The best hiking socks of 2024, according to experts
Experts recommend merino wool socks with light compression for the most comfortable hike.
REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks
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$18.95
Finding the right hiking sock involves a certain amount of personal preference — you may prefer a streamlined lightweight version to a more cushioned feel, for example — and variation based on the climate and nature of your typical hike. But the best hiking socks have a few features in common, according to the experts we spoke with. Here’s what to consider:
REI’s affordably priced merino wool hiking socks are Sonaike’s number one recommendation and personal favorite. They’re lightweight, suitable for cooler and warmer temperatures, and 79% merino wool. “I use them in the fall, winter and spring but I have family members who manage to hike in them all summer.” Distance hikers love the seamless toes to prevent blisters and the compression band around the arch for additional support.
Fabric: 79% merino wool/20% nylon/1% lycra spandex | Compression: light | Sock height: crew | Sock cushioning: light | Moisture-wicking: yes
If you’re preparing for icy winter trails, REI also makes a heavy-weight version of its expert-recommended hiking sock mentioned above. Reviewers note the warmth of the sock even in temperatures below zero.
Fabric: 79% merino wool/20% nylon/1% lycra spandex | Compression: light | Sock height: crew | Sock cushioning: heavy | Moisture-wicking: yes
Parthasarathy finds Darn Tough’s hiking socks to be comfortable and well cushioned. “They have a good fit and they’re breathable,” she says, adding that these are the socks one of her patients used for a multiday trek across Europe. Every pair also has a lifetime guarantee.
Fabric: 59% merino wool/39% nylon/2% Lycra spandex | Compression: light | Sock height: crew | Sock cushioning: medium | Moisture-wicking: yes
For a more minimalist hiking sock, Bombas’ merino wool blend quarter socks are suitable for day hikes or trail runs. While they don’t come up as high on the ankle as crew socks suited for full hiking boots, these socks have zoned arch support and ankle compression.
Fabric: 63% merino wool/34% nylon/3% elastane| Compression: medium | Sock height: quarter | Sock cushioning: light | Moisture-wicking: yes
Sonaike often recommends Smartwool socks to her patients since they have a variety of cushioning options to suit individual preferences. Their ultra-cushioned classic edition is a sockstalwart for a reason — you won’t want to take them off post-hike. Full cushioning runs through the foot and ankle to add extra warmth and help prevent chafing on the trail. They also make excellent home socks for drafty winter days.
Fabric: 56% merino wool, 11% nylon, 31% recycled nylon, 2% elastane | Compression: medium | Sock height: crew | Sock cushioning: plush | Moisture-wicking: yes
Whether you’re gearing up for a multiday trek or day hike near your home, the best hiking socks share commonalities in fabric and sock height. Here’s what the experts recommend as well as their advice for factoring in your personal preferences for warmth, comfort, and cushioning.
For hiking socks, merino wool was the hands down winner. “It’s so much better than cotton,” says Sonaike. Unlike moisture-wicking merino, cotton absorbs moisture, increasing the chances you’ll get soggy, cold feet mid-hike therefore promoting the growth of bacteria and fungus, she says.
Wool also provides superior temperature regulation, says Grant, which is particularly useful for hikes that may take you through different temperature zones. “I always say if you’re going to be in a snowy, icy area, wear wool and if you’re going to be in a hotter, humid, wet marshy area, wear wool,” she says.
“When you’re looking for a hiking sock, it should be the first or second fabric listed, which shows you it is the highest percentage of the fabric blend,” says Sonaike.
Cushioning is often a matter of personal preference, but Parthasarathy advises gravitating toward medium to full cushioning for longer distance hikes. “You have to tailor it to your needs, but for longer hikes, more cushioning is helpful,” she says.
Aside from providing comfort, thicker, more cushioned socks can also help provide stability, particularly for those with narrow calves. “If there’s too much space between your calf and your hiking boot where you can fit your finger inside, you definitely want a thicker sock,” says Sonaike. “It’s going to give you stability so that your ankle’s not moving around and you can’t roll your ankle within your hiking shoe.”
Compression isn’t as important in a hiking sock as it is in a running sock, says Sonaike but light compression can help give you more stability on rocky terrain. “Light compression around the ankle can support and stabilize your tendons and ligaments,” she says, “but you don’t want the compression level to be too high.” Medical-grade compression that stops at the ankle (as opposed to extending just below the knee like many medical-grade support stockings) can cause uncomfortable swelling above the sock band. “Those levels of compression are better over your calf or right below your knee where your veins are going to be able to pump the fluid back that you’re accumulating,” says Sonaike. She recommends looking for hiking socks with light compression that come above the ankle to “decrease your risk of ankle sprains and strains when you are out there.”
Durability for hiking socks can vary greatly. Unlike running shoes, there’s no widely agreed upon number of miles or months after which you should replace them, says Grant. “It really is looking at the actual wear of the sock more than anything.”
Replace your socks if you notice any of the following:
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Macaela MacKenzie is a journalist and former Glamour editor who’s covered fitness and wellness for over a decade. For this article, MacKenzie spoke to three doctors and drew on her personal experience as an avid hiker with perpetually cold toes.
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