Men's Socks

Choose a fabric type 

• Wool: Stays warm when wet, resists odor and wicks moisture
• Synthetic (nylon, polyester or acrylic): Ideal for sensitive skin, trap warmth and wick moisture. 

How much cushioning do you want?  

• No cushioning: Best for tighter-fitting performance boots that have a tighter fit or maximum ground feel
• Light cushioning: Shin padding with minimal cushioning on the balls of the feet, often with reinforced toes and heels 
• Medium cushioning: Added padding for warmth and impact absorption; ideal for cold conditions or looser-fitting boots 

Length 

• Knee high: Most socks for skiing and snowboarding go up to the knees to help protect from shin bang
• Crew: Cross-country skiers and snowshoers may prefer shorter hiking socks

Select your sock height

• No-show: Minimal protection; best with low-cut footwear like trail-running or light hiking shoes
• Ankle: Covers your ankle bone; best for low- to mid-cut shoes and boots
• Crew: Extends above ankle; good for boots or shoes
• Knee-high: Provides warmth and protection against high-cut boots

Choose your preferred cushioning level

• None: Ultralight; ideal for hot weather or as sock liners
• Light: Thin cushioning; better for warm conditions
• Medium: Targeted cushioning in the heel and ball; ideal for moderate to cold conditions
• Heavy: Thickest and most cushioned; best for long trips, rugged terrain and cold

Select a fabric

• Choose moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials like wool, polyester or nylon
• Spandex adds stretch to prevent bunching
• Cotton isn't recommended as it absorbs moisture and dries slowly

Find your fit

• Choose based on your foot size, not shoe size.
• If you're between sizes, size down to avoid excess material that can bunch up and cause blisters.
• Socks should feel snug but not tight, and the sock's heel cup should naturally line up with your heel.

Key features to look for

• Moisture wicking: moves sweat to the outer surface while also drying quickly; that lets you break a sweat without feeling clammy or chilled.
• Sun-protective fabric: Protect yourself from harmful UV exposure by choosing clothing with a UPF; a higher rating means better sun protection
• Quick drying: Materials that dry quickly keep you cool, comfortable and dryInsect repellent: treated with active ingredients to help keep ticks, mosquitoes and other pests at bay

Hike clothing fabrics

• Merino wool has fine fibers that make it soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, reasonably quick to dry and not prone to retaining odors.
• Polyester/nylon: Generally less expensive than merino wool, these synthetics excel at wicking sweat and drying fast, and many incorporate recycled materials 

Dress in layers 

• Start with a base layer that wicks sweat off your skin; this includes underwear, a bra, hiking shirt and hiking pants
• Add a middle layer to retain body heat in colder conditions; this could be a fleece jacket, an insulated vest or puffy jacket
• An outer layer, like a rain jacket, shields you from wind and rain