The Best Hiking Socks of 2023: Staff Picks

A year-in, year-out favorite on the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails, this heavy-cushioned crew sock from Darn Tough has seen its fair share of 30-mile days. Unlike a lighter sock that saves the padding for the ball and heel only, this puppy offers plush, high-density cushioning throughout the entire sock to keep feet happy on tough days of pounding rugged singletrack.

Many hiking socks use the wool/nylon/elastane trifecta, and the Hiker Boot Full-Cushion is no different. Where it does dogleg from the others is in the high percentage of merino wool used—that's where the plush cushioning comes from. And for a poofier sock, it’s not at all sloppy: Our testers laud its snug, no-slip fit. “No bunching means no blisters, even on even the sweatiest days,” says one editor, who’s had the same pair of Hiker Boot Full-Cushions in the rotation for seven years.

What's more, this sock comes with the Darn Tough lifetime guarantee. That’s the sort of durability we can all get behind.

Wet feet = blister-prone feet. So whether you’re naturally sweaty or hiking in high temps, you owe it to your sole to check out a pair of socks with light cushioning like these. The Performance Hike Light Cushion—the brand’s evolution of the venerable PhD Outdoor line—has less wool than a full-cushioned sock, reserving the padding in higher-impact zones like the heel and ball. On the top of the foot, Smartwool places thinner, mesh-like fabric that serves as a vent to keep moisture away. “It gives me the benefit of padding without suffocating me,” one staffer says. “I get really sweaty feet when I’m hiking, but when I pair the Performance Hike Light Cushion with trail runners, I don’t swamp out, even on 80°F days.”

The Performance Hike Light Cushion features Smartwool’s Indestructawool™ technology, which is basically the brand’s way of zoning the merino, nylon and elastane where you need them most without introducing more seams that can chafe or feel annoying. That’s all supposed to make the sock more durable—something we haven’t tested in a lab but are into. One staffer has logged about 150 miles and a dozen washes on her trusty pair and the socks are no worse for wear. The Performance Hike Light Cushion also has recycled content, and it uses New Zealand merino wool that’s ethically sourced—so you can feel good about your purchase.

This sock from REI Co-op is one of the most budget-friendly winter-ready socks, so we’ll forgive you for overlooking it at first glance. But on closer inspection, you’ll see why these merino wool babies scored high praise from our experts: Warmth and comfort aren't sacrified at this price point. You get all-over cushioning to keep you warm for cold-weather hikes, and reinforcement at the heels, toes and footbeds for lasting comfort. Added bonus: All that merino wool provides natural odor control. And for summertime camping, the Merino Wool Midweight Hiking Crew pulls double-duty as a luxurious sleep sock to stuff in the bottom of your sleeping bag.

Feel good about wearing this socking, too. The Merino Wool Midweight is made using wool that’s certified by the animal-friendly Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).

Do a cursory search for “best thru-hiking sock,” and this fan favorite from Darn Tough comes up every time. The quarter-height hits just above the ankles, making it perfect for hikers who wear trail runners or low-cut boots on excursions, while the medium cushioning keeps it versatile and supportive enough for crushing big miles with a heavy pack. “These are my go-to all-weather socks,” says one member-tester. “I’ll throw them on for a breezy day hike just as willingly as when I wear them on multi-day summer backpacking treks.”

Beyond that, the Quarter Cushion Hiker boasts all of the hallmarks we’ve come to expect from Darn Tough, including a sleek, no-slip fit and extra cushion on the heel and ball. And this sock is also backed by the Darn Tough lifetime guarantee, which is just icing on the cake.

Have an issue with blisters? If going lighter-weight hasn’t helped, try going double: The WRIGHTSOCK Silver Escape Crew has two layers that work together to limit friction caused by repetitive motion. The ultrathin inner layer fits snugly so that it’s difficult to pinch loose; that makes it nearly impossible for the material to bunch, crease or chafe your bare skin. (It also helps wick moisture like a dream to keep your feet dry.) The outer layer, meanwhile, cushions your foot like a standard sock while absorbing any rubbing from your shoe as it slides (friction-free) over the inner layer. Silver extruded into the yarn protects against the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and will help your feet feel like a million bucks (while costing 0.0025% as much).

Sick of painful heel blisters on pavement-pounding runs? The Balega Silver No-Show is designed to obliterate your fears. With high heel tabs and extra-deep heel pockets, this low-profile sock grips your foot like a hug. Add in a seamless toe, and you’ve got yourself a practically blister-proof running mate. “I never have to yank them up,” one staffer says. “They stay put no matter what, even on soggy runs in the Pacific Northwest.”

The poly/nylon/elastane blend is different from a typical hiking sock like above. In lieu of wool, Balega primarily uses a polyester-based blend. Synthetic polyester dries super quick, making it a great material for sweaty pursuits like running. It lacks the comfort and odor control of natural wool—but that’s where the silver comes in. To increase the sock’s odor resistance, Balega says it encapsulates the polyester fibers in silver ions, a natural bacteria inhibitor. Combined with mesh paneling along the top of the sock, the Silver No-Show is a runner’s dream for hot days.

It's a fact: Kids can't sit still. And all those steps can add up to achy feet. But a good pair of socks like the REI Co-op Trailsmith Merino Wool Lightweight Crew Socks provides midweight cushioning underfeet for all those long hikes, romps through puddles and playground rambles. "These are nicely cushioned and toasty!" says one member reviewer from Kentucky. A bit of spandex adds stretch to the fabric for a snug fit, and the sock is made with merino wool that's certified by the animal-friendly Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).

Whether you’re eyeing a leisurely recovery day or a long-distance flight, your legs deserve the power of a properly designed compression sock. Using graduated pressure from the Achilles to just above the calf, compression socks can help decrease swelling and increase blood flow. The Sockwell Circulator has moderate (15–20 mmHg) graduated compression that’s highest at the ankles and lightest at the calves, helping push blood up your body toward your heart for maximum circulation. This can help reduce recovery time when you’re training and lessen leg swelling during hours spent sitting in an office chair or on a plane.

The Circulator is designed with a merino/nylon/spandex blend similar to what you might find in a typical hiking sock. But Sockwell also sneaks bamboo into the mix, which has antimicrobial properties.