Balega Hidden Comfort Review


BALEGA

Hidden Comfort No Show — $16.98

⭐ Softest Feel

How I tested: Same routes and shoes as my Feetures test — cooler New England weather, mostly recovery runs in the 5–6 mile range, plus a snowy ~20°F day to see how they handled cold ankles and moisture.

Editor’s Take

Balega Hidden Comfort absolutely lives up to its name on softness and cushioning. They feel incredibly plush the second you pull them on, and for recovery runs they’re a joy — tons of impact protection and a smooth step-in feel.

But underfoot they are slightly slippery compared with more structured socks. I never quite felt that locked-in, confident connection to the shoe that I’d want for tempo or speed workouts — these are firmly an “easy miles only” sock for me.

On a snowy ~20°F run, my ankles were freezing due to the low cut — yet my feet were almost sweating inside the shoes. Warm feet + cold ankles is not an ideal winter combo. Breathability feels middling: comfortable, but not particularly ventilated.

Where Balega shines is comfort. They’re super soft to the touch, nicely constructed, and feel premium even if the design is a little under-stated. If you value plush comfort over performance lock-down, these are a great recovery-day option.


8.8
OVERALL
SCORE
Cushioning
10.0

Breathability
8.3

Fit / Lockdown
8.6

Moisture Control
7.9

Durability
9.0


Pros
  • Extremely soft, plush cushioning
  • Great for recovery runs & easy miles
  • Premium knit & high-quality construction
  • Comfortable for walking & all-day wear
Cons
  • Slightly slippery underfoot — not ideal for speed work
  • Low cut left ankles freezing on cold runs
  • Breathability runs warm even around ~20°F
  • Design is fairly simple and understated

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If you want to see how Balega stacks up against other top socks, check out the full comparison roundup: Best Running Socks for Every Type of Runner →