Hiking Sock Comparison Table
| Sock | Price | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Darn Tough Micro Crew | $24 | 61% merino, 36% nylon, 3% spandex |
| Smartwool Run Zero Cushion | $19 | 46% merino wool, 51% nylon, 3% elastane |
| REI Coolmax EcoMade Lightweight | $14 | 77% Coolmax EcoMade, 22% nylon, 1% spandex |
| Darn Tough Hiker Full-Cushion | $27 | 66% merino wool, 32% nylon, 2% Lyrcra |
In this post
Which material is best for your hiking socks?
Wool
Wool: Wool is the most popular hiking sock material and the one that our footwear specialists recommend above all others. It regulates temperature well to keep your feet from getting sweaty and it provides cushioning.
What’s the difference between hiking socks and regular socks?
Hiking socks are essential to ensure you have the most comfortable hike possible. Unlike a regular cotton sock, hiking socks will keep your feet dry, less sweaty and cushioned, which in turn stops painful blisters from forming as your shoe rubs against the back of your foot while you walk.
What are best socks for hiking cold weather?
The Best Winter Hiking Socks – List
- Smartwool Medium Hiking Crew.
- SealSkinz Trekking Thick Mid.
- Falke TK2.
- Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full-Cushion.
- Icebreaker Hike Heavy Crew.
Why are Smartwool socks so good?
It was soft (softer than any wool they had ever felt), moisture-wicking, thermoregulating (warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s warm), sustainable, and odor-neutralizing—helping to keep feet dry, comfortable, and warm for longer than the synthetic socks they were wearing at the time.
What are the best quality socks made of?
Best sock materials for every need
| Need | Best sock material |
|---|---|
| Comfort and cushioning | Cotton, Wool, Merino, Cashmere, Bamboo |
| Durability | Cotton, Bamboo, Polyester, Spandex, Nylon, Polypropylene |
| Sweat and wick moisture | Bamboo, Cotton, (some) Polyester, Polypropylene |
| Insulation and warmth | Wool, Merino, Cashmere, Cotton |
Are bamboo socks good for hiking?
As bamboo fibre is a tough, yet wonderfully soft fibre, your feet will be well protected while on your weekend treks into the wilderness. Keeping your feet cool and dry is also pretty important if you are doing physical activity, like hiking, treking or any outdoor activity really.
Do you need special hiking socks?
A hiking sock is crucial to prevent blisters. A hiking sock, unlike a wimpy, stinky cotton sock, won’t constantly rub against the back of your foot and provides significant protection against rubbing that your boot might cause.
Can I wear running socks for hiking?
So long as you’ve got the right size, they’re on correctly and they aren’t inhibiting blood flow, then it’s fine to wear your compression socks all day.
Are regular socks okay for hiking?
Why Regular Socks Are Terrible for Hiking. Most regular socks are usually made of a blend of cotton with some elastic materials thrown in for stretch. While cotton socks are good enough for most everyday activities and even short hikes, they are pretty terrible for long hikes.
Should you wear 2 pairs of socks when hiking?
However, wearing two socks can help. The inner sock helps reduce friction with your foot. There is still friction occurring – it is just between the two pairs of socks and not your skin and the sock. The inner sock also helps wick away moisture from the foot.
What is special about hiking socks?
Unlike regular socks that you might wear to the gym, hiking-specific socks are made with materials that can help keep your feet warm and comfortable as you walk. They’re also generally more durable than classic cotton socks so they can withstand the rigors of the trail.
Is merino wool best for hiking?
Merino wool is known for its breathability, temperature regulation, odor-resistance and soft, non itchy feel. Because of that it’s highly appreciated among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts who need high performance clothing for their demanding trips.
Is Smartwool and Merino wool the same?
The company makes eponymous products primarily from treated merino wool. Smartwool claims that this is a proprietary treatment that makes its products itch-free and resistant to shrinking.
Are more expensive socks worth it?
We say yes as you’ll save more in the long run by buying a higher-quality and longer-lasting sock (such as those from Tall Order). You won’t need to refresh as often as you do with cheaper socks that fray and wear down after only a few wears. Think of this as an investment in your comfort.
Can Smartwool socks be machine washed?
Washing Merino wool Smartwool® products is generally okay, but it’s important to check the tag on each garment for best results. Turn socks and garments inside out. Machine-wash on gentle cycle in warm or cool water (avoid hot water as heat may shrink wool).
Who makes high quality socks?
We recommend these six best sock brands you probably have never heard of – United By Blue, Darn Touch, Little River Sock Mill, Swiftwick and Teko Socks and Almi Apparel. For athletes who want to pair their socks with improved biomechanics through firm arch support, add Tread Labs Pace insoles to your shoes.
What blend of socks is best?
If you had to choose just one fabric for socks, we recommend it be a polyester blend. Polyester is durable, long-lasting, and integrates well with other synthetic fabrics, such as nylon for stretch and flexibility, and olefin for moisture control.
Is it better to wear cotton or polyester socks?
Durability: As a sock fabric, polyester is much stronger and more durable than cotton or wool. This means that polyester socks don’t just last longer; they also hold their original shape better.
Are bamboo socks worth it?
There are so many benefits of bamboo socks! They’re naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic, thermo-regulating and wick away moisture to keep feet fresh and dry. They’re also eco-friendly because bamboo plants are carbon-neutral, self-regenerating, fast-growing and need less water.
Can you get 100% bamboo socks?
Bamboo socks are naturally antibacterial and help to wick moisture and sweat away. These benefits are just a few of the many advantages why people purchase bamboo socks which are made from 100% natural bamboo material.