When I started getting serious about spending time outside I knew I needed to know what were the best socks for hiking. Texas gets hot in the summer, and I had already started buying running clothes to keep me cool. Mostly items like breathable synthetics that dried quickly because I kept reading, ‘cotton kills’.
So imagine my surprise when I went to the store and was recommended MERINO WOOL socks.
I couldn’t understand what I was being told. All my life I had thought of wool as something to keep you warm. I had wool sweaters, and even a nice pair of Cashmere wool socks, but to wear wool to hike in?
Merino is crazy. I tell people it’s nature’s premium performance textile, and definitely the best hiking sock for hot weather. Before I list The Best, just know there are plenty great socks on the market, and I have multiple honorable mentions that are all on the similar pathway, and a couple non-merino.
But here are the BEST SOCKS FOR HIKING:
Darn Tough Hiking Socks.
That’s them. Only one brand. Darn Tough Hiking Socks are. that. good.
I’m not even going to try and do a top-five list because from the first time I tried these on nothing compares to these socks.
So let’s get one thing out of the way. $20 for ONE PAIR of socks may seem like a lot, but I’ve paid over $20 for a bottle of wine that was consumed by just me, and I don’t even remember what kind it was. These socks have a lifetime guarantee, and you might not even need to use them.
Are there other Merino wool socks out there? Sure are. SmartWool makes a fantastic sock, and so do brands like Farm to Feet, Merrell, and even REI’s Co-Op brand makes a great sock. Heck, if you can find a great deal at an ORVIS store they’re made at the same place, and maybe a little cheaper.
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My wife asked me, ‘so what makes these so special?’ when I was telling her my idea for this post.
It’s two things: Comfort and Durability.
The socks have a wool blend with Lycra and Nylon for that durability. This is especially nice once you’ve washed them and realized they’re going to stay the same shape, and have that great softness for many, many years.
They’re pretty much seamless. Darn Tough socks feature True Seamless technology which, according to the site is an ” Undetectable seam fusion for an ultra-smooth, invisible feel”.
After the ten-mile mark, your toes become a little more sensitive, and not having a seam in front really adds to the comfort aspect. So now imagine what a 20-mile day needs for your feet?
Not Just for Hiking
These are my top hiking socks, but if you delve a bit deeper into the brand then you’ll see they make a ton of different sock heights, and comfort levels as well.
If you want something a little more casual try the DT-Train Crew Sock model, or something a little more hardcore try the Hiker Boot Full-Cushion model.
Crush that Stank
Totally forgot to mention that the Darn Tough socks also have anti-microbial properties with the merino wool. They will repel bacteria, and thus, repel odor as well.
In Conclusion
I can’t say enough about why these socks are so great. Go to any retailer that sells them and look at the reviews. Comfort, durability, and long-lasting. They are worth every penny, and I hope you get to enjoy a pair as much as I do.