Tested: The 8 Best Men’s Hiking Socks for Hitting the Trail

Even when only on the trail for a few hours, hiking still takes a major toll on your feet, putting them through abuse for extended durations. Hiking boots obviously play a pivotal role in fortifying your feet— providing the necessary protection from abrasions, impacts, and the elements while still affording the necessary agility needed for hiking — though socks undoubtedly also play a key part in protecting your feet. For this reason, a growing number of reputable outdoor brands have dedicated time and resources to engineering cutting-edge high-performance hiking socks that are developed specifically for prolonged use on the trail. And it’s this crop of footwear that we’ll be highlighting today in this guide to the best hiking socks where we got to test out our favorites.

How We Tested

Whether you’re out for an afternoon on your local footpaths or you’re taking on all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail, being armed with a quality pair of hiking socks is a must. In order to find the best options around, we scoured the market and visited our favorite brands, looking at criteria such as visual aesthetic, material blend, antimicrobial properties, and specific construction features.

From there, we acquired our units for testing and spent time with each pair taking them out on the trail to see how they felt, looking at comfort, breathability, spaciousness, and overall fit. The results are detailed below.

Measurements: I wear a U.S. men’s size 12.5 and looked at each product’s size chart to figure out which option is best for me. Most of these were size XL. Each size encompasses a range of shoe sizes, so keep that in mind.

What to Look For

Construction: When hiking, you take exponentially more steps than in normal everyday life in town or the city. This, coupled with the fact that hiking trails are markedly more rugged and unforgiving than paved urban areas, makes it easy to understand why hiking socks need to boast thicker, more durable constructions that can stand up to literally thousands of miles of use. Because of this reality, most premium hiking socks sport thick and robust constructions, often with reinforced stitching and/or supplementary padding. Being such an important area, manufacturers will very seldom fail to list the primary material their respective socks are crafted from, making it pretty easy to check into this particular aspect.

Moisture-Wicking & Quick-Drying: It probably won’t come as a shock to learn that spending prolonged hours trekking up and down trails and switchbacks tends to result in sweaty feet. Because keeping your feet dry when hiking is of such tremendous importance, it’s become increasingly common to see hiking-specific socks bestowed with quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties that afford better breathing and airflow while hastening drying times when perspiration does occur.

Antimicrobial Properties: Quick-drying socks are a game-changer, though when sweat dries — no matter how fast — it leaves behind unpleasant odor-causing microbes and bacteria. The solution to this problem lies in constructions that have been infused with materials or technologies with antimicrobial properties that naturally destroy bacteria and odor. It really is hard to overstate just how much of a difference socks with antimicrobial properties can make.

Cushioning: Most of today’s more high-end hiking socks sport a construction that’s been supplemented with extra cushioning, affording the socks with numerous benefits. When bestowed with cushioning, socks can better absorb impacts, prevent blister-causing “rub-up areas,” and generally bolster comfort. The thicker nature of well-cushioned hiking socks also prevents them from being eaten through and worn down over time from extended use, making them wonderfully conducive to trail use. What’s more, the thicker, cushioned socks can actually improve the form of your gate and step.

Fit & Cut: Another area in which hiking socks differ is fit, with some models employing a more traditional style of construction while others opt for a smaller-sized sock infused with amounts of lycra or spandex that afford stretch properties. This mainly comes down to personal opinion on which is more comfortable. In terms of cut, you want to make sure the sock extends up your foot beyond the top of the boot’s collar (i.e. don’t pair a high-top set of boots with crew or ankle-length socks).

Thickness: Aside from cushioning, hiking socks are crafted in a range of different thicknesses in order to suit an equally wide range of hiking applications and climates. Obviously, the thicker more robust hiking socks will afford better warmth and comfort, though the extra material mitigates breathing. On the flip side of the coin, there are thinner socks designed for use in warmer settings. There are also middle-weight items that fall in between the two.

Brand: Even with different colors, cuts, and patterns, a lot of today’s hiking socks are pretty similar, making it difficult to distinguish the more premium pairs for the cheaper budget offerings. One fairly surefire way of ensuring you get your hands on a quality pair is to buy from one of the more elite, high-end brands in the space. Even if a company makes hand-crafted $300 European hiking boots, you can generally assume the same level of quality and craftsmanship will be on display with the same brand’s hiking socks.

REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Lightweight Tech Hiking Quarter Socks

Best Quarter-Length Hiking Socks: These performance hiking socks from REI Co-op are made from COOLMAX EcoMade Fabric, which is a poly-nylon blend where the polyester content is derived from recycled plastic water bottles. Made in America, this pair sport a seamless toe construction that prevents chafing, spandex yarn encompassing the foot that provides additional arch support, and nylon stretch and reinforcement at the heels, toes, footbed, and Achilles that collectively afford the socks ample durability.

The Good

More than any other socks that I tested, the REI COOLMAX EcoMade Lightweight felt the most like your standard everyday socks, for better or worse. If you’re a relatively new hiker and a bit dubious about swapping out your familiar footwear for something more technical, these are a great way to ease into the change. They’re comfortable, not too thick, and even quite stylish, with a couple of neutral colorways available.

While the lack of merino wool may not be ideal for those looking for something a bit more pragmatic for the trail, the proprietary polyester fabric and nylon blend does make these easier to wash (i.e., you can wash the socks on standard settings and don’t have to hang dry them like you typically would if they were made of merino wool).

The Not So Good

I’m not usually a fan of quarter-length socks but that’s just a personal preference that won’t affect my take on these stockings from REI. However, if you’re going out with high-top boots, then you may or may not feel some sort of irritation from the boot itself, since the sock doesn’t cover much above your ankle.

Again, if you’re looking for something that’s more temperature-regulated, I’d opt for socks made from a merino wool-based fabric blend. And while the polyester-nylon socks are impressive, all things considered, they’re still quite pricey for a single pair. Not to mention, they’re not antimicrobial or anti-odor like you’ll find later in this guide.

Verdict: Great “beginner” hiking socks for how similar they feel to your standard socks, the REI COOLMAX EcoMade Lightweight Tech Hiking Socks are made with a proprietary blend that promises durability. However, you might not want to pay nearly $20 per pair for something that lacks the thickness, anti-odor properties, or temperature regulation of other pairs on this list.

Bombas All-Purpose Performance Heavy-Duty Calf Socks

Most Stylish Hiking Socks: When Bombas first entered the hiking sock space it came out swinging with a high-performance, lightweight, and overly-engineered pair of trail-specific socks that are brimming with features and technology. This includes thermoregulating technology, a combination of acrylic, cotton, nylon, polyester, and elastane, a seamless toe construction, full-length cushioning along the entire foot and leg, and Bomba’s proprietary honeycomb arch support system and Y-stitched heel. Also, for every pair sold, Bombas donates a pair of socks to a homeless shelter.

The Good

As most hardcore outdoorsmen will tell you, there’s no wrong season for hiking –– only wrong clothing. For venturing into the woods during the winter months, you’ll need something besides your typical hiking sock. While insulated hiking boots are a good idea as well, the very thing that’s surrounding your feet will be just as important. This is where a heavily cushioned cotton-based stocking, like these calf socks from Bombas, will come in handy. Incredibly warm, the All-Purpose Heavy-Duty socks are heavy-duty indeed. The material is so thick that you’ll need both hands to put them on. On the feet, these are noticeably comfortable, especially without shoes, which makes them fantastic for the campsite as well. Made with a proprietary blend, like the REI socks above, these are very easy to maintain and just need to be washed in cold water on a gentle setting.

What first attracted me to the Bombas was their visual aesthetic. I loved the trio of color options and I was able to get hands-on with the green juniper colorway. And since these are calf-height, you can actually showcase their visual appeal without taking your shoes off. The height also gives you extra coverage on your lower legs, which is a bonus.

The Not So Good

Like most calf-height socks, the Bombas took a long time to put on and it was very difficult to get the material over my calves. The warmth of the material didn’t bother me as much in the evenings but during the day, it was a bit too warm (it was springtime in Los Angeles when I was testing these). Likewise, the thickness of the socks made these a challenge with my typical hiking boots and shoes. I suggest going a half size larger in your shoes for these to fit without cutting off any circulation.

Speaking of sizes, these Bombas also ran a bit large in the foot, especially in the front. Also, the seams converge right by the pinky toes, which made them stick out a bit, which got annoying in my boots.

Verdict: If you’re looking for heavy-duty, warm cotton-based socks for the wintertime, the Bombas All-Purpose Heavy-Duty Performance Calf Socks will be favorable. Just keep in mind that they run a bit large and will likely require you to get boots that are a half-size up than normal; these socks are thick and we struggled to get them on our feet, and then into our shoes.

Smartwool Hike Crew Socks Light Cushioning

Best Overall: Smartwool has long been one of the most revered brands in the outdoor socks space and is always well worth considering when shopping for a new pair. At an affordable price point and made in the USA, the brand’s Hike Crew Socks (Light Cushioning) are made in America and bestowed with low-density cushioning across the bottom of the foot. Natural moisture-wicking properties are also afforded by the Merino wool construction while its one-third nylon blend adds extra durability. There’s also some crucial compression in key areas, making these essentials out on the trail.

The Good

I loved the construction here. The elastane-infused merino wool and nylon blend provides the perfect sensation against the feet while balancing durability and stretch. Where many, if not most, hiking socks are too tight, the Smartwool hiking socks fit perfectly around the foot. They felt tight enough that they weren’t sliding around but felt loose enough that my feet weren’t getting suffocated. Not to mention, they didn’t feel too slick inside the hiking boot; it actually felt like I was wearing normal socks.

The seam placement was also great, with room for error if these stockings actually did end up getting twisted before entering your boots. My own units for testing actually got a bit turned on one side towards the inside of my foot. However, I didn’t even notice that they weren’t straight. If you’re dubious about the crew-length height, you’ll be pleased to discover that these can be worn just as easily when the socks are pushed down around the ankle or even halfway down (which is how I like to wear them). I should also mention that, for merino-based socks, these are easy to wash. The website suggests merely putting them in your washing machine inside out and in warm water (no specific dryer instructions).

The Not So Good

Unlike some other socks in this guide, the Smartwools won’t feature a wide array of colorways. Although there are six options available, they’re all very neutral colors. One detraction here could be the absence of antimicrobial properties, which could pose an issue if you have sweaty feet or are planning on wearing these for a few days before washing (i.e., backpacking or multi-day hikes). Some may balk at spending over $20 on a pair of socks but this is the price point of hiking socks these days and, all things considered, you’re getting a great deal with these stockings from Smartwool.

Verdict: Comfortable, perfectly fit, and agreeable on your foot, the Smartwool Hike Crew Socks with light cushioning are the most versatile of the bunch. They’re comfortable in any condition and are good to go whether you’re going in boots, shoes, or sandals. However, these aren’t antimicrobial, so beware if you have overly-sweaty feet.

Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Light Crew Socks

Best for Hot Days: For those who aren’t familiar, merino wool is somewhat of a super fabric. Much different than your traditional itchy sweater wool, merino wool comes from a specific type of sheep (merino sheep, go figure) and the fabric does some marvelous stuff. It has anti-odor properties, can regulate temperatures, and just feels incredibly soft –– all of which are ideal for anything that you’d take hiking. Icebreaker is known to dabble in the material, to say the least, and has constructed these Merino Hike+ Light Crew Socks as such.

The Good

While most of the socks we tested –– especially the crew-length socks –– were tricky to put on and take off due to how tight they were, the Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Light could be put on and removed with a single hand if necessary. One of the things that attracted me to these stockings wasn’t the number of color options but the variety of them. For testing, we went with the orange colorway. You’ll notice when looking at the socks that they’re structured very distinctly, with a more rugged “lower half” that’s separate from the upper half. However, the distinction is incorporated well into the design of the sock and doesn’t look like it’s a functional detail.

Unlike a lot of socks, if not most socks, the Merino Hike+ Light features this cool Achilles support which keeps the socks in place when you’re walking, even without shoes on. To ensure that this feature performs properly, the socks specify if they’re for the right or left foot. It’s also important to note that these socks feel much more breathable than any other we tested. I’m a guy who sweats a lot in his feet and these didn’t feel super clammy when I got home from my hike.

The Not So Good

As much as the rear of my feet were locked in place when walking, I found that the toe portion in front was moving a lot when I walked without shoes on (this wasn’t the case when actually hiking with boots on, however). This is also the portion in the guide when the socks become noticeably more expensive, with the Icebreaker socks coming in at a solid $23 plus tax (and maybe shipping). If you don’t want the extra structural benefits of these socks, you could save a few bucks going for something cheaper, but we wouldn’t recommend it.

Verdict: Breathable and structurally sound, the Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Light Crew Socks benefit from its wool fabric and bring with them a lot of comfort on the foot as well. Aside from perhaps the price, there’s not a lot to dislike about these socks.

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Socks

Best Medium Cushioning: Darn Tough is another highly trusted name in the outdoor sock space, offering just the right blend of performance, comfort, and durability. Manufactured in Vermont in more than half a dozen color options, these socks are designed for year-round use and are protected by a generous unconditional lifetime warranty. Other noteworthy details include a “True Seamless” toe construction and a nylon and lycra-infused Merino construction that packs natural moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties.

The Good

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from a “medium” cushioned sock, but my best explanation is that they feel like a “regular” everyday sock more than your average, thin hiking sock. For the Darn Tough, they almost didn’t feel like they were made of merino wool, which is neither good nor bad I suppose. On the one hand, these are very good at handling the sweat and odors my feet procured from the trail –– plus they’re antimicrobial –– but on the other hand, they feel more like cotton or nylon against the skin, which may not be desirable for some. However, inside my hiking boots, I felt the socks were a bit roomy thanks to the material blend by Darn Tough

Although these are crew-height socks, I love how customizable the length is for hiking. I was able to push them down when it got hot without feeling like I added thickness around my ankles. However, the structure of the socks could have been a bit better, especially for the price.

The Not So Good

If anything, the Darn Tough Micro Crew runs a bit large, especially in the front by the toes. Fortunately, the seamless toe construction meant that this didn’t bunch up in an uncomfortable way. Nonetheless, I felt like I was sliding around in these and could have gone a size lower. I’m a size 12.5, which is at the lower end of the XL according to the brand’s size chart. So perhaps I could have gone down to a Large. Also, if you’re a fan of these stockings, you may be frustrated with their availability. As of the time of this writing, there are eight different permanent colorways –– six of which are sold out (plus two which are exclusive variants).

Verdict: Appropriately pricey considering the merino wool blend, the Darn Tough Micro Crew Hiking Socks feel like an everyday sock, for better or worse. While you’d like some more of that classic merino wool feel, it still brings the qualities of the fiber along with it. However, we did notice the socks run a bit large with almost too much room inside, so consider going a size lower.

Patagonia Lightweight Merino Performance Crew Socks

Best Hiking Socks for Beginners: A sustainable yet no less high-performance take on a pair of hiking-specific outdoor socks, Patagonia’s Merino Performance Crew Socks are made in America using Responsible Wool Standard-certified Merino. The socks feature mesh arch braces that help to optimize fit, soft terry-loop footbeds that provide a generous layer of cushioning, and an engineered pattern across the top of the foot for added stretch and airflow. Patagonia also produces this exact same cut and construction in a variety of different colors, patterns and designs, including multiple vintage-inspired items.

The Good

Aside from the Icebreaker merino socks above, these Patagonia Lightweight Merino Performance Crew Socks were the most breathable of the bunch. Aside from predominantly merino wool construction, which gives the socks inherent temperature regulation, they’re designed with extra airflow, which is remarkably noticeable on the foot. I loved the feel of the blend –– which is mostly merino wool and nylon –– on my skin. After my hikes, most of these socks came off as soon as my boots did. However, these Patagonia socks were the one exception. I wore them through the night until I showered the next morning.

If you want thinner socks that don’t feel super thin, these are also favorable in that regard. Personally, I don’t always love the extra room created from thinner socks but these lightly cushioned stockings from Patagonia felt standard inside my boots. And when I was walking, there felt like extra cushioning without adding extra weight in the process. I’m also partial to Patagonia’s visual designs that come with the socks. Each colorway features a unique color and graphic combo, with some retro options as well!

The Not So Good

Unlike the Darn Tough socks above, these Merino Performance Crew Socks from Patagonia are true to size. However, they’re not terribly form-fitting. Despite not being terribly roomy, my foot slid around inside of them very easily. While there are arch braces that help with support, there’s not much in the way of toe box structure. Not to mention, the $25 price tag is expected with any merino wool construction but I just wanted something a bit more meticulously built.

Verdict: Patagonia has a lot of fantastic options for the outdoors but these Lightweight Merino Performance Crew Socks, while attractive, aren’t as form-fitting as some of the other options in this guide. However, if you’re not concerned with structure or you’re just an occasional hiker who’s not embarking on anything too rigorous, these will be attractive options to go for.

Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Socks

Best Toe Socks: While not everyone enjoys rocking toe socks, they do undeniably offer the benefit of preventing skin-to-skin contact between the toes, hugely mitigating the likelihood of blister and sore formation. What’s more, the toes tend to be the sweatiest and most odor-prone part of the foot, and spacing them out with each toe’s own slot affords better sweat-wicking, amplifying the inherent properties of the CoolMax fabric that comprises 39% of these crew socks‘ construction.

The Good

The definitive toe socks for hiking, Injinji’s Trail Midweight Wool Crew Socks benefit from the CoolMax and do feel good on the feet. I was worried about the sweat gathering between my toes but I was surprised how well the fabric blend cooled my feet. They weren’t all that sweaty when I took my socks off after my hike. While I didn’t take these trail running specifically, these socks would be a great choice for doing so. There are several colorway choices to choose from as well, each of which sports a unique yet versatile design that could match your trail running attire well.

Getting these socks on wasn’t as difficult as I suspected. Just wrapping them around my foot was easy enough, and then I just had to spend an extra 20 seconds getting my toes in the assigned slots (and on the correct foot). Walking around without shoes on was more enjoyable than with shoes on. These socks were some of the least slippery of the bunch when “barefooted.” And the nature of the design meant that my foot wasn’t sliding around inside either.

The Not So Good

Mea culpa, I’ve never worn toe socks before, and I was unsure how I’d feel about them on the trail. And while my verdict is more “they weren’t for me” than “they’re actually pretty cool,” I did get somewhat used to them inside the boot. That said, the sensation of fabric between my toes at all times is fairly annoying, akin to what I feel like once I’ve bandaged my blistered toes after my hike. I know some people swear by toe socks, and if that’s you, these will be up your alley. I should also mention that these socks require a delicate machine wash with line drying afterwards. It’s also important to mention that these socks used to be made with merino wool, so the current fabric blend takes a slight step back in that regard. However, this also allows the cost to be pretty low too, compared to other options.

Verdict: One of the most affordable socks here, the Injinji Outdoor Midweight Crew Socks may not have the merino you’d expect but they were sufficient at precluding sweat when out on the trail. A nice pick for trail runners due to the lack of movement inside, the toe socks aren’t for everyone but if you are a fan, these are the definitive choice.

Zamberlan Hiking Path Merino Socks

Best Upgrade: Zamberlan is a boutique Italian company that produces ultra-exacting footwear and outdoor gear that’s designed for use in alpine conditions and is characterized by its immense quality and attention to detail — all traits that are readily apparent on the company’s Hiking Path Merino Socks. Made in Italy, these socks offer varying levels of compression improving circulation at different points across the foot and are crafted from a super high-end extra-fine merino wool that affords better temperature regulation than regular blends.

The Good

Perhaps the most form-fitting of the items we tested, the Zamberlan hiking socks lock your foot into place instantly and they just stay there. From arch to Achilles support, these stockings designate between the right and left foot to further their purpose. I love the merino build, which offers temperature regulation even in the summertime. Likewise, the more-than-usual elastane inclusion in the fabric blend allows for more stretch on the trail.

There’s no denying that the Zamberlan Hiking Path Merino Socks are worthy of their heightened price tag. But the question should be, can you notice the difference? And while the difference between these and, say, the Smartwool is noticeable when you’re fully focused on the fit, it may seem difficult to notice throughout your trek. Nonetheless, the mapped compression aspect of the socks is definitely noticeable after your hike. Your feet will thank you after a long day’s hike since your circulation was managed ahead of time.

The Not So Good

Despite all the good that comes with the Zamberlan merino socks, the price tag isn’t ideal for most casual hikers, at almost double of some options on this guide. Fortunately, it’s only about $5 to $8 less than the best socks we tested but still expensive for socks nonetheless. Perhaps my biggest gripe with these socks are how hot they feel around the ankles and above. While I was able to lower the legs with ease, it definitely created a heat and tightness barrier around that area of my leg. Also, these are not antimicrobial, which may be an issue for certain sweaty-footed individuals.

Verdict: Serving as compression hiking socks, the Zamberlan Hiking Path Merino Socks are pricey, yes, but this won’t be an issue for the serious hikers out there. The ankles built up heat considerably during the hike but these were also the most form-fitting socks on this guide.

Hiking Socks Comparison Chart

Why Wear Hiking Socks?

Despite admittedly being one of the less exciting segments in the outdoor gear space, hiking socks offer such a vital function and can legitimately be the difference between a comfortable day on the trail and an afternoon of blisters, foot sores, and general agony. Hiking-specific stockings play a big part in keeping you and your feet comfortable, preventing blisters, providing cushioning that functions similarly to a vehicle’s suspension system, soaking up bumps and impacts, and softening forces before they reach the bottom of your feet.

Key Materials

Nylon: Nylon is a great material for balancing lightweight and durability, thanks to the synthetic polymer fibers.

Elastane/Spandex: These synthetic poly fibers help make your socks a bit stretchier.

Cotton: Cotton is a soft and stretchy fabric but can retain odors and takes a bit longer to dry than other materials.

Merino Wool: Naturally antimicrobial, Merino wool (from Merino sheep) won’t retain odors like cotton and also dries much quicker. Compared to generic wool, Merino wool is much softer.

Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic fiber that’s a good addition to any sock because it prevents it from shrinking and adds some strength to the overall blend.

Honorable Mentions

We love Danner a lot, with their hiking and work boots perennially making our list of the “best” in their categories. The heritage brand’s Midweight Trail 2650 Socks are designed to pair with Danner boots specifically, which made them a bit too niche for the purposes of this guide. However, if you do own a pair of Danner’s hiking boots, these will be a must-have.

Farm to Feet’s Damascus Light Targeted Cushioned Crew Socks are made of merino wool, making these great summer or winter hiking socks. If you’re a fan of the brand, these will serve you well. They just didn’t do much differently than the rest of the socks we tested.

La Sportiva is an Italian brand known for expensive and well-performing, capable hiking boots. While the brand’s hiking socks fall in line with these tenets, they don’t set themselves apart from the pack enough to justify the price tag.

Tested: The Best Hiking Boots for Men

As crucial as socks are to a proper hiking loadout, the reality is footwear performance ultimately starts at the shoe. So, with this in mind, if your trail stompers are a bit long in the tooth, you may want to consider checking out a new pair from our guide to the best hiking boots for men where we got to test out our favorites.