Blisters, slipping heels, and sweaty feet make for a miserable marathon day.
Making sure you’ve got a quality pair of running socks is your best line of defence.
There are too many to pick from, so I’ve reviewed my personal favourites: Balega vs Feetures.
They’re both fantastic. So I laced up and tested them over 3 weeks of runs, so you don’t have to!
Quick Verdict
For straight comfort and everyday training, the Balega Hidden Comfort No Show wins.
Plush cushioning and a roomy feel make it a go-to when you just want to reach your Strava weekly miles and feel good.
For performance, longer runs, and runners who want support: I’d pick the Feetures High Performance Max Cushion.
It hugs the arch and holds its shape. Great when your feet are tired, and you’re pushing hard.
How I Tested Them
🧪 To keep things fair, I tested both socks across the same routes, shoes, and conditions. Over three weeks, I ran everything from short 3-mile tempo runs to 12-mile long efforts, logging roughly 50 miles total in each pair. I wore them in warm, humid weather and through a couple of wet runs to see how each handled moisture and friction. Each sock was washed and air-dried between uses to check for shrinkage, pilling, or loss of elasticity. I paid attention to five key areas: Fit, Cushioning, Breathability, Stability, and Durability.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Balega Hidden Comfort | Feetures High Performance Max Cushion |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Slightly roomier, deep heel pocket, easy to slip on | Tighter, more structured fit with arch compression |
| Cushioning | Plush padding underfoot, very soft feel | Targeted cushioning, firmer ride |
| Breathability | Good wicking but can run warm on humid days | Better airflow, dries faster post-run |
| Stability | Heel tab prevents slip, mild bounce | Locked-in arch grip, zero movement |
| Durability | Retains softness, minimal pilling after 5+ washes | Strong elastic, no shape loss; lifetime warranty |
| Cushion vs Breathability Trade-off | Very plush but slightly warmer | Slightly firmer feel but cooler |
| Best For | Easy runs, recovery days, everyday comfort | Long runs, races, hot weather sessions |
| Price Range (USD) | ~$15 | ~$18–22 |
Fit
Both socks fit well, but are quite different.
The Balega Hidden Comfort slips on easily because of its stretchy fabric and deep heel pocket that molds to your foot.
It feels soft right away, perfect for recovery or easy runs.
On shorter tests (5 miles), it stayed secure, with no bunching or heel rub.
Over longer distances (+10 miles), that same stretch made room for foot swelling, adding comfort but a slightly looser feel by the end.
The Feetures High Performance Max Cushion is a bit more technical.
It has a snug compression band through the arch that locks the sock onto your foot so it doesn’t budge.
It does make it a bit harder to pull on, but once it’s in place, it feels like part of your shoe.
👉 Verdict: Balega wins for flexibility, Feetures edges ahead for support.
Cushioning & Breathability
The biggest trade-off in socks is that more cushioning almost always means less breathability.
A thicker knit traps air (and warmth), while lighter mesh releases it faster.
The Balega Hidden Comfort delivers full-foot padding, which is especially comfortable through the heel and forefoot.
On recovery runs (5 miles), the softness is unbeatable, like running on pillows. Even on longer efforts (8 miles+), the cushioning held up.
The downside? That same thick weave retains a bit more warmth. During one humid test (90% humidity), my post-run moisture check showed 17g of water retention, and the socks took about 60 minutes longer to air-dry than Feetures. It’s cozy in winter, but slightly toasty in summer.
The Feetures High Performance Max Cushion uses a smarter, targeted design. Cushioning only sits under high-impact zones (heel, toe, and metatarsal) with thin, vented mesh across the top for airflow. It feels firmer underfoot but lighter overall. On my tempo runs (4 miles), it dried faster, stayed cooler, and picked up just 6g of moisture compared to Balega’s 17g.
Both stayed soft over time, but their personalities didn’t change: Balega remained plush and warm; Feetures stayed sleek and airy.
👉 Verdict: Balega delivers cloud-like comfort for cooler runs or recovery days. Feetures wins for ventilation and responsiveness on hot or fast efforts (the better all-rounder if you run warm like me!).
Stability
No sock should move once the run starts. The best way to prevent it is through compression.
The Balega Hidden Comfort grips well for most runs thanks to its deep heel pocket and soft ankle tab. On hill repeats (100m, 10 ft gain), it stayed mostly secure, though once the fabric got soaked, I felt slight movement around the heel after 20 minutes. The stretch that makes it comfy can also let it shift when wet or on sharp turns.
The Feetures High Performance Max Cushion is built to lock in. Its compression arch band and anatomical left/right design wrap the foot securely. During speedwork (3:00 km pace), it didn’t shift at all, even through downhill segments. Post-run heel mark testing showed only 11 mm of movement (vs Balega’s 29 mm).
👉 Verdict: Feetures offers race-level stability; Balega stays comfy for steady or easy runs.
Durability
After 50 miles and 10 wash cycles, both pairs held up better than expected.
The Balega Hidden Comfort stayed soft and cushiony but developed light pilling on the heel by wash 5, and a loose thread near the tab by wash 8. Elasticity relaxed slightly, making it even comfier but less snug. It also took around 7 hours to dry indoors.
The Feetures High Performance Max Cushion barely changed. Compression zones snapped back like new, seams stayed tight, and no pilling appeared even after 10 washes. It dried about 60 minutes faster and kept its color and structure better. They both were odor-free after being washed, neither held the odor in.
👉 Verdict: Feetures lasts longer and keeps shape better. Balega stays cozy but shows minor wear sooner.
When I’d use each sock
| Use Case | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon / Long Runs | Feetures | Compression keeps feet stable and cool over long distances. |
| Daily / Recovery Runs | Balega | Soft, plush cushioning reduces impact and feels effortless. |
| Hot / Humid Runs | Feetures | Vented mesh + quick-dry fibers prevent moisture buildup. |
| Cold / Treadmill Runs | Balega | Dense knit keeps feet warm and cozy. |
| Speedwork / Races | Feetures | Locked-in compression for total stability at pace. |
| Everyday Wear | Balega | Softer stretch fabric feels comfortable all day off-run. |
Material & Construction
Even though these socks do the same job, they’re built in very different ways.
The Balega Hidden Comfort is made from a mix of Drynamix® polyester (84%), nylon (14%), and a bit of elastane (2%). Balega’s special Drynamix® yarn is designed to pull sweat off your skin and help it dry quickly, so your feet don’t stay damp for long. The knit is thick and soft, which gives it that plush, cushioned feel Balega is known for. It also has reinforced heel and toe areas for extra strength and a seamless toe to stop rubbing. The little bit of elastane helps the sock keep its shape, even after lots of washes.
The Feetures High Performance Max Cushion uses iWick® polyester fibers, mixed with nylon and spandex. These fibers are also made to wick sweat away fast, but the design of the sock is what really makes it stand out. It has compression around the arch for a snug, supportive fit and an anatomical left/right shape, meaning each sock is made to match the shape of your foot. Like Balega, it’s seamless at the toe, but the cushioning is placed only where you need it most — under the heel and forefoot — which helps keep it light and cool.
Blister Prevention
Blisters usually come from three things — friction, moisture, and heat — so I tested both socks to see how they handle all three.
The Balega Hidden Comfort does a great job reducing friction thanks to its smooth, seamless toe and soft, dense knit. The extra padding under the heel and ball of the foot acts like a cushion, which helps if you’re prone to rubbing during long runs. On my longer efforts (10 miles), I didn’t get any hotspots or pressure points, even when my feet swelled slightly. The plush feel helps spread impact evenly, which is why so many runners swear by Balega for blister prevention.
The Feetures High Performance Max Cushion tackles blisters in a more technical way. The anatomical left/right fit and arch compression stop the sock from shifting inside your shoe, one of the main causes of rubbing. Its iWick® fibers also move sweat off the skin faster, keeping your feet drier and cooler during hot or humid runs. I noticed that even when soaked from rain or sweat, they never felt soggy against my skin.
Final Verdict: Balega vs Feetures
After testing both socks across easy runs, long efforts, and everything in between, I can honestly say they’re both top-tier – just built for different kinds of runners.
Choose Balega Hidden Comfort if you want a plush, soft ride that feels great from the first step. It’s the comfort pick – ideal for recovery days, cooler weather, or runners who like a little extra padding underfoot.
Choose Feetures High Performance Max Cushion if you prefer a snug, performance-focused fit that keeps your feet cool and supported mile after mile. It’s the better choice for hotter runs, long training blocks, and anyone who hates socks that shift or slide.
If you can, it’s honestly worth owning both, Balega for comfort, Feetures for performance. Between them, you’ll be covered for every kind of run.
My personal pick: I grab the Feetures for most runs, but I still love the Balegas for easy days and cold mornings.
Row Brown is the founder of Refresh Row. He is a keen marathon runner, his favorite being the London Marathon. He’s now set himself the mission of Running the Entire Length of Spain, which is scheduled for late 2024.
