What Are the Best Hiking Socks?

If you are one of the millions of people who hike each year, then you probably know that having the right gear can make or break your adventure. While there are many important pieces of outdoor clothing and equipment to consider, arguably one of the most important items is high quality merino wool hiking socks.

Like choosing a hiking boot uniquely suited to your terrain and activity style, selecting the very best hiking socks will help ensure that every step on your next excursion is as enjoyable as possible. After all, these faithful companions carry us through every trek we make, providing temperature-control, arch support and comfort along the way.

Let’s look at what makes the best hiking socks, well, the best.

What to Know About Socks for Hikers

We often get this question: Why do I need special hiking socks? Can’t I just wear regular socks with my hiking boots?

You can, yes, but you’re running the risk of injury or nasty blisters. Regular socks won’t suffice when hiking as they are not purposefully-designed to protect your feet from the elements or difficult terrain. In this case, merino wool hiking socks are a must-have!

With features such as cushioning on the heel and ball of the foot (areas where you need more support during vigorous activity and on coarse trail surfaces), hiking socks can provide a much-needed barrier against outside elements that contribute to blisters and abrasions.

Additionally, hiking socks are usually made of lightweight material and even have built-in moisture-wicking technology to help keep your feet cool and comfortable during long treks. So if you’re considering hitting the trails anytime soon, don’t forget to wear hiking socks for maximum protection. Here’s why.

Insulation

Hiking socks are designed to provide added insulation in extreme temperatures and conditions. Regular socks are typically too thin and don’t keep moisture away from your feet, leading to blisters.

Point6 hiking socks, on the other hand, contain various levels of cushion with added layers of wool that are breathable and durable, allowing hikers to take on the toughest terrains confidently. The added cushion in our Point6 design helps keep your feet dry and warm, even on long-distance treks over tough terrain, snow-covered mountains or desert trails.

Friction Reduction

Merino wool hiking socks are an amazing way to minimize friction and friction-related wear and tear on your feet during a long day out in the wilderness. Reducing friction on your feet is important to stay comfortable over long periods when hiking.

Regular socks can give you some friction resistance. However, they don’t compare to the cushioning, friction reduction, and overall comfort a good pair of merino wool socks provides. While this isn’t the biggest or most important feature of a good pair of socks, it’s certainly a plus.

Cushioning

The best hiking socks provide adequate cushioning compared to regular socks, making them more comfortable for walking on uneven terrain. The cushioning reduces friction, absorbing the impact of each step. This helps support your feet better throughout the journey.

With smoother fabric, and specialized cushion zones, merino wool hiking socks provide an extra layer of protection. As mentioned above, this ensures you don’t end up with painful blisters or sore feet after a long day out in nature. Not only does this increase comfort, but it gives you peace of mind knowing that your feet are well taken care of!

Moisture Control

Moisture control, or wicking, essentially means that moisture is drawn away from the surface of your skin and which gives you a drier feel no matter how intense the hike or how hot it is outside. The miracle of merino wool is that is doesn't simply wick moisture from your skin to the next surface causing wet shoes; Point6 merino wool converts the moisture to vapor which then evaporates. This quality keeps your feet fresh and comfortable for longer walks on different surfaces, making them ideal for various terrains and temperatures.

Compression

Compression is key when it comes to strenuous outdoor activities such as through hiking. And that’s why it’s so important to have a merino wool compression sock when hiking.

Not only do compression socks provide extra support when you’re trekking on challenging terrain, but they also help prevent fatigue and any minor muscle discomfort. Unlike traditional socks, compression hiking socks are engineered to give your feet and ankles more support while helping increase blood flow and circulation.

How to choose the Best Hiking Socks

Now that you know what to look for, how do you choose the best hiking socks for your adventures? The hiking footwear you choose should directly inform the kind of socks you choose.

For example, a light day hike in tight fitting hiking boots calls for thinner and more breathable socks since there is not much room inside your footwear for extra cushion. On the other hand, a more loose-fitting boot would require socks with more cushion that can better protect your feet against blisters.

Whatever the case may be, here are a few factors to consider.

Height

Besides choosing merino wool socks, you need to consider the ideal length (also known as hiking sock height).

The right hiking sock height will depend on the cuffs of your footwear, as the higher those cuffs go up your ankle to your leg, the taller the hiking socks should be. If the hiking socks are too short, areas such as your ankles and calves may be exposed to direct contact with your shoes or boots. That’ll result in painfulblisters.

Cushioning

Next, consider the cushioning you need to enjoy your outdoor activities comfortably. If you frequently engage in high-impact activities like running or hiking, adding some cushion can help protect your feet from injury and soreness. However, too much cushion for your selected footwear can put pressure on your foot resulting in a loss of circulation along with cold feet in the winter and hot feet during the summer.

Style

Hiking sock style should be more than an afterthought; expression of individuality is possible even outdoors. When looking for the perfect sock for your journey, think about your fashion sense and what you want to express through your sock style.

Perhaps color blocking or a subtle pattern? Or perhaps some fun animal faces for an added bit of character? Whatever your choice, sock style is important. You deserve to stand out from the crowd no matter how far from home you may wander into the wilderness.

Most Common Hiking Sock Heights

We briefly mentioned hiking sock heights above, but it’s worth delving further into this feature. When choosing the right hiking sock height, you typically have three main options.

Note that, aside from these three main options, some companies will try to sell your no-show hiking socks. These are great for light hikes or walks through nature. However, we don’t typically recommend no-show hiking socks for longer hikes as they can lead to blisters if your footwear is too tall.

Ankle

If you’re looking for something taller than a no show or mini crew, our Point6 1/4 crew hiking socks are just the thing. They offer more coverage than your shorter ankle sock but don’t come up as far as a full crew sock.

All in all, they’re perfect for those low-cut to mid-cut shoes or boots that don’t quite fit the fashion of ankle boots but still require a bit more ankle protection.

Crew

Point6 3/4 crew socks and crew hiking socks are essential for those long, arduous treks alongside mountain trails. They provide the perfect amount of protection when wearing higher-cut boots. Their crew length lands just a few inches above the ankle bones to prevent abrasion and blisters when trekking over rough terrain.

What if you have low-cut hiking or walking shoes? Crew socks can still be a great option in cooler weather, as they keep your feet extra snug and warm.

Over The Calf

Finally, you have over-the-calf (OTC) merino wool socks. Not only do they protect you against abrasions that heavy boots can cause, but they also provide additional warmth. This is essential for those long climbs through the night or traversing a glacier! If you buy the right pairs with quality material, Over the calf will last longer and even keep your feet dry if there’s water around.

What are the Best Point6 Hiking Socks?

The best hiking socks provide you with the protection and comfort you need to enjoy the Great Outdoors with ease. This means that choosing the best socks is a personal decision. However, we can help guide you toward a few great options.

Here are three great hiking sock options to start with (all top-rated by Point6 customers who’ve tried them and love’ em!).

Hiking Essential Medium Mini Crew

Looking for a medium-cushioned mini-crew sock? Try our Hiking Essential Medium Crew. It’s one of our top-rated merino wool hiking socks.

With this sock, you can enjoy superior cushioning with a two 1/2-inch cuff. This eliminates most of the lace pressure from the top of the foot. Enjoy long hikes in low-cut hiking shoes again with this innovative medium mini merino wool sock designed to last.

Hiking Essential Light Crew

What if you don’t need so much cushion? Our Essential Light Crew is ideal for hikers looking for a bit of cushion without the extra volume that comes with thicker socks.

Classic Medium Crew

Finally, our Classic Medium Crew wool socks are another top-rated option. They're all-climate socks, making them versatile for various terrains. They also boast a medium cushion that surrounds the entire foot and leg. Plus, you can enjoy extra arch support and protection via the reinforced heel and toe.