The Best Hiking Socks for the Comfort You Deserve on the Trail

• Materials: 70% merino wool, 29% nylon, 1% elastane
• Cushion: heavy

Smartwool may be the biggest name in technical hiking socks. It’s no surprise that its plush trekking model, built with full cushioning to provide support over miles and miles, is also incredibly comfortable. The sock has a heathered look that’s iconic among hikers and it’s equipped with all the additional features a hiker needs: a flat and minimal toe seam, light compression around the arch and of course, a very healthy dose of merino wool.

• Materials: 64% merino wool, 33% nylon, 3% Lycra spandex
• Cushion: Medium

The hallmark of all Darn Tough socks is their unmatched durability. These socks last forever — and if for whatever reason they don’t, Darn Tough has a simple lifetime warranty that allows you to trade them in for a brand-new pair with few questions asked.

But it’s not just that resilience that makes Darn Tough socks, and particularly the Hiker Boot Sock Cushion, great for multi-day and long-distance hiking — they’re comfy and warm, too. The Hikers are tall enough to accommodate supportive boots made for trekking and are knit with a merino wool blend so they’ll hold off going sour during long days on the trail.

• Materials: 62% Merino Wool, 34% Stretch Nylon, 2% Polyester, 2% Spandex
• Cushion: Medium

For a piece of clothing that’s so easily forgotten (and lost in the wash), hiking socks are expensive. But they’re also essential. That high price tag is a result of the technical materials and processes that go into making socks that are suitable for a lifetime of trail use. Wigwam has been making socks in Wisconsin for over 100 years, and its Merino hiking socks are a solid set that will meet most hikers’ needs mile after mile.

• Materials: 52% Merino, 42% AR nylon, 6% elastane
• Cushion: Medium; targeted

Our tester isn't typically a fan of ribbed cushioning in her socks, but Worn's T3 Hike Sock changed her mind. She was blown away by the fact that both sturdiness and thinness could coexist in one lightweight package — the boot-high cut is tall enough to protect ankles, and the Merino-blend fabric both breathes and warms. Our tester wore these on multiple 3-mile hikes, around the house and even on errands — they're that comfortable and well-made.

• Materials: 54% nylon, 43% merino wool, 3% Lycra spandex
• Cushion: Light

So much of hiking gear is made for the hardcore crowd, the thru-hikers and the folks who hit the trail at sunrise and don’t get back to the car until dusk. Darn Tough’s Light Hiker Micro Crew is perfectly suitable for that set, but it’s also an excellent choice for day hikers, hikers who hike in running shoes and hikers who might only go a few times a year (yes, even they should invest in the right socks).

To put it plainly, it’s a great sock for every type of hiker, thanks to a comfy fit, breathable nylon-merino construction and Darn Tough’s lifetime warranty.

• Materials: 39% organic cotton, 25% polyester, 16% recycled cotton, 13% hemp biofiber, 6% rubber, 1% spandex
• Cushion: Light

As the new kid on the block, Arvin Goods doesn't have heritage to lean on — however, it does have style, breathability and comfort. The Hemp Biofiber Performance crew blends organic cotton, polyester, recycled cotton and hemp to create a lightweight, hard-working sock that gets softer every time you wash it. The ribber cuff provides a secure fit and is soft to the touch. Upon wearing, we discovered the sock is neither too thick nor too thin: it's just right.

• Materials: 57% merino wool, 40% nylon, 3% Lycra spandex
• Cushion: Light

Product and material origin is important. Farm to Feet, owned and operated by the Nester Hosiery in North Carolina, may be the only company making hiking socks with a supply chain that’s 100 percent made in the United States. (Many other brands do build their finished products here with materials that are sourced abroad; most merino wool, for instance, comes from New Zealand and Australia.) The Damascus is a great example of what that supply chain can produce: a technical hiking sock with targeted cushioning and compression that’s ideal for hikes both long and short. It’s also available in a quarter-length model.

• Materials: 50% merino wool, 40% nylon, 7% polyester, 3% Lycra
• Cushion: Hybrid; extra cushioning on toe, arch, heel and ankle cuff

You can’t really go wrong with FITS socks — every pair is incredibly comfortable and hard-wearing. But when it comes to ticking off the miles as fast as possible, its new Light Performance Trail sock is unbeatable. The sock features a slightly taller hybrid cuff that’s built out just enough to guard your ankles (and shoe interior) against sticks, rocks, snow and any other debris you might kick up as you make your way towards your destination. These socks also fit incredibly well (as if the brand name couldn’t have been more of a clue); they hug the foot snugly without feeling restrictive and breath well with venting on the top of the foot.

• Materials: 62% polyamide, 29% Tempcontrol polyester, 9% Lycra spandex
• Cushioning: Supportive

If you're the type that likes a little compression on your hikes, pick up a pair of Lasso Gear's performance socks. Available in an array of colors and prints, Lasso's appeal goes beyond the surface; its patented compression patterns have been shown to support the ankle, foot and arch, reduce muscle fatigue and soreness and improve muscle recovery. Tempcontrol polyester wicks away moisture, and SmartSupport compression keeps you hiking, biking or whatever you choose to do that day.

• Materials: 55% spun silk, 44% nylon, 1% spandex
• Cushion: None

Liner socks are divisive; either you like them or you don’t. Liners are thin, lightweight socks typically worn as a layer underneath regular hiking socks. Their purpose is to keep your feet dry by wicking away moisture and to prevent blisters by reducing the friction on your skin with an added layer. As with any layering system, everyone has his or her own approach and there’s no solution to suit all hikers, but if you are thinking of trying a liner, REI’s silk and nylon model is a solid place to start.

• Materials: 64% NuWool, 33% nylon, 3% Lycra
• Cushion: Medium

Yes, Injinji’s separated toe design is definitely different, but it’s also ideal for hiking. Separated toes mean less rubbing and friction from skin-to-skin contact, which in turn means fewer blisters. The style can feel strange at first, but it doesn’t take long to get used to and is actually incredibly comfortable. Like any high-quality hiking sock, Injinji’s is constructed with supportive arch compression, a mesh top and, yet again, merino wool. If you can’t get past the look, just remember: once your feet are in your boots, nobody will be the wiser.

• Materials: Merino wool and Rayon
• Cushion: Light

Feetures specializes in running socks, so it’s no surprise that these socks are built to tackle any climbs you have planned as well as trail runs that turn into full-day hiking adventures. The ultralight feel is durable enough to hold up to dirt, mud and rain, while still protecting your piggies from blisters. Plus, the anti-odor properties are always a good performance addition that helps for those sweaty workouts.

• Materials: 80% Nylon, 15% Spandex, 5% Elastic
• Cushion: Medium

Heading out for a weekend getaway, and planning on fitting in a hike? Bring these comfy and minimal running socks with you — they double as a hiking sock for <5 mile treks, and the speed tabs pull double-duty as an efficient way to get the socks on and off, and also as an ankle guard to prevent blisters. Make sure to wear these with hiking shoes, not boots — your ankles will thank you later. If you're low on luggage space but want to make sure you've got comfort wherever you go, these are an easy addition to any pack.