We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
We’ve reviewed this guide and stand by our picks and recommendations. Farm to Feet has renamed our runner-up pick, the Damascus Crew Light Targeted Cushion sock, but the pick remains the same.
Any seasoned hiker will tell you that a good pair of hiking socks is a must-have on the trail. But despite their simple appearance, hiking socks can be a complicated purchase. That’s why we spent 25 hours researching 65 sock options. Then we took to the trails of Vancouver, British Columbia, hiking for more than 75 hours, 160 miles, and 350,000 steps in 18 pairs of socks. Eventually we determined that the women’s and men’s Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion socks are the best hiking socks for most people. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, these wool socks offer the ideal mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning.
The best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
The same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion sock comes in both women’s and men’s models and is the most versatile hiking sock we tested. Its micro-crew height is taller than an ankle sock but a few inches shorter than the average crew sock, rising just above the top of a standard pair of hiking boots. The Darn Tough Light Hiker is constructed with highly breathable merino wool, nylon, and Lycra spandex, which means your feet won’t feel sweaty during summer hikes. The sock’s form-fitted toe, added arch support, and underfoot padding make it especially comfortable too. And while these socks are among the most durable we tested, Darn Tough’s unparalleled lifetime warranty will save you in a pinch: You can send back any item, at any time—even if it’s just a worn-out sock—and the company will replace it for free.
Taller than most crew-length socks, this light, tight-knit sock has cushioning where it’s needed.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $24.
The same taller sock as the women’s model, but in different sizes and colors.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $23.
The Farm to Feet Damascus Crew Light Targeted Cushioning sock, which comes in women’s and men’s versions, is a great second-best option if our top pick is out of stock. The Damascus is also a great option if you plan to hike off-trail often and need extra shin protection, as this sock comes up higher on the shin than most of the other models we tested. The Damascus is extremely lightweight, highly breathable, and loaded with padding around the toe, along the heel, and across the top of the foot. The tight knit keeps microgrit from getting to your foot. Plus, these socks are also guaranteed for life should the fabric ever wear thin.
This midlevel cushioned sock for women is the best synthetic option for most climates and terrains.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
This synthetic men’s sock is perfect for day hiking in most weather.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
If you’re looking for a non-wool hiking sock, we think the Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion, which comes in women's and men’s options, is the best choice. This synthetic sock has midlevel cushioning, which means it’s more padded around the heel and toes than the other lightweight non-wool socks we tried. It’s also breathable: While wearing the Coolmax Micro Crew in hot summer weather, our feet stayed dry and sweat-free. The shorter micro-crew height makes the Coolmax Micro Crew suitable for both boots and shoes, too. And like all Darn Tough socks, this model comes with a lifetime warranty.
This sock has breathable mesh vents that will keep your hot feet dry in summer weather.
Just as breathable as the women’s version, but in different colors and sizes.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
The Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew sock (which comes in both women’s and men’s models) contains light cushioning and has ventilated areas along the foot, making it a good sock for hikers with sweaty feet. These socks were among the softest we tested, and they were also the only pair that fit anatomically. That means better breathability, with more space around your foot in the boot. Note that these socks showed signs of wear more quickly than the other models we tested—but like the rest of our picks, Icebreaker’s socks come with a lifetime guarantee.
The best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
The same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
Taller than most crew-length socks, this light, tight-knit sock has cushioning where it’s needed.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $24.
The same taller sock as the women’s model, but in different sizes and colors.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $23.
This midlevel cushioned sock for women is the best synthetic option for most climates and terrains.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
This synthetic men’s sock is perfect for day hiking in most weather.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
This sock has breathable mesh vents that will keep your hot feet dry in summer weather.
Just as breathable as the women’s version, but in different colors and sizes.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
For this guide, to get a sense of the hiking-sock scene, I spent 25 hours combing through outdoor-gear sites—both editorial and retail—such as Outside, OutdoorGearLab, and REI. I read dozens of owner reviews for dozens of pairs of socks. I visited outdoor retailers and spoke with multiple salespeople about how to choose the right sock for different types of hiking.
I spoke with dozens of hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts, such as Liz Thomas and Jim McDannald, former Wirecutter writers who have written guides about the best backpacking foods and GPS running watches. I also spoke to Mike Armstrong, who worked at an outdoor-education program called Outward Bound for 23 years outfitting hundreds of students with the appropriate hiking gear. Beth Henkes is the sales lead for footwear for REI and Mark San Buenaventura is currently a footwear designer at The North Face. I also got a crash course in merino wool from Shane Standing, Icebreaker’s key accounts manager for British Columbia. I now know more than I ever expected about what goes into designing, fitting, and choosing good hiking footwear, socks included.
When it comes to outdoor gear, the clothing layers that rest next to your skin are the most important, as they decide whether your body will remain at a comfortable temperature for your time in the wilderness. Synthetic or wool hiking socks are absolutely essential for anyone who plans to hike or backpack, on or off the trail. Campers, travelers, and outdoor sportspeople will also find durable hiking socks to be extremely useful because of their cushioning and the way they keep feet free from sweat.
The best hiking socks are made of wool or synthetic fibers with ample cushioning, arch support, snug legs, and seamless toes.
Synthetic or wool hiking socks are absolutely essential for anyone who plans to hike or backpack, on or off the trail.
This guide offers sock options for both male and female feet. Our experts told us that there are slight anatomical differences between male and female feet—and that these differences matter when it comes to fitting boots or shoes. However, these differences don’t matter very much when it comes to socks. A good hiking sock should be stitched in such a way that it fits a variety of foot shapes, regardless of gender. In the end, the women’s hiking socks we tested were simply smaller versions of the men’s socks, usually offered in different colors.
This guide does not include liner socks. Some hikers swear by the two-sock system, which consists of a very thin liner sock underneath a wool or synthetic hiking sock. After talking to our experts, though, we determined that most people should try hiking with a single pair of socks first.
For this review, we focused primarily on light and midweight crew-length hiking socks, because they’re the best socks for people who plan to hike in moderate temperatures along groomed trails. However, each of our picks comes in other height and weight configurations. Choosing the best sock for you depends on many factors, including foot shape, footwear, terrain, temperature, and weather patterns. Here are some things you should consider.
Sock height: Hiking socks generally range in length from below the ankle up to the knee.
You should choose a sock length that’s best for you, but make sure your socks rise at least as high as the footwear you’re wearing. If they don’t, the top of your boot or shoe will probably rub against your bare skin and cause blisters. You should also consider the type of hiking you plan to do in these socks: A lower sock will do just fine on a trail that’s nicely groomed, but if you plan to head off-trail, you’ll want higher socks to protect your legs.
Sock weight: Socks usually come in a few different weight options.
If you have a lot of extra space in your boots, the extra fabric of a midweight sock might help your boots fit a little better. Lightweight socks, on the other hand, are the best option for breathability. The heavier the sock, the more cushioning you get—but we generally don’t recommend heavy socks because they take up extra room in boots. Without that needed wiggle room, your feet can’t breathe; instead they’ll soak with sweat, ultimately making you colder, not warmer.
Sock fit: We asked all of our experts the same question: How should a good sock fit? The advice in a nutshell was that good hiking socks should be tight but not too tight, with no slippage and no bulky seams.
REI’s Beth Henkes said, “Generally you’re going to want no slipping, and you want good seam placement: snug but not too snug. The seam placement [will] depend on how the sock is built, but usually a seam on a heel should be mid-heel or maybe a little further up. No bunching is a good idea, but you don't want it to be too tight on your toe. You want a little bit of toe room without too much shift.”
Sock size: Selecting the right sock size is pretty straightforward—choose the size that corresponds to your shoe size. Every brand has its own size guide, but there’s very little variation, and it’s generally a standard S, M, L, XL lineup. Unlike boots or shoes, all the socks we tried fit true to size, but if you’re on the cusp, consider the knit of the socks: You might want to go with the smaller size for loosely knit socks and the larger size for more tightly knit socks.
Boot or shoe fit: Socks are only part of the equation when it comes to a comfy hiking setup; you’ll also need shoes that fit well if you want to reduce your risk of blisters. However, it’s important to remember that hiking socks can change the fit of a boot, too. When you’re trying on new pairs of hiking shoes or boots, be sure to bring your hiking socks to the store with you. Make certain that your footwear and socks work well together and that you don’t have too much friction in the boot.
Socks may be inexpensive, but you can find many, many options to choose from—so deciding which socks to buy can be overwhelming. We narrowed our list down from 65 sock models to the 18 we’d eventually test and focused on the following characteristics:
Materials: To start, we considered sock fabrics. Cotton is one of the worst materials because it soaks up water and doesn’t dry well. If you’re sweating in a cotton sock, that sock will hold on to the water and bring your core body temperature down fast, sometimes to the point of danger. Based on this, we cut any options containing cotton from our list.
Next we looked to wool models. We discovered that it’s nearly impossible to tell the quality of a sock from its label: Three pairs of socks made with 40 percent, 50 percent, and 60 percent wool, respectively, might feel practically the same on your feet, while two pairs of socks made with the same percentage of wool might feel completely different. What really matters is the quality of the wool, not the percentage. A sock with a lower percentage of high-quality wool might feel a lot better on your skin than one that has a high percentage of low-quality wool. The way the wool is spun and the strength of the knit will also affect the quality of the final product.
What really matters is the quality of the wool, not the percentage.
In general, wool is a good option for hiking socks because it’s naturally able to respond to your body temperature, cooling and warming as needed. Wool is also odor resistant, so it’ll keep your feet stink-free if they do sweat. Henkes said, “[Wool] does take a little bit longer to dry than synthetic, actually. But with synthetic you have to start sweating before the sock wicks your moisture out. With wool, the heat comes out before you start sweating.” Many of our sock picks are made with merino wool, specifically, which is considered the gold standard of wool for outdoor gear. Merino wool is impressively soft and unlikely to cause any skin irritations, but for anyone looking to avoid wool altogether, we included a few synthetic models in our lineup as well (if you’re vegan, we’ve got you covered).
Wickability and breathability: A good hiking sock should regulate your foot temperature and keep your feet dry on hot days by drawing the moisture out of the foot through the sock and releasing it into the air. Any sock that traps your heat is a no-go. Liz Thomas said, “Better breathing reduces moisture on your feet, which can contribute to blisters.” We looked for brands that promised breathable socks and tested only those socks that online reviews rated as highly breathable.
Durability: A good hiking sock should hold up over time, despite many, many miles of hiking. There’s no set mileage for how long your socks should last, as it depends on how heavy your foot strike is, how often you wear them, how you walk, and how much you weigh. Still, a good hiking sock should be able to withstand many washes and dries with minimal pilling or loose threads. Since these socks are designed for the outdoors, we thought they should be able to handle a small amount of direct exposure to dirt and grass, too, without looking worse for wear. Based on this criteria, we tested only those socks with high ratings for durability on Amazon and brand websites.
Drying time: A good hiking sock should dry out quickly, whether it’s full of sweat or creek water. If you hang your sock out overnight, does it dry in time for you to hike in it the next morning? During our research, if a company didn’t claim that a sock dried quickly, that sock didn’t make our list.
Odor control: A good hiking sock controls odor. As Liz Thomas put it: “None of these are going to smell like roses, but some will fare far worse than others.” Every sock we tested promised to have some kind of odor-removing technology.
Price: Most good hiking socks cost around $20 a pair. We tested a few that were less expensive and a few that were more expensive, hoping to see if price made a difference in performance. In the end, we found that $20 will buy you a great pair of socks backed by an even better warranty—there’s no need to get pricier than that. Most socks under $20 didn’t fit right and didn’t offer warranty options.
Warranty: Many of these socks come with guarantees. Some brands even offer a lifetime warranty. We did test a few socks without great warranties, but most of the socks on our list could be easily replaced at little to no cost to us when they got worn out or damaged.
The best was to test hiking socks is by hiking. And hiking some more. We took these socks out on the trail for 160 miles of hiking, logging more than 350,000 steps over the course of 75 hours during the summer. This process allowed us to see how each sock responded to different types of boots and shoes. We made sure to test multiple pairs of socks on each trail, too.
I tested the cushioning of the socks while hiking during my fifth, sixth, and seventh months of pregnancy.
We tested these socks during the midsummer months, when temperatures were at their highest, so we wore only the lightweight models on the trails. However, we also had medium-weight versions of the socks for comparison.
We wandered trails close to Vancouver, British Columbia, where we live, during the peak of summer. We wore the socks day-to-day, too, using them as anyone normally would wear socks, to see which models could stand up to everything we put them through.
As we hiked these trails, we rated the socks on a number of criteria, including:
We took notes on every hike to document each sock’s performance. If we found something we really liked, we wrote it down. If something really annoyed us or left us feeling uncomfortable, we wrote that down too. After wearing each pair a few times to test for odor control, we washed them all together to test durability. Then we hung them to dry on a line and recorded the drying times. Eventually, the socks ended up in a bracket-like chart in my office and we narrowed the list down to our favorite models.
The best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
The same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
After we tested dozens of socks, the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion, which comes in both women’s and men’s models, rose to the top of our list as the best sock for most people who want to hike on groomed trails in moderate weather. The Light Hiker offers an ideal mix of fit, comfort, and breathability. It also ranked among the most durable socks we tested.
The Light Hiker fits comfortably—in fact, we thought it had the most versatile fit of all the socks we tested. The micro-crew length of the sock falls between an ankle sock and a standard crew sock, sitting just above the top of a standard hiking boot but not so high that it looks ridiculous when paired with a shoe. These socks were snug around our feet without being too tight, and they offer added arch support that stretches across the foot. There are no bulky toe seams to be found, either, so the sock lies flat against your foot in the toe box and doesn’t press against your footwear.
We also preferred the cushioning of this sock over that of many of the other models we tested. The Light Hiker offers a lot of cushion around the toe, heel, and bottom of the foot but doesn’t feel too thick. The ribbing around the ankle and shin gives you a nice buffer between a pair of stiff boots and your skin. As far as the fabric goes, this sock is knit with a mixture of nylon, fine-gauge merino wool, and Lycra spandex, and it’s tightly woven, which helps to guard against the microgrit from the trail that can make its way to your foot through a more loosely woven sock. The Light Hiker was also one of the most breathable socks we tested.
After 30 miles of wear and one hearty wash, our Light Hiker socks still looked practically brand-new—something we couldn’t say for many of the models we tested. At pit stops on our many hikes, we took our boots off to let our feet breathe and found no issues with wearing these Darn Tough socks alone in the dirt. While the fabric on other socks in our test pool pilled and even tore when we wore them alone on the ground, the Light Hiker looked almost untouched. If you do find a problem with your socks eventually, Darn Tough’s unconditional lifetime guarantee means that you can just send them back for a replacement pair, no strings attached. In fact, even if you simply wear the socks out after a few years, Darn Tough will still replace them, no questions asked. (The company doesn’t cover the cost of shipping if you need to replace used socks, but it does offer free shipping on returns of unworn socks.)
Darn Tough’s sock is also available in a few other height and weight versions:
Taller than most crew-length socks, this light, tight-knit sock has cushioning where it’s needed.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $24.
The same taller sock as the women’s model, but in different sizes and colors.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $23.
If you can’t find our top pick, Farm to Feet’s Damascus Crew Light Targeted Cushioning sock (in women’s and men’s models) is a great backup option. It’s light and tightly knit, with padding only where you need it. Beyond that, the Damascus is built to last.
On hikes where we found ourselves off-trail, we preferred the length of these socks: They gave us the breathability we needed but also offered extra shin protection. In fact, they were the tallest of the lightweight crew-length socks we tested.
The Farm to Feet Damascus is made from US-sourced merino wool that’s tightly knit, so no debris or grit will get through. In our tests, the seamless toe formed around the foot very well and easily fit into boots with smaller toe boxes. This sock also had the best built-in compression of any of the lightweight hiking crew socks we tested. But our favorite feature is the ribbed padding on the top of the foot, which is great if you have a boot or shoe with a stiffer upper that may press down on your foot.
The tight knit and fit of this Farm to Feet model also makes for a durable sock, as you don’t have any unnecessary rubbing happening between the boot and the sock. Like the Darn Tough Light Hiker socks, the Damascus socks appeared pretty much new after we took them on multiple wears on grass and rocks. After we washed them, dried them, and wore them again, they maintained their shape and had no visible snags or signs of fabric damage. However, if you do find problems with your Damascus socks, Farm to Feet has a generous warranty program. If you’re not satisfied with the performance or durability, return your worn socks to the company, and it will send you a new pair, no questions asked. If you don’t want a new pair, save your receipt and the company will refund your money—even if you’ve been wearing the socks for months.
We chose the Farm to Feet Damascus as the runner-up only because our top pick was slightly more cushy overall. We also preferred the length of our top pick and found it to be more versatile, as the Darn Tough micro-crew height works well with either a hiking boot or a hiking shoe. The Damascus isn’t as versatile.
Farm to Feet’s sock comes in several different height and weight configurations in addition to the one we’ve shared above.
This midlevel cushioned sock for women is the best synthetic option for most climates and terrains.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
This synthetic men’s sock is perfect for day hiking in most weather.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
If you don’t want wool, Darn Tough’s Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion (women's and men’s) is your best bet. Our feet didn’t get sweaty while wearing these socks, and they were the most formfitting and durable of all the synthetic options we tested. They also dried out more quickly than the wool socks in our lineup.
Despite the midlevel cushion of these socks, we didn’t notice that our feet were any hotter in them than in other models we tested. The extra cushioning around the toe, heel, and sole actually kept us comfortable for longer in some of the stiffer-soled boots we were testing, too. Darn Tough makes this Coolmax sock from a blend of Coolmax polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyester, and Lycra spandex. It fit better than the other synthetic-fiber models we tested, most of which seemed bulky in comparison. The snug fit of the Coolmax Micro Crew meant that the socks didn’t take up any extra space in our boots, translating to better breathability. Plus, the arch support was comfortable without being too tight.
Of all the synthetic hiking socks we tested, the Coolmax Micro Crew emerged as the most durable. As we did on all our hikes, we took our boots off when we stopped for lunch and let our feet breathe, exposing all our synthetic sock models to the grass and rocks as we wandered around our picnic area. Most of the models immediately suffered small snags in the fabric and pilling on the heel and sole. Our Coolmax Micro Crew socks, however, came out unscathed. The knit is tight, and after we wore these socks during multiple hikes, walked around in them without footwear, and washed them, they looked close to new.
Our Coolmax Micro Crew socks dried more quickly than our wool models after we washed them, which we expected. In contrast to wool, the Coolmax fabric didn't regulate our feet's temperature quite as well (wool often prevents sweating before it starts). However, the socks did keep our feet dry in the long term by wicking the sweat away and dispersing it throughout the sock's material, where it dried quickly.
Like all of Darn Tough’s items, these socks come with an unbeatable warranty: “Guaranteed For Life: No strings. No conditions. For life.” If you’re unsatisfied with the socks for any reason, fill out the form and send your old socks back, and the company will send you a gift code for a new pair.
The Darn Tough Coolmax socks are available in two additional height options, both of which are boot length.
This sock has breathable mesh vents that will keep your hot feet dry in summer weather.
Just as breathable as the women’s version, but in different colors and sizes.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $21.
The Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew (in women’s and men’s versions) was the most breathable sock we tested. On the hottest days, we found ourselves reaching for this pair when others became too hot. It’s made from fine wool that’s soft against the skin. Unlike our other picks, it also offers an anatomical fit.
Compared with the other 17 sock models we tested, the Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew kept our feet the coolest, bar none. When the sock stretches across your foot, you can see a fine mesh window above your toes and along the top of your foot—this is part of what makes the Hike+ Light Crew so breathable. The design has slightly less cushioning on the bottom of the foot compared with our top pick and runner-up, but it also takes up less space in a boot, which means your toes will have more wiggle room and are less likely to get hot.
This was also the only sock we tested with an anatomical fit (other than the Injinji toe socks, which are a different breed altogether). This Icebreaker design offers specific left- and right-footed socks, so you have slightly less fabric around the outermost toes, gaining a few extra millimeters of wiggle room in your footwear. If the toe box in your boots or shoes is a little snug, this extra space can make all the difference in comfort. Speaking of comfort, these were also the softest socks we tried.
We stopped multiple times during our longer hikes, taking off our boots to assess our foot temperature—but we found that when we stepped on the grass without a boot on, these socks attracted bits of grass and debris like a magnet, much more so than the other models we tested. We also noticed that after a handful of hikes, these socks started to get fuzzy and showed signs of wear.
Like our other picks, the Hike+ Light Crew is backed by a lifetime guarantee: If your pair ever wears out or falls short for any reason, Icebreaker will replace the old socks with a new pair, no questions asked. If you really don’t like them, you can return used socks for a full refund with proof of purchase.
The Icebreaker Hike+ lineup comes in a number of other options, all of which offer an anatomical fit and ventilation:
Patagonia Lightweight Merino Hiking Crew Socks: This sock was comfortable, breathable, and nicely cushioned, coming in both light and medium weights. In our tests, it was a little more cushioned than the Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew and a little softer than the Darn Tough Light Hiker, but it wasn’t as formfitting as either of those two picks. This sock just missed out on being a top pick because it comes only in crew lengths, rather than in a wide range of heights. Plus, Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee doesn’t extend as far as the coverage from some other brands: Patagonia will replace any item that doesn’t perform to your satisfaction, but the company will only repair, at a reasonable charge, damage due to wear and tear.
Smartwool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Socks (in women’s and men’s): For light socks, we found these to be some of the heaviest in the category, and we also thought they were scratchier than the other models we tested. These socks left our feet sweaty after a few hours on the trail, which wasn’t true for any of our top picks.
REI Co-op Lightweight Merino Wool Hiking Crew Socks: This sock ranked low in fit and was too bulky to be comfortable in many of our boots. It didn’t fit snugly around the toes, either, and the knitting was loose, which suggested to us that the sock may have long-term durability issues.
REI Co-op Coolmax Ultralight Hiking Crew Socks: One of the three pairs of synthetic socks we tried, this REI Coolmax sock, like REI’s wool version, doesn’t conform to the foot well and doesn’t have the extra features—such as precisely placed cushioning, added arch support, and a tight-to-the-leg cuff—that are present in our top picks.
Injinji Outdoor Original Weight Crew NuWool: This was the only toe sock we tested; we did so because it popped up in reviews on OutdoorGearLab and Switchback Travel. But we found that toe socks were just too unusual for most people. During our testing we found that in boots that were already tight, this sock took up too much extra space. The design also left our feet feeling hot, which may be because of the extra material around the toes.
Wigwam CL2 Hiker Pro Crew: We liked how soft these synthetic Cool-Lite socks were. And we appreciated the carefully placed elastic pattern that ran on the top of the foot, the arch, and the leg, which contributed to a nice fit overall. However, because the fabric was so cushy, we found that these socks snagged easily on the ground when we took off our boots; after walking around in these socks without shoes for just a few minutes, we could already see blemishes in the fabric. In the end, this Wigwam pair missed being our synthetic pick because the company’s guarantee just doesn’t match up to Darn Tough’s.
Sealskinz Walking Thin Mid Socks: This unisex waterproof sock is in a category all its own, but we found that it was too specialized for most people. The design is 100 percent waterproof, and wearing these socks feels like slipping your foot into neoprene booties covered by a standard sock. For the most part, the shoes and boots we tested with these socks were all waterproof already. The combination of waterproof on waterproof overwhelmed the sock system, trapping the vapor that came off our feet. It was a sweaty experience. These socks did keep our feet dry when we stood in a pool of water, though—so if you’re in a wet climate and you don’t have waterproof footwear, you may want to consider them. In the end, this sock just wasn’t right for the specifications of this guide.
How long should hiking socks last? It depends on your weight, height, and gait, and on the terrain you’re traversing. However, when your socks start to thin noticeably in either the heel or the ball of the foot, it’s time to ditch them in favor of a new pair.
You can do a few things, however, to care for your socks and extend their life:
Some hiking socks come pretreated to guard against insects, but since those options are limited and most have poor reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, we chose not to test them. Instead, we suggest a few other deterrence methods:
1. Dress appropriately: Start by tucking your pants into your socks. Ticks crawl up from the ground, and you want to ensure they have no skin showing for them to attach to. Also, loose-fitting clothing will help protect you from mosquito bites better than tight-fitting clothing will.
2. Use bug spray: We’ve done some insect repellent testing, and according to the research we cite in that guide: “If you treat just your shoes and socks, you’re 76 times less likely to be bitten by a tick than if you’re wearing untreated footwear.” So if you’re going to treat anything with an insect repellent, make it your feet. DEET generally works best: Our previous research busted a number of myths, concluding that “DEET is the safest bug repellent out there, according to both the CDC and the EPA.” We recommend Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin.
3. Treat your gear yourself: If you’re in an area with ticks, DEET won’t be 100 percent effective, and you may want to consider an additional treatment like permethrin (which is an insecticide and not a repellent, even though it’s usually sold as a repellent). You do need to be careful when using wet permethrin around your pets, as it can be fatal to cats and toxic to fish.
4. Have your gear treated professionally: A home treatment will last for six or seven washes, whereas a professional treatment will last for up to 70 washes.
Mike Armstrong, former safety director and program director, Northwest Outward Bound School, email interviews, July 1, 2017
Beth Henkes, sales lead in footwear, REI, Alderwood, Washington, phone interview, September 11, 2017
Shane Standing, key accounts manager, Icebreaker, in-person interview, September 12, 2017
Jim McDannald, head coach of track and cross country at Université du Québec à Montréal and media coordinator at Athletics Canada, phone interview, August 31, 2017
Before lacing up and hitting the trails, follow these tips to make sure your boots fit securely.
by Ebony Roberts and Jenni Gritters
After more than 2 million steps over all sorts of terrain, we chose the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Boots (in men’s and women’s sizes) as the best hiking boots.
We spent 40 hours researching and testing 12 pairs of ski socks, and chose the men’s and women’s Smartwool PhD Ski Light socks as the best for most people.
After evaluating a dozen popular packs, we chose six and kid-tested them in the wilds of suburban Los Angeles (and the surrounding hills and trails). We picked two that will work for most families, both from REI: the Tarn 12 for little kids and the Tarn 18 for bigger kids.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Subscribe now for unlimited access.
© 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company