10 Best Hiking Socks Our Testers Loved Wearing

A tester wears a pair of Darn Tough hiking socks on a day hike (pictured).

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly evaluates a wide variety of sock types, so you can trust we've done the research and testing needed to find the best of the best. In the past year, our analysts and product experts have rigorously tested more than 100 different sock styles, including 20 different hiking-specific options. We considered more than 19,000 data points for this roundup of the best hiking socks.

In the Lab, our analysts evaluated aspects like dimensional stability, washability, abrasion resistance, moisture-wicking and construction, using specialized laboratory equipment and industry-standard testing methodology.

Out on the trails, more than 100 consumer testers across the country wore the socks during short day hikes and long backpacking trips. Testers of different shoe sizes and experience levels then shared their feedback on how the socks performed over time, rating the cushioning, fit, temperature-regulation, overall comfort ,and more.

Before shopping for hiking socks, you need to know which hiking shoes or boots you'll be wearing them with, since this will determine the best height for your socks. You should also have a sense of what type of climate you'll be hiking in: Cold-weather hikes require thicker, heavy-duty socks, while summer treks call for breathable, lightweight styles.

✔️ Height: Hiking socks are available in multiple heights, and the best option depends on your personal preference and the type of shoes you're wearing. Common hiking sock lengths include no-show, ankle, quarter, micro-crew, crew and knee-high. If you're wearing hiking boots, stick with micro-crew or higher, as you don’t want the tops of the boots to touch your skin (or else you run the risk of painful blisters around your calves and ankles).

✔️ Thickness: Hiking socks are available in different degrees of thickness and bottom cushioning. These are the most common thickness levels and the conditions they’re best for:

• Heavy: These are the warmest type of socks with the thickest cushioning. Keep in mind that heavyweight socks don’t wick moisture as well as lighter styles, so tread carefully if you have sweaty feet. Heavy socks are best for cold weather or longer treks.
  
• Medium: Expect mid-level cushioning with moderate breathability and moisture-wicking. Medium-weight socks are best for fall or spring weather.
• Light: You'll get a little less cushioning but more breathability and moisture-wicking benefits than medium- and heavyweight picks. These are ideal for most weather conditions.
  
• Ultralight: With its minimal padding for easy movement, an ultralight sock is best for hot summer weather or to afford you more flexibility within your shoe.

✔️ Material: Hiking socks typically use a blend of materials, including essential synthetics and stretchy spandex. If you have sweaty feet in particular, look for hiking socks that use moisture-wicking materials like merino wool fibers, polyester, or nylon. (Moisture and sweat build-up can cause your skin to soften, making it more prone to developing blisters, too.) Here are the most common hiking sock materials:

• Wool: The most popular material for hiking socks, as it's moisture-wicking and provides insulation in cooler climates. Merino wool is softer than traditional wool, so it is considered the absolute best choice for hiking socks, but it is more expensive. Just avoid 100% wool socks: They don't have the best structure and won't stay snug on your feet during a hike.
• Cotton: Although not moisture-wicking, cotton is sometimes used in hiking socks because it has a soft feel that's loved by many. We recommend avoiding 100% cotton hiking socks, though, as they'll feel very sweaty after a long hike.
• Polyester or nylon: These synthetic fibers are usually found in hiking socks as part of a fiber blend. Both are known for their moisture-wicking capabilities and are often used to create the foundational shell of the sock's body.
• Spandex: Known for its stretch, spandex helps ensure a comfortable yet secure fit on your feet.

✔️ Proper fit: Making sure your sock fits properly is the best way to avoid blisters or discomfort mid-hike. After purchasing new hiking socks, put your boots on and test the socks by walking around the house and up stairs. You want the sock to be snug on your whole foot, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. There should be no bunching inside the boot, especially by the ankle, and no seams that rub or create uncomfortable pressure points.

✔️ Easy care: After sweating on a long hike, you want to make sure your hiking socks are machine washable. Most brands recommend washing hiking socks inside out to keep them in pristine condition longer.

While shopping for hiking socks, you've likely noticed that certain styles are unisex while others are available in men's and women's versions. But does it really matter?

There is an anatomical difference between men's and women's feet and those variations can be important when it comes to shoes, but when it comes to socks, there's typically a bit more leeway. While some brands do design socks based on certain gender-based commonalities, including foot length, width, and heel shape, the main difference often boils down to a slight variation in height (pictured) and the available color offerings. In short: There are no major deviations in performance between "men's" and "women's" hiking socks.

Overall, when shopping for socks, it's more important to check sizing charts than to rely on gender-specific fit options. Often, women with larger feet may find so-called men's hiking socks to be a better fit, while men with smaller feet might prefer women's hiking socks.

Senior Textiles Analyst Grace Wu has tested over 100 socks in the Lab and worked with hundreds of consumer testers for firsthand feedback on performance. An avid hiker herself, she personally rotates between Darn Tough and Smartwool. Wu holds a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University.

Emma Seymour, the associate director of the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, wrote the original version of this article. With a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience with athletic wear, as well as a hands-on background in proper garment fit and construction, thanks to her product development experience.