Travel + Leisure
The Best Hiking Socks
June 28, 2021
Blisters, wet feet, and cold toes are all symptoms of picking the wrong pair of hiking socks for your adventure — whether it’s a short jaunt down a local trail or a multi-day backpacking trip. Luckily, these are easily preventable problems if you’re armed with a little knowledge in advance.
You’ll want to keep material, height, comfort, and durability in mind while shopping for hiking socks. Many socks will do pretty well in all four categories, but depending on what kind of hike you’re heading out on, you might prefer one that excels in one area over another. When in doubt, remember this general rule: if you’re aware of your hiking socks, something is wrong! Overall, we find The Ultimate Bison Sock to be the most dependable choice for a durable hiking sock that’s comfortable enough for everyday wear. We also have favorites in the liner, compression, and low-cut categories if you’re looking for other options.
When it comes to hiking socks specifically for men or women, gender doesn’t really matter much in terms of performance needs. Most of the socks featured on this list are available in both men’s and women’s versions, and the men’s will often have a slightly wider fit.
