Good hiking shoes are not enough; you also need the right socks to go with them. Let’s look at how to choose hiking socks.
You have spent time choosing the best possible pair of hiking shoes, suited to your level and outings, but also comfortable enough to prevent blisters and chafing. But almost all that effort will be wasted if you do not also choose a good pair of socks to go with them. Without suitable socks, expect repeated blisters and hot spots. More or less comfortable, durable, thick, warm or high-cut, let’s look at the different criteria to help you choose the right pair of socks, get the most from your outings and limit the risk of blisters.
In all cases, remember to wear only clean socks in good condition; avoid worn or stretched-out socks. Why? Because every part of your foot needs to be covered so your skin is never in direct contact with the shoe, and because your socks must not form folds that increase the risk of friction. Choose socks with good support, without compressing the foot or calf, and that fit the shape of your foot perfectly. Finally, favour socks that offer good sweat wicking to keep your feet dry and reduce moisture as much as possible.
Check out our top picks for the best hiking socks too.
Choosing the material
The material of your hiking socks affects many important factors, including breathability, drying speed, warmth and even protection against the risk of blisters. Many different materials are used to make hiking socks, but your socks are rarely made from a single fibre; most often, they are made from a blend of two different materials. Let’s look at the materials available:
- Merino wool: it is mainly chosen for its ability to insulate against the cold. The higher the percentage of merino wool in your socks, the warmer they will be. However, there is no need to worry about overheating, as this material is also thermoregulating. Suitable for sensitive skin, merino wool is elastic and non-itchy (unlike basic wool); it is comfortable, soft and silky. Finally, as it is a natural fibre, it reduces the likelihood of unpleasant odours. However, compared with other synthetic materials, it is less resistant, more expensive, tends to lose its shape and wicks sweat less effectively.
- Synthetic fibres: to promote moisture transfer, several synthetic fibres have been developed by different manufacturers over the years. These include acrylic, nylon, elastane and polyester, which wick sweat better than wool, are more durable, provide adequate protection from the cold and dry quickly. However, synthetic materials have the significant drawback of encouraging unpleasant odours. This is why an antibacterial treatment can be used to limit this issue. While synthetic fibres are more resistant and wick sweat better than wool, wool remains warmer, which is why it can be very beneficial to combine merino wool with synthetic fibres.
- Cotton: for hiking, cotton has more drawbacks than benefits and is not really recommended. It is certainly a natural and fairly comfortable material that helps limit unpleasant odours, but it provides poor insulation against the cold, is abrasive and, above all, manages moisture poorly: it absorbs it and dries very slowly. Wet feet and moisture mean hot spots, possible blisters and even fungal infections. This is why it is always better when blended with other materials. In general, we recommend limiting its use to relatively easy, short summer hikes.
Choosing the height
Just as shoes come in different heights (low, mid and high), socks come in three different heights… and guess what: each sock height matches a shoe height. It could not be simpler. However, when choosing your socks, make sure they extend slightly above your shoe collar so your skin is not in direct contact with the shoe, preventing chafing. Choose socks that are the same height as, or higher than, your shoes. If your shoes are low or mid-cut, do not hesitate to choose higher socks for more protection and warmth. The choice mainly depends on the type of outing you are planning and the outside temperature.
Choosing the thickness
The thickness you choose for your hiking socks should depend on the terrain and the type of outing you are planning, as well as outside temperatures and the characteristics of your shoes.
In summary, remember that with the same materials, the thicker the socks, the more comfortable they are and the better they insulate against the cold. This also means you are more likely to sweat sooner.
If you are hiking in cold weather, or even snow, choose high, thick socks with a relatively high percentage of merino wool. If you are hiking in warm weather, avoid socks that are too thick, as they may make you sweat, but also avoid socks that are too thin, especially if you are walking in the mountains where feet tend to knock against the shoe walls. In general, socks that are too thin increase the likelihood of friction. In summer, choose medium-thickness socks with high breathability and sweat-wicking performance.
The details that make the difference
The material, height and thickness of hiking socks are very important criteria when choosing your socks, but they are not everything. Hiking sock construction is far more complex than it may seem at first, and there are many other details that should not be overlooked when buying. Here is a quick overview:
- Step-in comfort: socks need to be as comfortable as possible and pressure points should be kept to a minimum. What may seem like a minor annoyance when trying them on or during the first few minutes can quickly cause blisters or persistent pain during a hike. This is mainly why seams need to be flat, especially around the toes, and the cuff needs to be stretchy so the calf is not compressed.
Where possible, choose socks suited to the shape of your foot , which can vary depending on toe alignment, arch shape, foot width or volume. There are also pairs with specific left and right socks, which fit the foot shape even better but are less durable because they are not interchangeable and are therefore constantly stressed in the same areas.
- Support: while the calf should not be compressed, particularly for blood circulation, the sock must not slip down or slide under the toes either. This is why many socks feature support bands in different areas of the foot. This also depends on the material chosen and the shoe size, which must be correct. Hiking sock sizes are generally organised in ranges; if your exact size falls between two ranges, choose the lower range.
- Reinforcement zones: the more you practise, especially on steep and rugged terrain, the more important it is for your socks to have quality reinforcements. They improve durability, foot protection and reduce the risk of blisters. These reinforced zones are mainly located at the heel, which is particularly stressed uphill (note: the higher the shoe, the higher this reinforcement zone should be), and around the toes to prevent hot spots and absorb impacts against the shoe walls, especially downhill. Also note that a suitable material — fairly thick and cushioned, such as terry fabric or looped fabric — absorbs impacts effectively and reduces friction and pressure points.
- Breathable zones: they are essential for wicking sweat and reducing moisture inside the sock (and therefore the risk of blisters and unpleasant odours).
- Double-layer anti-blister socks: double-layer “anti-blister” socks are made from two layers of fabric placed on top of each other. This means friction occurs between the two fabric layers rather than between your foot and the sock. Not bad, right?
- Waterproof-breathable socks: and because progress never stops, technology has made it possible to develop a waterproof, breathable membrane suited to hiking socks. These socks are used with non-waterproof shoes on rainy hikes. We recommend keeping them in your backpack and only taking them out when it rains, as they are fairly stiff and still less breathable than conventional socks.
