Rank | Photo | Model | Rating | More Info |
#1 |  | BEST OVERALL Farm to Feet Damascus Hiking Socks | ||
#2 |  | RUNNER UP Smartwool unisex Hiking Socks | ||
#3 |  | Thorlos Experia Hiking Socks | ||
#4 |  | Wigwam Hiking Outdoor Socks | ||
#5 |  | Farm to Feet Damascus Elite Hiking Socks |
Your most awaited hiking trail can go in shambles if your feet encounter the worst case of blisters or sunburn.
As nature isn’t going to dial down on its patterns, it becomes our responsibility to go entirely prepared for an adventurous hike that feels comfortable too.
When it comes to socks, you cannot team your regular socks with hiking shoes as they are not made to provide cushioning, reduce impact injuries and ventilate continuously.
It would be best to have specially designed socks compatible with hiking and other outdoor activities.
So let us take you on a journey to find the best socks for hiking and other outdoor adventures!
Our Picks for the Best Hiking Socks – Reviews for 2021
Best Overall: Farm to Feet Damascus Hiking Socks
Farm to Feet is an American enterprise that focuses on producing excellent quality socks for people worldwide. Let us look at this winner to find its abilities, positives, and negatives.
These socks will be your favorite pair if you love products that merge quality with functionality.
Featured Specs
- Manufacturer: Farm To Feet
- Material: 51% Merino Wool, 46% Nylon, 3% Lycra Spandex
- Machine wash: Yes
- Made in: USA
- Color options: Yes
Benefits
- These Damascus socks are made with 50% high-quality wool, 46% nylon, and 3% lycra spandex for an ultimate pair of socks that provide unmatched fit even after months of use.
- The US Merino is the most hiker-friendly material as the wool stays dry and warm in winter and cool in summer. Following this principle, these socks provide the exact feeling of the opposite weather system.
- These socks are of a standard height that fits firmly on your lower calf.
- These Farm to Feet socks fashion a seamless toe closure. Their advanced knitting technology creates a perfectly flat connection to the toe box. The result? You get a bulk-free sock that eliminates the chances of blisters and extra bulging. These indeed are the best hiking socks to prevent blisters.
- The added targeted cushioning helps to reduce the impact while doing strenuous activities. The targeted cushioning at the heel and ball of the feel act as a shock-absorbing pad for comfortable hikes.
- Their quality reinforced construction and low-stress seam placement reduce the wear and tear of your socks to a great extent, thus increasing the garment’s life.
- A well thought circumferential ventilation channel allows a passageway for fresh air to seep inside your garment. This feature helps in keeping a zip on moisture control.
- The socks come in seven colors to suit up according to your mood and clothing preference.
- These socks are indubitably the most lightweight socks you will ever wear in your life.
Drawbacks
These socks can be a little snug on most people’s calves, making them uncomfortable. As they do not stretch and get loose that fast many users couldn’t wear them for more than an hour.
Extra Features
This product is proudly US-made, where the company uses 100% US materials, 100% US manufacturing, and 100% US workers. You, as a customer, are bound to feel the ultra-high quality of these socks because of the thorough quality checking and quality raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
Buying Advice
If you are on the lookout for an ultimate sock for hiking, then this is your pair. The quality of the socks will surely impress, thus making these your next best pair.
Runner up: Smartwool unisex Hiking Socks
Smartwool is an environmentally cautious brand with products for most outdoor sports.
Their pure range and constant dedication to provide high-quality products by keeping the environment in mind makes them one of the top brands in the outdoor gear industry.
Featured Specs
- Manufacturer: Smartwool
- Material: 56% wool, 41% nylon, 3% elastane
- Machine wash: Yes
- Made in: USA
- Color option: Yes
Benefits
- The company uses 56% wool, 41% nylon, and 3% elastane to create the perfect socks for heavy outdoor uses. These socks are crews that fit impeccably on your calves.
- These socks fashion a 4 Degree™ elite fit system for a dialed and extreme performance-oriented fit.
- The socks are extraordinarily durable, thanks to its Indestructawool™ technology.
- Their Go Far. Feel Good Guarantee lets you return the socks within two years of the purchase date. As soon as your claim gets approval, the company sends you gift cards of the same value as a reimbursement.
- The light cushions add extra padding for more excellent and optimal impact absorption and warmth.
- These socks are made in the USA and thus have a good and controlled quality checking throughout the entire process. You are going to get a high-quality product without any doubt.
- These athletic socks come in six neutral colors to fit and match your every mood and hiking outfit.
- The virtually seamless toe-stitch keeps your toes happy and miles away from chafing and bleeding.
- Their unique blend of materials keeps the socks soft and carriers moisture-wicking, odor-neutralizing, and thermoregulating properties. Your feet would never be cold and dry during the winter season or warm and clammy during the summer season.
Drawbacks
- These socks seem to be a little fragile at the top toe’s seam area. The constant pressure tends to stretch the fabric causing rips and tears.
- This model tends to follow the design with no elastic. The top of the socks does not have elastic and provides zero to no stretchability.
Extra Features
These Smartwool Socks have an ingenious mesh venting on the top part of the socks. The criss-cross meshing detail discourages the material from bunching up and provides exceptional breathability and moisture management.
Buying Advice
These are excellent socks if you constantly find yourself un-bunching your socks during hikes and trails. They will keep their shape and cling to your feet as intended. We highly recommend these pairs if you live in colder countries or always plan your hiking trips during the cold season, as these are the best winter hiking socks on the market.
Alternative: Thorlos Experia Hiking Socks
Thorlos has always been in the big leagues since the year 1982. As the years pass by, the company decided to spread its wings and focus on exclusive socks specially built for heavy-duty outdoor purposes.
The Experia is their way of celebrating the outdoors and innovative design for enthusiastic adventure lovers.
Featured Specs
- Manufacturer: Thorlo Inc.
- Material: 79% Polyester, 20% Nylon, 1% Elastic
- Machine wash: Yes
- Made in: USA
- Color options: Yes
Benefits
- Thorlos’ Experia is a pretty structured low-cut sock specifically designed to keep sweat and moisture away.
- These socks come in 15+ vibrant and funky colors. You can pick out a few neutral pairs for hiking and purchase the neons for your gym wear. The bright colors are indeed pretty hypnotic and vibrant to look at.
- These socks are constructed with exclusive ThorWick COOL moisture-wicking fibers that work relentlessly to keep your feet dry and cool as per the weather.
- Thorlo has placed intelligent thin cushioning in the most critical areas, like the heel and ball of the foot. These targeted minimal yet effective cushioning give a comfortable base while keeping the moisture away, unlike some heavily cushioned socks. The thin layer makes these the best summer hiking socks.
- Numerous smartly designed elastic bands keep running throughout the socks to provide unmatched fit and grip. These elastics stick to the foot and discourages the socks from sliding off.
- Their no-rub toe seam gives a continuous look while keeping the surface of your skin free from chafing.
- These socks are made in the USA and guarantee ultimate quality and durability to all its consumers.
Drawbacks
- As the padding isn’t consistent, the cushioned areas feel like bumps, triggering a very uncomfortable experience.
- These socks aren’t for year-round use. You might need to find some socks that provide winter protection to your feet.
Extra Features
The company has added an extra Achilles pad to protect against shoe bites. This feature has drastically reduced your chances of getting a shoe bite, even with new footwear.
Buying Advice
We highly recommend these best hiking socks for warm weather because of their thin material. The light fabric helps to ventilate and pass on clean air while keeping your feet cool, dry, and less clammy during the summer season.
Alternative Wigwam Hiking Outdoor Socks
Since 1905, Wigwam has dedicated itself to creating sportswear that crosses the boundaries of discomfort. With many ventures in the past decades, this company keeps reinventing itself from its last avatar.
Let us look at these outdoor socks to understand their production quality and their use for your next hiking trip.
Featured Specs
- Manufacturer: Wigwam Mills
- Material: 32% Polypropylene, 29% Acrylic, 23% Nylon, 15% Polyester, 1% Spandex
- Machine wash: Yes
- Made in: USA
- Color Option: Yes
Benefits
- These Wigwam F6077 socks are made with 32% polypropylene, 29% acrylic, 23% nylon a, 15% polyester and 1% spandex. These material ratios are carefully chosen to create an excellent blend of hiking-friendly socks.
- These socks are proud USA-made in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, since 1905.
- The mid-weight cushion runs throughout the socks to provide world-class comfort even when walking the most challenging roads or straight paths. This padding strives to keep your ankle, feet, and shins comfortable throughout your adventures.
- The lightweight instep adds an extra layer of breathability for people who sweat a lot or like to hike in a hot climate.
- Wigwam’s patented Ultimax moisture management system uses a clever combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers to push the sweat away and pull it in to evaporate according to the different areas.
- The companies sell these outdoor adventure socks with a lifetime warranty.
Drawbacks
- These socks do not fit well if you have wide legs. They would surely constrict blood circulation. Few consumers couldn’t put them on even with their right regular size.
- They are not ideal in the odor repellent department.
Extra Features
These outdoorsy socks are reinforced with synthetic fibers in significant areas prone to wear and tear. This feature indeed extends the life of this product.
Buying Advice
If you are looking for a pair that serves you well for both summer and winter, then congrats on your new pair of socks.
These might be a tad bit thick for summer, but with its excellent ventilation, it provides utmost comfort. The narrow width makes these the best hiking socks for women as well.
Alternative: Farm to Feet Damascus Elite Hiking Socks
Farm to Feet undoubtedly has the best men’s hiking socks in the industry. Their American supply chain helps them stand out from other competing brands.
Let us look at their Damascus Elite socks to find more about the socks’ features!
Featured Specs
- Manufacturer: Farm to Feet
- Material: 61% Merino Wool, 34% Nylon, 5% Spandex
- Machine wash: Yes
- Made in: USA
- Color Option: Yes
Benefits
- These ¼ Merino wool socks are made with 51% Merino Wool, 45% Nylon, 4% Spandex to keep fit your legs in the most comforting way.
- These ¼ crews are excellent for people who wish to wear socks just above the ankle. The size usually gets appropriately hidden in the shoes. Its comfort and size would make these a perfect pair for regular use.
- The most crucial targeted cushion zone creates nice padding that works excellent to absorb shocks from your high endurance and strenuous outdoor activities. This technique helps reduce impact, especially if you are fond of low-volume shoes.
- Farm To Feet has an excellent advanced technique that creates a flat and seamless connection to eliminate blister generating friction and reduce unwanted bulk.
- Its circumferential compression, reinforced compression, and low seamstress help fit the socks perfectly while increasing their durability and life.
Drawbacks
- The manufacturer tends to give wrong information regarding the material list, which can be slightly deceitful.
- The toe area with the joint makes people uncomfortable as the joining creates a strip that sometimes keeps poking the foot.
Extra Features
These socks are 100% USA-made with careful efforts taken by US workers to manufacture in the US with all the materials sourced from US lands. The brand truly represents American-made to its core.
Buying Advice
If you are a fan of US-made products and wish to support the company, then we highly recommend this brand. Apart from the US manufacturing, these socks have excellent quality and a considerable cult following in the outdoor gear world.
Hiking Socks FAQs
What kind of socks are best for hiking?
Going on a trail requires you to gear up to face the adversities of weather, animal encounters, and rough terrain. The right gear is sturdy and yet comfortable.
The most important of them is your humble socks. Choosing the best pair is conditioned on the following.
Height of the Sock
The kind of socks you opt for should be compatible with your footgear. You may come across socks of different sizes like the extremely short socks buried in your shoes, the ankle-length ones suitable for mid-height footwear, crew length that is the most preferred one, etc.
The thickness of the Sock
As with the height, the sock’s thickness is dependent on your feet’ suitability and the environment in which you would be hiking. Many people do not prefer bulky socks that make their feet heavy and claustrophobic.
Moreover, your surrounding weather condition shall also dictate if you need thick layering to keep your feet warm or not. In all cases, opt for a pair with light to medium cushioning, especially to the ball area of your feet and your toe fingers.
Sock Material
The footgear market has an array of fabric options. The preferred options include polyester, which is ideal for wicking moisture and keeping your feet dry and happy. During intensive trekking, your feet could become sweaty and prone to blisters and fungal outbreaks.
Nylon is another fabric option that serves the same purpose. Wool knit socks are the most popular pick for mountain adventures. It provides an Insulated environment to your feet, keeping them protected from frostbites. Many hikers prefer opting for the merino wool type as it is lightweight and itch-free.
While choosing your hiking socks, a vital specification is to look if it has spandex, an essential element that helps keep your socks from creasing and bunching up.
Overall, opt for a sock that can vouch for versatility and easy washability. It should be durable and sturdy enough to maintain its shape and fit your feet perfectly.
Do hiking socks make a difference?
Socks that have been specifically crafted for hiking purposes are always a valuable accessory to add comfort to your experience. They are designed and tested to be durable and sturdy.
Hiking in rough and unpredictable terrain could always run you the risk of injuring your ankle. Thus a sturdy gear in the form of boots/ hiking sandals combined with hiking socks is only meant to assure you a relatively safe and hassle-free trail.
Much more than casual wear, hiking socks will do the essential functions of preventing your feet from rubbing against the shoe and the extra cushion and brace. They are knitted with high-performance fabric to make them breathable and comfortable.
Are leggings good for hiking?
Leggings are the most preferred choice when it comes to your routine workouts. Their almost perfect fit to the skin makes them ideal for stretching and working your body to the limits.
They provide your legs the proper support. It might make them perfect hiking apparel. However, there are a few considerations to be taken. Any gear you opt for while trekking should neither be too tight nor too loose and flimsy. The tight-fitting of leggings could soon become an uncomfortable situation to sustain your hike in.
With excessive activity, you want your body to be able to breathe enough. However, by their very design, leggings offer little or no space for ventilation.
Moreover, they will be further tightened in your groin region, making them prone to friction and bruises. Leggings can also not endure long days of hiking and could easily tear apart.
Leggings are also not ideal for long treks when you want certain things easily accessible and not stuffed in your backpack. Most leggings do not have pockets, and the ones that manage to have one or two are tiny to accommodate anything.
The thin layered clothing is also unsuitable for frosty weather and could leave your legs exposed to extreme cold conditions. An alternative gear one can find similar to leggings is the hiking leggings that have gained popularity for their resilience during the long hours of adventure.
Many hikers also prefer using it as a layer under sturdy pants to get the perfect combination of flexibility and protection.
Should you wear two pairs of socks while hiking?
Wearing two pairs instead of one is advocated for its double layer protection to your feet from blisters by eliminating friction. It further keeps your feet guarded against moisture and icy conditions.
Ideally, hikers from the two socks club would have the first layer of a thin fabric like nylon or silk (also known as sock liner) and the second layer of a thick material like wool. Thus, the inner layer performs the role of wicking away moisture and providing a good fit, while the outer layer performs the heavy-duty function of keeping your feet guarded.
This system is bound to offer better insulation, especially during high-altitude hikes. Although, today’s hiker socks come with a merino wool fabric that hardly needs any liner. Two-layered socks are also said to provide a better padding system.
For most others, wearing one pair itself could make them uncomfortable; two layers could make their boots feel tight and too guarded. It could not only cause tension but also pain in your ankle region.
Hiking with two layers also means more stink. Hikers who frequently experience many blisters prefer putting on two layers, but that is not the case for everybody. Thus, depending on what keeps you comfortable, opt for the best choice.
If you opt for two layers, choose socks that can fit well and boots that can accommodate two layers.
Conclusion
We hope our hard work of scouring only the best products came to fruition.
We hope you wear these socks on your hiking trips with shoes and even sandals for a more protected and comfortable journey. Before leaving, we highly recommend that you take care of the socks for their longevity.
Always put the socks for machine wash on a cold to lukewarm spin and avoid heat drying. We suggest you try air drying to save the fabric and prevent further shrinkage. Happy hiking!
