Page 8 of Merino Wool Women'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

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 in hike clothing

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: Choose clothing with a UPF rating to protect yourself from harmful UV exposure; a higher rating means better sun protection
Quick drying: materials that dry quickly keep you cool, comfortable and dry
Insect repellent: treated with active ingredients to help keep ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs 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; 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

Merino Wool Women's Socks