Any hiker worth their salt knows the importance of wearing the correct clothing when hitting the trail.
Nevertheless, while plenty of attention is given to what jacket, pants, base layers & fleeces we wear, socks are often merely seen as an afterthought.
I’ve been guilty of this myself. For the longest time as a youngster I used to head out on walks in nothing but my cheap black cotton socks bought in bulk from the local supermarket.
Let’s just say blisters and foot discomfort were an all-too common occurrence…
This all changed many years ago however when I finally received a pair of proper walking socks as a Christmas present. The difference I felt after just one hike was simply astonishing.
It makes sense when you think about it…as walkers we should be showing our feet plenty of TLC since they’re the very things which carry us along the trail.
Having worked my way through various brands over the years, I’ve certainly learnt a thing or two when it comes to choosing a good pair of walking socks!
Whittling down a list of my top 5 walking socks, you really can’t go wrong with any of these brands.
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇👇
What Are The Best Types of Socks For Walking?
The perfect walking socks should ideally be lightweight, comfortable & breathable to keep your feet in prime hiking condition.
This is why standard cotton socks should absolutely be avoided ❌
Cotton is notorious for absorbing sweat, leaving your feet feeling damp & stuffy. Warm, moist & sweaty socks festering inside your walking boots is just asking for chafing, blisters or worse…
You’d be much better off with something breathable that can help wick away moisture. Look for socks containing materials such as merino wool, prolen, polyamide and elastane – all which help give socks that breathable, dry and well-fitting comfort.
To fit well, you also ideally want to look for socks which stand a little higher than your walking boot or shoe.
I don’t know about you, but one of my all-time pet peeves is having a sock which keeps rolling down your foot.
Not only is this an uncomfortable nuisance, but it also leaves your achilles heel exposed and causes rubbing as you walk. Having a long enough sock will help to mitigate this annoyance.
Best Walking Socks (For Men & Women)
*The below list contains affiliate links, please see my privacy policy for details.
To save you the hassle of scouring the web for the right pair of walking socks, why not check our list below of what we consider the absolute cream of the crop on the market currently?
As proven by the personal images included in this post, you can rest assured that we’ve actually owned the socks that we’re raving about.
They’ve stood up to the toughness of the trail through all the changing seasons, so I’ve absolutely no qualms about recommending these walking socks to any hiker in the market for a pair.
Darn Tough – Best Quality Walking Sock Brand
Brand: Darn Tough
Material: 64% Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, 3% Lycra Spandex
Pros ✔️: Most Durable, Cool Designs, Long Lasting
Cons ❌: Higher Price Tag
With a name like Darn Tough, you know you’re in for one durable cookie when putting on these badboys.
While admittedly not the cheapest per pair, they do make the top of our list since their quality is largely unrivaled.
Crafted with merino wool, safe to say these socks are extremely comfortable in addition to being moisture wicking to help prevent any fungal funkiness in your walking boots.
The stretch-iness of the sock means the length is adaptable and can be lengthened to prevent any kind of rubbing as you walk, and the temperature regulation means you can quite easily ramble with these in any climate.
Having been well regarded in the hiking community for years, one of my favourite things about this brand is just how light the socks feel.
Providing maximum comfort in frost, rain or shine, these self-titled ‘full cushion socks’ feel so light you may even forget you’re wearing any socks at all!
Offering a variety of colours & patterns, Darn Tough socks are also undoubtedly some of the best looking on the market.
I bought my partner a pair of these taupe Darn Tough Micro Fibre Women’s Socks as a gift last year, and she was extremely impressed with both the functionality & design of them.
With Darn Tough offering top-notch socks for both men & ladies, these socks certainly live up to their name 💪
Click here to buy Men’s Darn Tough Walking Socks 👈
Click here to buy Women’s Darn Tough Walking Socks 👈
YUEDGE – Best Budget Walking Sock Brand
Brand: YUEDGE
Material: 80% Cotton, 10% Polyamide, 7% Polyester, 3% Lycra
Pros ✔️: Amazing Value, Multi-pack
Cons ❌: Not Quite As Long Lasting
Moving onto more of a budget brand, YUEDGE simply can’t be beaten in terms of ‘quality to price’ ratio.
While not quite as long lasting as Darn Tough, I’ve still regularly worn YUEDGE socks on walks for years at a time before they began deteriorating.
Plus, the affordable price means you can quite easily fill your wardrobe with solid hiking socks without breaking the bank.
Crafted with a mixture of cotton, Polymide & Elastane, these lightweight & stretchy socks are moisture wicking and also come with an elasticated top meaning you never have to worry about them slipping down during your treks.
While over longer hikes and multi-day outings they may not provide quite the same level of comfort & durability as more premium brands, for a budget brand these socks still impressively more than hold their own and will suffice for the vast majority of casual ramblers.
I’ve even previously completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge in these socks with no issues – a 25-mile circular route that takes you over Yorkshire’s three biggest peaks in under 12 hours.
Unless you’re heading on an adventure more difficult than this, its safe to assume a pair of YUEDGE socks will absolutely be up to the task at hand.
Offering multi-packs for both men & women, if you want the best bang for your buck I really would consider snatching a pack for yourself.
Click here to buy Men’s YUEDGE 5 Pairs Multipack Walking Socks 👈
Click here to buy Women’s YUEDGE 5 Pairs Multipack Walking Socks 👈
Injinji – Most Innovative Walking Sock Brand
Brand: Injinji
Material: 39% Coolmax, 58% Nylon, 3% Lycra
Pros ✔️: Exceptional Comfort & Breath-ability
Cons ❌: Contentious Design (not everybody’s cup of tea!)
A bit of a wild card, Injinji walking socks do look rather odd at first glance due to the toe gaps. However, once you try a pair for yourself, you’ll instantly see what all the fuss is about.
The fabric you feel between each of your toes really works to give a snug & protective feel, preventing blisters by wrapping all ten in an individual moisture-wicking hold.
Likewise, while regular socks tend to pinch toes tightly together, Injinji’s unique design properly aligns your toes and allows your foot to move more naturally in the great outdoors.
While the toe gaps do admittedly make it a little harder to generate heat which perhaps doesn’t make them best suited for winter conditions, this greater degree of foot freedom makes them absolutely ideal for scrambling and trail running.
Also perfectly wearable for regular day hikes when the weather isn’t too frosty, just be warned that regular socks will never feel the same again once you own a pair of these exceptionally comfy delights…
Click here to buy Men’s Injinji Trail Midnight Walking Socks 👈
Click here to buy Women’s Injinji Trail Midnight Walking Socks 👈
Danish Endurance – Best All-Round Walking Sock Brand
Brand: Danish Endurance
Material: 38% Merino Wool, 30% Acrylic, 30% Polyamide, 2% Elastane
Pros ✔️: Great Quality At A Reasonable Price
Cons ❌: Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None
Danish Endurance are another worthy contender entering the fold.
Cheaper than top-flight brands such as Darn Tough yet better quality than budget manufacturers like YUEDGE, Danish Endurance are what I’d coin the Goldilocks socks.
Created with a comfortable blend of Merino Wool, the socks have a real sophisticated feel to them and maintain their breath-ability even on longer hikes.
I’ve gotten a great deal of use out of my Danish Endurance socks over the last year, most recently during my hiking holiday up in Cairngorms National Park. After many trails (and many washes), the socks are still in great nick and continue to be one of my go-to pairs.
Click here to buy DANISH ENDURANCE Unisex Outdoor Walking Socks 👈
Smartwool – Best Sock For Cold Weather
Brand: Smartwool
Material: 69% Wool, 30% Nylon, 1% Elastane
Pros ✔️: Ultimate comfort and warmth
Cons ❌: Primarily suited for colder weather
A fresh addition to my wardrobe, my pair of Smartwool socks have quickly rose to the top of the pile due to their snug warmth and superb cushioned comfort.
If you visit the brand’s official website, you’ll see that they offer a whole host of socks catered towards different outdoor activities, though I specifically opted for a pair of their Hike Classic Edition Light Cushion Crew Socks.
Manufactured with responsibly sourced, ZQ-certified wool, these socks seamlessly blend insulation, comfort and breathability to create a truly remarkable winter walking sock.
Sad I know, but one of my morning highlights in the colder months has been putting on my pair of Smartwool socks and taking a moment to bask in that snug, wooly goodness before heading outside 😂
Elasticated arch braces keeps the socks firmly in place throughout your outings, while the use of recycled nylon means each purchase directly contributes towards environmental sustainability.
Due to being a newer pair in my sock rotation, I am currently unable to directly comment on the longevity of Smartwool socks. However, I’ve put them to the test on quite a few outings already and they’ve more than held their own.
Likewise, wool-based socks can oftentimes end up being itchy over longer distances – though I’ve experienced nothing of the sort with my Smartwool socks. They’ve always retained their comfort and effectively wicked away moisture to keep my feet dry.
Catering for adventurers of every ilk, I’ll link to the men’s ‘light cushioning’ pair I own below. Nevertheless, I’d recommend checking out the Smartwool Sock Finder to discover which socks are best suited to your individual preferences.
Click here to buy Men’s Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Light Cushion Crew Socks 👈
Click here to buy Women’s Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Full Cushion Crew Socks 👈
Best Walking Socks – The final verdict
For the majority of hikers, investing in some YUEDGE walking socks would more than suffice. Comfortable, durable and fairly priced, you’ll struggle to find better value than their multi-pack offers.
Walking fanatics who’ll be taking on tougher hikes however (such as the National 3 Peaks Challenge), your best bet would be investing in a trusty pair of Darn Tough socks. Engineered to withstand whatever the elements throw your way, trust me when I say the higher price label is worth every penny when on those arduous climbs or multi-day treks.
If Darn Tough is a little out of your price range, yet you still want a pair of socks with a premium feel, then Danish Endurance are the ideal go-between. Lightweight, durable and wrapping your feet in a snug merino wool fit; this brand should be on every hiker’s radar.
For those fond of scrambling, trail running and off the beaten path ventures, Injinji socks offer unparalleled comfort and foot freedom. Specifically designed to handle the unpredictable terrain found in the great outdoors, the increased movement in your feet offers the ultimate feeling of control as you clamber around craggy landscapes.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a solid pair of winter socks, then Smartwool is a fantastic choice. Ridiculously comfortable and super warm without feeling too thick or cumbersome, these environmentally friendly gems are sure to serve you well.
Common Questions About Walking Socks
What height socks should I go for when hiking?
Walking socks tend to come in 4 different heights:
- No Show Socks – Fall under the shoe line and aren’t visible
- Ankle Socks – Sit around ankle length
- Crew Socks – Standard hiking sock size, stretching a few inches above the ankle
- Knee High Socks – Stretch all the way to the knee. Tend to be reserved for mountaineering and extreme weather conditions
Personally, I tend to opt for crew socks when hiking in the vast majority of outings. They protect against boot chafe and general abrasions while still providing adequate comfort and breath-ability (as long as you’re wearing a good brand).
More Walking Resources
For more tips, tricks, walk guides and outdoor adventures, be sure to stick around and explore the site – I guarantee there’s something that’ll peak your interest!
Happy walking 🚶🚶