We don’t do a lot of standalone sock reviews on Run Oregon these days. Let’s face it—most running socks have the basics down. There’s only so much innovation you can bring to a small piece of fabric that goes between your shoe and your foot. Sure, companies will tout new thread blends, support zones, or moisture-wicking wizardry—but at the end of the day, it’s a sock.
That said, we all need them. And if you’re like me, you’ve got a drawer (or two) full of pairs in constant rotation. So why are we featuring socks today? Because every once in a while, something local and cool comes along that deserves a little spotlight.
Enter The Athletic Community—a Portland-based apparel brand that’s doing socks their own way. While they also dabble in cycling kits, casualwear, and accessories, their sock game is strong. Even better, they’ve got a storefront right here in Portland on N. Williams Avenue, which gives them some serious hometown street cred.
Like we hinted above, performance-wise, these socks are solid. They’re built right with a comfortable fit, thoughtful compression, and materials that hold up over time. But let’s be honest—what really caught our attention were the designs.
First up: the classic PDX Airport Carpet pattern and colorway. Honestly, you can never own too much gear repping this iconic slice of Portland culture. The nostalgia, the uniqueness—it’s just cool.
Next, there’s a design that, at first glance, looks like a black sock with colorful squiggly lines. But look closer and you’ll realize those lines aren’t random at all—they’re an abstract rendering of Portland’s Wildwood Trail network. It’s a brilliant nod to local runners, and wearing the Wildwood while ON the Wildwood? Now that’s a meta moment.
The rest of the lineup includes other stylish, more minimalist designs so even if you’re not into loud patterns, you’ll still find something that looks good and performs even better.
If you’re in the market for some new socks (and let’s be real, who isn’t?), we recommend starting here. Whether you’re looking to show off your Portland pride or just support a great local brand doing cool things, The Athletic Community has you covered.
Swing by the shop, snag a few pairs, and maybe we’ll see you on the trail (or in the store).
