How to Choose Hiking Socks
REI Co-op Merino Wool Liner Crew Socks
$15.95
Wear 'em under your hiking socks to reduce friction on multiday trips, or wear 'em alone for summer day hikes. The REI Co-op Merino Wool liner socks put a layer of comfort between you and the trail.
- Supersoft merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, provides itch-free comfort and moves moisture away from skin; fabric blend is designed to dry quickly
- Knit heel and toe areas are shaped for a comfortable fit
- Seamless toes won't rub or cause chafing
- REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
- Made in USA with imported and domestic yarns
Made in USA.
View all REI Co-op Men's Hiking Socks| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 64% merino wool/34% nylon/2% spandex |
| Sock Height | Crew |
| Sock Cushioning | No Cushioning |
| Quick Drying | Yes |
| Moisture Wicking | Yes |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
REI Co-op Socks - Unisex Adult
| S | M | L | XL | S/M | L/XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 5.5-8.5 | 9-12 | 12.5-14 | 5.5-8.5 | 9-14 | |
| U.S. Women's | 4-6.5 | 7-9.5 | 10-12.5 | 4-9.5 | 10-12.5 |
Sizing Notes
For socks, please use shoe size.
Buying Advice
Better gear is built together
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great lightweight socks
SlowBro4 years ago
Bought these for sleep socks when I'm on the trail. As a long distance hiker I am always looking for the lightest items for my kit. I use sleep socks in my bag at night which helps keep my sleeping bag clean and my feet warm. They also serve as emergency dry socks for hiking if needed.
These REI Merino Wool socks are just right. They weigh 1.6 oz a pair in the XL size, warm enough for 3 season used in my sleeping bag. Merino wool so they are not itchy and they have natural anti-odor properties. I have not used them as a liner sock so I can't comment on their durability, but for my purposes they are perfect.
I would recommend these to a friend. Fit is great. I wear a size 11 shoe, I'm 70 y/o, located in Oregon, and for the last 6 years I've hiked a little over a thousand miles a year spending 3 to 4 months on the trail.
SlowBro
OR
13 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
I am SO DISAPPOINTED
MRM IN NAPA4 years ago
I am SO DISAPPOINTED with this new version of an old friend. I bought two pairs of this sock years ago and I have hiked thousands of miles (yes, thousands of miles) with the old version of this sock as my "base layer" and I have NEVER had a blister.
Buying this new version excitedly (not knowing the wool to nylon mixture changed), I wore one pair for a simple five-mile workout: THREE blisters!
Speaking with REI, the only change is the wool/nylon mix.
My question is WHY would you change when the old version was SO dependable.
I am so disappointed.
REI, please consider a return to the old formulation?
MRM IN NAPA
Napa, CA
39 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
MRM IN NAPA
Napa, CA
I am SO DISAPPOINTED
4 years ago
I am SO DISAPPOINTED with this new version of an old friend. I bought two pairs of this sock years ago and I have hiked thousands of miles (yes, thousands of miles) with the old version of this sock as my "base layer" and I have NEVER had a blister. Buying this new version excitedly (not knowing the wool to nylon mixture changed), I wore one pair for a simple five-mile workout: THREE blisters! Speaking with REI, the only change is the wool/nylon mix. My question is WHY would you change when the old version was SO dependable. I am so disappointed. REI, please consider a return to the old formulation?
Age:55–64
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9
No, I do not recommend this product
Disappointed
Not enough wool
1 year ago
Why can't REI just leave well enough alone? Past iterations of these sock liners have had a higher wool content, both in percentage and absolute terms, meaning they were more absorbent and comfortable. Despite having wool, I found these to feel like wearing plastic bags -- sweaty. The last time I was in an REI store it struck me that none -- NONE -- of the clothing or other products in the entire store was not made with plastics, and most were primarily some sort of plastic. And where does the plastic line go from your washing machine?
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 12
No, I do not recommend this product
BowTieGuy636
Saint Louis, Mo
Look out for the hole(s)
4 years ago
Initial fit and feel was great. I prefer a thin sock. However, two pair have already developed holes at the toes with two to three wears.
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 12
No, I do not recommend this product
Epic Steve
Near Yosemite
Comfortable and WAY Less Odor Than Synthetic Socks
4 years ago
Warm, comfortable, no blisters. Not quite as fast wicking as synthetic fabric, but merino wool hardly causes/retains any odors at all, whereas every synthetic I've ever tried subjected me and my tentmates to an evil stench! Great for snowshoeing, in combination with insulated boots and thick merino boot socks. I was worried they'd be too thick compared to synthetic liners, but the difference is barely noticeable. Can't vouch for durability. Only wore them for 2 days out of a 4-day hike. But they do seem slightly thinner than the old REI merino liners, from a few years ago. That might be a good thing, though, depending on how tight your boots are.
Age:55–64
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 9.5
Yes , I recommend this product
DanielleM
Syracuse NY
Excellent
5 years ago
I am always skeptical of 5 star reviews, assuming they are written by someon who was paid. But I am a real person who really loves these socks. I bought something similar from another store (admittedly cheaper) and they are not as good - they aren't terrible, but these socks are really great. They keep my feet warm and dry in my boots even after several ours of wearing them. I love them so much, I am willing to pay shipping to get them, and I HATE paying shipping. In our area, we get a lot of snow and you really need great socks. I have a couple of favorites and these are at the very top of the list.
Yes , I recommend this product
SlowBro
Oregon
Great lightweight socks
4 years ago
Bought these for sleep socks when I'm on the trail. As a long distance hiker I am always looking for the lightest items for my kit. I use sleep socks in my bag at night which helps keep my sleeping bag clean and my feet warm. They also serve as emergency dry socks for hiking if needed. These REI Merino Wool socks are just right. They weigh 1.6 oz a pair in the XL size, warm enough for 3 season used in my sleeping bag. Merino wool so they are not itchy and they have natural anti-odor properties. I have not used them as a liner sock so I can't comment on their durability, but for my purposes they are perfect. I would recommend these to a friend. Fit is great. I wear a size 11 shoe, I'm 70 y/o, located in Oregon, and for the last 6 years I've hiked a little over a thousand miles a year spending 3 to 4 months on the trail.
Age:65–74
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 11
Yes , I recommend this product
Todd
Great if you have sweaty feet
4 years ago
I used to have problems associated with my feet overheating and sweating until I discovered these find gauge thin socks which I wear as my main socks. The combination of the merino wool and thin/fine knit is great at keeping my fee cool. I have been buying these for several years. My only complaint is that the product has changed several times and each time it gets a little cheaper, smaller and wears out faster. But these are still the best available.
Age:55–64
Typical Shoe Size:Mens 10.5
Yes , I recommend this product
Jim Kirk
Wash in cold water
4 years ago
Always used to use Smartwool liners. When they were out of stock I got these instead. They felt great and worked well but unfortunately shrank down to child size the first time I washed them (in cold water, no less). Again, out of necessity bought another pair but havent washed them yet. Hoping they hold up better.
Mick
/Sock it to me
1 year ago
I work and play outdoors daily, often on steep slopes or uneven terrain. Used to think big boots were always needed, but they often are bulky or oversized, so I would use thick wool socks to take up the slack. Then I bought a pair of Lowa's ten years ago for desert walking, and they were tight, as the salesperson said they should be. So she offered me an incentive - a pair of wool sock liners. Wow, did they work. My footwork became more precise, I feel stable, never a chance of pinching or blistering, and the socks last and last. No sweating to speak of, easy to wash, fast drying. A no-brainer.
Arraway
Berkeley, CA
rough - not slippery like liner socks should be
3 years ago
These are OK socks. But, I always thought liner socks were supposed to be low-friction to avoid blisters, and these are not low-friction. I realized it was better to use light-weight wool socks (usually labeled as "casual" with "no cushioning" as my liner socks - since 1) I already owned them, 2) they have pretty patterns that bring me joy, and 3) they are smoother and less likely to lead to blisters!
Age:35–44
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 7.5
No, I do not recommend this product
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