Gold Toe white socks usually tend to be very thick athletic socks, whereas these "liners" are much thinner (the latter being what I sought). Though the edge work at the ankle does not seem as sturdy, so I don't know if they will be as long-lived at the ankle as some other light-weight Gold Toe liners I'd bought a couple years ago. (These are more like a surged seam around the ankle rather than the nicer finish work of their predecessors.) They are very comfortable for wear under any shoe - athletic or not (barring pumps and other such dress shoes, of course). They fit nicely both my size 7 ladies' shoe size and my daughters' sizes 5 and 9. They are a sock you will hardly know is there inside your shoe...very comfortable with no uncomfortable toe seams and tie-offs. Many complain of lighter weight Gold Toe socks getting holes at the big toe; I had the same problem with any sock; however, when I ensure I pull the toe forward on my foot about an inch or so to allow room for the tight sliding into the shoe (not to mention keeping my toenails clipped), I have no more problems with the early appearance of a big toe hole. Now if these hold up as long as their predecessors, I will be quite pleased with this purchase.