The Best Hiking Socks of 2024 | Which Ones Are Worth It?

Tyler Nov 17, 2024
9 People Read
Our Top 5 hiking socks lined up next to one another

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. Depending on when you click on the link, you may get a discount! 

Looking for the best hiking socks to keep your feet comfortable and blister-free? This guide highlights the top picks of 2024, each excelling in different categories. From durable all-rounders to superior cold-weather options, find the perfect socks for your hiking needs below.

We have been testing these hiking socks year-round throughout hundreds of hiking miles and have compiled this list to give you the best choice possible. We tested over 20 different pairs of hiking socks and have compiled the top five for you. 

I'll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a seasoned hiker and trekker. 



Top view of our top 5 hiking socks

Quick Overview of the Best Hiking Socks


This concise summary highlights the best hiking socks of the year, with each pair standing out in a particular area.


  1. Best Overall: Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion known for its quality performance, and versatility. 


  1. Most Durable: Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew, rated as the most durable option available.


  1. Best for Cold Weather: Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Maximum Cushion, providing excellent warmth and comfort.


  1. Best Value Pack: Danish Endurance Unisex Merino Wool 3-Pack.


  1. Best Lightweight: Farm to Feet Damascus Light Targeted Cushion Sock.






#1 Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion: Best Overall Hiking Sock



Darn Tough Hiker Full cushion testing

Price: $27

 Our Rating: 9.7 / 10


Order the for the Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion  LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 






Specifications:

  • Material: Merino wool, nylon, Lycra spandex blend


  • Cushioning: Full


Pros 


  • Exceptional durability with a lifetime guarantee


  • Comfortable and warm with thick cushioning


  • Suitable for year round use

Cons


  • Lacks Warmth In Certain Climates


  • Higher price point


Renowned for its enduring quality, the Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion tops our list as the best hiking sock available. Crafted from a mix of merino wool, nylon, and Lycra spandex, these socks retain their shape and plushness even through rigorous wear. The substantial cushioning offers both warmth and comfort that’s ideal for hikes in cooler seasons such as autumn, spring, and winter.


These darn tough hiker socks have proven their resilience over numerous treks with no visible deterioration. Their lifetime guarantee underscores this durability and reliability. It highlights trust in their performance over time. While they may be slightly too insulated for summer excursions on the trail, during colder weather conditions they stand unparalleled in efficacy.  Add in the lifetime guarantee from Darn Tough, and you have yourself the #1 hiking sock available. 


Rating:

  • Comfort: 10/10 


  • Warmth: 9.5/10


  • Breathability: 10/10



  • Durability: 10/10



  • Value: 4.5/5


Read More: Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion Review




#2 Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion: Most Durable Hiking Sock

Darn Tough Light Hiker

 Our Rating: 9.2 / 10

Price: $24.00



Order the for the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew For The LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):

Specifications:

  • Material: Merino wool, nylon, Lycra spandex blend


  • Cushioning: Light


Pros

  • Exceptional durability with a lifetime guarantee


  • Comfortable fit with ample cushioning


  • Fast-drying and breathable


Cons 

  • Thin cushioning around heel


  • Lacks Warmth For Winter Hikes


The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew stands out as the most durable hiking sock of 2024, offering a perfect mix of comfort, resilience, and ventilation. Its secure fit coupled with substantial padding in key areas like toes, soles, and heels guarantees enduring ease during extended treks.

Not only do these socks provide enhanced air circulation for better breathability, but they also boast quicker drying times to accommodate a range of hiking environments. 


Having put these socks through their paces on numerous hikes myself, I can vouch for their exceptional performance. The commitment to durability is strong. Emphasized by their lifetime guarantee—a testament that makes them worth the investment despite the higher price point—especially for avid hikers who prioritize dependable and long-lived gear.


Rating:


Comfort: 9.5/10 


Warmth: 8/10



Breathability: 9/10



Durability: 10/10



Value: 5/5


Read More: Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Review



#3 Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Maximum Cushion: Best for Cold Weather


Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Max Cushion




 Our Rating: 9.1 / 10

Price: $27.00


Order the for the Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Max Cushion LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Specifications:

  • Material: 74% Merino wool, nylon, elastane blend


  • Cushioning: Maximum


Pros

  • Excellent Cushioning


  • Great Insulation


  • No Issues with durability


  • Made For Cold Weather


Cons 

  • Issues with breathability


  • Not as versatile as some other hiking socks


When trekking in cooler climates, the Classic Mountaineer Maximum Cushion smartwool socks stand out as a top choice. Composed of 74% merino wool, these thick hiking socks offer exceptional insulation and warmth.

Their extended height provides additional coverage, ideally suiting them for icy expeditions and winter mountaineering while promoting moisture management through a looser knit to maintain dryness and warmth for the feet.


While engaging in brisk cold-weather treks, the substantial cushioning beneath your feet with these socks ensures supreme comfort. They also may be used in warmer weather. We were quite surprised at their wicking ability in warmer weather. Although priced higher than some alternatives, their efficacy at maintaining warm and dry feet warrants the investment.

Rating:


Comfort: 9.5/10 


Warmth: 10/10



Breathability: 8/10



Durability: 9/10



Value: 4.5/5

Read More: Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Maximum Cushion Review





#4 Danish Endurance Unisex Merino Wool 3-Pack: Best Value Pack

Danish Endurance Merino Wool Socks



 Our Rating: 9.2 / 10


Price: $34

 Order the for the Danish Endurance Merino Wool 3-Pack  LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 



Specifications:

  • Material: 30% Merino wool, 36% nylon, 33% acrylic, 1% elastane


  • Cushioning: Medium


Pros

  • Great Insulation


  • Moderate Comfort


  • Amazing Value


  • Lightweight


Cons 

  • Lacks warmth 


  • Low Merino Wool 


If you’re seeking both value and quality, the Danish Endurance Unisex Merino Wool 3-Pack stands out as an exceptional option. Crafted from a mix of merino wool, nylon, acrylic, and elastane, these socks provide not only comfort but also lasting use. They are designed to be breathable and adaptable for a range of hiking scenarios.


From my personal experience with several treks wearing these socks, their cost-effectiveness is noteworthy while maintaining good function. While they contain less merino wool compared to some alternatives on the market, their performance does not fall short considering the price point. 


The level of comfort they offer is more than expected for such a lightweight sock. There’s room for improvement in this area. Being able to get a three pack pair of hiking socks for $34 when the DarnTough Hikers are $27 as a steal in my opinion. 


Rating:


Comfort: 8.5/10 


Warmth: 9/10



Breathability: 10/10



Durability: 9/10



Value: 5/5


Read More: Danish Endurance Unisex Merino Wool 3-Pack Review





#5 Farm to Feet Damascus Light Targeted Cushion: Best Lightweight Hiking Sock

hiking socks side view

 Our Rating: 9.0 / 10

Price: $25


Order The Farm To Feet Damascus Light Targeted Cushion LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):


Specifications:

  • Material: Merino wool, nylon, Lycra spandex blend


  • Cushioning: Light


Pros

  • Great For Trail Runners

  • Great Comfort


  • Great Value


  • Extremely Lightweight




Cons 

  • Lacks warmth

 

  • Very Thin Layer Of Merino Wool


The Damascus Light Targeted Cushion Sock by Farm to Feet is our premier choice for those in search of a lightweight sock designed specifically for hiking. 


This sock, crafted from an optimal mixture of merino wool, nylon, and Lycra spandex, not only fits superbly but also provides outstanding comfort. It’s adept at drawing moisture away from the skin—key for keeping feet dry on hot-weather treks—and includes targeted compression that offers additional support beneficial over extended distances.


In terms of performance under higher temperatures, these socks deliver exactly the right level of padding while avoiding excess heftiness. Their robustness is noteworthy too. 


They’re capable of enduring up to 500 miles out on the trails. Although their cost may surpass other options within the category of lightweight hiking socks, both their high quality and remarkable performance serve as strong arguments in favor of their price point.


Rating:


Comfort: 8.5/10 


Warmth: 8/10



Breathability: 10/10



Durability: 9.5/10



Value: 4.5/5


Read More: Farm To Feet Damascus Light Targeted Cushion Review




Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion socks next to a backpack.

How We Test Our Hiking Socks



We Begin our search with the most popular hiking socks the market has to offer. From there, we test at least 20 socks and then break them down into the top five which we believe are best in each category. During our testing process, we wear these hiking socks with different boots/shoes on different trails. 


Using a trail runner like the Hoka Speedgoat 6 compared to the Hoka Kaha 2  makes a big difference. Each hiking shoe or boot is different in terms of volume, and can change scoring. We believe it’s unfair to test our hiking socks with one pair of shoes. 


A super comfortable hiking shoe would skew our testing making us believe the hiking sock is just as comfortable. We also tested all these hiking socks in all four seasons. Each sock was tested at least 20 miles or more. All this attention to detail helps us bring the best possible results to you. 


We break down our scoring into five different categories and base an overall score from our five categories.


Our Scoring Categories:


Comfort: 20%


Warmth: 20%


Breathability: 20%


Durability: 20%



Value: 10%




bottom view of hiking socks

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Hiking Socks


Choosing the right hiking socks involves several key factors for comfort and performance. Material is crucial, with merino wool being popular for its moisture-wicking ability, temperature regulation, and comfort. Socks with 74% to 80% merino wool content are particularly effective, although tend to run slightly hot.


Thickness is another factor; ultralight socks are ideal for summer but offer minimal padding and blister protection. Thicker socks offer more cushioning and warmth, suitable for colder conditions. Thickness depends on the climate and hike length, and whether you prefer thin or thick socks.


Fit and size are essential for preventing blisters and ensuring comfort. Tight socks cause discomfort, while loose ones can lead to blisters. Higher-cut socks provide better protection against debris and a more secure fit with hiking boots. Higher-cut socks also tend to lose their elasticity over time and break down easier. 


Breathability is crucial; good hiking socks should wick moisture away to keep feet dry. Synthetic blends can also effectively manage moisture. Ventilation stitching enhances breathability, especially for warm weather hikes.

Finally, consider specific features like built-in compression for support, toe socks to reduce friction, and taller designs for better protection. These features significantly impact performance and comfort in various hiking shoes conditions.




How to Care for Your Hiking Socks


Ensuring your hiking socks are well cared for will enhance their durability and function. Clean them with cool or tepid water, utilizing a detergent that’s specifically designed for woolen materials. Reverse the socks to the inside-out position prior to washing. This helps avoid pilling and retains their good looks.

When it comes time to dry, spread the socks flatly on a towel so they can shed excess dampness without being subjected to the dryer’s harsh environment. Air drying is most conducive to preserving fiber strength. Should you need to use a tumble dryer, do so with no heat involved.

It’s important to store your hiking socks in an area that is both dry and cool in order not only prevent any deterioration but also preserve their shape—refrain from hanging them up after cleaning. Incorporating cedar blocks or bags filled with lavender when storing these items adds Protection against moths and similar nuisances.

Following these maintenance suggestions will prolong the lifespan of your hiking socks while maintaining their comfort level and functionality as you explore various terrains on foot. Caring properly ensures both attractiveness and effectiveness remain intact over time.

Dedicating just a bit of effort towards caring for your sock collection doesn’t merely save money over extended periods—it also guarantees contented feet during those long treks outdoors. High-quality pairs of hiking socks are indeed valuable assets toward achieving enjoyable hikes—they merit attentive maintenance if one wishes fully benefit from such gear investments.




Frequently Asked Questions



What makes merino wool hiking socks a popular choice?

Merino wool hiking socks are highly favored for their exceptional comfort, moisture-wicking properties, and ability to regulate temperature, making them ideal for outdoor activities.


How can I ensure my hiking socks last longer?

To ensure your hiking socks last longer, wash them in cool water, turn them inside out, air dry, and store them in a dry place.


Are thicker socks always better for hiking?


Thicker socks are not always better for hiking; the best choice depends on the climate and conditions.


How do I choose the right size and fit for hiking socks?

To choose the right size and fit for hiking socks, ensure they are snug without being too tight to prevent blisters, and opt for higher-cut styles for added protection.

Comfort is key, so prioritize a fit that allows for movement without restriction.


Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. Depending on when you click on the link, you may get a discount!