Hiking socks are an essential piece of hiking gear for every comfortable hike. While hiking shoes get a lot of attention, hiking socks are just as important! High-quality hiking socks can mean comfortable and dry feet throughout any adventure. This post highlights how to choose hiking socks and tips for finding the right pair.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Hiking Socks

There are many factors to consider when choosing hiking socks. Depending on the type of hiking you do, lengths of hikes, and hiking footwear preferences, some may be more or less important to you than others. But these factors should help you figure out how to choose hiking socks that will leave your feet happy after even the longest trails.

Hiking Sock Material

The material of hiking socks is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing hiking socks. The material of your hiking socks will impact odors, temperature, durability, and texture.

Popular materials include Merino wool, wool blends, and polyester. In our opinion, Merino Wool is the best option for hiking socks. Merino wool is uniquely soft to the touch because of its thin fibers. This makes it a popular material for hiking socks and base layers that directly touch the skin.

Merino wool has many benefits, including thermoregulation, moisture-wicking, odor-resistance, naturalness, and comfort to the touch. This makes Merino wool hiking socks more durable for strenuous hikes, in various climates and weather conditions, and for extended periods of use.

Hiking Sock Weight & Cushioning

You can find hiking socks in heavy, mid, and light weights. The weight of the sock refers to the amount of cushioning throughout the sock.

Heavyweight socks are thicker and provide full cushioning throughout the entire sock. These are best for cold-weather hiking when you want added warmth and cushioning.

Midweight socks have targeted cushioning in critical areas such as the heel and toe. Midweight is best when you want cushioning in areas that may rub or become sensitive without adding too much weight.

Lightweight socks are the thinnest and best for short hikes or hiking in warmer months.

Unless you’re doing a lot of winter hiking, you probably want mid-weight or lightweight hiking socks. Try both for a hike and see which one you prefer. It may be a good idea to bring both on your next hike while you test out which works best for you.

Hiking Sock Height

Hiking socks often come in a variety of heights (lengths), and choosing the right pair is essential for comfort and protection on the trail. For shorter hikes, a pair of shorter socks, like those you might wear with trail runners, may be sufficient. However, for longer treks, you'll want socks that provide extra protection for your ankles against dirt, mud, bushes, and the elements. Samsox Merino wool crew-length (Crew /Extended Crew) socks are an excellent choice for this, as they offer superior ankle protection and prevent rubbing from your shoes, ensuring comfort throughout your hike. We prefer crew-length hiking socks for the added ankle coverage and durability they provide, making them ideal for both short and long adventures.

For more details on the sock's height and other features, you can refer to the product page, here is a reference from Ashland ski socks.

Activity & Difficulty Level

It’s important to consider what you’re planning on wearing your hiking socks for and the difficulty level of the activity. Multi-day hikes require more cushioning to keep your feet comfortable throughout strenuous hikes. If you plan on doing primarily shorter and easier hikes, you can try out different styles and weights to find the one that you prefer most.

Tips for Choosing Hiking Socks:

After considering all of the factors above, here are a few tips for how to choose hiking socks:

- Durability is Key

Durability is essential for hiking socks, no matter how long or short of the hike. You want a durable material that will allow your feet to stay comfortable and dry and not rub or enable sensitive spots to blister or become an issue.

- Try On Hiking Socks for Comfort

You want to try on different styles and weights of hiking socks to find which you are most comfortable wearing. They should be secure but not too tight, so getting a pair in the right size for your feet is essential. You want to ensure your feet are comfortable before hitting the trail!

• If you haven’t already, check out our hiking socks that come in various weights and styles for your next adventure!

- Test your Hiking Socks on Short Hikes

We recommend you always test your gear before heading on a long adventure. For hiking socks, wearing them on short hikes with different footwear such as trail runners, hiking shoes, and hiking boots different seasons will help you figure out what sock is best for you. The hiking sock style you choose should be based on your preference, the activity you plan to do, the weather in your area, and the kind of shoes or boots you prefer. Trying out different options on shorter hikes will help make your decision easier!