Why hiking socks

And while polyester may keep you cool, we are yet to find an option that doesn't start stinking rather quickly. Darn Tough's Micro Crew Cushion socks, for example, are around 61 percent merino but the weave is denser, and they tend to hold their shape better and last longer. Polyester In general, we strongly prefer merino wool over polyester.

Merino is known for its natural antimicrobial properties, whereas polyester socks hold stink in a serious way this alone has us firmly in the merino camp. Moreover, merino wool is a naturally sourced material, whereas polyester is made from plastic fibers. That said, polyester does have a couple of redeeming qualities. For one, it is highly durable, lasting longer than pure merino. In addition, it does not soak up water to the extent that merino does, allowing it to dry faster.

And some of the Coolmax models like the Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew provide excellent breathability for adventuring in hot conditions. Finally, for those looking for synthetic material that is kind to the environment, check out Coolmax EcoMade seen in the REI Co-op Coolmax EcoMade Lightweight , a polyester made from recycled plastic bottles.

Sock manufactures offer a variety of thicknesses designed for everything from summer hiking to mountaineering. For the purposes of this section, we are evaluating overall sock thickness ultralight, lightweight, midweight, etc. For three-season hiking, backpacking, and casual wear, we recommend the lightweight versions, which provide solid levels of padding and insulation for temperatures from approximately 40 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The downside is that ultralight socks are thin on the foot and offer significantly less padding and blister protection than lightweight and midweight socks. For winter hiking and mountaineering, the major brands make midweight and heavyweight options that provide much more warmth than the lightweight versions.

Keep in mind that these burly socks are overkill for three-season hiking and casual use. Crew Socks Crew is the most common hiking sock height, which extends 6 to 8 inches above the heel and at a least a couple of inches above just about any pair of hiking boots.

This style also crosses over well to wear with running shoes. No-Show Socks Even lower than quarter-length are no-show socks. However, keep in mind that no-show socks have a greater chance of letting in trail debris like gravel or dirt, and a poor fit could lead to rubbing along your heel and ankles. Over-the-Calf Socks As their name implies, over-the-calf socks rise higher than crew socks to just below the knee. By covering more of your leg, they can be a great option for hiking off-trail through high grass or brush, or in cases where you need extra warmth.

However, in most scenarios, crew socks should provide ample coverage and protection. Compression is a bit of a buzz word among outdoor athletes these days, praised for its ability to help with muscle recovery and reduce overall fatigue. In the hiking realm, some trekkers find compression socks helpful when covering long distances or traveling in cold weather, as the added support can help alleviate soreness and encourage blood flow.

We included one compression model on our list above—the Sockwell Circulator —which is a nice match for those who want a bit of added snugness and security on the trail. After countless miles on the trail, our observations on hiking sock comfort are as follows: Darn Tough makes the best overall hiking socks taking into account comfort and durability, but they have a slightly thicker and denser feel than Smartwool. There also are a handful of up-and-comers like Stance that are a slight step down in overall comfort but have more attractive styling that many hikers appreciate.

Our REI socks have held up fairly well, but they seem to loosen over time. Virtually all wool socks have issues with pilling, which can be lessened by line drying. If you have a few pairs in the rotation, you can expect most hiking socks to last at least a couple of seasons if not more.

We have multiple pairs in our sock drawer that are used both for outdoor adventures and around town, and we rarely have to replace them. The focus on sustainability has been increasing in the outdoor industry over the past several years, and hiking socks are no exception. In this category, there currently are two key trends: wool that is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard RWS and the use of recycled materials.

All in all, we appreciate these efforts and are eager to see more brands come on board. Liner socks are also notably thin, which translates to a shorter lifespan than your regular socks and more care required.

In the end, with the quality of hiking socks improving so significantly, liner socks are becoming less and less common for hiking and backpacking. Worn under your hiking socks, liner socks bear many similarities to the models above but are thinner and generally cost around half the price. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Not too long ago, hiking socks were very different. Serious hikers usually wore loose fitting thick wool socks that tended to become more and more loose and rag-like, even after only a few hikes.

Hiking socks are an essential piece of hiking equipment. All of those miles and all of those steps have to be done on your own two feet.

Anything that you can do to make your feet happier will make you happier. Modern hiking socks are designed to help in everyway they can. This is done by using a knit terry technique that loops the yarn and produces a thicker pile. The thickness is something that is noticeable right away when you first look at the socks. Sometimes the thicker parts are different colors which makes it all the more noticeable.

Hiking socks also use a very dense weave that adds even more cushioning as well as strength to the sock. In the old-style wool socks, the loose weave spread apart easily and holes appeared quickly. Note: Some socks have categories for the amount of cushioning they have — everything from no cushioning at all good for a liner sock to thick cushioning best for a long backpacking trip with a heavy pack. What on earth is a liner sock? Good hiking socks are made from high-quality Merino wool.

There are other types of wool, but Merino wool named for the breed of sheep from whence it comes , is both soft and dense. But before plunking down money for a hiking sock, read the "sizing guide. But that's just a general rule. To avoid purchasing an ill-fitting sock, read the sock's sizing guide first.

Hking socks typically come in three thicknesses : lightweight, medium weight and heavy weight. Smartwool, and a few other sock manufacturers, also make an extra-thick style called a " trekking style.

How thick a sock to buy depends on when you hike and personal preferences. However, here's a few general guidelines:. For most hiking, I find the medium weight sock the most versatile.

Still, for winter hiking or for a "lounging around the home" during the winter type sock, the trekking style of Smartwool socks work superbly. Since hiking socks vary significantly in thickness, how well a particular style of sock fits your shoe is variable greatly dependent on how tight your shoe or boot already is. In general, I've noticed the following:. Hiking socks come in a wide variety of colors.

For hiking, choose whatever colors meets your fancy. Just remember, a "darker sock" is better at hiding dirt than lighter socks are. While this isn't a consideration for day hiking, for overnight hikers the ability to "hide the dirt" often comes in handy.

Quality hiking socks are widely available, both online and off. However, don't look for them at your local big-box store. I've never found a pair of Smartwool or other quality hiking socks at Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl's or similar stores.

Instead, the best place to purchase quality hiking socks is at specialty outdoor sporting good stores. Online, many specialized outdoor retailers sell hiking socks. The first retailer I'd suggest visiting is Amazon. They carry the full assortment of Smartwool hiking socks, as well as other quality hiking socks from Thorlo's and Wigwam.

There are other fabrics that absorb water like cotton, thus making them a poor choice for hiking socks. Avoid these materials when searching for socks:. Wicking fabrics will move water away from your skin to the outer layers of the fabric, thus keeping you dry. Think polyester, spandex, and nylon. These materials will provide comfort, keep you warm, keep their shape, and dry fast.

Some things to know:. Cocona fabric is made from coconut shells and is known for its fast-drying ability and incredible durability—you can wash these socks hundreds of times without losing shape or wearing them out. If you want another natural fabric to replace cotton, consider merino wool.

And, wool dries out incredibly fast. Your best bet is to find socks that have merino wool blended with other synthetics to create a moisture-wicking sock that is also insulating. People Socks merino wool hiking socks are another popular option, especially for hiking in cold weather, also available on Amazon here.

Not necessarily. You can still have some cotton in your sock. There are new fabric blends that fuse cotton with other synthetic fibers to reduce water absorption and increase drying time. Check out:. You want socks that keep you dry, and keep you warm and cool!