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Don’t forget these when gearing up for your next wilderness adventure.
You’re amped up and ready to hit the trail with your hiking essentials—but something’s not right. Those cotton socks won’t do you any good inside a pair of hiking boots. If you go that route, you can expect chafing, sweating, and general discomfort while you’re on your adventure. No, what you need, my friend, is a good pair of hiking socks.
The types of socks that are best for hiking vary on a lot of factors. So, what makes a great hiking sock? First and foremost: what it’s made out of. Most quality hiking socks blend wool with a few other fibers to create the perfect mix of comfort, dryness, and durability. A few blends to look for include nylon, polyester, or spandex. Are bamboo socks good for hiking? We can’t say no—if they’re blended well with some wool.
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Next: cushioning. Should hiking socks be thick or thin? Well, we will say that your hiking socks cannot be paper-thin. Your optimal sock cushioning will always depend on the climate you’re hiking in. If it’s blazing hot out, you can probably get away with thinner cushions (though we still wouldn’t recommend no cushion at all). Fall and winter hikes require some cushioning for both warmth and added comfort—and if you’re going the distance in the dead of winter, we recommend heavy-duty, heavily-cushioned socks.
Lastly: your sock length. The length of your socks will almost always depend on the height of your hiking boots or shoes. Big boots for long treks require long socks with lots of cushioning; for a spring run on the trail, you can definitely get away with ankle-length socks. We’re big fans of playing it safe when in doubt and going with the midpoint: crew-length socks. They fit above the ankle bone to provide adequate protection from your boots.
Still not sure where to start? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here are the 14 best hiking socks for hitting the trail.
Darn Tough’s high socks are made to withstand the toughest conditions with a “fine-gauge” knit and fast-action wicking. They’re comfy, too; the foot has a mid-cushion that’s both comfortable and durable.
In warm weather, these socks from Patagonia are a life-safer. Made from a mix of merino wool, nylon, and spandex, they give you plenty of breathability on your summer hike with enough stretch to mold to your foot in a pair of sneakers or short boots.
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No-shows are typically a no-go on the trail—unless you’re running it. Incredibly lightweight yet durable, these socks blend fine merino wool and bamboo for excellent comfort and moisture wicking.
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With light cushioning and a seamless construction, these socks fit like, well, gloves, and feel simply excellent on the ground. Perfect for a hike—especially as we get closer to spring.
This pair of unbeatable crews have a double-layer design to reduce friction, moisture, and heat—in other words, blisters. The light cushioning between the two layers gives you a little extra shock absorption.
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Bring joy to your feet with this pair, wrapped in cushioning and with temperature-regulating ventilation. We also absolutely love the fun pops of color, too.
This pair stands out from the crowd with a polyester-dominant blend, offering extra breathability. But they’re not exactly light—making them ideal for both cool and warm weather hiking.
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If you’re going for a hike in the summer, go ankle-length. This pair from the outdoor pros combines cotton and polyester with mesh ventilation for sweatier summer hikes.
Combining mesh, nylon, and wool, these light crews are built cozy and warm for cold hikes. And with a flex zone at the ankle, they’re some of the best hiking socks to prevent blisters.
Total comfort is the name of the game. A cushioned underfoot combines with a mesh top and individual toes keep you trekking in borderline luxury.
Never think a crew sock can’t be a miracle of engineering. These beasts are perfect for long hikes in cooler temps, with fine-gauge merino wool and plenty of ventilation.
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Go the distance without overthinking it. Blended wool wicks your sweat off your smelly feet, and a seamless design stops your toes from chafing.
These Filson Heavyweight Traditional Crew Socks are composed of a natural merino wool combined with a mixture of nylon and spandex for longevity and flexibility. You'll see wool's natural resistance to water in work, as these socks wick away sweat and other excess moisture.
This particular make of REI Co-op socks are a great lightweight option if you can't stand heavy socks. While they're officially part of the summer collection, they're still great options to wear around the house or to the gym.