The Best Hiking Socks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

These are a crowd-pleaser for backpackers and day hikers alike. We found them to be the perfect height for wearing with hiking boots (popping up just an inch or so above the collar), but not too excessive to wear with lower-top hiking shoes. The crew-height stays up well without shifting around, and the Merino makes up just under half of the composite, which is enough to resist odors and feel soft on feet without compromising material strength. 

They come in fun colors and have just the right amount of under-foot cushion to feel comfortable without the bulk of excessively padded. The toes and heels are seamless and reinforced, which helps prevent hot spots and blisters as well as adding durability. You can grab a pair of these hiking socks for men and women in simple colorways or with fun patterns like these cute bears. 

The Details: Size S-L Women’s, M-XXL Men’s | Nylon, Merino, and elastane | Micro crew

For warm-weather hikes, look no further than these lightweight, breathable socks made with ultra-soft rayon from bamboo. These have been our go-to socks for summer hikes, and are perfect for wearing with trail running shoes or low-top hiking shoes. We prefer this lower height for warm days, and the micro-crew height still protects our ankles from overgrown trails (and bugs) without feeling constricting. The blend of Merino, bamboo rayon, and nylon is light and breathable, plus they have natural moisture- and odor-resisting properties. We were also impressed with the built-in support that we really felt over the duration of a 10-plus mile hike.

The Details: Size S-L | Bamboo, Merino, nylon, and elastane | Micro crew

When we need a pair of hiking socks with lots of underfoot cushioning, this is the pair we turn to whether you’re shopping for women’s sizes or men’s sizes. The arch, toes, and heels have a dense layer of wool reinforcement that feels both protective and perfect for cold-weather hikes, adding an extra layer of insulation from the ground. These didn’t slip around in our boots and shoes, and we’ve worn them for many miles and put them through many wash cycles and have yet to see any snags or pilling. 

Smartwool recently updated this line (formerly PhD Outdoors) to include more sustainable materials and better durability through the foot-mapped mesh zoning. Finally, the crew height is our go-to for cooler weather, adding a layer of warmth and protection without going overboard. 

The Details: Size S-L Women’s, M-XXL Men’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Crew

With their durable seamless construction, quality Merino wool, and Darn Tough’s lifetime warranty, we can’t get enough of this brand. That said, you probably won’t need the lifetime warranty thanks to how incredibly durable these socks in women’s and men’s sizes have proven to be. Our tester wore these for six weeks while hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, relying on handwashing and air-drying and the socks still look great. He even wore these underneath hiking sandals on later days when he wanted to give his feet a rest from bulkier boots, and they survived the rocky, dusty trails without issue. The high-density knitting makes them both well-padded and supportive, while the combination of materials helps them to feel breathable and sweat-wicking.

The Details: Size S-L Women’s, M-XXL Men’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Micro crew

For longer hikes or anywhere the ground might be rocky or rooty, having extra cushioning underfoot is never a bad thing, and we found these socks in men’s and women’s sizes to be extra comfortable on long hikes when we might feel fatigue after extended time on our feet or when carrying a heavier pack.

We’ve also worn them for multiple days in a row during hot summer weather without washing them and found them to be remarkably odor-resistant thanks to the high percentage of Merino. These are also well mapped, with different support zones for the ankle, instep, and underfoot cushioning. 

The Details: Size S-L Women’s, S-XL Men’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Crew

By far the softest socks on our list, Paka’s combination of tencel and ultra-fine alpaca fibers are an absolute joy to wear and have even become our go-to socks for wandering around the house. They have the perfect amount of support that we want from a sock without feeling too loose or too tight, and the slightly extended height helps prevent sagging and still feels sweat-wicking and breathable despite the taller height. Paka also has an emphasis on sustainable sourcing, and all of their alpaca fibers are traceable. As a bonus, we love the fun designs that peek over the top of our boots. 

The Details: Size M-L | Alpaca, tencel, nylon, and elastane | Crew

Compression socks aren’t for everyone, but most people won’t even notice the added compression in the Aspire Knee High Socks during shorter outings. These don’t feel as tight as a more aggressive compression sock, but you get the benefit of reduced fatigue from the light compression. That said, these will feel restrictive after wearing them for extended periods of time, and we’ve enjoyed them mostly on shorter outings or any time when we’re really getting our heart rate up. Not to mention, the taller height provides more protection for our calves on narrow or overgrown trails. 

The Details: Size S-XL | Terry loop, olefin, nylon, and spandex | Knee-high

For anyone who prefers low-top hiking shoes over boots, these lightweight, breathable socks are an excellent option in fun colors and both men’s and women’s sizes. The seamless toes help eliminate hot spots and bulk in the front of our shoes, and we were happy to report zero bunching, which means they have a tight weave and accurate fit. We’ve worn these for many hikes over multiple seasons and haven’t noticed any wear and tear even after months of washes and wears. These have a higher percentage of Merino than others, which does make them softer and more plush (so they might be too bulky to wear with tight-fitting boots and shoes).

The Details: Size S-L Women’s, M-XXL Men’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Micro crew