The Best Hunting Socks of 2023

Socks are only going to cost so much, but it’s still worth mentioning the best bang for your buck. And for us, it’s Cabela’s Instinct 2.0 Wool Crew ($17).

The Instinct is made with 63% merino wool, 28% nylon, 7% carbon nylon, and 2% Lycra blend. You can expect natural moisture wicking, odor resistance, and temperature regulation from the soft merino wool. Available sizes include M (6-8), L (9-12), and XL (12-15), and they are made in the USA.

An interesting feature of the 2.0 Wool Crew is that it’s infused with carbon coffee residue. This helps aid in keeping the stink down. The sock also has reinforced impact areas through the shin and calf as well as targeted padding through the ankle, foot, calf, and shin — all things that provide extra comfort. Lastly, to add even more comfort, Nilit Heat fibers help retain the natural heat from your feet.

Quality doesn’t always have to mean a bigger chunk taken out of your bank account. The Instinct 2.0 Wool Crew from Cabela’s has got you covered.

Surprise, surprise, the best hunting sock for women turns out to be a lateral move from our best overall pick. Darn Tough is at it again, this time with the Boot Midweight Hunting Sock ($27) and it’s our number-one choice for the ladies.

This mid-season hunting sock is made with 63% merino wool, 35% nylon, and 2% Lycra spandex. It’s available in S, M, and L sizes. And just like the already mentioned sock from Darn Tough, these are Unconditionally Guaranteed for Life.

One of the slickest features of this sock is its performance fit. The hunting woods are rarely flat which can up the slippage factor in socks. With the performance fit and light ribbing, this sock is made to stay put when you need it most. And while you’re negotiating your way through the mountains, the built-in cooling vents will help mitigate moisture buildup.

Darn Tough is a prominent name in not just the hunting socks, but socks in general. It’s the brand’s passion and it shows through in its products. The Darn Tough Boot Midweight Hunting Sock for Women is a prime example of that. Our Hunt/Fish editor Rachelle Schrute has extensive experience with these socks and nothing but good things to say about them.

Getting cold feet is never fun. The Zero Cold Weather OTC Sock ($30) from First Lite has got your back. Or I should say, your feet.

First Lite is a trusted name in the hunting space and its Zero Cold Weather OTC sock is as good as good gets for late-season hunting. This is a heavyweight over-the-calf sock made with 68% merino wool, 30% nylon, and 2% spandex. First Lite offers two sizes, S/M and L/XL. With that, you’ll have two color options of Dry Earth and Charcoal Heather.

The OTC features high-loft wool for maximum warmth and reinforcements for durability in the toe and heel area. First Lite has also added compression through the ankle and arch to really help nail down fit and avoid “bunching.”

When the temps drop the Zero Cold Weather OTC will do it all, from helping with moisture to retaining heat. Along with grinding out cold sits in the mountains, I’ve also found this to be a great sock to sleep in during late-season hunts.

The early season is one of our favorite times of the year. And the Ely ($26) from Farm to Feet is our favorite sock for tackling those hunts.

Farm to Feet is dedicated to making the highest-quality merino wool socks on the market and it has been doing that since 2013. Not only that, but it’s also committed to keeping everything in the U.S.; U.S. workers, U.S. materials, and U.S. manufacturing. Now, let’s chat about the Ely.

The Ely is a mid-calf sock that is a lightweight version of the most technically advanced hunting sock Farm to Feet makes. It comes in just one color (brown) and is available in sizes M, L, and XL. As far as materials go, the ingredients here are 63% merino wool, 33% nylon, and 4% Lycra spandex.

Along with the natural benefits of merino wool (moisture wicking, odor resistance, insulated when wet), Farm to Feet has also put targeted light cushioning into the Ely. These are located in critical performance areas of the sock. You’ll also benefit from a seamless toe enclosure for added comfort and low-stress seam placement. The seam placement helps elevate durability which inevitably prolongs the life of the sock.

Hunters looking for a fully USA-sourced early-season hunting sock need to look no further. The Ely holds the torch and is lighting the way.

Vortex Optics is better known for its optics. However, the company also produces a line of clothing, and socks are a part of that line. The Game Trail Tick Repellent Hunt Sock ($30) from Vortex Optics raises the bar in terms of versatility. This mid-calf sock is made of 34% nylon, 28% merino wool, 28% acrylic, 8% polyester, and 2% spandex. It’s offered in three sizes — M, L, and XL — and comes in hunter orange or olive.

The versatility of the Game Trail Tick Repellent sits in the name. Along with being a comfortable sock for all-day hunting, it’s also infused with permethrin-based technology right into the yarn. With that, this sock also has a reinforced toe and heel, a cushioned sole and heel, and arch support.

If you hate ticks as much as we do, don’t sleep on the Game Trail Tick Repellent Hunt Sock from Vortex Optics. These will not only repel those nasty ticks but they will also keep your feet nice and comfy for all-day hunting. A win-win sock.

KUIU creates some of the best technical hunting clothing in the game and its Ultra Merino Over the Calf Socks ($35) are a reflection of that. It’s a no-brainer to give these the title of most technical hunting sock.

The Ultra Merino Over the Calf Sock is about as beast as beast gets for a sock. It’s made with 55% merino wool, 25% nylon, 15% Lycra, and 5% spandex. KUIU offers sizes M, L, and XL with just one color available for purchase.

KUIU has made sure that all parts of the sock that touch your feet benefit from the natural moisture-wicking Nuyarn technology in the merino wool. The outside of the sock is nylon to help with durability. KUIU incorporated spandex in all the right places, as well as shin and ankle protection. On the top of the sock, there is a Paladin Plate to help relieve pressure from the top of the foot where boot laces sit. This feature allegedly promotes blood flow.

For hunters looking for the next level in technical hunting socks, this is where it’s at. The Ultra Merino Over the Calf Sock from KUIU will do right by you.

Worn is a company that we think seriously flies under the radar for hunting socks, so we had to mention its Hunt and Heavy Terrain socks ($34).

The Hunt and Heavy Terrain is an over-the-calf full cushioned sock made with comfort in mind. It’s made with 55% merino, 27% AR nylon, 12% Coolmax, and 6% elastane. Worn offers this sock in two different colors; woodsy and morning fog. Sizes include S, M, L, and XL.

This sock is incredibly comfortable. We noticed immediately when putting them on. Along with the natural moisture wicking that comes from merino, Worn also has enhanced these with its Arrowool. The result is superior moisture management throughout the day while moving around, without losing insulating values while sitting.

The biggest problems with lightweight socks are durability and longevity. High-end boot company Kenetrek is looking to put a stop to that with its Yellowstone Lightweight Boot Height Sock ($25).

This lightweight hunting sock is made with 36% merino wool, 35% polypropylene, 20% nylon, 6% elastic, and 3% Lycra. It’s available in sizes M, L, and XL (men) and S, M (women). As the name states, this is a boot-height sock, which is great for warmer hunts. To cap it off, the Yellowstone is made in the USA.

With the Yellowstone, you’ll get superior heel/toe reinforcement for added durability. Like most hunting socks these days, it’s made with merino wool. The merino excels at moisture-wicking and is naturally odor-resistant.

If you’re looking for a great summer to early fall hunting sock that can handle a serious amount of abuse, check out the Yellowstone Lightweight Boot Height Sock from Kenetrek.

Crispi is mostly known for its high-end boots, but its sock line is nothing to sneeze at. The San Juan Merino Crew is one of my go-to socks for early-season hunts, and I’ve got an incalculable amount of miles with them at this point.

The Crispi San Juan Merino Crew hits all of the marks for a solid lightweight hunting sock. This is a thinner sock made with 59% merino wool, 37% nylon, and 4% Lycra spandex. Crispi offers this sock in sizes M, L, and XL. To top it off, the San Juan is made in the USA.

Integrated into the San Juan are a cushioned heel and toe, nylon reinforcements for durability in high-stress zones, and arch support. The Lycra-stretched yarn will aid in shape retention of the sock too, which is huge for hiking steep country. These also sport a seamless toe closure.

For hunters looking for a lightweight good all-around hunting sock, the San Juan Merino Crew is a solid option. It continues to perform hunt after hunt.