12 Best Hiking Socks for Thru Hikers & Backpackers [202…

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This is a hiking gear review of the Best Hiking Socks for backpacking 2024.

The humble sock is often little thought about by hikers as spend more time looking at good quality hiking boots, hiking shoes, or ultralight trail runners for hiking. Most socks are not suited to the demands of hiking. A more durable and more comfortable type of sock is needed. This is where the humble hiking sock comes in.

I’m going to cover the best socks for hiking, the best socks for thru-hiking, and the best socks for backpacking. All the good hiking socks on the market that are in the list below are for both men and women.

How We Tested

All the Hiking Socks in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. Some of the Socks were purchased by the author for this review. They have been rigorously tested by the author in all kinds of weather during thousands of miles of thru-hiking and backpacking trips into the backcountry. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the best hiking socks for 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.

Best Socks for Hiking and Backpacking 2024

The Best Socks for Hiking and Backpacking in 2024 are:

Best Socks for Hiking – Overall

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Sock

Pros:
> Excellent customer ratings
> Great for keeping feet warm
> Moisture-wicking merino wool
> Knitted for mid-level cushioning
> Made in the USA
Cons:
> There have been mixed reviews regarding whether they’re true to size

I have hiked 1000s of miles in these socks including the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail. Darn Tough’s midweight socks are the real deal and are the best hiking socks on the market right now, especially for anyone looking for durable socks.

These ones are micro crew height, which means that they peak just above the height of a traditional standard hiking boot. 

They’re made of mostly merino wool at 61%, and also 36% nylon, and 3% Lycra Spandex to give it a little bit of stretch. 

The Merino wool is thermo-regulating and will assist in wicking sweat away. This means that it will keep your feet at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is doing come summer or winter.

I used and tested these socks while thru-hiking. What makes these such good socks for hiking, thru-hiking, and backpacking is the mid-level cushion density along the sole of the sock. Even after several days of use, I consistently found these socks to be comfortable and relatively stink-free. I also found them to do a good job of keeping my feet warm when needed.

They also feature an undetectable flat seam at the toes. This feature has removed a lot of internal rubbing when wearing your Hiking Boots, Hiking Shoes, or Trail Runners and reduces the chance of getting blisters. 

Darn Tough hiker socks are made in the USA, specifically in Northfield, Vermont, where they are both designed and knitted. 

The other thing that impressed me about these socks is how they are backed by a lifetime guarantee. I have used this warranty for worn-out socks and can advise that they stand by their product.

Overall, these Darn Tough Micro Crew midweight hiker socks are the best socks for backpacking in 2024.

Best Socks for Hiking – Runner Up

Smartwool Light Hike Cushion Crew Socks

Pros:
> Merino wool socks are  ZQ-certified
> Light cushion along bottom
> Breathable & moisture wicking
> Areas reinforced where needed
> Uses 28% recycled nylon
Cons:
> Although it contains recycled materials, it’s not made up of 100% recycled materials

What I love about these socks is how the Merino wool is sourced. The Smartwool Hike socks are  ZQ-certified in order to promote environmental, and economic sustainability and at the same time help to safeguard animal welfare.

Better yet, most of the nylon used to add a little stretch to the Merino wool is recycled, making it a more sustainable sock.

It has light cushioning along the bottom and are moisture-wicking to deal with your sweat, and there are mesh panels for ultimate breathability. 

The socks reach 8 inches in height, which means that your hiking boots don’t have the chance to rub the skin on your ankles. 

The high amount of nylon in these socks, specifically in high-wear areas. The toe area is virtually seamless, and the socks stay right in place throughout the hike.

Overall, the Smartwool Performance Hike Lightweight Hiking Sock is super comfortable with some of the best cushioning and one of the best summer hiking socks.

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Best Summer Hiking Socks

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion

Pros:
> Excellent customer ratings
> Great for keeping feet warm
> Moisture-wicking merino wool
> Knitted for mid-level cushioning
> Made in the USA
Cons:
> There aren’t many color options available, and they are all a little dull

The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion socks are seriously good summer hiking socks. I’ve probably covered more miles of hiking and backpacking in these socks then any other.

The Darn Tough Light Hiker micro crew are crew-length socks, which means that they peak just above the height of a traditional standard hiking boot. 

They’re made of composite material, mostly lightweight merino wool at 59%, and also 39% nylon, and 2% Lycra spandex to give it a little bit of stretch. And because it’s got so much Merino wool, it will wick your sweat away and do a good job at preventing smelly feet.

The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew are Merino wool hiking socks that are thermo-regulating, which means that they will keep your feet at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is doing come summer or winter. I have used these socks in super hot deserts and freezing cold alpine environments and found them to be good at regulating the temperature when needed.

They are lightweight socks with a thin layer of cushioning going all along the base – just what you need for a long thru-hike. When it comes to thin hiking socks and summer hiking socks these ones should be one of the first ones you should consider.

The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks have been redesigned from previous socks, with better breathability thanks to the mesh panels on the top of the foot. And there’s also extended cushioning over the Achilles.

And better yet, Darn Tough’s socks will stay right in place throughout your hike, with no slouching or bunching to worry about. 

It also features an undetectable seam at the toes – it’s almost seamless. And this way your socks won’t rub against the insides of your hiking boot and cause discomfort. 

It’s available in a choice of 8 different colors, namely black, grey, taupe, and denim.

All of which look very masculine. It’s also available in 5 different sizes, namely small, medium, large, X-large, and XX-large.

And luckily the price doesn’t go up by much for the bigger sizes. To see the size chart, simply click on “check price” to be taken to the product page. 

And, provided you get the right fit, there will be no slipping, no bunching, and no blisters. 

The Darn Tough Light Hiker Merino Crew Light Cushion hiker socks are made right here in the good old US of A. Specifically in Northfield, Vermont, where it is both designed and knitted. 

The other thing that impressed me about these socks is how they come backed by a lifetime guarantee. I don’t know about you, but that was the first time I’ve ever heard of an item of clothing coming with a lifetime guarantee. Get a hole and return them, yep, it is that simple.

The Darn Tough Light Hiker Socks are the best socks for thru-hiking, the best summer hiking socks, and the best lightweight hiking sock. I’ve used them on every thru-hike I have done.

Best Winter Hiking Socks

Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full Cushion Socks

Pros:
> Warm in Winter, cool in summer
> High Merino Woll content
> Lifetime warranty
> Good at wicking moisture away from the skin
Cons:
> A little too thick to use as a summer hiking sock

The Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full-Cushion Socks are nice thicker socks that are perfect for winter hikes.

The Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full-Cushion Socks are a nice blend of 66% Merino Wool, 32% Nylon, and 2% Lycra Spandex. Add to that the full cushioning for extra comfort.

They are super comfortable but all that comfort does add to a bit of bulk. So be aware that if your hiking boots or winter hiking boots are a tight fit then these socks will make them even tighter. But they will keep you warm when winter hiking.

Overall, the Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full-Cushion Socks are one of the best winter hiking socks for 2024.

Best Socks to Prevent Blisters

Wrightsock Coolmesh II Crew Anti Blister Socks

Pros:
> Combined inner and outer layer sock
> Really works to prevent blisters
> Made in the USA
> Wrightsock guarantees these socks will prevent blisters
> Very durable and long-lasting
Cons:
> Hikers are reporting that the style has changed recently and they are not as durable as they used to be.

The Wrightsock Coolmesh II Crew Anti Blister Socks are the best hiking socks to prevent blisters. This is not just a claim, it actually works and they guarantee that they will not give you blisters.

The Wrightsock Coolmesh II Crew Anti Blister Socks incorporate an inner and outer sock in a unique way that all the rubbing takes place between the sock layers and not between your feet and socks. By doing this these socks can prevent blisters. My partner has been using these socks for many years and has never had a blister while wearing these socks. Ever.

The inner layer is thin and smooth and wicks moisture away from your skin. The outer layer is a more durable blend version of the same material used on the inner layer.

Overall, these are the best socks to prevent blisters when hiking and backpacking. If you seem to get lots of blisters and have tried everything then try these. The company will guarantee that you will not get blisters while using these socks.

Best Hiking Socks for Australia and New Zealand

Macpac Merino Hiker Socks 

Pros:
> Prevents sock riding down
> Moisture-wicking properties
> Thermo-regulating wool
> Breathable mesh paneling
> Full loop pile cushioning
Cons:
> Tight fit around the lower calf area
> Only available in Australia and New Zealand

When I tested these socks I really liked the elasticated foot arch to prevent the sock from riding down.

Like many of the socks in this review, they are made with merino wool for that all-important thermo-regulation and moisture-wicking properties. And it also features mesh paneling through the top of the foot for breathability.

The sock is a nice height, one that will stop your hiking boots from rubbing the skin on your ankles.

It’s available in 2 colors, namely black, and dark grey. It’s also available in 3 different sizes, namely small, medium, and large.

If I could find anything to criticize about these socks it would be that they are tighter around the calf section than most other socks. This keeps them in place better than most and means they work a little like a compression sock. While I think the tighter fit is great, it will not be for everyone.

Overall, these are the Best Hiking Socks for Australia and New Zealand which is the only place you can buy these socks. Having used them on multiple hikes I love the full cushion on these socks. They work well in cold weather and warm weather too.

Best Toe Socks for Hiking

Injinji Liner Toe Socks

Pros:
> Good at preventing blisters
> They make good liner socks
> Lightweight Socks
> Comfortable
> Quick Drying
Cons:
> Most people will either love them or hate them.
> Can be uncomfortable for some people

The Injinji Toe Socks have a large following of dedicated hikers and backpackers who love these socks. I must admit that I thought they were a bit of a gimmick and not worth making this list but I purchased a pair and took them out on several hikes.

The first time I tried them on, I noticed that the Injinji Toe Socks come with specific left socks and right socks which are specifically molded to fit each individual toe. It took a while to make sure that each toe was perfectly fitted into each individual toe pouch. So there is a small learning curve that takes a bit of time to master.

Once the Injinji Toe Socks were fitted, I found that they felt super comfortable and seemed to allow more airflow around each individual toe. This extra breathability seemed to assist in preventing blisters as the sock material will rub up against each other instead of the skin of the toes rubbing. In fact, when testing these socks in hot humid summer weather I did not get any blisters. I tested them trail running, day hiking, and wore them for several days around town without washing them.

There are several different options of Toe Socks but the Coolmax Liner Toe Sock is the best option. Especially as a liner sock or as a summer sock that can be worn under other socks. These are made with a blend of 75% Coolmax, 21% nylon, and 4% Lycra spandex.

Some hikers and backpackers will find that these toe socks will not work for them. Most people complain that they are just not comfortable. There is one way to find out. Buy a pair and you might just be one of those people that wouldn’t consider using anything else. Maybe you will be pleasantly surprised at how good they are. While they are not as good as Darn Tough Socks, they are worth a try. I was once a skeptic and after trying them for this review I am an Injinji Toe Sock lover. Maybe you will too.

Overall, if you are looking to try a toe sock to see if they are for you, then these are the ones for you. The Injinji Toe Socks are the best toe socks for hiking and backpacking and one of the best baselayer socks.

Best Full Cushion Socks

Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion

Pros:
> Comfortable
> Full Cushion
> Heavy duty
> Best suited for boots in cool weather
Cons:
> Not as much stretch as some of the other socks

If you spend more time hiking in boots than trail runners then the Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion is a sweet option. I purchased these socks and my first impressions were that these have a soft feel on the inside. This plush pile helped wick moisture away from my feet and assisted with the full cushion feel of these socks. They are quite thick socks and best suited for colder weather even though I tested them in warm summer weather without any issues due to the temperature regulating Merino wool.

With a generous blend of 66% merino wool, 25% recycled nylon, 8% nylon, and 1% elastane they strike a good balance between durability, soft feel comfort, warmth, and moisture-wicking ability. The low elastane contributes to the low stretch of these socks which is not necessarily a negative point but something to be aware of. I preferred this sock with hiking boots even though I also tested them with hiking shoes and trail runners.

Overall, the Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Socks are the go-to option as the best full cushion hiking socks.

Best Budget Hiking Socks

REI Co-Op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks

Pros:
> Certified to Responsible Wool Standard
> Plenty of strategically placed reinforcement
> Light cushioning for long-wearing comfort
> Sweat-wicking properties
> Machine washable
Cons:
> They are described as summer-weight which suggests they aren’t suited for use in winter

What I love about the REI Co-Op Merino wool socks is how much merino wool they use, 79% no less. This way they really make the most of the wool’s properties, such as sweat-wicking, quick drying, and odor resistance.

And there’s also a little nylon and Lycra spandex to give it a little stretch where needed.

I also love that the wool is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard, very reassuring.

There’s also light cushioning and plenty of reinforcement at the heels, toes, footbeds, and Achilles for that all-important long-wearing comfort. And they’re machine washable to boot.

If you are looking for a budget sock then the REI Co-Op Merino socks are the best backpacking socks for budget hikers.

The Icebreaker Hike Light Crew is a great pair of liner socks or thin summer socks.

They come with a substantial proportion of merino wool, 70% in fact. This gives it excellent thermo-regulating and sweat-wicking properties.

I tested these socks in warmer weather and found them to be great summer hiking socks. The thin sock has been specially sculptured for each foot with a specific left foot and right foot sock. These socks are among some of the best-fitting socks you can find anywhere. And in case you are wondering they come with a generously sized L or R on each sock to help you put them on the correct foot. When testing these socks I tried them on the wrong foot to test their fit and found that the cut around the toes is definitely very specific to each foot.

Overall, this is a great Merino Wool Hiking Sock and one of the best liner socks for hiking or summer hiking socks.

The Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew hiking sock is made in the USA and is made with 100% US-grown merino wool. This merino wool has excellent thermo-regulating properties (more on that in our buying guide later).

But what I really love about the Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew hiking sock is their targeted high-density cushioning, which is perfect for long hikes in the countryside. It also features a reinforced construction for added durability.

It’s a nice height that stretches beyond the upper lip of your hiking boots, so you know they won’t rub. And there’s a seamless toe closure, so it won’t rub there either. 

Overall, the Farm to Feet hiker socks are good value, good quality, and comfortable to wear.

Macpac Merino Crew Socks

Pros:
> High content of merino wool
> Loop pile cushioning
> Moisture wicking
> Full crew height
Cons:
> Color options are a little dull
> Only available in Australia and New Zealand

Like the other Macpac socks I showed you earlier, again there’s a very high content of merino wool. This is what gives it both its thermo-regulating and moisture-wicking properties.

But that’s not all. There’s also a luxury loop pile cushioning along the base of the sock, which is great for long hikes. I also love that it has a very smooth toe seam that will not chafe.

The Macpac Merino Crew Hiking Socks come in 3 color options, black, navy, and light grey. There are 3 sizes available,  small, medium, and large.

I have been using and testing these socks as part of a long-term sock test. So far I have been using these socks for more than 4 years and they are still going strong. They are not as thick as when they were new but after all this time and hundreds of miles of use, there are still no holes. So when it comes to durability I can confirm that these are super strong.

They are one of the most durable hiking socks for Australian and New Zealand hikers due to the company Macpac being so huge in both these countries.

Other Quality Hiking Socks

Here are a couple more high-quality merino wool hiking socks that have not made the list:

• REI Co-Op merino wool ultralight crew – The REI Co-Op merino wool ultralight crew is now discontinued so let’s wait to see what the replacement socks are.
• Darn Tough Coolmax Socks: With so many high quality Merino Socks it is sometimes easy to overlook the Darn Tough Coolmax Socks.

Hiking Socks Comparison Table

Socks for Women

All of the socks mentioned in this review are unisex and can be used by either men or women. A lot of the sock companies mentioned in the reviews above make socks women’s socks. But overall there is little difference to the unisex socks. Some offer a wider choice of colors and some may go down to smaller sizing.

Women’s Socks are not much different than men’s socks. If you choose to buy a pair of socks then all of the companies that sell them have a size chart that matches either US Sizing, UK Sizing, or EU sizing. You can be sure to find a sock that fits your feet.

Sock Size Guide

It’s important that you get the right size hiking sock for your feet size. A stretched-out hiking sock will be uncomfortable to wear, as will one where the fabric gets bunched up in your hiking shoes.

When you see a good hiking sock that you like the look and sound of, I strongly recommend that you check if your sock size is available and also check whether the socks are true to size because they can sometimes be larger or smaller.

Wherever possible, you should look on the product pages for a size chart, so you can see whether your shoe size is classed by the manufacturer, as small, medium, large, and so on.

You can get to the product page of the socks you want to check out by clicking on “Check price”.

Height of the Sock

We recommend that you go for socks that are at least as tall as your hiking boots, that way the boots won’t rub the skin on your ankles.

Crew Socks

For most people that means buying Crew Hiking socks. Crew socks refer to the height of the sock which means they will be long enough to rise just above the height of Lightweight Hiking Boots.

Crew Socks are the most popular backpacking socks and the most featured in this hiking sock review.

Quarter Socks

Quarter Socks are lower and better suited for use with Lightweight Hiking Shoes. If you love to use Trail Running Shoes for Hiking then quarter socks are also a good choice for you. I like to use quarter socks for trail running. I find them better than ankle socks. The quarter socks are lower than Crew Socks and will also work well with a pair of ultralight gaiters.

Ankle Socks

Ankle Socks are not so common for use as hiking socks as they don’t work with Hiking Boots and are not comfortable with most Hiking Shoes. Ankle socks work well with trail runners but only when running. Wearing a pair of ankle socks while hiking just doesn’t feel as comfortable as quarter socks or Crew Socks.

Toe Socks

Although not technically related to the height of the sock, a Toe Sock seems to be its own style and is worthy of mentioning separately. These socks have individual pouches for each toe. Initially thought of as a gimmick by many (including myself) they have proven to be very capable and comfortable hiking socks that are worth a try, even if you think they are not for you.

Material

One of the more popular materials used in hiking socks is merino wool. But there are also synthetic sock material such as nylons and spandex materials

Merino Wool

Merino wool socks are moisture-wicking, which means that they will disperse any sweat on your ankles and feet through the sock and out the other side.

That way, no matter how much hiking you do, your sweaty feet will remain dry.

Hiking Socks made with Merino wool is also thermo-regulating, which means it will retain the same temperature and not become too hot.

It’s also flame resistant, so if you were to take your hiking shoes off at the campfire, you don’t have to worry about your socks getting burned.

Nylon and Spandex

All quality backpacking needs some amount of nylon in them. This material adds strength to the weave of the socks. While you might want to have 100 percent merino socks they would not last very long. Spandex or some sort of stretchy material will assist the weave of the socks with stretch will is equally as important as strength.

Cushioning

Cushioning along the base of the hiking sock is a very nice feature to have during a long hike, but this doesn’t have to be excessive. Light cushioning will be sufficient for most people and most situations.

I’ve used both the light cushioning hiking sock and the Midweight cushioning hiking sock. I prefer a light sock for trail runners and shoes and mid-weight cushioning on the hiker sock for boots. That is my preference and recommendation.

Brands

As with many other types of products, there are some brands of hiking socks that outperform others. And these brands formed my starting point as I put together my shortlist of the best socks for hiking. 

These brands include the likes of Darn Tough Socks, Smartwool, REI Co-op, Icebreaker, and Macpac.

Value for Money

I’m going to level with you here. Good, proper hiking socks can often cost way more than standard regular socks. In fact, you can often get a pack of 10 regular socks for less than the cost of one pair of socks that are good quality for hiking.

My advice to you is to check the prices as you go along so that you know what to generally expect, and decide on your budget accordingly. All the best walking socks for 2024 are high quality and will last for 100s of days of tough backpacking on the trails

Warranty for Socks

Having a warranty on a pair of socks might not sound like the sort of thing that a company might offer. You wear a pair of socks on a couple of week-long backpacking trips and ask the company for your money back.

Maybe you are unhappy with them or you managed to rip a hole in your almost-new pair of hiking socks. Some companies back their product and offer an exchange or refund if you are not happy. I have used this with Darn Tough’s warranty to exchange a pair of hiker socks that got a hole for a new pair. The Darn Tough Socks warranty is that good.

REI Co-Op Socks are also good as the company offers a no-questions-asked 1 year warranty on all the stuff they sell.

Sock Care

Hiking Socks can wear out very quickly when you are hiking in muddy, sandy, or rocky terrain. I like to carry two pairs of hiking socks which I swap out during the day. If I am lucky enough to come across a stream or river then I have the perfect opportunity to wash the socks and give them time to dry.

When you are home from your backpacking trip it is best to line-dry the socks and avoid using a tumble dryer. If you do, ensure that you avoid using high heat. Most of the materials in socks do not like high heat such as Merino Wool. They will shrink if you do this.

Conclusion

Overall, the Best Pair of Socks for Hiking are:

Frequently Asked Questions

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