10 Best Hiking Socks of 2023
Wearing the right footwear is key to success in all outdoor adventures, but it’s especially important for hiking and backpacking. As hikers, our feet are the workhorses that carry the load and take the most beating on the trail. Our experience has taught us that we have to treat our feet right to keep them in peak condition so we can see and do more comfortably.
It’s normal to experience some foot aches and pains, overheating, and hot spots/blisters after long days of hiking, but we’ve found that wearing quality socks (along with good shoes/boots) makes a big difference in how long we can keep our feet comfortable and in good shape on trail.
Quick Recommendations
Check out this quick list of the best hiking socks if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list of favorites with in-depth reviews.
- Best overall for quality, comfort & durability: Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Men’s / Women’s
- Breathable wool socks with a performance fit: Smartwool Performance Hike Light Men’s / Women’s
- Best budget no-show socks: Balega Hidden Comfort Unisex
- Best value warm wool socks: REI Merino Hiking Crew Unisex
- Best toe socks: Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew Men’s / Women’s
Hiking Sock Comparison Table
WhaT’s Most Important to You in a Hiking Sock?
FABRIC:
Socks made with polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fabrics are breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, so they’re great for hiking. They also tend to be a bit more durable than natural fibers, though they can pill and hold onto odors more.
Wool is a natural fiber that’s excellent for managing moisture, evaporating odors, and keeping you warm when wet. Quality merino wool is soft and comfortable and works exceptionally well when blended with synthetic fibers.
Cotton collects and holds moisture, which can lead to blisters (check out our How to Prevent and Treat Blisters post for more info). We don’t recommend socks with any cotton content for hiking, but they’re inexpensive and comfortable for everyday use.
CUSHIONING:
Cushioning affects durability, comfort, and warmth. Ultralight cushion socks and liners are best for running or hiking in low cut shoes. We typically prefer them because they dry quickly and breathe well, but they’re not as durable as other socks. Some people use liners under other socks to help prevent blisters.
Socks with light cushioning are relatively thin and have a good balance of breathability, moisture-wicking, comfort, and durability.
Medium cushion socks are good for hiking in average to cold weather. They provide a moderate amount of cushion in the heel and ball of the foot to protect your feet from impact.
Socks with heavy cushioning are the thickest and warmest. Many hikers find them too bulky and hot for backpacking, but they’re great for warmth in camp, winter hiking, and mountaineering in boots.
HEIGHT:
Sock height comes down to personal preference. No-show and quarter socks come to the ankle and are most compatible with trail runners or low-cut hiking shoes. They’re stylish when wearing shorts and offer the best airflow. But they leave your ankle exposed to heel clipping, can collect debris, and may need to be pulled up periodically.
Crew socks come up to about mid-calf and work well with almost all footwear, including boots. They tend to stay up and keep debris out better, as well as offer some protection to your ankles. Crew socks are a little easier to overheat in though, and you may get a sock tan if you wear them all summer.
All of the socks on this list come in a variety of heights, but we’ll outline our favorites from each category below.
- Best no-show socks: Balega Hidden Comfort (Unisex)
- Best ankle/mini-crew/quarter socks: Farm to Feet Damascus (Unisex), Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew (Men’s) (Women’s), Feetures Elite (Unisex), WrightSock Coolmesh II (Unisex)
- Best crew socks: Darn Tough Light Hiker (Men’s) (Women’s), Smartwool Performance Hike Light (Men’s) (Women’s), REI Merino Hiking Crew (Unisex), Swiftwick Flite XT Trail (Unisex)
Best Hiking socks of 2023
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew
Best overall hiking socks for quality, comfort & durability
Price: $24
Fabric: 54% nylon, 43% merino wool, 3% Lycra spandex
Height: Crew
Cushioning: Light
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Durable
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Comfortable
- Don’t slide down
Cons
- Expensive
- Warmer/less breathable than some
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Men’s / Women’s are comfortable, versatile, and built to last. They’re woven very tightly, which gives them outstanding durability.
The Light Hikers are warmer and thicker than minimalist socks, but they’re still quite breathable and the wool-synthetic blend makes them adaptable in warm or cool conditions. Darn Tough socks are expensive but well worth the money since they last forever and are backed up by an amazing unconditional lifetime guarantee.
If you’re looking for more cushioning and warmth, Darn Tough’s Hiker Micro Crew (men’s & women’s) and Hiker Boot Socks (men’s & women’s) are also excellent.
Smartwool Performance Hike Light
Breathable wool socks with a performance fit
Price: $24
Fabric: 56% merino wool, 41% nylon, 3% elastane
Height: Crew
Cushioning: Light
Pros
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Don’t slide down
Smartwool’s Performance Hike Light Men’s / Women’s are some of the best all-around socks for hiking. They’re well-designed with a snug, anatomical fit and padding only where you need it for excellent breathability. Though past versions of the Performance Hike have lacked durability, the 3rd generation Performance Hike socks have tougher wool in the heel and toe which substantially extends their lifespan (and Smartwool will replace them if you send them in within 2 years of the purchase date). We recommend Performance Hike socks to those who prefer a sock that’s a bit lighter and more breathable than Darn Tough’s, even if they won’t last quite as long.
Farm to Feet Damascus
Best durable socks designed for long backpacking trips
Price: $22
Fabric: 51% merino wool, 45% nylon, 4% Lycra spandex
Height: Quarter
Cushioning: Light
Pros
- Durable
- Lifetime warranty
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Comfortable
- Don’t slide down
The Farm to Feet Damascus socks are made with 100% American materials and construction. Created with long-distance hikers in mind, these socks are built tough and will last for hundreds of miles. Besides that, they’re guaranteed for life! Slight compression and unique targeted cushioning in the heel and toe as well as on top of the instep help prevent pain from shoelace pressure, which is especially nice for long, steep descents. We recommend the Damascus socks for rugged hikes and backpacking trips in trail runners or boots when minimalist socks aren’t quite enough.
Balega Hidden Comfort
Best budget no-show socks
Price: $16
Fabric: 100% polyester
Height: No Show
Cushioning: Medium
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Don’t slide down
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
Cons
- Hotter/less breathable than some
- Hold odor more than others
- Not as durable as some
Balega’s Hidden Comfort Socks are simple, lightly padded, and comfortable with cushy tabs at the ankle that effectively keep them from sliding down. The plush padding across the entire sole makes them a bit warmer and less breathable underfoot than some. That said, the Hidden Comforts are an excellent, affordable choice for those looking for comfy low-cut socks for everyday use. Balega also offers their popular Ultralight No Show Socks (excellent ultralight feel, but lack long-term durability), Blister Resist No Show Socks (made with mohair fibers that resist friction), and Silver No Show Socks (great compression and antibacterial properties). If you’re looking for a quarter-length hiking sock, we also really love the Balega Enduro Quarter Socks.
REI Merino Hiking Crew
Best value warm wool socks
Price: $18
Fabric: 79% merino wool, 20% nylon, 1% Lycra spandex
Height: Crew
Cushioning: Light
Pros
- Good value
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
Cons
- A bit too warm for summer conditions
- Can slide down with some footwear
The REI Merino Hiking Crew Socks are an excellent value since they’re made with premium quality wool, but they cost less than those from other top brands. They have a great balance of warmth and breathability, which makes them great for long days on the trail or for wearing as sleep socks on camping and backpacking trips. If you’re looking for a comfortable hiking sock with the performance of merino wool without breaking the bank, you can’t go wrong with these. For summer, we recommend REI’s Lightweight Flash Crew Socks.
Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew
Best toe socks
Price: $16
Fabric: 58% nylon, 39% CoolMax polyester, 3% Lycra spandex
Height: Mini-crew
Cushioning: Medium
Pros
- Helps prevent toe blisters
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
Cons
- Hold odor more than others
- Takes a little longer to put on/take off
- Lack long-term durability
Injinji’s Trail Midweight Mini Crews Men’s / Women’s are some of the most popular toe socks on the market because they’re affordable, comfortable, highly breathable, and excellent for reducing friction between the toes. Since each toe is wrapped in wicking fabric, we find that they do a very good job of keeping our feet dry on the trail too. Toe socks may feel a little strange at first, but we think they’re worth getting used to if you frequently struggle with toe blisters.
Swiftwick Flite XT Trail
Technical socks for hiking & trail running
Price: $27
Fabric: 38% nylon, 24% merino wool, 22% olefin, 13% polyester, 3% spandex
Height: Crew
Cushioning: Medium
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
- Odor-resistant
- Don’t slide down
Swiftwick’s Flite XT Trail are some of the first socks we search for in the drawer for fast-moving adventures. They give medium compression for tendon support, and they’re hardly noticeable because they’re so comfy. They’re the perfect weight for nearly all weather conditions, and the combo of merino wool and synthetic fibers give a great balance of thermoregulation and durability. The sole also has fibers that help grip the inside of your shoe to reduce slippage. The Flite XTs are a little more expensive than others, but they’re solid performers for hiking and trail running, and we expect them to last for a long time.
Feetures Elite
Best socks for aerobic activity in warm conditions
Price: $18
Fabric: 92% nylon and 8% spandex
Height: Quarter
Cushioning: Light
Pros
- Affordable
- Lifetime warranty
- Comfortable
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
- Don’t slide down
Cons
- Hold odor more than others
- Lack long-term durability
Feetures is a brand that’s better-known in the running community, but we love their socks for hiking too. Feetures’ Elite Light Cushion Quarter Socks are thin, stretchy, and fit snugly with compression in all the right places so the socks stay smooth and wrinkle-free during aerobic activity. The Elite socks stand out best in warm conditions when wicking and ventilation are critical.
WrightSock Coolmesh II
Double-layer socks for blister prevention
Price: $15
Fabric: 70% Dri-Wright II polyester, 26% nylon, 4% lycra
Height: Quarter
Cushioning: Light
Pros
- Helps prevent blisters
- Affordable
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Very comfortable
- Lifetime warranty
- Don’t slide down
Cons
- Lack long-term durability
- Hold odor more than others
WrightSock Coolmesh II Socks are extremely comfortable and feel like slippers on your feet. They’re thin and minimal, and the double-layer system makes them excellent for preventing blisters. The downside is that they’re built with thin materials and they wear down fairly quickly in the heel and toe. We wish the outer layer of the Coolmesh II was a bit tougher, but for those with blister-prone feet, they might still be well worth it.
Honorable Mentions
The following socks didn’t make our final list, but they’ve got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, maybe one of these socks will be the right fit for you.
- Point6 37.5: fully-cushioned wool socks that fight odor and don’t slide down
- Icebreaker Hike+:lightweight wool socks that are good for thermoregulation
- Woolly Outdoor Air: affordable wool socks that are great for everyday use
Critical Sock Considerations
SUPPORT
Strategically-placed bands of compression around the calf, ankle, or arch of the foot help socks stay in place and keeps them from twisting and bunching. Compression also provides support to the muscles and ligaments to prevent conditions like plantar fasciitis, which can make hiking extremely painful. If you have an existing condition, a good pair of socks can work just as well as an Ace wrap or sports tape.
FIT
Your socks should fit just right. Not too tight, but not too loose.
SIZING
Light compression and a snug fit aid in your socks ability to effectively wick moisture, breathe, and stay wrinkle-free, but socks that are too tight can restrict blood flow and limit your toes range of movement.
WASHING AND DRYING
Beware that socks with high merino wool content are likely to shrink if you put them in the dryer on high heat. For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and drying your socks to maintain their cushion and avoid miniaturizing them. We recommend washing wool products inside-out on a cool or lukewarm washing machine setting with gentle detergent, then air drying them on a clothesline or flat surface. If you’re in a hurry, the next best thing is to tumble dry your wool socks on low. If you treat them well, your wool hiking socks should last for a long time.
HOW TO AVOID LOSING SOCKS
It’s a huge bummer to have a pile of single expensive hiking socks, but we all know how easy it is to lose track of them. We recommend using a small mesh laundry bag as your sock-specific hamper and just toss the laundry bag into the wash when it’s full. Soapy water will get through the bag and the socks will get clean, but they won’t go missing.
More Information
We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation.
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Thanks for reading and happy trails!