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Nothing derails a well-planned hiking trip as quickly and pathetically as a blister. The good news is you can prevent them if you are prepared with the proper gear. Hiking socks are one of the most important pieces of gear you can invest in to prevent this calamity (as well as good-fitting hiking shoes) and ensure your backpacking trip goes smoothly from trailhead to summit. Two of the main culprits of blisters are friction and moisture, which a good hiking sock will minimize in order to keep your feet protected. Below, we’ve outlined our picks for the best hiking socks in eight different categories, plus a comprehensive guide to choosing the best ones for you.
The Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew is an excellent most-days sock, so it's good to own multiple pairs. It’s the same design as Smartwool’s very first sock construction that put the company on the map 28 years ago. This version is a bit more environmentally conscious though, featuring 31 percent recycled Nylon in addition to 56 percent responsibly-sourced Merino wool.
The design prioritizes long lasting comfort, with flat knit toe seams to prevent chafing on your toes and a full cushioning layer on the entire sock for warmth and protection. An elasticized section around the arch helps keep the sock from sliding around inside your boot and offers gentle compressive support. This model is the “full cushion” version, which is also available in light cushion and extra cushion options.
Out of 222 reviews on Smartwool’s website, these socks earned an average rating of 4.6 out of five stars. Verified Buyer Joseph left a five-star review stating that they Classic Hikes are, “Super comfy and support my feet without being too thick that they make my boots too tight. Plus they look wicked cool. Customer service was fantastic as well.” What more could you ask for in a go-to hiking sock?
Purchase Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks
The Canadian yoga apparel giant that basically invented athleisure fashion has been gradually expanding into other types of activewear and launched a line of hiking wear just this summer, which included these Power Stride Crew Socks. Designed to protect your feet through long and short hiking adventures, the socks feature extra cushioning from the base of the arch up the back of the heel for a snug fit and blister-prevention in boots with high or low ankles. If you’re a low-top boot wearer, the Power Stride socks are available in ankle height as well for the same price. Each pair has a sock labeled right and left, which helps align the padding according to the different weight distribution under your toes.
The wool-blend construction is a naturally thermoregulating fiber, meaning it holds heat in cooler weather and ventilates in hot conditions, wicks moisture away from sweaty feet and still insulates your feet if they get wet–pretty ideal for a hiking sock material. A tighter weave all the way around the midfoot provides extra arch support and keeps the sock in place, so you can rest assured that the Power Stride Crew Socks have got your back (and your feet) through your most strenuous treks.
Purchase Lululemon Power Stride Crew Sock
These socks are definitely a fan favorite. Out of 1,297 reviews on Darn Tough’s website, the Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock earned 4.9 out of five stars. One purchaser named Robert L. wrote a five-star review titled “Great socks! Terrific company!” and writes that “...this is a company that makes a great product and stands 100% behind it. I love these socks.” This winning combination of top-flight product and excellent customer service is what landed this sock on our list.
They’re made with a Merino wool, which wicks away moisture and breathes really well to keep your feet cool on hot days and insulates to keep them cozy on cooler ones. They will also maintain their insulating properties even when they get wet, which is a bonus for chilly, rainy hikes. One thing that makes the merino wool in these socks different from others in this list is that it’s shrink-treated, which is designed to enhance comfort during wear and durability through the wash.
Darn Tough paid big attention to the details when designing these socks too, integrating mid-level cushioning along the bottom of the foot for added support, as well as hidden seams to reduce chafing and elastic support around the arch. Reinforced heels and toes help elongate the life of the sock in the highest-friction areas and the wide-ribbed cuffs are designed to be gently compressive around your ankles and calves.
But on top of their great product, Darn Tough also offers a lifetime guarantee, meaning if you ever need a replacement for any reason, you can have one. Verified buyer Dave R says in his review on Darn Tough’s website, “I ripped a pair of socks when my MTB pedals slipped from under my foot and the peg snagged the sock. The warranty process was super easy and I got a new pair of socks.” So if you’re looking to invest in a pair of socks that will hike with you for the rest of your life, these are definitely for you.
Purchase Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks
Made for your hottest days on the trail, the Pursuit Hike Six Lightweight socks are designed to keep your feet comfy and dry from trailhead to summit. Swiftwick’s secret ingredient? They blended their Merino wool fibers with Olefin, a synthetic fiber that has superior sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties. So in addition to the stellar thermoregulating properties of the wool, you get the added blister-prevention the Olefin offers by wicking moisture away from your skin at a faster rate. We chose the lightweight version for this list, but the Pursuit Hike Six is available in medium weight as well for hikers who want to opt for a little more cushioning.
A compressive band around the arch area helps support your feet while also decreasing chafing and blisters by keeping the sock in place. A seamless toe box works similarly, eliminating lumps that might cause friction around the toes. The socks earned a score of 4.1 out of five stars on Amazon, with 23 ratings. Reviewer Karen Foster notes that they were “Comfortable and great fit. Not too thick but thick enough for hiking.”
The Tennessee-based company’s mission is “To empower people to be the best version of themselves through the pursuit of adventure.” So don’t let sweaty feet hold you back from bagging that peak—seek new heights in cool comfort with the Pursuit Hike Six.
Purchase Swiftwick Pursuit Hike Six Lightweight
If you’ve ever gotten caught in a rainstorm on a hike, you know cold and wet feet are nothing to mess around with—it can lead to numbness, blisters and even frostbite. If this is a situation you find yourself in frequently, you might benefit from a pair of Sealskinz Waterproof Socks with Hydrostop.
While the term “waterproof socks” might conjure up images of squeaky rubbery booties, these are nothing like that—these triple layer socks are warm, soft and stretchy. The inner layer is made of merino wool, which is insulating and sweat-wicking to help control moisture from the inside. The middle layer is a 100 percent waterproof hydrophilic and breathable membrane and the outer layer is a durable nylon blend designed to reduce snags. The cuff of these socks is engineered with what Sealskinz calls their Hydrostop barrier, a silicone-free elastic taping that blocks water from seeping in through the top during serious downpours or creek crossings.
On top of their high-tech capabilities, these socks are made with great attention to detail to keep your feet comfy as well as dry. Elasticated ankles, arches and cuffs provide support and flat seams on the toe are recessed within the yarn loops to prevent any friction, chafing or blisters. Each sock is handmade and hand-tested for waterproofness. Plus, you can purchase with confidence because all of Sealskinz waterproof socks come backed with a Sealskinz Lifetime Waterproof Promise: “If your Sealskinz waterproof socks, gloves or hats either lose their waterproofness or leak, we will replace them with the same or a similar item.”
A five star review on Sealskinz’s website from purchaser Rob states, “They breathe well for waterproof socks and my feet were a bit clammy after a 40 mile push, but not hot.” Rob says he had yet to get rained on in them when writing his review, so he did an experiment at home. “I ran them under my bathtub for 2 minutes. My foot was dry, inside of the sock was dry, outside was soaked. The three layer hype actually works.”
Purchase Sealskinz Waterproof Warm Weather Mid-Length Socks with Hydrostop
If you need to replenish your sock drawer before a hiking trip, it's not always feasible to buy multiple pairs of $30 socks. Thank goodness for REI’s Ultralight Tech Hiking Socks. They’ve got all the qualities of a top-notch hiking sock at half the price.
These socks are made from a recycled polyester fiber called COOLMAX EcoMade, designed to be breathable while wicking away moisture to keep your feet from getting sweaty as you trek down the trail. Another crucial quality of good hiking socks is anti-chafing; REI addresses this with a seamless toe construction, which eliminates that pesky seam that can scrunch up, irritate toes and cause blisters. The inclusion of spandex in the fiber blend also helps eliminate chafing by ensuring a snug fit. This lowers the chance of blisters caused by friction from baggy or bunchy material. The Ultralight Tech Hiking Socks are designed to be durable as well. The stretchy nylon woven into the fiber adds elasticity to the fabric and reinforced patches in the toe, sole, heel and achilles area help prevent you from wearing holes into them. They’re also specifically designed to be light and breathable so you can wear them comfortably on hot hiking days.
REI is committed to responsible, sustainable manufacturing processes, which is another great reason to buy from them. The socks are made of recycled polyester, which keeps waste out of landfills. For reasons unclear at the time of this publishing, REI is discontinuing in this line in favor of merino wool models that are “Made using wool certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which requires that sheep are treated in accordance with leading animal welfare standards.”
Out of 91 reviews, these socks earned a 4.8 out of five stars on REI’s website. Reviewer Danmo3 from Woodinville comments on how they beat the competition as a warm weather sock, writing, “Tried Smartwool, Darn Tough and REI Coolmax is the perfect warm weather hiker. The material is cool, more than enough Cush and the material doesn’t strangle your feet. Darn Tough is great in the winter, but these are great in warm months/climates.” Snag a pair while you can and hit the trail for the last few hot days of summer.
Purchase REI Co-Op COOLMAX EcoMade Ultralight Tech Quarter Hiking Socks
The main benefit of having a toe sock is to allow your toes to “splay naturally and align properly, enabling greater stability and more comfort.” Toe freedom is a philosophy that quite a few footwear companies align with, including Altra and Vibram. The way Injini explains it is “When your toes are separated and properly aligned, this allows your entire foot to be engaged in any athletic activity.” So rather than bunching all your toes together to use them as one unit, they can operate independently and therefore be more useful.
Another unique characteristic of these socks is the increased surface area that the fabric is touching, which is beneficial in two ways. With each toe surrounded by fabric, any skin-on-skin friction is eliminated, which helps decrease the probability of blisters. All the extra fabric between your toes also wicks away moisture that would otherwise be accumulating there, keeping your feet drying and more comfortable. A mesh weave along the top of the foot provides extra breathability and ventilation, while a gently compressive band around the arch offers a little extra support and a secure fit.
Out of 144 reviews on Injinji’s website, these socks earned 4.7 out of five stars. A five star rating from purchaser Chris reads, “These are wonderful! Comfortable and perfect thickness. I wear them on trail hikes and just walking around the neighborhood. Eventually I will replace all my non-toe socks with injinji socks.” Another from Bob with bad feet attests to their toe-separating benefits, stating, “These are the only socks I have found that keep my toes and feet comfortable. I had two toes that were rubbing together creating a callus, these socks have remedied that and help keep my toes in proper alignment.” If this toe sock concept sounds intriguing to you but you’re not sure exactly what height, thickness or fibers you need, you can check out Injini’s guide to finding the right toe sock for you.
Purchase Injinji Trail Midweight Crew
Not all socks are created equal. Hiking socks are designed to protect your feet in ways that regular socks simply are not: They stay in place better, prevent chafing to help avoid blisters, they wick sweat to keep your feet dry and some even offer cushioning and reinforced patches to prevent wear and tear. Hiking in any old pair from your sock drawer is like starting a fire with two sticks: You can totally do it, but there is a better way.
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Most retailers list their sock sizes as small, medium, large, etc. You can usually take a look at the sizing guide to gauge which one you should go for based on your shoe size. If you’re between sizes, choose the smaller one: Hiking socks are designed to fit snugly, since bagginess or wrinkles can cause friction and blisters.
The majority of socks in this list are made from a blend that includes Merino wool. This comes from a type of sheep (Merino) that produces wool that is thinner and softer than regular wool, making it easier on your skin and better for making socks and other activewear. The wool also has great insulation as well as moisture-wicking properties, making it very versatile for different types of conditions, which you might encounter on a long hike that starts before sunrise. There are also a few synthetic materials that perform similarly to Merino wool, like polyester, polypropylene, olefin and acrylic. Additionally, many fiber blends in this list include lycra or spandex for added stretchiness and nylon for durability.
You should choose your sock height primarily based on the height of your hiking boots: Ankle height socks are fine for low-top shoes like trail runners, but if you have a boot that covers your ankle, you’ll want a crew-height sock to prevent the top of your boots from chafing against your bare calves. Some hikers might prefer a crew sock even if they wear low shoes, just for a little extra skin protection.
Many of the socks in this list come in a few cushioning options and this is based on personal preference. A thicker cushion offers a little more support and plushness under your feet, but does require a thicker weave in the fabric so it’s a bit more insulated. This is often denoted as the “weight” of the sock, for example lightweight or midweight, with midweight being the more-cushioned option.
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Best practice for laundering wool socks is to machine wash them inside out with cold or warm water (not hot!) on a gentle or delicate cycle. Lay them flat to dry. Some socks can withstand a tumble dry on low, but check the manufacturer’s instructions on their website to be sure.
Similar to how shoes and boots are designed differently for men and women, some manufacturers have developed socks to accommodate the anatomical differences as well. Generally speaking, if a company offers men’s and women’s fit in their socks, the women’s sock will feature a slimmer heel and narrower profile, while men’s are typically larger and the cuffs reach a bit higher on the leg.
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Heck yeah they do! They stay in place better than regular socks, prevent chafing to help avoid blisters, they wick sweat to keep your feet dry and some even offer cushioning and reinforced patches to prevent wear and tear.
When your socks no longer hold their shape, don’t fit your foot snugly or develop see-through patches from wear, you run the risk of them causing blisters, so it’s best to replace them at this point.
We think so. If you’re an avid hiker or are planning a trip where you’ll be hiking many days in a row, it’s a good idea to invest in a pair of socks that will keep your feet protected, rather than skimp on socks and have your plans derailed by a blister.
Not really. Hiking socks are often made of merino wool because of the fiber’s thermoregulating properties–it insulates, breathes well and wicks moisture from your skin. It will wear out at about the same rate as a normal sock.
Often hiking socks are thick because they are designed to protect and support your feet, which is a big job over miles and miles of hiking. To achieve this, many companies design socks with cushioning and reinforced areas to help add comfort and decrease friction from the inside of your shoes.
You can wear whatever works for you! Trail running socks are a good option because they feature a lot of the same benefits as hiking socks, like cushioning, a snug fit and sweat-wicking materials.
Sometimes—depends on the manufacturer. If the socks you buy are “shrink-treated” then that usually means yes. If you’re not sure, we suggest you err on the side of caution and air dry them.
Potentially! They can help improve circulation and prevent swelling and are generally made to be worn during activity so they’ll often have the anti-chafe and moisture-wicking properties you’d look for in a hiking sock too.
Hiking socks are often made of wool because of the fiber’s thermoregulating properties–it insulates, breathes well and wicks moisture from your skin. There are synthetic fibers that perform similarly, which are also used to make hiking socks.
You can. Hikers will often wear a sock liner underneath their hiking socks to reduce the friction between their boot and their foot even more than a single sock. But wearing two pairs of socks works similarly as long as they are both snug.
Hiking socks are a crucial part of your gear selection. So before you embark on your next fourteener, make sure what you’ve got between you and your hiking boots is going to keep you protected and supported all the way to the summit.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
Riley Missel is a writer, editor, and digital storyteller based in the American Southwest. She spent three years on staff at Runner's World and Bicycling magazines.