When it comes to walking and hiking, the age-old Army saying "Look after your feet and the rest will look after itself" couldn't be more true. There’s nothing more crucial to enjoying a long hike than having comfortable, warm walking socks. Hiking boots are one of the most important bits of kit you can buy, but it’s easy to forget that they don’t work very well if you’re wearing rubbish socks – good-quality walking socks are just important as good boots.
Why do you need hiking-specific socks? Your feet sweat more and are far more likely to chafe or blister on long hikes than in day-to-day life, and even the best hiking boots can be tough, tight and heavy on hard-working feet.
The best walking socks will wick away sweat, keep your feet cool and dry, and prevent chafing with wicking wool and cushioned panels. Just like when buying boots, it’s worth spending money on a few well-made pairs. Expensive walking socks can start to sound pretty technical – offering temperature regulation, blister prevention, even full waterproofing – but we’ve broken down exactly what to look for in our guide below, and selected six of the best pairs to suit most budgets and all seasons.
Care for your hiking socks and prolong their life by turning them inside out before cleaning and wash them on a low temperature then leave them flat to dry.
READ NEXT: Best hiking shoes
How to buy the best walking socks for you
How to get the right fit?
Hiking socks are often sold either by shoe size or in grouped sizes (i.e 4-6). Make sure you’ve picked a pair of male or female-specific socks, or if they’re unisex, that they’re the right size for you.
It’s essential that you try a new pair of hiking socks on at home with your hiking boots before you venture outdoors for the first time, as ensuring your hiking socks fit just right is more important than you might think. Too tight socks are very uncomfortable and can make you sweat even more, too loose can cause blisters, chafing and slipping about. It's personal preference as to how long your new pair of socks is, but we favour socks that can be pulled well up above your boots so that they don’t slip down – look for comfortable, elasticated tops for the best results.
What key features should you look for?
First up, you need to pick the right material. The thin cotton socks you might wear with trainers won’t usually cut it unless it’s a warm day and you aren’t walking very far. Better than cotton for hot tropical hikes are silk socks, but these are thin and easily worn out.
For proper hiking over fair distances in most weather merino wool is the best choice; it’s warm and soft but strong, and merino wool also wicks away sweat and is antibacterial. Merino tends to be more expensive than normal wool socks, but we reckon it’s worth it.
Normal wool socks are cheaper and still a very good choice for hiking socks but can be too warm when worn in spring and summer – pick thick wool for winter and thinner wool or merino wool for warmer weather. If you pick a thick pair of wool socks make sure you try them on with your boots before you head out on a walk, to check they don’t make your boots too tight.
You’ll also find IsoCool socks on the market. These are quick to dry and very breathable, so are also a good choice in summer or if you tend to overheat and get sweaty feet. If you’re planning on hiking in horrible weather, waterproof socks such as Sealskinz are a good choice, creating a barrier from rain and snow.
The best hiking socks have added padding on the heel and toe areas, keeping these easily blistered areas padded and comfortable. Look for socks with seamless toe boxes and flat seams as they tend to rub less and avoid irritating the inside of your boots.
We’d always recommend picking hiking-specific socks over general outdoors or sports socks. But in winter conditions we have also found that thinner ski socks work very well for hiking too, if you don’t mind a longer length (a plus in our book, as long ski socks keep your calves warmer), as they tend to be very well padded to protect feet from cold and stiff ski boots.
READ NEXT: Best walking shoes
The best walking socks you can buy
1. Sealskinz waterproof thick trekking socks: Best for rainy days and extreme conditions
Price: From £28.99 | Buy now from Amazon
You might think £42 is a lot for a pair of sock. But Sealskinz trekking socks are actually worth it; they are completely wind and waterproof, so you can stride out in the elements without getting sodden feet.
Merino wool keeps them soft, cosy and odour-free for longer, and well-designed deep padding around toes and heels stop any blisters in their tracks. Invest in a pair if you’re planning a big winter adventure or spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors in any weather. As the name suggests, they are on the thick side so check they fit well inside your boots before you head for the hills.
Key specs: Material: Nylon and merino wool; Waterproofing: Yes; Recommended season: Autumn/winter; Padding: Heel, toe and footbed
2. Snugpak Merino wool technical socks from Outdoor GB: Best for hikers on a budget
Price: From £12 | Buy now from Amazon
A great pair of socks with merino wool that leaves change for a tenner is a rare beast, which makes Snugpak’s technical socks our best choice for people hiking on a budget.
If your feet tend to slip and slide around in your hiking boots you’ll like the light grip on the bottom, which you can’t feel through the sock but helps keep your foot in place on rocks and varied terrain. We liked how stretchy Snugpak’s socks are – they feel like they mold nicely to your feet – but did find we overheated in hot weather, so these are best kept for autumn and winter wear.
Key specs: Material: Merino wool, polypropylene; Waterproofing: No; Recommended season: Autumn/winter; Padding: Toe box and heel
3. Bridgedale Active Light hiker socks from Blacks: Best for all-round hiking in warmer weather
Price:£15 | Buy now from Blacks
Bridgedale’s Active Light is perfect for hiking and walking from spring through to late autumn (we’d recommend swapping to a warmer merino wool sock for winter, such as Bridgedale’s TrailBlaze sock).
We love how luxuriously soft these light socks, knitted in Britain since the first World War, feel, but they also perform well technically, with deep padding on the heels and toes and thinner vent sections to stop your feet overheating. The only downside? The pale colourways do start to look dirty fast.
Key specs: Material: COOLMAX polyester and cotton; Waterproofing: No; Recommended season: Spring/summer/autumn; Padding: Heel and toe
4. Darn Tough micro crew cushion socks: Best for long use
Price: From £19 | Buy now from Amazon
Darn Tough’s socks have been designed with durability in mind, and should last a lot longer than other hiking socks. A comfy yet durable combo of merino wool and nylon can take hard use but stays wicking, soft and breathable.
They work brilliantly for hiking and come in cheerful, fun colours. And then there’s that brilliant commitment to swapping them for a new pair if they do happen to fall apart. Top marks.
Key specs – Material: Merino wool and nylon; Waterproofing: No; Recommended season: Autumn/winter/spring; Padding: Toe and heel boxes
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion Socks - Women's Moss/Eggplant Medium by Darn Tough
5. Decathlon Simond mountaineering socks: Best for mountain hiking
Price: £13 | Buy now from Decathlon
A simple, comfortable and effective sock for glacier hiking, mountaineering and skiing, Decathlon’s warm and versatile long sock is a useful addition to your active sports sock draw (you have one of those, right?).
We like wearing a longer sock like this for extra warmth in winter, and this one is a rare beast in that it stays up but doesn’t dig into your skin. Plus, they’re seriously comfortable and stay in shape even after years of hiking and skiing. Perhaps more prone to odours than other socks we tested, so wash regularly.
Key specs: Material: Wool and polyester; Waterproofing: No; Recommended season: Autumn/winter; Padding: Toe box and shin
6. Rohan trekking socks: Best for regulating temperature
Price: From £9 | Buy now from Rohan
Rohan takes all the guesswork out of buying socks for the right season by creating a different model designed for each one. Figure out what temperature you’ll be wearing yours in and then you can choose from cold, temperate and warm socks in different lengths and colours.
They all blend merino wool for its antibacterial properties and softness but at different weights to vary the warmth, and all of them have great padded heel and toe boxes. We found Rohan’s socks tough and long lasting, and they stood up well to washing. If you hike year round, buy a pair for every season.
Key specs: Material: Merino wool and polyamide; Waterproofing: No; Recommended season: Any; Padding: Toe and heel