The best hiking socks 2024: keep your feet comfy all year round

It's fair to say that the best hiking socks are the silent heroes of the trail. While flashy down jackets, waterproof jackets and high-tech hiking boots get all the glory, your hiking socks are the items that your feet get most intimate with, working behind the scenes to make every hike as comfortable as can be.

The difference between the best hiking socks and traditional socks is huge, underlining how high performing these pairs are. A quality hiking sock has to be comfortable while being hardwearing, breathable while being warm, stretchy while being supportive and, ideally, smell fresh even at the end of a day pounding the trails.

Blending materials like nylon, polyester, merino wool, polyamide and elastane, while containing more and more recycled materials every year, the best hiking socks are real marvels of design, very much earning their right to rub shoulders (or ankles, as it may be) with the best hiking boots. Our expert testers have put this 13-strong sock lineup to the test on the backcountry trails to bring you this guide.

We've dished out a number of 5-star ratings, though for summery hikes we love the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks most of all.

The quick list

This is the quick list, a snapshot of the best hiking socks available in 2024. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each featured pair, see our more detailed reviews further down the page in this guide.

The best hiking socks 2024

The best hiking socks overall

These wonderfully comfortable and moisture wicking socks are breathable and thin enough for summer adventures but boast insulation to make them suitable for the off season too. Constructed of a mix of Merino wool, nylon and spandex, they've got just about the right amout of stretch. With Darn Tough's usual lifetime guarantee, these are socks that should last you a long time.

"It's hard to come up with a single complaint" says our expert tester Julia Clarke. They're not L/R specific, but we're really clutching at straws here. Mountaineers and winter climbers would want something warmer but for most use, you can't really go wrong with this excellent pair.

Read our full Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks review

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The best LR specific hiking socks

"You can trust these socks to support your feet even when you’re putting in serious miles with moisture-wicking, breathable fabric, padding in all the right places and a comfortable, supportive fit" says our hiking expert Julia Clarke. The Helly Hansen Unisex Technical Hiking Socks tick all the boxes where quality for the trails is concerned.

For us, it hits the Goldilocks zone of not being too thick to wear in summer while still providing a comfortable level of cushioning for taking on long walks. The socks feature a blend of polyester and Merino, which makes them durable, while also being odor repelling and thermally efficient. There's also 3% elastane, which gives them that all-important stretch.

Read our full Helly Hansen Unisex Technical Hiking Socks review

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The best hiking socks for eco-creds

It's fair to say that hiking socks tend to have a shorter lifespan than other items in your outdoor wardrobe. Therefore, any brand or sock looking to reduce waste is a good thing. This is what Smartwool are striving for here, giving worn out socks a second coming. The brand harvest material from secondhand socks and combine this with newly made synthetic materials, including elastane for a little stretch, as well as responsibly sourced Merino.

The result is a comfortable, moisture wicking and odor repellent sock that's a joy to wear on the trails. The process in no way inhibits the sock's performance. Our expert reviewer Pat Kinsella points out that "‘the Second Cut socks are every bit as luxurious and comfy as the rest of Smartwool’s range." The height and thickness provide the comfort and protection needed on the trail, while we're looking forward to seeing the progress Smartwool make towards truly sustainable socks on future pairs.

Read our full Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Second Cut Crew Socks review

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The best hiking socks for bunions

If you suffer from bunions, the bony lumps that can develop on the inner-facing side of the foot, you'll know that they can be hugely uncomfortable when exploring the backcountry trails. German brand Hanwag have long been at war with Bunions and have a range of boots and shoes designed to tackle the issue. These excellent, LR specific socks are designed to be worn with their hiking footwear and are padded where bunions can cause problems. There's also padding where it's needed on the heel and sole, while there's a good level of protection provided by the mid-shin length of the sock.

Our expert tester Pat Kinsella says that "the high level of Merino used means they feel great, breath really well, wick moisture excellently and don’t hold on to odors". There's a green light in the sustainability stakes too, as the Merino is treated with an eco-friendly EX-Pollution anti-felting treatment, a chlorine-free wool finishing process that uniquely meets the bluesign standard.

Read our full Hanwag Bunion Socks review

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The best hiking socks for winter sports

"These cozy, breathable, over-the-calf socks will keep your toes toasty all day long on the slopes and pack plenty of padding to prevent annoying boot rub," according to our expert tester Julia Clarke. As the name suggests, they're primarily designed for snow sports but work tremendously well as hiking socks too.

The 13in over-the-calf fit hugs beautifully just below the knee, giving great levels of protection against trail elements. The fit is performance-orientated, contoured to the wearer's arches, allowing for decent flex at the ankle. These socks are made from a blend of Merino, nylon and elastane, a cocktail that provides stretch, durability and moisture-wicking capabilities. Cushioning is ample and they're warm enough to wear on the winter trails, thanks to their snow sports heritage.

Read our full Smartwool Ski Full Cushion OTC Socks review

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The best tall hiking socks

These sophisticated socks are made from a rich mix of materials and fabric, combined to produce a very comfortable, practical, protective and durable sock for walkers and hikers. Offering excellent arch support and cushioning for the Achilles tendon, plus extra padding around the toes, heels and ball areas, these socks stretch up to the mid-shin, and can be worn throughout the year. However, our expert reviewer Pat Kinsella points out that "you may find them a little too warm in summer". 

Chief among the materials used, though, is merino wool, which not only wicks moisture away from the skin, but also magically moderates temperature   so the socks feel warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. The main innovation here, though, is the use of Tactel for the inner layer - this is a polyamide fibre a lot like nylon, but which is notably soft, breathable and lightweight, and dries quickly too. The twin layer construction of these socks vastly reduces friction between the wearer’s foot and their shoe or boot, which helps prevent blisters (and they come with the 1000 Mile guarantee).

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The best hiking socks for comfort

Made in Vermont, USA, with a mix of merino wool (just over half), nylon and Lycra, these excellent socks have a hard-earned reputation among hikers and outdoorsy types in general for their combination of comfort, performance and durability. The merino provides the cozy feel and breathability, plus moisture wicking, antibacterial and pong-prevention properties, while the nylon is hardy and the Lycra holds them in excellent shape, with no slippage or bunching. The seams are completely flat, and totally imperceptible when the socks are being worn. 

The folks at Darn Tough are sock specialists – it’s their sole focus – and they have complete confidence in their product, to the extent that they offer a lifetime guarantee of satisfaction, or your money back; no conditions or strings attached.

Darn Tough can make a promise like that without breaking a sweat because its socks have a very high loop stitch count, which not only provides sublime under-foot cushioning, it also makes them resistant to flattening, shearing and holing, even after repetitive use. Despite being described as a micro crew, we’d argue these are more of a mini crew, as they still reach to just above the collar of a standard mid walking boot. Our expert tester Pat Kinsella says that they are "perfect for the vast majority of hiking and trekking adventures".

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The best hiking socks for winter

A blend of Primaloft synthetics and merino is the key behind this magnficent winter hiking sock, that boasts supreme comfort and temperature regulation. In fact, the brand claim they're 'the best cold weather sock that money can buy'. A bold statement, but one that our expert tester Matthew Jones can back up having tested them. He says that they're "a premium sock in every regard – high-quality materials and construction deliver superb performance in the coldest conditions."

The mix of natural wool with synthetic fibres helps these socks to hit the sweet spot in terms of warmth, durability, comfort and excellent wicking. Study them closely and you see the first-class craftsmanship that's gone into the finish, as there are no loose threads or unwieldy seams. Designed to be worn with winter hiking boots, they're also great with wellington boots or fishing waders. The only downside is that they're a little bit overkill for the warmer months.

Read our full Horizon Performance Extreme mountaineering sock review

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The best waterproof hiking socks

When you’re heading into the wet and windy wilderness for a long hike or backpacking escapade, keeping your feet dry is a major priority, and if you work or play in really extreme conditions, it could be a serious safety issue. Arctic Dry socks are a three-layer insurance policy against getting soggy socks and frozen feet, even if your boots fail. 

The design and materials used in these walking socks keeps your skin dry, while allowing feet to breath and wicking internal wetness away, which is of course a crucial consideration when it comes to waterproof garments, because moisture from within can be just as dangerous as wetness from without. They’re tough too, made with hardwearing – albeit synthetic – materials and are also available in a knee-length version. According to our expert tester Pat Kinsella, they "can be used for much more than just walking – think trail running, snow sports, cycling, fishing, fossil-hunting, golf".

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The best hiking socks for blisters

From the pioneers of the toesock, the Trail Midnight Crew is a versatile weapon that can be deployed during challenging treks through the mountains, or for running escapades across rough and rugged terrain. They’re up for anything. The idea of the toesock is that it prevents your pinkies rubbing together and causing blisters or hotspots, and it allows for greater dexterity on technical trails because you can splay your toes. Our expert tester Pat Kinsella says that "having used such socks for years, I can say that all this works perfectly (the only downside being that it takes me a while to squeeze my toes into them)."

Obviously, being toesocks, there is a distinct left and right foot. These are tall for crew socks, a deliberate design feature to help keep out grit and sand. There’s a very pronounced heel box, and the arch support is good. Comfort levels are excellent on these hiking socks, with midweight cushioning on the bottom to protect your sole, and a breathable Coolmax mesh over the top to help with temperature regulation. The fabrics used wick moisture away well, and will perform well even when wet. The socks are made in China, entirely from synthetic materials, however, so the ecological footprint they leave behind is quite big.

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The best 3-season hiking socks

We can't quite claim to have hiked a thousand miles in the 1000 Mile socks we've tested though we've certainly tested quite a few pairs down the years and they're still going strong. Hitting the holy triad of desirables – durability, comfort and performance – isn't easy, yet with the Repreve, 1000 Mile seem to have achieved it.

Much of the sock (about 78%) is made from recycled nylon, with polyamide and elastane making up the rest. As a single-layer sock, it's not ideal for really wintry conditions, but for the majority of hiking applications it's spot on. There's zoned padding where you need it most, especially at the toes and heel, while there's also intelligently placed ventilation where padding isn't needed for extra breathability.

Read our full 1000 Mile Repreve Single-Layer 3-season hiking sock review

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The best hardwearing hiking socks

Tough, hardwearing, yet warm and well-cushioned, the Expedition socks from Scottish brand Keela are a great crew length pair for hiking or even mountaineering adventures. Their length means that they work very well when paired with chunky B1 or B2 winter boots, making them suitable for adventures in the Alps, Rockies, Scottish Highlands, and other challenging locales.

Our mountaineering expert Matt Jones says that "they’re comfortable and generally well finished, with tidy stitching, though the toe seam is perhaps a little more noticeable than in some other socks". Their makeup is a cocktail of PrimaLoft Silver yarns, Merino, polypropylene, durable nylon and tiny bit of lycra for that all-important stretch. The blend of natural materials and synthetics ensures performance, comfort and moisture wicking capabilities. 

Read our full Keela Primaloft Expedition Sock review

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The best value hiking socks

According to our expert tester Pat Kinsella, the HJ700s are "ideal for trekking, hiking and day walking in warm conditions from late spring though to early autumn". These are socks from legacy brand Honest John Hall & Sons that are breathable, cool to wear and luxuriously comfortable. Despite extending only as far as the top of the ankle, the HJ700s feel highly supportive, with a graduated rib, arch support and ankle bracing to supply ergonomic fit and to keep the socks securely in place during outdoor activity.

The toe seam has been designed so you literally can’t feel it, and there are reinforced areas on the heel and toe to supply some extra enforcement where it’s most required while you’re hiking on the trails. The Coolmax material used wicks moisture and dries fast, although we would have preferred the brand to go with the EcoMade Coolmax option, which is made with recycle yarn. On the upside, HJ are currently donating 10% from the sale of all their ProTrek socks to Lamp, a British mental health charity close to the brand’s home turf.

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The best hiking socks comparison table

How we test the best hiking socks

Our reviewers test hiking socks on trails in a range of environments and conditions, while wearing various walking shoes and boots. Features (including height, thermal properties, style, breathability, materials, next-to-skin comfort and support) are tested against claims made by the brand, and we assess factors such as value for money, durability, functionality and environmental impact.

Meet the testers

Pat Kinsella

Pat is our consulting editor and an expert when it comes to outdoor gear. On his adventures in the UK, the Alps, Australia, New Zealand and more, he's tested countless pairs of hiking socks in his time.

Julia Clarke

Julia is an expert on hiking gear and she uses the mountains of the Scottish Highlands as her test arena. Having lived in Vail, Colorado for many years, she's a seasoned pro when it comes to hiking on both sides of the Pond.

Matthew Jones

An expert on all things hiking and camping, Matt has the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park as the ideal testing ground for his kit. He's a fan of long-distance trekking, mountaineering and winter in the high places and, in this guide, brings his expertise to winter socks.

How to choose the best hiking socks

The best hiking socks are a reasonable investment, especially because most people are going to need several pairs, so it’s important to get the right ones for your needs. For us, high quality hiking socks are high on our list of hiking essentials, as they play a vital role in keeping your feet dry and comfortable, preventing blisters and ensuring you have as positive experience on the trail.

When planning a backpacking adventure, your footwear is a primary concern. If you're heading out in your winter boots, you'll need thick socks rated for all seasons. 

Oh, and don't forget, wear your best walking socks when you come to try on new hiking boots in store. Forgetting them is a common mistake. It's also worth keeping them on as you break in your hiking boots.

So, before you buy, carefully consider the following.

How important is fit when it comes to hiking socks?

If your socks are ill-fitting they will pinch, bunch up or wrinkle, which will be massively uncomfortable and put a proper downer on the day. Being able to prevent blisters, which can ruin your walking experience not just for one day, but for weeks afterwards, is a big selling point for many of the best hiking socks 

Feet vary enormously, and people have all sorts of different requirements, such as extra support around the arch or Achilles areas. Toe socks work wonderfully for some, while others will struggle to get their feet into them, which just leads to frustration. Take the time to find the best hiking sock design for you, and then stick with it.

What are hiking socks made from?

This is a big consideration when looking for the best walking socks – next to skin comfort is essential (the last thing you want is itchy feet when you’re already on the move), but you need socks made from fabrics that offer technical performance too. Merino is the magic material of the outdoor world, because it keeps you warm when it’s cold (even when wet) and cool when it’s hot, plus it’s highly breathable, wicks internal moisture away brilliantly and has antibacterial and anti-pong properties that mean you can wear it for several days without clearing a hut, or killing your tent mate when you eventually take your boots off. For these reasons, merino is often the material of choice for the best base layers too.

But, on it’s own, merino will wear through fairly fast, and won’t necessarily hold its shape well. Many socks combine merino (or other wools) with hardwearing synthetics such as nylon, plus panels of dynamic materials like Lycra, spandex or elastane, which provide support where its needed, such as on the arches and at the top of the cuff, so your socks stay up. 

Other socks are made entirely of manmade materials, such as CoolMax, a series of polyester fabrics, which perform well in the outdoors because they don’t absorb water, so they won’t become overly heavy and will continue to provide warmth even when wet. Should you buy waterproof socks if you're heading somewhere notoriously wet, such as Scotland's Munros? Probably, so this becomes a factor to consider. 

While they work well, however, synthetics are not biodegradable, and have a much bigger carbon footprint than natural materials. For some winter adventures, you may wish to consider fully waterproof socks, which are typically a bit more pricey, but will keep your feet dry while hiking.

What different styles do hiking socks come in?

For a seemingly simplistic item of clothing, socks come in a surprisingly array of styles. Things to look for in the best hiking socks are reinforced cushioning around the parts of the foot that bear the brunt of impact with the ground when you’re walking, so the heel and the toe box. Many also offer extra support around the arch and the Achilles. Some designs have designated left and right socks, and these often offer the best support. 

Toe socks provide lots of protection from rubbing, but don’t suit everyone. Most of the socks featured here are nominally ‘crew’ socks, which typically means they will extend just above the top of a standard hiking boot, but interpretation of this varies quite a lot, with some going well up the shin. We have given the exact weight of all the socks featured here, but you will often see a sock described as ‘lightweight’ or ‘midweight’, which just refers to the chunkiness of the knit.

How much should you spend on hiking socks?

We would encourage you to invest in decent hiking socks, because they will seriously improve your experience on the trails and are well worth the expense. You should expect to pay more than you would for everyday socks – from $12/£10 upwards – because you’re asking them to be technical and robust enough to deal with much tougher conditions. After all, as with the best hiking gloves and the best hiking hats, if you're heading out into Arctic conditions, you want to be wearing something you have confidence in. It's the same with socks. Bear in mind, however, that if you’re going backpacking or taking on multiday walks, you will need several pairs.