We know what you’re thinking. Are special summer socks for hiking really necessary, or are they just a rip-off? Everyday socks are just as effective, right?
Wrong.
A hiking sock is the most important piece of hiking gear that can make or break your outdoor experience. Let’s put it this way. If you’ve worn a shoe that pinches for a whole day, multiply that experience by infinity, which means hot spots and blisters.
Investing in a good-quality pair of socks with the right amount of cushioning is the key to a comfortable, pain-free hike. Here’s the ultimate guide to choosing the best summer hiking socks for outdoor adventures.
Table of contents
- Best Summer Hiking Socks Overall
- Best Ankle-Length Hiking Socks for Men
- Best Crew Hiking Socks for Men
- Best Over-the-Calf Hiking Socks for Men
- Best Ankle-Length Hiking Socks for Women
- Best Crew Hiking Socks for Women
- Best Over-the-Calf Hiking Socks for Women
- Best Ankle-Length Hiking Socks for Kids
- Best Crew Hiking Socks for Kids
- Why Proper Hiking Socks Matter
- How to Choose the Best Summer Hiking Socks
- Type of Hiking Sock
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
- Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?
Best Summer Hiking Socks Overall
DANISH ENDURANCE Merino Wool Hiking Socks
This pair of summer hiking socks from DANISH ENDURANCE is top on our list. The company has cornered the market when it comes to producing high-quality, high-performance hiking socks.
These are made from natural Merino wool, nylon, acrylic, and elastane to ensure your feet stay dry and comfortable even when hiking in warm weather. The targeted cushioning around the toes, heels, and balls of the feet effectively prevents soreness and blisters.
What We Like
- High moisture-wicking capability
- Targeted cushioning to prevent chafing and blistering
- Extremely breathable
- Antimicrobial properties to prevent smelly socks
- Designed to last
What We Don’t Like
- Support for foot arches could have been better
Best Ankle-Length Hiking Socks for Men
Darn Tough Vermont Men’s Hiking Socks
As far as ankle-length hiking socks for men go, it doesn’t get any better than this pair from Darn Tough. They’re lightweight and extremely breathable, with enough cushioning for maximum comfort in your hiking boots during your hiking adventure.
Our favorite thing about them is their seamless toe feature. These socks are designed using Darn Tough’s proprietary True Seamless Toe technology, which makes the seams virtually undetectable. They’re pretty remarkable.
What We Like
- Contains natural Merino wool
- Odor-resistant
- Lightweight and breathable
- Performance fitted
- Seamless toe
What We Don’t Like
- The Merino wool composition could have been higher
Best Crew Hiking Socks for Men
Darn Tough Men’s Merino Wool Hiking Socks
These crew hiking socks from Darn Tough are built for performance. Everything from the fabric material to the meticulously stitched invisible seams—these crew socks are, by far, one of the most comfortable on the market.
They provide midweight cushioning, so you don’t have to worry about your feet getting too hot during your summer hikes, and their micro-crew height aligns perfectly with standard hiking boots. They’re certainly worth checking out.
What We Like
- Lightweight and breathable
- Ample cushioning
- High Merino wool composition
- Antimicrobial
- Seamless toe
What We Don’t Like
- They are a little pricey compared to other socks in their class
Best Over-the-Calf Hiking Socks for Men
Darn Tough Tactical Socks
If you’re looking for an over-the-calf height hiking sock for men, then you can’t go wrong with these tactical socks from Darn Tough. They are made with 79% Merino wool and a nylon and spandex blend.
One feature that stands out is the generous amount of cushioning they have. You can hike all day in them, and your feet will barely have any sweat or blisters. If you intend to hike in a buggy area or somewhere with a lot of foliage, then these are your best defense against pesky little critters in the wild. Wear pair of the best hiking gaiters to stop any of those bugs making your legs their next dinner.
What We Like
- Durable design
- High Merino wool content
- Ample cushioning
- Knee-length height
- Invisible seam design
What We Don’t Like
- It might not be knee-length for taller-than-average people
Best Ankle-Length Hiking Socks for Women
Darn Tough Women’s Hiking Socks
If you’re looking for a cute pair of low-cut cushioned socks to rock with your hiking shoes, then this hot number for Darn Tough is just what you need. From the moment you slip them on, you’ll first notice how remarkably soft they are—almost like you’re walking on clouds.
Darn Tough socks are made of Merino wool, a fabric known for its outstanding moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties. The seamless toe is a nice touch as well. The seams are virtually undetectable, so you don’t have to worry about discomfort when wearing a tightly fitting boot or when your feet expand after hiking for several hours.
What We Like
- Made from natural Merino wool
- Antimicrobial and odor-free
- Seamless toe
- Fast-drying and breathable
- Targeted cushioning for maximum comfort
What We Don’t Like
- Some sizes run small
Injinji Women’s Trail Midweight Mini-Crew
The Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew socks are a game-changer for summer hiking enthusiasts. These toe socks offer a unique approach to preventing blisters and enhancing overall foot comfort.
Each toe gets its cozy compartment, reducing friction and promoting natural toe movement. Just the right amount of cushioning to protect your feet without overheating them. Perfect for those rugged trails. Also, they’re made with a blend of synthetic fibers, these socks keep your feet cool and dry, even on the hottest hikes.
What you can’t put a price on are blister feet, which these deliver. While the initial fitting might feel strange, but it’s worth it.
Likes:
- Individual Toe Pockets: Say goodbye to the dreaded toe blisters. Each toe gets its cozy compartment, reducing friction and promoting natural toe movement.
- Breathability: Made with a blend of synthetic fibers, these socks keep your feet cool and dry, even on the hottest hikes.
- Cushioning
- Durability: These socks hold up well against the elements, even after multiple washes and long hikes.
Dislikes:
- Fit: Getting used to toe socks can be a bit of a challenge.
- Price: They’re a bit on the pricey side.
Best Crew Hiking Socks for Women
Darn Tough Vermont Women’s Hiking Socks
These Darn Tough crew hiking socks are perfect for boots. They are also significantly more affordable than Merino wool socks but just as effective. Since they are made with a blend of Coolmax polyester nylon and elastane, this makes them extremely breathable and quick-drying.
Furthermore, it’s midweight level cushioning around the heels, toes, and balls of the feet that makes your feet comfortable throughout your hike. They are also designed using Darn Tough’s proprietary True Seamless Toe technology for a smooth, undetectable seam.
What We Like
- Breathable and moisture-wicking
- Seamless toe
- Odor-resistant
- Durable design
- Lightweight and quick-drying
What We Don’t Like
- They’re not made with any Merino wool
Best Over-the-Calf Hiking Socks for Women
Darn Tough Padded Hiking Socks
These stunning over-the-calf women’s hiking socks from Darn Tough are built for hikers who love a challenge and style. They are made from a blend of Merino wool, nylon, and spandex, making them one of the softest, breathable, quick-drying high-performance socks on the market.
What we love most about these Darn Tough socks are the five-function cushion points they provide to protect common hiking pressure points around the toes, heels, balls of the feet, soles, and shins. Now that’s something you don’t often see.
What We Like
- Soft and breathable
- Offers five-function cushion points
- Quick-drying fabric
- Lightweight and durable design
- Odor-resistant
What We Don’t Like
- The fit is a little tighter than expected
Best Ankle-Length Hiking Socks for Kids
Smartwool Light Cushion Hiking Socks
If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of ankle-length hiking socks for your kids, then try this pair from Smartwool. They are made from a blend of Merino wool, nylon, and elastane, making them lightweight and breathable. We particularly like the flat-knit toe design, which makes the seams virtually undetectable. They’re worth checking out.
What We Like
- Lightweight and breathable
- Quick-drying fabric
- Odor-resistant
- Elasticized arch design
- Ideal for warm weather
What We Don’t Like
- They’re a little pricey
Best Crew Hiking Socks for Kids
Smartwool Medium Crew Hiking Socks
These Smartwool crew socks are an excellent option for kids who prefer slightly longer socks. Since they are made from Merino wool, nylon, and elastane, it translates to an impressive amount of padding around the toes, heels, and balls of the feet. They are super breathable and quick-drying, especially when hiking in the summer. The elasticized arch brace is a nice touch to keep the sock in place and for extra support.
What We Like
- Excellent moisture-wicking capability
- Lightweight and breathable
- Odor-resistant
- Quick-drying
- Flat-knit toe design
What We Don’t Like
- The sizes run small
Why Proper Hiking Socks Matter
Preventing Blisters and Hot Spots
Blisters can turn an enjoyable hike into a painful ordeal. Summer hiking socks are designed to minimize friction and provide cushioning in high-impact areas.
Moisture Management
Sweaty feet can lead to discomfort and blisters. The best summer hiking socks wick away moisture, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.
How to Choose the Best Summer Hiking Socks
Choosing the best hiking socks when the weather is colder is a no-brainer. However, things can get a little tricky in the summer. You want a sock that offers just the right amount of padding so your feet don’t get chafed and blistered halfway through your hike, but you also don’t want them too thick, or you’ll get all sweaty and icky.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing the best hiking socks for hot weather:
Fit
This one’s first on the list for a reason. Regardless of the time of year you plan to go hiking, the socks you pick must have a secure fit. It should feel snug but not too tight. On the other hand, you don’t want it cutting off blood flow to your extremities. It should be both comfortable and not move about in your hiking boots or shoes as you walk.
A great way to tell whether you have a well-fitting sock is if the heel cup perfectly aligns with your heel, almost like it’s cradling it.
Compression
A snug fit prevents slippage and reduces friction, while compression can improve blood flow and reduce fatigue.
Cut
The other thing you need to consider is the cut of the hiking sock. An ankle sock might look cute in a trail runner or a low-cut hiking shoe, but it is not practical. A crew sock that extends just above your hiking shoes or boots is a better summer choice to protect your ankle from rubbing against your footwear.
Cushioning
Extra padding on the best hiking socks is non-negotiable. Regardless of how hot it is outside, the summer hiking sock you choose must have some cushioning. The longer your intended hike, the more cushioning you’ll need.
Standard hiking socks have four cushioning levels:
- Ultra-light cushioning: These are also known as liner hiking socks and offer minimal padding, making them extremely breathable. If you plan to go on a short summer hike, maybe two hours or less, liner socks would be ideal.
- Light cushioning: These hiking socks offer slightly more padding than liners and are great for hitting the trails in hot weather. They have cushioning around the heels and balls of the feet and offer excellent heat dissipation.
- Medium cushioning: Hiking socks with medium cushioning offer extra padding to cradle heels and balls of the feet and are just the right thickness for warm summer days and chilly summer nights.
- Heavy cushioning: These offer the most padding around the toes, heels, and balls of the feet. Because of how thick they are, you may feel them squishing your toes in the boots, which can be quite uncomfortable, especially in the warm summer weather. Heavy cushioned socks are best reserved for hiking in winter.
Moisture-Wicking Capability
This is a very important feature when choosing hiking socks for hot weather. They need to be made of fabric with moisture-wicking properties to pull sweat away from your skin and promote evaporation. That way, your feet don’t get soggy as you walk along.
Whether or not hiking socks have moisture-wicking capabilities comes down to the fabric they’re made of. Here are some popular sock fabric choices to consider:
Merino Wool
You can’t go wrong with wool when choosing summer socks for hiking. We don’t mean the itchy rag wool variety. We’re specifically referring to Merino wool. It’s the king of hiking sock fabrics.
Merino wool has superior moisture-wicking capabilities and is naturally odor-resistant. A Merino wool hiking sock doesn’t get smelly even after long multi-day hikes. They also provide excellent cushioning so your toes and feet don’t get blistered or chafed.
The only downside to these socks is they are a little pricier than their synthetic counterparts. They also wear out faster than other sock varieties, so pick and choose.
Polyester and Nylon
Hiking socks made from a polyester-nylon blend are a great alternative to all-wool socks. For one, they are significantly cheaper, have great moisture-wicking properties, and are more durable than Merino wool socks.
However, they can get a little stinky after a long day on the trails, so it doesn’t hurt to have an extra pair or two if you plan to go on a multi-day hike. Besides, it’s nothing a little detergent can’t fix once you get home.
Spandex
Spandex (elastane) is what gives socks structure and elasticity. All hiking socks contain some spandex material to shape them to your feet for a good fit. It prevents the sock from bunching in your hiking boot or shoe.
Coolmax
Coolmax fabric offers slightly better performance than polyester. It disperses heat and wicks moisture better than conventional polyester socks. Coolmax is engineered from a proprietary blend of polyester and spandex and is designed to be lightweight and breathable—a feature you want in a good summer hiking sock.
Breathability
Breathable socks made from materials like merino wool, synthetic blends, and lightweight fabrics are essential for summer hikes.
Seamless Toe
Consider getting socks with a seamless toe for extra comfort during your hike. These don’t have that uncomfortable seam line running from the big toe to the little one, which means less foot irritation while hiking. While the absence of a seamless toe isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, always get hiking socks with this feature if you have a choice.
Type of Hiking Sock
The final factor to consider when choosing summer hiking socks is the type. Hiking socks come in three standard lengths. The choice of one over the other comes down to your personal preference, the weather you’ll be hiking in, and the type of hiking shoe you intend to wear.
Ankle Socks
If you’re going on an easy hike on a warm summer day, then you can wear ankle socks with your trail runners. The ankle length provides minimal leg coverage, which, in turn, allows for maximum airflow. You also don’t need to worry about getting an awkward tan that ends mid-shin.
Crew Socks
Hiking crew socks extend about halfway between the knee and the shin and provide good coverage for standard hiking boots. Without a doubt, crew hiking socks are quite popular for summer hikes because they are the perfect balance between temperature comfort and protection from the elements.
Over-the-Calf Socks
Knee-socks extend to the knees. They provide excellent coverage for hikers who want extra protection from the sun or bugs but don’t want to wear leggings hiking outfit or pants. They are also popular among mountain bikers.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—the ultimate guide to summer hiking socks. Use the tips in this guide to help you choose a solid pair you can wear on your next adventure. Remember, comfort is king when it comes to hiking socks, so pick wisely.
In the meantime, don’t forget to bring your pocket knife on your upcoming hike. Check out these top pocket knife brands if you want an upgrade.
FAQ
Merino wool socks are an excellent option for hiking in warm weather. Their antimicrobial properties make them naturally odor-resistant even after long multi-day hikes. They also have outstanding moisture-wicking capabilities, drawing sweat away from your skin and allowing it to evaporate easily.
The best summer hiking socks should be made of any of the following fabrics:
– Merino wool
– Polyester, nylon, or a blend of the two
– CoolMax
The sock should have excellent moisture-wicking capabilities, light to medium cushioning, and superior heat dissipation properties. Depending on where you’re hiking, the weather, and the hiking shoe you intend to wear, you can wear an ankle, crew, or knee-high sock.
Replace your hiking socks when they lose their cushioning, elasticity, or develop holes. This typically happens after extensive use over a year or more.
Liners can provide additional moisture-wicking and reduce friction, but they’re not necessary if you have high-quality hiking socks designed for summer conditions.
Can you wear cotton socks for summer hikes?
When it comes to all things hiking, a general unspoken rule is to avoid all things cotton. Don’t wear cotton pants or cotton shirts, and definitely don’t wear cotton socks. Cotton is highly absorbent but doesn’t wick moisture away from the skin or dry quickly.
On average, your feet lose a shot glass’ worth of sweat after a day’s hike. Wearing cotton socks on a hike will leave you drenched and cause your toes to be all pruney. It also increases the likelihood of blisters as the damp sock rubs against your wet skin. Don’t wear a sock with any cotton in the fabric. Wool and polyester are the way to go.
For comprehensive tips on keeping your feet blister-free during hikes, check out our detailed guide on how to prevent blisters when hiking.
Investing in the best summer hiking socks is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience. With the right pair, you can keep your feet cool, dry, and blister-free, allowing you to focus on the beauty of the trail ahead. Happy hiking!
Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?
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- Exploring the Benefits of Merino Wool for Hiking: Comfort, Performance, and Style in Every Layer
- Find Out What to Wear for a Stylish and Comfortable Summer Hike
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