Hiking lesson number one: Any time you hit the trail, be sure to grab a solid pair of hiking socks first.
Socks are critical to keeping feet dry and comfortable. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or backpacking, socks perform a critical role in your overall comfort. Luckily, we’ve got you — and your feet — covered.
For this review, we looked for socks that offer a good balance of breathability, cushion, stretch, and durability. Then we checked each brand’s sock performance through online reviews across multiple platforms.
To choose the best of the best, we ranked each sock on quality, feedback from our testing, and the volume of positive reviews from other users.
Scroll through our picks for the best hiking socks of the season, and be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, comparison table, and FAQ section.
Remember, socks are tricky. No one sock is going to fit and serve everyone’s needs, but the ones on our list are by far the most popular, most tested, and most trusted.
Editor’s Note: We refreshed our guide on March 21, 2024, for spring to include the REI Co-op Merino Lightweight Flash Socks and the CEP Run Compression Mid Cut 4.0. We also included additional info about compression socks, moisture wicking, and cushioning in our buyer’s guide.
The Best Hiking Socks of 2024
- Best Overall Hiking Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks
- Best Budget Hiking Socks: Feetures Elite Light Cushion Mini Crew Socks
- Best Lightweight Hiking Socks: REI Merino Lightweight Flash Socks
- Best No-Show Hiking Socks: Balega Hidden Comfort
- Best Compression Hiking Socks: CEP Run Compression Mid Cut 4.0
Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks
Specs
- Material 61% merino wool/37% nylon/2% spandex
- Height Quarter/ankle
- Cushion Medium
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- All-around performance
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- A bit pricey if you’re not willing to take the time to cash in on the warranty
Feetures Elite Light Cushion Mini Crew Socks
Pros
- Really cool design options
- Highly versatile
Cons
- Users have reported fading after a few washes
REI Co-op Merino Lightweight Flash Socks
Specs
- Material 45% merino wool/44% nylon/8% polyester/3% spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion Light
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- Breathable
- Exceptional moisture wicking
- Soft on the skin
- Durable
Cons
- A bit pricey
CEP Run Compression Mid Cut 4.0
Specs
- Material 86% polyamide, 14% spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion Targeted compression
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- Exceptional moisture wicking
- Lightweight
- Compression optimizes blood flow
- Stylish
Cons
- Prone to snagging
- Not ideal if you’ll be taking them on and off throughout the day
Best of the Rest
REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks
Specs
- 77% COOLMAX EcoMade polyester/22% nylon/1% spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion Ultralight
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- COOLMAX material performs great and is extremely lightweight
Cons
- “Ultralight” claim seems like a stretch as far as cushioning is concerned
Darn Tough Micro Crew Hiking Socks
Specs
- Material 61% merino wool/36% nylon/3% Lycra spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion Medium
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Tried and true
Cons
- Not the lightest, but makes up for it in virtually every other category
Smartwool Hike Light Crew Socks
Specs
- Material 69% merino wool/22% recycled nylon/8% nylon/1% elastane
- Height Crew
- Cushion Light
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- Exceptional warmth-to-breathability ratio
Cons
- As with any wool socks, not ideal for people with exceptionally hot feet
Swiftwick Pursuit Seven
Pros
- Smooth, seamless construction is very comfortable.
- Technically sound
Cons
- Not the best for really warm conditions, or people whose feet run hot
United by Blue Bison Trail Socks
Specs
- Material 64% merino wool/17% bison down/16% nylon/2% polyester/1% spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion Light
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- The Bison down is truly unique, and meets an outdoor niche yet to be explored
Cons
- A lot of money for a pair of socks
WRIGHTSOCK Double Layer Silver Escape Crew Socks
Specs
- Material Inner layer: 65% Dri-WRIGHT ll polyester/26% nylon/5% silver/4% Lycra spandex; Outer layer: 68% Dri-WRIGHT ll polyester/24% nylon/8% Lycra spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion Light
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- Silver lining is unique and up to the task of reducing odor
Cons
- A bit warm for a “light” cushioned sock
Injinji Liner Crew Socks
Specs
- Material Inner layer: 75% COOLMAX EcoMade polyester / 21% nylon / 4% Lycra spandex
- Height Crew
- Cushion None
- Moisture wicking Yes
Pros
- Ideal for reducing blisters
- Extremely soft feel
Cons
- Toe socks tend to have durability problems for some users
Best Hiking Socks Comparison Table
Hiking Socks | Price | Material | Height | Cushion |
---|---|---|---|---|
Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks | $21 | 61% Merino wool/37% nylon/2% spandex | Quarter/ankle | Medium |
Smartwool Hike Light Crew Socks | $24 | 69% Merino wool/22% recycled nylon/8% nylon/1% elastane | Crew | Light |
Darn Tough Micro Crew Hiking Socks | $25 | 61% Merino wool/36% nylon/3% Lycra spandex | Crew | Medium |
REI Merino Lightweight Flash Socks | $20 | 45% Merino wool/44% nylon/8% polyester/3% spandex | Crew | Light |
CEP Run Compression Mid Cut 4.0 | $16 | 86% polyamide, 14% spandex | Crew | Targeted compression |
REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks | $18 | 77% COOLMAX EcoMade polyester/22% nylon/1% spandex | Crew | Ultralight |
United by Blue Bison Trail Socks | $32 | 64% Merino wool/17% bison down/16% nylon/2% polyester/1% spandex | Crew | Light |
Swiftwick Pursuit Seven | $22 | 63% Merino wool/ 37% nylon | Mid-calf | Medium |
Feetures Elite Light Cushion Mini Crew Socks | $20 | 96% nylon/4% spandex | Mini Crew | Light |
Balega Hidden Comfort Socks | $16 | Polyester | No-show | Medium |
WRIGHTSOCK Double Layer Silver Escape Crew Socks | $25 | Inner layer: 65% Dri-WRIGHT ll polyester/26% nylon/5% silver/4% Lycra spandex; Outer layer: 68% Dri-WRIGHT ll polyester/24% nylon/8% Lycra spandex | Crew | None |
Injinji Liner Crew Socks | $12 | Inner layer: 75% COOLMAX EcoMade polyester / 21% nylon / 4% Lycra spandex | Crew | None |
How We Tested Hiking Socks
Our testers tried out socks of every material, cut, size, and style on the market. We tested the socks on this list over the course of many months of day hiking, backpacking, winter hiking, walking, and more. We paired socks with camp slippers, hiking shoes, and mid to tall hiking boots to compare feel and fit.
Our two primary hiking sock testers are Mary Murphy and Andrew Potter — two highly experienced hikers with high sock standards. During testing, Mary and Andrew paid careful attention to fit, comfort, durability, wicking, and overall value.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hiking Socks
The first step in the process is choosing the correct hiking socks for your preferred activities and your budget. Do you do a lot of backpacking and want socks with more support and cushion? Or do you mainly enjoy fast and light endeavors? Do your feet run hot or cold?
Decide how often you’ll be hiking, and what features are most important to you. If you hike a lot, the more durable, the better. If your feet run hot, stay away from wool.
The two main variables to consider are your physical constitution and the types of activities you’ll be engaged in.
Materials
If your feet run cold, wool socks (like the Smartwool Performance Hike Light) are a great choice. Generally, wool is considered the warmest, yet most breathable option for outdoor gear.
If your feet run hot, or you’ll be hiking in high temperatures, consider something with a mix of materials and excellent moisture-wicking properties. The REI COOLMAX Socks are a great example, made with a combination of polyester, nylon, and spandex.
Activity
Obviously, we’re focused on hiking. But that could mean a two-hour excursion or a two-month trek. Some people take their time, and others hustle. Luckily, certain socks work better for each type of jaunt, and some work well enough for them all.
If you’re thru-hiking, you’ll want to look for durability, long-term comfort, and exceptional technical function. In that regard, there aren’t many better options than the lineup from Darn Tough. The REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Sock is a perfect example. They last long enough that the company offers a lifetime warranty, and the performance is there to match. They’ve long been considered the best, and we agree.
If you’re into fast-paced endeavors, a lighter, streamlined, running-inspired sock will probably better suit your needs. On this list, the Swiftwick Pursuit Seven and Balega Hidden Comfort are perfect examples. Both have a compression feel, wick moisture extremely well, and dry out quickly..
Moisture Wicking and Breathability
For just about all types of hiking, and especially fast-paced endeavors, moisture wicking and breathability are essential. Moisture wicking pulls moisture away from the feet and promotes evaporation. Breathability helps expel trapped heat. As you can imagine, these factors go hand in hand.
Merino wool is a wonder fabric when it comes to the combination of warmth and breathability, whereas synthetic fibers tend to wick moisture better. The REI Co-op Merino Lightweight Flash offers an optimal blend of nearly half Merino and half synthetic fibers, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a compromise.
If your feet sweat profusely and you’re keen on high-output activities, we’d recommend something like the CEP The Run Compression socks. Their moisture-wicking properties are exceptional, and your feet will thank you after a long day.
Compression Socks
As mentioned above, compression socks improve blood flow, can aid in injury prevention, and are useful as a rehabilitative tool post-hike. If you’re an outdoor athlete and haven’t given them a try, we’d recommend giving them a shot both on and off the trail.
Because they have a very tight fit and can leave weathered footwear feeling loose, they aren’t optimal for casual hikes (unless you’re trying to keep plantar fasciitis at bay). If you’re wearing performance footwear, expect to sweat, and are planning on your feet and ankles taking a beating, they’re ideal. That said, we all have unique feet and needs. CEP’s compression lineup comes in a variety of stylish colors, so you may find yourself wearing them as your everyday socks to aid in recovery.
Cushioning
Cushioning is a tricky subject because more cushioning doesn’t necessarily translate to more comfort. Our shoes provide the primary source of padding from the ground, but socks with no cushioning at all can leave us with hot spots and blisters.
The heel and ball of the foot are the primary areas where at least some cushioning is needed, and every sock on this list addresses those to some degree. Thicker socks with higher wool content tend to provide more cushioning underfoot, whereas tighter, performance-oriented socks tend to have less.
While running or moving quickly, we’re more prone to use the muscles in our feet to brace us, which means we actually require less cushioning. Cushioning is more important for long-distance hiking where the impact is less but remains consistent throughout the day.
FAQ
The best hiking socks that won out for us in testing were the Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion and Smartwool Performance Hike Light Socks.
For a cheaper option, consider our best budget pick, the Feetures Elite Light Cushion Mini Crew Socks.
This is partly based on intended activity and use and partly based on preference. Thicker socks with medium to heavier cushioning might feel more comfortable in a traditional hiking boot, while a light-cushioned sock might feel better in a lightweight or low-hiker. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking in the fall and winter or on longer-length trails, consider thicker socks (both for support and warmth).
This is really a preference, and materials vary widely by brand and sock style. However, we’ll say we had the best performance and durability from socks with a merino, nylon, and elastane (or spandex) blend, where the merino is the higher material content (50-60%).
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