Buff CoolNet Crew Running Socks review: supportive socks with a nose-pleasing minty twist

First impressions

There are lots of good trail running socks out there, but in quite a crowded category, Buff – the Barcelona-based brand that specializes in ultralight and multifunctional head and neck tubes – are turning heads and heels with their new range of outdoor-active socks for runners and hikers.

After making their name with head tubes / neck gaiters (to the extent that Buff has become the generic name for such garments), in recent years, the Spanish specialists have branched out to produce garments including running caps and head bands, as well as warm beanies for winter, but this is their first foray into footwear.

And at first glance the socks look great, with the kind of funky colors and art-inspired designs that you’d expect to see on their vibrant and versatile face and head tubes. Unlike their iconic hiking headwear, however – a massive range which is famed for its versatility (the neck gaiters can be worn at least 7 different ways) – there is only one way to put your foot in these socks.

I’m sure you don’t need me to talk you through this, but you simply slide into these unisex socks toes first, before pairing them with some top-notch trail-running shoes, donning some shorts and a technical T-shirt, and hitting the trails. Which is exactly what I set out to do over the last few weeks, intrigued about whether the natural mint element used really could keep my floor slappers cool and stop the socks from getting pongy).

Style and design

Tailored to be left/right-foot specific, these truly crew-length socks (reaching halfway up the shin) are panelled to provide support where it’s really required, including across the all-important arch of the foot, where so many runners experience discomfort.

A sophisticated sock, as well as offering a nicely shaped heel and toe box, the CoolNets also have what Buff call ‘intelligent compression zones’, gently squeezing your feet in places where it helps the wearer in terms of comfort, support and stability during high-intensity activity, such as trail running.

Being a unisex sock with compression elements and ergonomic panelling, I do think Buff could have made these available in a wider range of sizes, so people could get them in a more precise fit for their feet.

Materials

Socks have to be tough, and while natural fibers such as merino wool and bamboo make very comfortable clothing, they often deteriorate over time. For the new CoolNet crew-length running socks, Buff have gone with a synthetic material mix that blends polyamide and polyester with a large helping of elastane, with the latter dynamic substance used to create the supportive qualities and zoned compression that help make this a great running sock.

The polyester content will help the socks wick moisture away from the foot, but polyamide is the largest ingredient in the yarn, and it's a shame that only 4% of it is from recycled sources. Buff proudly use 95% recycled polyester to make their signature neck gaiters, so hopefully the brand will increase the amount of second-life material used in their socks as they expand the range.

‘Polyamide’ is an umbrella term that can describe several fabrics, and we don’t know exactly what Buff have used here, but it’s likely nylon, which is very tough and pretty comfortable to wear, but is not as breathable as polyester (and certainly not as breathable as merino or bamboo). Nor can it deal with the accumulation of bacteria that leads to clothes collecting hard-to-shake nose-wrinkling bad odors over time.

To counter these issues (particularly pertinent in socks), Buff have done two things: firstly, the design includes mesh zones to help make the socks much more breathable. Secondly – and more interestingly – the ‘CoolNet’ design incorporates HeiQ Smart Mint Cooling and Odor Technology, a plant-based deodorizer that regenerates with each wash (up to at least 40 laundry cycles).

On the trails

A long-time fan of the brand’s multi-useful neck gaiters, I was pleased to discover that Buff had branched out into socks and excited to try them. Socks do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to comfort during running and hiking adventures (although they get very little of the glory), and despite looking simple, they’re harder to get right than almost anyone really appreciates.

I’ve been running in the CoolNet Crew socks (over a wide range of terrain and across a variety of distances) for the last few weeks, to see whether Buff have nailed it at their first attempt.

And the short answer is yes, pretty much. These are excellent running socks, with a really smart design created from a clever material mix that allows your feet to breathe and wicks moisture away. The fabric is hardwearing, the fit is very good (although I think they should improve the size selection) and the combination of zoned compression, targeted support and careful fabric selection means your feet are comfortable, even during long-distance runs.

The weather has been extraordinarily hot during the testing period, but I have found the mesh zones adequate enough to stop my poor feet from overheating.

And does the much-lauded mint treatment stop them from stinking? So far so good (even for a notoriously salty sweater such as myself). But, in all honesty, I need to wear them for a longer period than I have so far to truly assess this – all socks pong after being worn (right?), but wash-resistant bad odor only starts accumulating after many months of wear, which makes me a bit concerned about the 40-washes reactivation caveat mentioned on the HeiQ website – but we shall see, and I will update you accordingly.

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