Swiftwick Maxus One Review

The Swiftwick MAXUS One is a high-performance running sock with just enough cushion to be considered “cushioned” as far as our testers are concerned. Compared to competitors, there isn't much extra fabric on the parts of the foot that receive the most impact, but next to a uniformly thin running sock, the difference is noticeable. For folks who find the thickness of a cushioned sock to be too much but are wary of sliding around in their shoes while wearing an ultra-thin and breathable sock, these could be your happy medium.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Aside from a little compression from the elastic band over the arch, one might forget they're wearing socks after slipping into the MAXUS One. The seamless toe-box provides an airy, comfortable spot for the toes to splay, and the Y-shaped heel stitching pattern pulls the sock against the Achilles so it won't slide down or bunch up. Anecdotally, one of our testers went years running in a pair of Brooks Pure Connect, a shoe that fit him so exquisitely that he swore he didn't need socks (to each to his own). Since the demise of his favorite shoe, he's had to change his habits and sock up, and he frequently leaves these socks on after his runs, a testament to their comfort.

Fit

This sock has a sleek, no-show design that still clears the ankle collar of most running shoes. If you spend a lot of time running on sandier desert soils, you'll understand the importance of a no-show sock showing just enough to help keep debris out. The size large fit our men's 9.5 sized tester pretty well, providing room in the toe box to wiggle and splay, with enough compression throughout the rest of the sock to prevent bunching. Compared to some other brands, the fit is slightly on the small size, so sizing up is a good idea if you're between sizes.

Wicking & Breathability

The MAXUS one employs several effective strategies to increase breathability. First off and most noticeable is the thin, open weave on the upper part of the sock. Without a shoe on, our testers can feel the cool air running over the tops of their feet, especially compared to the lightly cushioned bottoms. Slightly less apparent are the high-volume fibers that make up the footbed. While it's difficult to compare these fibers to competitors, we can look to our water absorption and drying tests to somewhat enlighten us to their wicking properties. These socks dried quicker than their cushioned competitors, albeit they have less cushion.

Slip Prevention

We can usually rely on a cushioned sock to slip significantly less than a non-cushioned model. Swiftwick calls this their most heavily cushioned model, but compared to our favorite cushioned competitors, there really isn't much cushioning going on. On a positive note, this makes them breathe and dry more quickly, but it doesn't provide that “locked-in” no-slip feel we get from other cushioned socks.

Durability

After 40+ miles in the desert heat and few wash cycles, these socks show no signs of quitting. The stitch is still tight, and we can't find so much as a stray fiber. The cushioning on the toe and heel may not do a whole lot to keep your foot from sliding around in the shoe, but it adds a thicker layer of material in the highest wear areas on the sock, effectively extending its longevity.

Value

These high-performing, durable socks are priced competitively with their top competitors. We wouldn't call them a screaming deal, but if you're in the market for some killer running socks, we feel confident that your dollars will translate to many happy miles when it comes to these socks from Swiftwick.

Conclusion