The Best Hiking Socks of 2024 | GearJunkie Tested

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 Price & Value 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.

Edito’s Note: For our November 11, 2024, update, we added a Price & Value section to show what buyers get with different price points.

With more than 1,200 reviews, these socks still held a 4.8-star rating. We’ve found Darn Tough’s hiking socks have the perfect balance of warmth and wicking properties and the best quality in terms of price. The Darn Tough Quarter Cushion socks ($22) have light cushioning and a blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex.

Collectively, we have put down hundreds of miles in our Darn Tough Quarter Cushion socks. They aren’t too thick, yet provide enough padding to remain comfortable and prevent rubbing and slipping when in use.

Customers rave about these socks’ great fit, durability, and comfortable performance across activities like hiking, biking, and running. Many reviewers also commented these were their socks of choice for backpacking and thru-hiking. Plus, all of Darn Tough’s socks are made in the U.S. and carry an “unconditional lifetime guarantee.”

We’re fans of socks that perform well, but look cool in casual situations. With fun color options and an athletic feel, the Feetures Elite Lite Cushion ($20) is a perfect example.

With their anatomic (Left and Right) specific design and targeted compression, we wore these socks running, cycling, and hiking, and weren’t afraid to show them off at the brewery after. The thin material is dense, giving them a surprising amount of cushion for the weight. We also really liked the seamless design, which added comfort.

They moisture wicked well, but in less breathable shoes (think waterproof hiking boots), our feet did get a little damp. The sizing was on point, and though all feet are unique, the fit is about as comfortable as any sock we’ve owned.

We tend to go through socks pretty quickly, and after wearing these on a weekly basis for two months, they’ve yet to show any significant wear. Overall, the Feetures Elite Light Cushion is a great hybrid option for forays on and off the trail. Plus, they’re a great value. $20 for a quality crew-cut sock is tough to beat.

These socks are REI’s best-selling summer hiking socks, and it’s easy to see why. The REI Co-op Merino Flash Socks ($20) manage comfort, breathability, and odor resistance without sacrificing performance.

On warm days, the breathability of the Merino wool really shines. With lightweight hiking shoes, our feet stayed cool as we slogged uphill on an out and back. While those with sweatier feet will feel some moisture, they dry out quickly while still on the feet.

The targeted cushioning is ideally placed, and we experienced no sliding or discomfort while hiking through the root-lined and rocky trails of Appalachia. As with most Merino products, these socks are especially comfortable against the skin.

The REI Co-op Merino Flash Socks have a higher wool content in their blend than most other performance Merino socks, so they’ll keep your feet warm if you happen to wear them in colder temperatures. They might not be suitable for frigid winter days, but we’d highly recommend them for three-season use.

The Balega Hidden Comfort ($16) is a go-to running sock for those who prefer the no-show style. They manage to provide a cushioned feel while also wicking moisture well, and I had no complaints when wearing them in a range of outdoor conditions.

Personally, no-show socks aren’t our favorites. They tend to sag in the back over time, and unless we’re running on pavement, we prefer the feeling of protection over my ankles. That said, these socks performed admirably.

We wore them on several overnight trips into the mountains and found them perfect for the uphills where our feet would get hot quickly. The no-show height made them more breathable, and my lower legs felt cooler as a result.

While billed as a running sock, we’d recommend these to any no-show lovers engaged in high-output pursuits. For the ounce-counters on the trail, you’ll certainly save weight with the Balega Hidden comfort socks.

If you prefer moving quickly on the trail, CEP’s Run Compression Socks ($19) are tough to beat. We ran in them, hiked in them, worked out in them, and they met all of our requirements for a performance sock.

Targeted compression increases blood flow, reduces swelling, and even reduces pain from injuries like plantar fasciitis. All of these factors are beneficial for runners and high-output athletes, so if you haven’t tried compression socks before, we’d recommend giving these a try.

These socks come in a variety of fun colors, making them ideal for those who like to adventure in style. If you have a preferred hiking sock, compression socks are also excellent for post-hike recovery. As with a lot of compression-style socks, they’re not as durable as the burlier socks on this list. You’ll want to make sure the toenails are tidy before squeezing them on, as small snags tend to linger with tighter woven fabrics.

The CEP Run Compression Socks scored high marks for breathability, moisture-wicking, and comfort in technical terrain. They’re not the easiest to get on and off, but it comes with the territory if you’re focused on performance. We’d recommend these for runners, peak baggers, and just about anyone who values peak performance. In the world of compression socks, these are some of the best hiking socks you’ll find.

If minimal cushion and a lightweight feel are what you’re looking for, you can’t beat these ultralight socks ($18) from REI, made with an eco-friendly recycled polyester blend. The socks have seamless toe construction (essential for many hikers), as well as reinforced heels, toes, Achilles, and footbeds to prevent wear and tear over time.

If you want crew-height protection on the trail but also want something lightweight, the REI COOLMAX Ultralight Tech Socks might be the ones for you. Customers love the fit and feel, and many noted how great they are at keeping your feet dry.

The only con? For some, the reinforced areas in the sock made these feel a little thicker than “ultralight.”

We cross-checked customer ratings across multiple brand sites and retailers, and the Darn Tough Micro Crew Socks ($25) won the slot for the highest-rated hiking socks. With an average overall rating of 4.7 stars over 2,000 reviews, these socks provide a great fit, comfort, and medium cushion.

We loved testing these socks season-round, but they’re especially great for hiking in summer and fall. They provide enough warmth in cooler weather but great wicking properties when the temps are up. They come in the standard crew height to protect you from rocks, prickly brush, and more, for men and women.

Customers rave about these socks for their all-day comfort, durability, and fit. They aren’t the lightest in terms of weight but were more durable than most we tried day in and day out. Darn Tough also has a lifetime guarantee, so if the socks you choose aren’t just right, or if your favorite pair fails after a few months or years, the brand will replace them.

Smartwool’s lightweight merino wool ski socks already have our vote, but what about socks for summer? The Smartwool Hike Light crews are a great choice at $24. The merino wool, nylon, and elastane blend socks are made in the USA, have flat-knit toe seams, and come in four sizes.

Depending on the amount of colored yarn in each style, this sock’s amount of merino wool ranges from 60% to 70%, which we noticed prioritized softness, comfort, and breathability. We also found the sizing was accurate (didn’t provide too much compression and didn’t slip on the calf).

The original light hiker socks come in four muted colors in men’s and women’s sizing, but of course, Smartwool offers lots of bright and bold patterns to choose from as well. Our editors’ favorites to rock on the trail are the Hike Light Margarita or Hike Light Striped crew socks.

Swiftwick makes hiking and running socks as well as cycling socks, fitness socks, and more. The Pursuit Seven ($22) merino wool, nylon, and spandex blend sock came out less than 2 years ago and has already garnered a lot of praise from hikers everywhere.

The socks are mid-calf height and offer medium cushion, with a reinforced heel and toe to maximize durability. When our editors tried them on, we liked the fit, comfort, and smooth-to-the-touch feel of the seamless knit construction. (This sock is 63% wool.)

When hiking, we also noticed the ventilation “channels” knit into the upper of the sock for better breathability in hot weather. The Pursuit Seven comes in four sizes.

Swiftwick also just launched the Pursuit Hike collection for men and women, which is a similar style but a more technical, “drier” hiking sock (thanks to the addition of olefin fibers). The Pursuit Hike collection also has varying cushion options. We are still in the process of testing these new ones out.

In the warmer months, we noticed these socks got a bit hotter than our top two choices on this list.

The days of polyester and nylon socks are over. Now, socks are made with everything from 3D-engineered knit to hemp, yak wool, and more.

The material breakdown of the Bison Sock ($32) from United By Blue is unusual yet effective. Yes, these socks are pricey. But the comfort and durability are worth it, especially if you have yet to find a pair of hiking socks you love.

The Bison Trail socks have a blend of nylon, spandex, and, of course, bison down. Similar to wool, bison down fiber is naturally temperature-regulating and odor-wicking, but unlike wool, it’s softer and warmer as well. (We definitely agree on the warmer part.) So these crew trail socks — with a flat toe seam and reinforced sole — are a great year-round option.

The WRIGHTSOCK Double Layer Silver Escape Crew ($25) is perfect for those who are going to be on the trail for a while and are averse to the stink (who isn’t?).

In testing, we did our best to get these socks sweaty, trudging up scree and sand with a heavy pack. WRIGHTSOCK claims the silver-lined fabric reduces the buildup of odor, so after wearing them we’d leave them to dry out in the sun. We were skeptical, but in the end they lasted a few days before we could smell even a hint of odor.

Performance-wise, we can see why these socks are a hot choice for long-distance hikers. They have the feel of a wool sock and are efficiently warm, but were far more breathable than we expected.

If you like the feel of a thicker, burlier sock and expect to test the limits of your socks’ durability and stink resistance, the Double Layer Silver Escape should be at the top of your list.

If you think toe socks look weird and haven’t given them a try, these socks are a perfect excuse to expand your mind. The Injinji Liner Crew ($12) is remarkably comfortable, and the performance matches the feel.

The main benefit of toe socks is blister prevention, and in testing these socks it proved to be true. Because the material prevents the toes from rubbing together, we had zero blisters after forays where we normally would have had hot spots in multiple places. Apart from that, the COOLMAX Ecomade polyester feels like a dream on your feet, and they dry extremely well.

In hot temperatures, these socks wicked moisture with the best. With the high water flows in the Sierra this spring, they got soaked when we stepped in a pool through a stream crossing, and we were amazed at how quickly we felt them drying out on their own.

The one caveat to toe socks (even the best designed), is their durability. Perhaps because the toes have more points of contact at the ends of the feet, you really have to make sure your toenails are cut. Otherwise, you may end up with a small hole forming after just a couple of months of use. That said, they’re only $12, and they’re made of recycled materials, so you can restock guilt-free.

Overall, we’d recommend the Injinji Liner Crew to anyone putting in long days who prioritizes comfort and blister prevention. They’re also incredibly light, making them an easy addition to ultralight kits.

Our two primary hiking sock testers are Mary Murphy and Andrew Potter — two highly experienced hikers with thousands of miles underfoot and very, very high sock standards. During testing, Mary and Andrew paid careful attention to fit, comfort, durability, wicking, and overall value.

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. The socks were tested in varying terrain and over the course of all four seasons so that we could see how well each sock insulated, breathed, wicked moisture, and dried. To compare feel and fit, we paired socks with camp slippers, hiking shoes, and mid to tall hiking boots.

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.

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.

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.

Obviously, we’re focused on hiking. But that could mean a 2-hour excursion or a 2-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..

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.

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 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.

They cost more than those cotton 12-packs that you’ll find at Costco, but fortunately, hiking socks don’t generally cost a ton of money. A good budget pair of socks will run you anywhere from $10 to $15. In this price range, you can expect technical fabrics like polyester, which dries quickly and wicks away moisture. The least expensive sock on this list, the Injinji Liner Crew Socks ($12), are an excellent (if somewhat fragile) lightweight sock that dries quickly and is exceptional at minimizing blisters.

In the $15-25 price range, you can find more natural materials like merino wool on wool/synthetic blends, as well thicker socks for more insulation and durability. The Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Cushion Socks ($21) are our top pick, thanks to the stink-proof merino and nylon blend. They’re also ridiculously durable — we’ve worn holes in them, but only after 500+ miles during thru-hikes.

If you’re looking for a sport-specific sock or one made with a more unique material, you could find yourself spending $30 or more. The priciest sock on our list, the United by Blue Bison Trail Socks will cost you $32, but they offer a blend of merino wool and bison down for an unparalleled blend of warmth and breathability.

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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