Versus Trail Running Socks Review

Versus Trail Socks Review - Sole Mates or Just Hype?

As ultra runners, we tend to be obsessed with our kit. We can talk for hours about shoe cushioning, headtorch lumens or the pros and cons of different running vests. But one piece of gear that is often overlooked is our socks. It's a simple bit of kit, but getting it wrong can lead to the kind of blisters and discomfort that can seriously derail a long run.

I'd seen the Versus brand popping up on social media for a while, mostly because of their bold and bright designs. But I was always curious, are they just a pretty face or can they actually handle the demands of a proper British trail run? So, when the team at Versus sent over a few pairs from their trail running socks range for me to try out, I was keen to see what they were made of. 

Test Run

To give these socks a fair trial, I took them out on a steady 30km run along one of my local routes. It’s a nice mix of terrain, roughly 60% trail (compact dirt, a bit of mud and some grassy tracks) and 40% road and pavement to link it all together.

First Impressions & Performance

I’ll cut to the chase, they held up great. When I pulled my shoes off, my feet were in great shape. No blisters, no hot spots and no aches to report, which is the perfect outcome when testing any new piece of kit.

So, what stood out?

Two things in particular. First was the cushioning under the heel. On those road sections, I could really feel that extra bit of protection, which made the transitions from soft-to-hard ground much less jarring.

Second, was the seamless toe. These felt completely smooth, with no bunching or pinching in the toe box at all.

The fit was snug and secure around the midfoot, thanks to some decent arch support. Now, I should be clear about the conditions, my feet got soaked. This was a classic autumn run through long dewy grass, so it was pretty much unavoidable. The key thing though, is that even when wet, the socks performed great. They didn't bunch, sag or cause any rubbing.

I also noticed the material felt a little bit thinner in sections than my usual running socks. Given how well they handled the wet, I'm keen to try them again in the summer to see how they perform in warmer, drier conditions.

This was also my first time committing to crew-length socks for a run. I'm usually a quarter-sock kinda guy, but I have to say, I'm now a convert. The taller cuff was fantastic at stopping bits of grit and muck from finding its way in, and to be honest, I just prefer the look.

Versus Trail Running Socks - Look & Style

Let's talk about the designs. I’m a sucker for kit that looks good, and this is where Versus clearly has a lot of fun. I went for the Karoo, Fynbos, and Dusk colours. They’re part of the nature-inspired trail range, and in my opinion they look great, understated but with a definite splash of style.

My only small niggle? The trail range feels a bit more "serious" in its colour palettes. It would be nice if they did some more fun and playful designs in the trail socks, similar to the awesome, brighter patterns you see in their 'Active Crew' range. Sometimes you just want to hit the fells with bright green avocados on your ankles, you know?

Price and Final Verdict

Priced at £16.99, Versus socks are positioned towards the mid to higher end of the running sock market. There are definitely more expensive socks on the market, and you could probably buy two pairs of "basic" running socks for the price of one pair of these.

So, are they worth it?

Overall, I'd say yes. The Versus trail socks have definitely earned their place in my running kit rotation. They're comfortable, they perform well (even when soaked!), and they look great. 

If you're old socks are looking a bit tired and you want to give your feet a bit of a treat on your next long run, I'd recommend checking them out.

Versus Trail Running Socks

Dusk (green) Trail Run Socks - £16.99