10 Best Hiking Socks of 2024

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crews (men’s / women’s) are our number one pick for hiking socks: they’re comfortable, versatile, and built to last. If you’re looking for a stellar all-around sock for everything from day hikes and weekend backpacking trips to the longest thru-hikes in the world, the Hiker Micro Crews are our top choice.

These are the preferred hiking socks of CleverHiker Managing Editor, Ben Applebaum-Bauch. He’s hiked thousands of miles along the PCT, CDT, and several other long trails in the Light Micro Crews and they’ve never let him down. These socks are built to withstand the toughest conditions for months on end.

For hiking, they cover all the bases. Featuring low-profile seams, awesomely odor-resistant materials, and a snug fit that doesn’t slide down, this pair is a perfect fit.

The Light Micro Crews are comfortable from first try thanks to their very tight weave, which also gives them stellar durability. Though they’re a bit warmer and thicker than minimalist options on this list, we find these socks are still extremely breathable. 

Darn Tough socks are a bit expensive but well worth the money since they last trip after trip and are backed up by an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

Smartwool’s Performance Hike Light (men’s / women’s) socks have been at the top of our list for years. The Hike Lights offer a snug, anatomical fit with reinforced padding where you need it, and durable materials that breathe well.

The Hike Lights check every box we want in quality hiking socks. Like their name implies, this pair is lightweight and breathable, making them a great choice from fall until spring. And, even after long, hot days on trail, we’re impressed with how little they smell after they dry out.

We love durable socks, and the Hike Lights stand out thanks to the tough wool in the heel and toe, which substantially extends their lifespan. While these Smartwools aren’t quite as strong or long-lasting as the Darn Tough Micro Crews, they’re very close. Plus, if you wear them out and return them within two years, Smartwool will replace them.

The Hike Lights are a bit spendy, but they represent an awesome value and some of the highest quality hiking socks on this list. For those who prefer an option that’s a bit lighter and more breathable than Darn Toughs, this is a great alternative.

The REI Merino Hiking Crew Socks are comfy, warm, and an excellent value for outdoor adventures. They’re made with top-quality wool but cost less than those from other top brands.

The Hiking Crews have a great balance of padding and breathability, which makes them a cozy and versatile choice for long days on the trail, or for wearing as sleep socks on camping and backpacking trips. When temperatures are 55°F and below, the Hiking Crews are one of our go-to pairs.

Our only complaints about this REI model is typical of heavier wool socks: they’re hot for summer conditions, so if you’re spending time in soaring July temperatures, you’ll want to find a lighter option. We’ve found the Hiking Crews stretch out a bit over time, which means they can slide down when worn with low-cut shoes after a dozen uses.

But, neither of these issues are dealbreakers – these are a step ahead of the competition for merino wool. If you’re looking for a comfortable hiking sock without breaking the bank, you can’t go wrong with the Hiking Crews.

The Feetures’ Elite Light Cushion Quarter Socks are one of our all-time favorites for summer adventures in trail runners and hiking shoes where breathability and a tight fit are top priorities.

The Elite Lights are thin, stretchy, and fit snugly thanks to substantial compression around the center of the foot and at the ankles. Even after dozens of trail miles, we’ve found they stay smooth and wrinkle-free during activity.

The Elite Lights offer a bit of extra cushioning at the heel and toes. This padding in high-use areas makes them an excellent choice for hikes of any distance.

Like most thin socks, the Elite Lights won’t last as long as thicker, more durable options. We also find they fall a bit short when it comes to smell: the synthetic fabric holds onto stink a bit more than natural options like merino, so you may want to hang these to dry outside your tent.

However, when wicking socks are critical, the Elite Lights stand out for lightweight and rockstar breathability. Plus, they come in fun colors to match any style.

If your adventures involve romping deep in the mountains, off trail, and in cold temperatures, the Darn Tough Mountaineering Socks (men’s / women’s) are the burly backcountry socks of your dreams. They are ultra-durable, extremely cushy, and warm enough to handle the best – and worst – alpine conditions.

Gear Analyst, Ian Krammer, summited more than 500 Colorado peaks over 13,000’ in the Mountaineering Socks. With hundreds of days and nights in this model, Ian finds they are warm, comfortable, and durable enough to handle hundreds of rough miles year-round. From backcountry snowshoeing to summer bushwhacking to frigid nights camped near alpine lakes, these socks are built for the biggest adventures.

The Mountaineering Socks’ cushioning is one of the softest and comfiest options on the market. The fabric blend is merino wool with a durable but stretchy nylon, making them easy to put on and take off. They extend almost to the knee, perfect for use with tall hiking and mountaineering boots. But, they’re breathable up to 60°F, great for long days in the high country where temps can swing from warm to cold in the blink of an eye.

The Mountaineering Socks are bulky and thick compared to most socks on this list, making them a poor choice for low-elevation adventures, humid summer hikes, and water crossings. Also, due to the sheer amount of wool, the Mountaineering Socks are also one of the most expensive options we’ve reviewed.

However, they are a long-term investment in top-tier durability and warmth. If you want to keep your toes warm at altitude, this Darn Tough model will last many years and withstand hundreds of miles of rough use.

If you want a full-cushion hiking sock to keep you warm on cool weather adventures, look no further than the Darn Tough Hiker Full Cushion socks (men’s / women’s). These are warm, comfy, and cushy socks built for year-round use, from skiing and backpacking to day trips and travel.

CleverHiker Managing Editor, Ben Applebaum-Bauch, has taken the Hiker Full Cushions on thousands of miles of trails including the Oregon Coast Trail and North Country Trail. He loves them as dual-purpose socks for cold weather hiking and bedtime. Gear Analyst, Ian Krammer, also used the Full Cushions while hiking 25 Colorado 14ers and they kept him warm and blister-free on windy, cold alpine ridgelines.

The Hiker Full Cushions are strong, thick, and stylish socks built to last (some pairs have lasted us three or more seasons!). They’re versatile as an extra layer anytime the mercury dips during winter hikes, and are a great choice for staying warm around the fire, in our sleeping bags, or running errands on overcast days at home.

These are thick, full-cushion socks, so they’re a bit bulkier than others on this list, and they’re one of our last picks for hot summer hikes. That said, we always keep a pair of the Hiker Full Cushions around – they’re so comfy, snug, and durable, you’ll be reaching for them for years.

Balega’s Hidden Comfort Socks are simple, lightly padded, and some of the most breathable socks we’ve tested. We’re big fans of the cushy ankle tabs that prevent them from bunching up or sliding down while you’re hiking, running, and walking.

The Hidden Comforts are an all-time favorite of Dave Collins, founder of CleverHiker. He’s used these for over seven years of warm-season day hikes and thru-hikes in places like the JMT, Yosemite, the Sawtooths in Idaho, and Banff. These are Dave’s top recommendation for breathable, lightweight socks to pair with trail runners. 

The Hidden Comforts are as airy as socks get. Even though they’re 100% polyester, we love how well they breathe, keeping our feet cool and dry on strenuous summer hikes. If you want a synthetic fabric, the low cut and awesome ventilation of the Hidden Comforts will be a game changer.

The downside of polyester is that it doesn’t last as long as other fibers like nylon or wool blends, so we advise picking up several pairs to get you through a full season of hiking. Also, the very low cut and unique ankle tabs won’t suit everyone’s preferences.

The Hidden Comforts are an excellent, affordable choice as comfortable, low-cut socks for everyday use. Whether you’re repeating your favorite local trail or trekking deep into the backcountry, this Balega model is worth considering.

The Danish Endurance Unisex Merino 3-Pack are the best bang for your buck when it comes to merino wool socks. If you’re looking for budget-friendly socks tough enough to tackle long miles of backcountry hiking – or just walking the dog to the brewery on a July afternoon – these socks are up to the task.

The Unisex Merinos come in a set of three, but the price per pair makes them an outstanding value. These Danish Endurance models are a blend of merino with synthetic fibers, which we find breathable, comfortable, and soft. These socks aren’t only easy on your wallet – they’re stylish, too, with a variety of colorways and cushioned pads on the top, toes, and heel.

The Unisex Merinos aren’t the most durable or warm socks on our list. And, due to their synthetic fibers, they soak up more water (and dry much slower) than all-merino options. However, at this price point, we are very impressed with their performance for high-heart rate activities like short to medium length backpacking trips, day hikes with lots of miles, and daily use through spring, summer, and fall.