10 is a merino wool-synthetic blend sock that is woven into a high-density construction. While running, you'll feel the additional cushioned support in the forefoot, heel, and along the collar of the Achilles. The elastic in the sock is integrated into all the right places. It compresses around the circumference of the arch, laterally, and from top to bottom. After running 30+ miles, we didn't notice it falling down, bunching, rolling, or slipping. Unfortunately, the fit is a little tight with sub-par breathability in areas of high cushioning. A great option for those that prioritize comfort.
REASONS TO BUY
Super plush and comfortable
Ergonomic fit
Men & women's versions
Cute colors
REASONS TO AVOID
Moisture management is sub-par
Tight fit

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feetures merino 10
This Product
Feetures Merino 10
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Running Sock
Top Pick Award
Best Toe Sock
Top Pick Award
Most Comfortable Cushioning
Top Pick Award
Best for Wicking & Breathability
Price $20.00 List
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Bottom Line A compressive running sock with super plush padding in all the right placesAn excellent all-around awesome contender that's built for long days on the trail or roadIf you love to spread your toe, this toe-sock is our favorite for its excellent cushioning, comfort, and moisture managementAn all-around performer that wicks well and offers extreme comfort, although it's not the most breathableThis sock offers the best wicking and breathability for those in need of dry feet all day long
Rating Categories Feetures Merino 10 Balega Blister Resi... Injinji Trail Midwe... Balega Silver No Show Swiftwick Aspire Zero
Comfort (25%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
Fit (25%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Wicking & Breathability (25%)
6.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
10.0
Slip Prevention (15%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
Durability (10%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
8.0
Specs Feetures Merino 10 Balega Blister Resi... Injinji Trail Midwe... Balega Silver No Show Swiftwick Aspire Zero
Material Merino, Synthetic 32% Drynamix Polyester, 32% Polyamide, 30% Mohair, 4% Microfiber, 2% Elastane 39% Coolmax Polyester, 58% Nylon, 3% Lycra 75% Drynamix Polyester, 23% Nylon, 2% Elastane 55% Nylon, 40% Olefin, 5% Spandex
Ankle Cut No Show Tab Quarter Length Quarter Length No Show Tab No Show
Cushioning Level Light Heavy Heavy Heavy None

Our Analysis and Test Results

Soft and supple, the Feetures Merino 10 is super comfortable and cozy. It's designed strategically to offer a nice balance of cushioning while keeping your feet dry on long days out. This lightweight running sock is fairly durable but has shown signs of wear after 60 miles.

Performance Comparison


feetures merino 10 - running on technical and steep trails makes for a great utility with...
Running on technical and steep trails makes for a great utility with the uber comfortable Feetures! Merino 10. It is ultra plush, protecting from all sorts of trail obstacles and debris.
Credit: Amber King

Comfort


If you're seeking a cozy and comfortable hug while you run, the Feetures Merino 10 certainly delivers. It is made of a high-density synthetic and Merino wool blend material that earns it a top pick because it feels good on the skin and underfoot. Cushioning is found in all the right places and is light to provide good breathability. Like any well-constructed sock, it is well thought out. They build this sock with high density cushioning in the heel, forefoot, and around the collar at the Achilles heel. The material is tightly woven to enhance comfort whether you're running for 100 miles or simply lounging around the house. Our thoughts? Since the Merino wool-synthetic blend is soft and plush with targeted cushioning in all the right places, it's one of the most comfortable socks out there.

feetures merino 10 - a look at the interior construction of this sock. the heel and...
A look at the interior construction of this sock. The heel and forefoot are well padded with additional “flush” in high use areas.
Credit: Amber King

Fit


We tested the women's version on this sock, and it certainly fits specific to a more narrow, slender foot. The material is laced with a stretchy material that ensures a tight fit that doesn't roll down on the run. Starting at the top, the collar is well padded towards the back with a thinner, but comfortable flap on the front. Around the neck of the collar is a hardy elastic band that wraps the circumference of the ankle. This provides a tight fit with a “no-show” sock. It has a designated left and right side for a nice, anatomical fit.

feetures merino 10 - the pull tab is padded, but it does fit a little bit small. if...
The pull tab is padded, but it does fit a little bit small. If you're unsure on size, make sure you size up with this sock.
Credit: Amber King

The heel is well-cushioned and quite tight as well. The arch is a thinner band of elastic material that does a great job of wrapping and compressing the arch. The toe box is certainly more narrow than the male design, but not so compressive that you can't spread your toes.

feetures merino 10 - the arch is quite compressive, providing a very specific fit.
The arch is quite compressive, providing a very specific fit.
Credit: Amber King

The seamless and elastic design does not bunch or roll while on the run, making the fit comfortable and specific. Overall, this sock feels a little smaller than the rest out of the box and offers a great level of compression. Some might say the fit is “tight”. If you like that, this is a great option.

feetures merino 10 - the feetures merino 10 have an l (left) or r (right) to tell you...
The Feetures Merino 10 have an L (left) or R (right) to tell you which foot it should be on.
Credit: Amber King

Wicking & Breathability


With plush cushioning, it's not surprising that this sock isn't as breathable as thinner contenders. The plush material does a great job of grabbing moisture and wicking it away from the skin, but the material does hold sweat a little longer. While we would still use this for warm summer days, it's not our top recommendation if it's bleeding hot outside or if you have especially sweaty feet. During most training runs our feet stayed dry because the Feetures sock wicks incredibly well. However, during super hot days, we noticed moisture building up in areas of high padding. Our feet weren't wet by any means, but they simply didn't release moisture as easily as thinner contenders.

feetures merino 10 - this sock does incredibly well wicking away moisture from the foot...
This sock does incredibly well wicking away moisture from the foot. The arch area provides a good mode of ventilation. That said, after this particular run, we noticed moisture building up in the pads of the sock, even though our feet stayed dry.
Credit: Amber King

Underneath the arch, there is a bunch of loosely knit threads that actually pull moisture from the arch sufficiently. While this area is much thinner to enable the transport of moisture away from the skin, it's still thicker than other options out there…and more tightly knit. As a result, moisture hangs out a little longer in the fabric (not on your skin). In the areas of the padding, this material has a much tighter knit, meaning that water can't efficiently evaporate away. By the end of a run on a super hot day, we noticed this sock being pretty moist, even though our skin felt dry. Overall, not the best at breathability, but it does wick effectively to keep your feet dry on the run.

feetures merino 10 - the thinner parts of the sock (top of the foot and underneath)...
The thinner parts of the sock (top of the foot and underneath) provide great ventilation.
Credit: Amber King

Slip Prevention


The high-density fabric ensures that your foot stays in place in your show. The thicker fabric is composed of Merino Wool fibers that do a better job at grabbing than most slippery synthetic options. Whether you are charging down a super steep hill or simply going for the gold on the flats, you can find solace in the fact that your foot won't be slipping around in your shoe.

feetures merino 10 - the fibers in the high areas of cushioning articulate well with the...
The fibers in the high areas of cushioning articulate well with the shoe's insole to limit slip only to really steep slopes. That said, we didn't note this as a problem and actually think this sock slips less than other lightweight options.
Credit: Amber King

We tested this sock for over thirty miles in a variety of different types of terrain. We ran up and down steep hills and trotted away on straightaways. We wore different types of shoes, wide and sloppy to tight and fitted. While some offered more room for slippage, we found that this sock offered resistance and traction in the shoe. The cushioning in the heel and forefoot provides enough grip that it won't move around too much. Even though it is tightly knit, when it compresses during high impact it holds in place. Great for avoiding foot slippage!

Durability


This sock showed some wear and tear after about 30 miles of use. The Merino wool-synthetic blend will pill, even when laundering the socks to the company's specifications. That said, it doesn't affect performance.

feetures merino 10 - the threads proved to be intact with just a little bit of...
The threads proved to be intact with just a little bit of compression wear and tear in high use areas. Overall, good durability in this 30 miles testing period.
Credit: Amber King

While 30 miles is a great first look at the durability of this sock, it's not enough to say where its limits are. The wear and tear we observed after our testing period including some compaction of the high-density fibers in both the forefoot and heel. However, the rest of the sock stayed intact and didn't deform after washing. The elasticity of the sock is strong and over time, it seemed to ball up and bunch after coming out of the wash. That said, we simply tugged it and it went back into its normal shape. We are happy to report this running sock is fairly durable during our testing period.

feetures merino 10 - trails, roads, or whatever. this sock offers great protection from...
Trails, roads, or whatever. This sock offers great protection from underfoot obstacles and can perform on flat, unobtrusive surfaces as well.
Credit: Amber King

Value


While the Feetures is super comfortable, we aren't too impressed with the price. This price tag is a lot of money to spend on a simple pair of running socks. This sock really is unique for its soft fabrics and ultra-plush cushioning in the forefoot and heel. So if you're willing to throw down cash for that, then it may be worth it. But the masses, there are better options for the price.

Conclusion


The Feetures Merino 10 offers the ultimate in comfort and coziness! This super-soft, super plush, and well-cushioned running sock will have you purring like a kitten getting a belly rub. It doesn't lose its shape or bunch while running and will keep your feet dry. Slippage isn't an issue while durability seemed to be decent through our testing period. Overall, a well-fitted running sock that offers oodles of comfort for long days out.

Amber King