Best Hiking Socks 2023

You know that age-old expression about how an army marches on its stomach? Well, that may be figuratively true, but you know what an army literally marches on? Its feet. And much like the army taking to the field of battle, when you take to the trail, you’ll be relying on those feet of yours to get you from point A to B. If you haven’t treated your feet to the best hiking socks based on the conditions, the type of hike, your selection of footwear (hiking boots, hiking shoes or trail runners, e.g.) and your own comfort preferences, things might get unpleasant on the trail. Naturally, we want the opposite of that for you, which is why we’re here to round up the best hiking socks, broken down by category.

No matter the terrain, conditions or type of hike, the best hiking socks are comfortable from the ... [+] moment you put them on to the moment you take them off.

If you think “seen one hiking sock, seen ‘em all!” applies here, then we hope to have that notion fully dispelled by the end of this article. And for the record, we’ve tested every one of the following brands ourselves, and they’ve all proved to build great hiking socks, even after miles upon miles of trekking in its many forms, from muddy jungle slogs to high glacial traverses to pleasant woodland strolls.

REI

Material: 61% merino wool, 36% nylon, 3% lycra spandex

If you don’t want to take our word for it (though you can!), take it from record-setting mountain climber Jenn Drummond, the first woman to climb the Seven Second Summits, who called Darn Tough socks a “can’t live without” piece of her kit. If you will take our word for it, then take it from us: These socks are comfortable from the first second you pull them on to the moment you peel them off. Darn Tough Hiker socks have excellent arch support that keeps your foot feeling more resilient and steady even during a long slog on rough terrain, while the blend of wool and synthetic fabric keeps the socks in place and helps with moisture control and heat release. And because the seams are minimized, there are no friction points that exacerbate friction or cause blisters.

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Ridge Merino

Materials: 59% merino wool, 38% nylon, 3% spandex

A lot of hiking socks feature merino wool nowadays, and for good reason, but the folks at Ridge Merino have taken full advantage of the fiber’s versatile properties. The Minaret Merino Wool Hiking Socks feature light cushioning to absorb a bit of impact, but the fabric isn’t so thick and solid as to trap unwanted heat. The 3/4 length sits just below the calf to protect your shins and ankles when wearing hiking boots. And reinforced wear zones pair with a seamless toe to increase the sock’s longevity and prevent blisters or hot spots, respectively. Even if your sock drawer is overflowing with merino options, you’ll reach for these time after time when the time comes to hit the trail

Keep in mind that the features listed above don’t even touch upon the natural, beneficial properties of merino wool. The fiber is structured in such a manner as to release heat when you don’t need it and trap it when you do, and it’s naturally antimicrobial, so your socks won’t stink even if you wear them for days at a time (a feature we reluctantly tested and confirmed to be true).

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REI

Material: 77% polyester, 22% nylon, 1% spandex

A lot of the best hiking socks rely heavily on wool, and that's all for the good: Wool has been a tried-and-true textile for sock fabrication for centuries. But these socks from REI prove two things: You don’t need to use wool to make great socks, and you don’t need to spend too much to get excellent hiking socks. Vegan-friendly, these socks are made entirely of synthetic materials, the primary one being Coolmax EcoMade Polyester, which is a mouthful of a name, but is cool in that it releases excess heat well and is made from recycled water bottles.

While not warm enough for use in frigid climes, these are great three-season hiking socks that have solid reinforcement at the heels and toes and resist wearing out in those parts of socks most prone to holes. We’re sorry to report they do lose some of their stretch and fit during a longer hike, but they’ll bounce back well after washings.

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REI

Material: 56% merino wool, 28% recycled nylon, 13% nylon, 3% elastane

If you’re hiking in hot weather, or if your feet are prone to heating up, then these are the socks you should consider having on. Lightweight yet cushioned under foot, these Smartwool socks release heat and wick moisture well, especially thanks to a series of mesh zones that enhance the fabric’s ability to release heat. And they do all that while keeping your arch supported. Also, while you may think a lower cut of sock is better for hot weather, we’ll posit that’s often not the case: As you’ll likely be hiking in shorts, the higher crew cut of these socks helps protect your ankles and lower legs from scratches and debris as you trek.

While we have never had a problem with a Smartwool sock ourselves (and that’s with several pairs worn over the years), we did note a few cases where customers complained of holes forming after only a couple of wearings, usually with a seam splitting near the toes. Just be mindful of that, and maybe pack a spare pair the first few times you wear these in case you stumble upon a rare troublesome sock.

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Ably Apparel

Material: 80% cotton, 18% nylon, 2% spandex

The most important thing about these hiking socks from Ably is that they repel water, so well in fact that you can literally step in a puddle and come out with dry feet (provided you pull your feet out pretty fast). The primary fabric used in these socks is Filium-activated cotton, which sheds water with ease as long as the sock is not left to soak in it. We know, because we have many pairs of Ably socks and have not only hiked in them many times, but we’ve stepped in puddles in the name of gear testing. The other important thing to note is that despite being made for the trail with solid arch support, good heat release and minimal friction, these socks have a subtle style that lets them work just fine with business casual clothes or jeans and sneakers, making them great for travel when you want to pack light but stay prepared for all sorts of activities.

We do have to say that, with repeated washings, Ably socks lose some of their stretch and fit, but if you reserve them for use during wet hikes or as go-to travel socks, they’ll last plenty well to justify the buy.

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Columbia

Material: 90% acrylic, 8% polyester, 2% spandex blend

There’s never a good time to get cold feet, whether it’s your wedding day or a winter hike. We can’t help with marital stresses, but we can say that these Columbia socks have kept our feet warm in mountain ranges, from the Rockies to the Sierras to the Alps. And we can say they’re not only great for hiking, but for skiing, cold weather climbing and everyday wear when the mercury drops. Thicker than most socks, the Columbia Mid-Weight Thermals aren’t so bulky as to not fit into boots or shoes with ease, and unlike many thicker, warmer socks, they don’t increase friction or rubbing thanks to a smooth, brushed interior.

These socks do wear out, but only after many months of heavy use or, in our experience, a few years of occasional use (not because they aren’t comfy, but simply because we had so many socks in the sock drawer). It’s worth it to get a couple of new pairs each winter, though, because nobody likes to suffer from cold feet.

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REI

Material: 74% polyester, 21% nylon, 5% spandex

If your time on the trail involves trail running shoes or hiking shoes, and if you’re not worried about the loss of protection that a higher sock collar offers, then opt for a low-cut sock that will have your feet comfy and your legs cool. In fact, specifically opt for these superb socks from Feetures that offer arch support thanks to dedicated stitching along the bottoms, heat release thanks to mesh over the top and a tab at the back of the socks that helps prevent them from sliding down under the back of your shoes, thus preventing blisters.

Now, these are the wrong socks to use with hiking boots, as they don’t cover your ankles or lower leg, but for use with shoes, they’re hard to beat. Just make sure you get them on the correct feet, as Feetures socks have a dedicated left and right sock, each slightly contoured to properly fit said foot.

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REI

Material: 52% nylon, 45% merino wool, 3% spandex

If they’re good enough for mom and dad, then Darn Tough hiking socks are a good choice for kids, too. These socks are a bit different than the adult pair we featured earlier in that they are primarily made with nylon (wool being the second main material), but the use of more synthetic fabric gives them a bit more stretch, which means kids not only get more use out of these socks as they grow bigger, but they’re easier for kids to get on their own feet. Once on, these lightweight socks stay in place with minimal slipping or rubbing, and they release heat thanks to the innate wicking properties of the fabric blend and mesh panels across the top.

Some customers report that the socks slip down on thinner ankles, but you might consider sizing down to mitigate this issue. And do note that you can pretty much count on these durable socks being hand-me-downs—a rarity for this category of apparel.

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We’ve talked about specific hiking socks based on use case, but it’s also a good idea to take a more general look at this all-important type of apparel. While these are certainly great selections, there’s always going to be more than one hiking sock option that works for each set of conditions. When you’re armed with a bit more general info, you can make the most informed buying decisions possible, so below we’ve included a few things to consider when determining which hiking socks are the best for you.

If you’re allergic to wool or opposed to using animal products, stick with cotton or synthetics; if you’re eco-conscious, stick with sustainable natural fibers or recycled synthetics. But really, the best hiking socks are almost always a blend of multiple different fibers, and that’s because some fibers offer better heat release and moisture wicking, while others provide more stretch and elasticity. The only fabric we generally advise against is one that’s made entirely of one material; purpose-built blends are always better here.

The taller the collar (or neck) of your socks, the more protection you’ll have against scrapes and scuffs (and bugs) and the more insulation you’ll get. On the other hand, in hotter weather, taller socks may lock in too much heat. For many hikes and hikers, a crew sock is the best bet, as these rise well above the ankle but stop well below the calf, and they can always be rolled down if needed. For use with trail runners or hiking shoes, a no-show sock is often fine, and sometimes a higher sock is called for, especially in frosty weather.

Socks that feature cushioning are all well and good for most use cases, but note this: more cushion equates to more heat buildup and less moisture release. If you’re prone to hot, sweaty feet, it may be worth it to opt for socks with less cushioning and instead find insoles that will offer padding and support. Speaking of support, there are plenty of hiking socks (including many featured here) with underfoot stitching that adds good support without adding thickness (and therefore warmth).