Which Hiking Socks Are the Best?
Having a nice pair of hiking shoes or boots is essential to any hiking trip. However, footwear is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to keeping your feet comfortable during your trek. The socks you wear inside them are just as important. It can be incredibly valuable to know which hiking socks are best for which trips.
It’s not always easy to find the right pair of socks. Choosing the wrong ones can have dreadful consequences for your feet. They can get too hot, too cold, or too sweaty. Worse yet, they can develop blisters.
This guide is to help you figure out which hiking socks are best for the types of hikes you plan on going on.
Why Are Good Socks Important?
When you are coving miles of trails every day, you need to treat your feet right. After all, they’re your base throughout this trip. Treating your feet right means keeping them in a good pair of socks.
When it comes to keeping your feet free of blisters, good quality hiking socks are the way to go. They do a much better job of keeping your feet dry than typical socks do. Damp feet are more likely to develop blisters, so it’s important to limit moisture. Hiking socks also provide more cushion than standard socks would. When you’re wearing thin socks, the constant friction against your boots can also cause blisters or soreness.
Besides their benefit for your feet, hiking socks are good to have because they hold up against the rough terrain. A nice pair of hiking socks should be built to withstand rubbing and scraping against sticks or shrubs. Since many trails have some overgrowth, it’s worth buying a couple of sturdy socks that can take on this abuse.
What To Look For In Hiking Socks
When deciding which hiking socks are best for you, there are a few different things to look for. Hight, fit, cushion, and fabric are the main qualities to consider when shopping for a new pair.
Height
- Ankle Height – Socks this height will come up right below the ankle. These are popular to wear with tennis shoes, but aren’t ideal for hiking. If you’re wearing hiking boots the high ankle support of the boots will cause friction and discomfort as they rub against your bare skin. Wearing these with hiking shoes isn’t a great idea either unless you are hiking on a well-groomed path. They expose your ankles to any vegetation and brush that scrapes against you, leaving you vulnerable to scratches and rashes.
- Crew – Crew height socks are the classic height for hiking socks. They fall a few inches above the ankle, often extending a little bit past the top of a boot. This style of sock is perfect keeping ankles safe from blisters and scratches. If you wear boots or plan on walking on trails with a decent amount of vegetation, these are for you.
- Knee-High – These socks extend far past crew socks, going over your shin and reaching your knee. These provide a lot of protection for your legs, but are typically too hot for warm weather hiking. Usually, people will reserve these for winter treks to keep them comfortable in the cold.
Fit
It doesn’t matter how nice your socks are if they don’t fit properly. Ill-fitting socks can turn a fun trip into a painful experience really quick. Socks that are too tight and small can cut off blood flow and circulation. Socks that are too large and loose can cause bunching, making you develop blisters and experience chafing. Look for a pair that fit snug yet comfortable against your feet without any extra fabric.
Cushion
No Cushion
Most hiking socks will have some level of padding at the ball and heel to provide extra comfort and cushion for the foot. There are hiking socks, however, that have no cushion at all. These work well for hot weather, where the extra material could make your feet feel too warm or sweaty.
These also work great as liners. Liners are thin socks that you wear under thicker socks for the purpose of wicking moisture. Sock liners are typically silk or synthetic fabrics that are great for keeping feet dry.
Light Cushion
Lightly cushioned socks are also great for warm weather hiking and day trips. They aren’t as lightweight as socks without cushion, but they do provide that little bit of padding to make your feet more comfortable.
I’d prefer lightly lined socks over hiking socks without cushion for summer hikes. That little bit of padding can make a big difference in protecting against blisters. As long as you get a good quality fabric, you won’t have to worry about your feet getting too sweaty.
Medium Cushion
Hiking socks with a medium level of padding are ideal for longer trips and cooler temperature hikes. They give your foot the much needed support and protection to take on ambitious mileage without developing blisters and sore feet.
These also tend to be made of thicker material around the ankle as well. This makes them great for rugged conditions because they are more likely to hold up. Though they may be a bit hotter than the lighter cushioned socks, you can often find them made out of fabric that dried fast and keeps moisture out.
Heavy Cushion
Heavily cushioned hiking socks are the thickest and warmest pairs of hiking socks. These are typically too warm and bulky for a typical summertime trek. Wearing too bulky of socks for the weather can be uncomfortable and may cause you to develop hot spots or blisters.
However, if you are going on a long and cold trip, a pair of heavy socks could be ideal. These will certainly protect your feet against the elements even if your boots are sub-par. If you’re going mountaineering or taking a winter trek, a pair of these will be a perfect fit.
In the warmer months, you can bring a pair of these along to wear around camp or as you sleep. They make excellent lounge socks!
Fabric
- Wool – Wool is a popular, classic fabric used for outdoor clothing such as socks. Wool has a lot of great qualities that make it so ideal for these types of uses. It’s great for regulating temperature and wicking moisture. There are a few different types of wool to choose from:
- Classic Wool – The classic wool is the common fabric for hiking socks and has been for generations. It insulates well, keeps moisture out, and can withstand a lot of use. The one downside is that it can be pretty rough and itchy if it isn’t mixed with softer material.
- Merino Wool – Merino wool is a natural fiber that is popular for its ability to regulate body temperature, it’s moisture wicking properties, and its soft feel. Not to mention it resists odors – a big plus for backpackers who are spending days in the forest.
- Alpaca Wool – Alpaca wool is another great alternative. It is known for its softness, so you wont have that itchy feel that you get with classic wool. It is also hypoallergenic, so it’s ideal for people with allergies.
- Silk – If you’re looking for a fabric that is smooth, light, and moisture wicking, silk is the fabric for you. Unfortunately, it is not very durable and socks made of silk typically don’t have padding. Silk makes a good sock liner, but shouldn’t be used for the sock itself if you plan on going hiking.
- Synthetic Blends – A lot of hiking socks are made of synthetic blends. These blends come together to bring desirable qualities of different fabrics into one ideal fabric. Below are some of the common synthetic materials that are often used in these blends.
- Polyester – Polyester is common in outdoor apparel because it is moisture resistant and durable.
- Nylon – This is a common material for outerwear and outdoor gear for good reason. It is a durable, stretchy, and fast-drying fabric.
- Spandex – Spandex is usually used as a mix with other material for it’s elastic qualities. However, it does sometimes stand alone, and does a great job holding its shape and staying dry.
- Cotton – Though cotton is popular for its comfort, it is a fabric you should avoid when it comes to hiking clothing and socks. Cotton isn’t good at wicking away sweat. It will hold on to it, making you more susceptible to blisters.
Which Hiking Socks Are Best For My Kind of Hiking?
The tricky thing about socks is that one pair might be perfect for multi-day treks in the mountains, but are garbage for day hikes in the summer. You need to know what kind of trips you plan on taking before you buy a new pair. For many avid hikers, getting a few good pairs of each type is the way to go.
Summer Hiking
If you plan on hiking primarily during the hot summer months, you’ll want to find some that will keep your feet protected and cool. Light to medium cushion is ideal for this type of hiking. If you’re backpacking, the medium cushion will provide the padding you need for long mileage without being too warm.
In terms of material, merino wool is an excellent option. It helps neutralize odors, so your sweaty feet won’t make them stink. Synthetic materials like polyester or nylon are also great at keeping feet cool and dry, which is important for warm weather treks.
Spring and Fall Hiking
Transition seasons such as fall and spring can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s important to have socks that can withstand any environment. If you don’t want to pack a variety of socks in your pack, you can get away with finding one great pair that is ready for anything.
Any sort of wool would be ideal for this type of hiking. It is a versatile material that helps regulate temperature, so they keep you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. Look for a pair with medium cushion. Consider bringing a pair of liners to make sure you’re feet stay dry in case the weather gets hot.
Winter Hiking
Hiking and backpacking in the winter requires special gear to keep you warm and comfortable. Socks are no exception. If you like to go mountaineering or backpacking in the winter, you’ll need a pair of thick and warm socks.
Once again wool is your best bet in terms of material. Wool varieties keep your feet warm and will dry quick if snow gets in them. You’ll want medium-heavy to heavy cushion in the winter. This will provide extra insulation between your feet and the cold ground to keep them feeling warm.
Our Favorite Hiking Socks
Top Choice: Smartwool Hiking Crew Socks
Smartwool has certainly made a name for themselves in the hiking world. Backpackers love their socks, and for good reason. They are made from merino wool, so they keep your feet comfortable and dry. This pair has light padding, which is perfect for your year-around hiking needs. You can also find other varieties of padding, design, and height with the same quality from Smartwool.
- 68% Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, 1% Elastine
- Medium to light padding
Runner Up: Danish Endurance Cushioned Socks
If you like a little extra cushion without the extra heat, these socks are for you. They are made from merino wool, so they have natural thermoregulation to keep your feet comfortable in all weather. These socks also feature cooling mesh strips along the top to help keep your feet cool and dry.
- Medium to heavy padding in heel and sole
- 30% Merino Wool, 36% Nylon, 33% Acrylic
Best For Cold Hikes: Alvada Merino Wool Socks
If you plan to go on a lot of cold-weather or high altitude hikes, you might be interested in a pair of these. These socks are warm, with a soft, fuzzy interior and medium-heavy padding on the sole and heal. A pair of these socks will make a hike up a mountain feel a lot more comfortable.
- 80% Merino wool
- Medium-heavy padding
Best Synthetic Liners: Fox River Outdoor
If you want a good sock liner made of synthetic materials rather than silk, a pair of these will do you well. These sock liners keep your feet dry, comfortable, and without blisters. They have many of the benefits of a pair of silk liners, but without the hefty price tag.
- 93% Polypropylene, 6% Nylon, 1% Spandex
- No padding – not to be worn on their own
Best Silk Liners: Therramar Thermasilk Liner
If you want a more smooth and luxurious feel on your feet, a pair of silk sock liners could be just what you need. The material will keep your feet cool and dry under your warm, bulky top socks. If you have a pair of good, itchy hiking socks that you don’t want to part with, these will make an excellent addition. Just make sure you care for them properly since silk can be delicate.
- 80% Silk
- No padding – not to be worn on their own
Conclusion
Comfort on the trail begins with your feet. A nice pair of boots and a trusty pair of socks will do the trick in keeping you feeling good on day 3 or 4. With our guidance above, you should be able to find the best pair of hiking socks for your needs. One of our suggested brands should do the trick as well!
Cover photo by Yann Allegre on Unsplash
