50 Words or Less
Swiftwick socks offer golfers a variety of options to optimize their comfort and performance on the course. From slightly thicker Merino wool to the airy Performance model, there’s a perfect sock for every weather condition and player preference.
Introduction
While many golfers fret about their shoes – the style, the spikes, and more – not enough think about their socks. Socks are a major driver of how comfortable your feet will be during and after the round, and they’re worth putting some thought into. Swiftwick is a company that has put extraordinary amounts of thought into socks, offering all types of athletes an array of options. I tested five different Swiftwick socks for this review.
Swiftwick Golf Socks
There are five different models of Swiftwick socks in the Golf category: Pursuit, Flite XT, Aspire, Performance, and Maxus. All feature Swiftwick’s “Core Technology” – Fiber First Moisture Wicking and Contoured Compression Fit. Per the company, that means they use high performance fibers that breathe and inherently move moisture and that their socks are designed to fit your foot without bunching or leaving void spaces.
Beyond these two shared traits, every sock is designed for a little something different. I’ll list Swiftwick’s descriptions here, then break down my own findings in the Comfort and Performance sections.
- Aspire: Light cushioning, firm compression
- Flite XT: Stability, Anklelock Technology, GripDry Fiber
- Performance: Durable design, lasting comfort
- Maxus: Maximum comfort
- Pursuit: Merino wool for all-season temperature control
Style
The number of style options depends on the model that you choose. The Swiftwick Performance sock comes in black and white only. Swiftwick’s Pursuit is available in black and heather (above, top left).
Moving into the Aspire, Flite XT, and Maxus, the sock has more design detail on it, and there are many more color choices. Flite XT is offered in black, white, grey, Purple Boost, Citron Spark (neon yellow), Orange Flare, and Blue Laser (above, top right). The Maxus comes in black, white, grey, Mist, Pink Jade, Magenta, Emerald, and Midnight Blue (above, bottom right). Finally, the Aspire is available in the widest selection – an astounding fourteen colorways including Cobalt Blue (above, top middle), Purple Fuschia, and Boysenberry.
Note that most of the fun color options are only available in the Zero (no show) height. As an Elder Millenial, this is the way.
Comfort
Out of the gate, Swiftwick socks get a jump on offering superior comfort by giving golfers more choices. Their socks comes in four sizes, aligned with men’s shoe size 3 to 15. They also offer three different lengths: Zero (no show), One (ankle), and Two (Quarter Crew). Zero Tab is a no show length with a small extra tab on the heel.
A common trait across the line is the superior shape and fit. Cheap socks are just tubes of fabric that can bunch up or leave gaps. This can lead to discomfort and blisters. Swiftwick socks have substantial shaping that gently hugs your foot.
Across the five models, you can find any feel from light and airy to cushioned and more substantial. The Performance model is the lightest, feeling almost like going barefoot. Aspire is very similar – light and highly breathable. The Swiftwick Flite XT is the middle of the bell curve for me. It’s not as light as the Performance but it’s not as heavy or padded as the Maxus or Pursuit. The Maxus is the most padded underfoot, and the Merino wool Pursuit has the thickest feel, though it’s much thinner than other wool socks I’ve worn.
Before moving on, I want to be clear that there are more commonalities between these socks than differences. I think the differences are meaningful, especially over a four hour walk, but even in head-to-head testing most of the changes are not night and day.
Performance
I wore all five models of Swiftwick socks for range sessions, golf, the gym, and summer walks in my neighborhood. My overarching takeaway is that there is a much bigger difference between Swiftwick socks and “regular” socks than there is between any of the five Swiftwick models. The Core Technologies of moisture wicking and Contoured Compression Fit are noticeable in every sock. Even in extreme heat, my feet stayed cool, dry, and supported.
While I would happily wear any of these models, for the current summer heat, the Performance has been my favorite for its airy feel. It has the least cushioning, but, as someone who likes barefoot shoes, that’s not a problem for me. The Aspire is a very similar sock with just a little more compression, and I’ve been wearing this a lot, also. If you want more cushioning, the Maxus is hard to beat. The footbed is thicker and it has nice structure without being overly thick.
For the other three seasons, I’ll be wearing the Pursuit more regularly. As a longtime wearer of Merino wool socks, I stand by Swiftwick’s claim that these are “all weather” socks. If I could only have one pair of Swiftwick socks, it would probably be the Pursuit because they’re going to be great in the cold while still breathing. And, again, they’re thinner than other Merino wool socks I’ve worn, which helps with the moisture wicking and breathability.
Finally, the Flite XT is an amazing sock that, for me, feels like a little more than I need for golf. There’s extra grip built into the heel and toe to keep the sock perfectly positioned, which is cool, but I’m not moving that explosively on the golf course. This may become my go-to hooping sock, though. Getting the sizing right is extra important on these or else the grippy heel pad won’t be in the right spot.
If you want more help picking the correct model, Swiftwick offers a Sock Finder Quick HERE. It’s just three questions, and some may find it preferable to reading the bullet points on each model and picking for themself.
Conclusion
If you’re currently wearing quality golf shoes with cheap socks, let this be your signal that it’s time to change. Swiftwick socks have a precision fit and high quality materials that will keep your feet comfortable regardless of the conditions. Whether you want maximum cushioning or a lighter than air feel, there’s a Swiftwick model for you.
Buy Swiftwick Socks HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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5 Comments
Agree completely Matt. My new favorite sock, for golf, casual and business wear. Thank you for this excellent review.
Can you compare these to Kentwool socks?
Bill,
Yes, I’ve worn Kentwool most days for well over a decade. Kentwool is a great sock, but it’s much thicker. The Merino wool is truly good in all weather, but the Swiftwick models are more comfortable in warmer weather and have much more structure.
Best,
Matt
Thx for the review. I enjoy Swiftwick, especially in warmer climes when I’m only going ankle socks for golf or leisure – thinner, cooler, and they don’t try to come down off your foot like other socks – expensive, so find a coupon code but I’ve worn them for a year, they wear well, and bought more to get something other than white – went gray this time.
For golf I’ve been super impressed with Stance