How to Choose Hiking Socks

Bare a little more skin for a little cooler hike with the REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight hiking quarter socks. Naturally breathable, moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, they cushion every step.
Made in USA.
View all REI Co-op Men's Hiking SocksBest Use | Hiking |
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Fabric | 78% merino wool/21% nylon/1% LYCRA spandex |
Sock Height | Ankle |
Sock Cushioning | Light Cushioning |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
S | M | L | XL | S/M | L/XL | |
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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 |
For socks, please use shoe size.
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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Where to begin? Loved my old REI 1/4 height wool socks. These new ones are awful. They’re thicker. Not a good thing in my book. My feet sweat a bit now. Never used to. My everyday boots don’t even fit with these socks. They have a shorter rise from heel to top of the sock. So it doesn’t feel like it stays on as well. The toe seam is much more pronounced and you can feel it inside the sock. It’s also closer to the tip of your toes now, so it’s more easily felt. Even worse when you flex your toes. Used to wear these socks 365 days a year. Sad to discover the changes when I purchased a bunch of new ones this year. Sorry to say goodbye to my favorite 1/4 height REI wool socks, but you’ve forced my hand! Let me know when you go back to what worked.
I’m soo glad I read the reviews before purchasing. I’m a size 8 in shoes and based on the size chart, I would be a M. There were mixed reviews but enough said it ran big that I took a chance and ordered S. Oddly enough, size S was a perfect fit even though I checked my order history and w the “crew socks”, I had ordered M w no complaints. I would recommend sizing down or if unsure, to buy both sizes. The sock itself is definitely comfortable and would recommend!
Have had these and Smartwool socks (crew, no-show, and ankle heights, hiking, mountaineering, light). These are great socks. If you overdry them, they shrink a little (they are more wool than other brands, 79% vs 55%) but will still be wearable for your size. They stretch a little as you wear them. I find the snugness really prevents blisters in the heel and ball of the foot, no liners are needed. Cushioning is perfect. I’ve used them hiking the LT (multi-day use, little washing) and they were amazing. They don’t stink, continue to keep your feet dry and are comfortable, never get saggy. I’ve used the no-show and ankle for working out, walking the golf course, etc. Same applies- they are high quality.
Definitely not the same as they use to be 5+ years ago. The old socks I have (blue) pair is a large and I love them. Got a new pair (grey) and had to return the first set of a large and got a medium. The pic shows the "medium" new grey pair under the old "larger" blue pair. Sadly going to be looking for a new set of work socks. Been using these socks for 15+ years and now.... no more.
Unlike some REI brand products I have purchased in the past, these socks feel thin (not in a good way) and extremely cheaply made. I can see my toes through the seams. They also run large and don't seem to have enough elastic in the right spots. These may be inexpensive compared to "name brand" socks but they is not worth it. Better to get a $25 pair of socks that are actually well made and will last, than a $15 pair of socks that are flimsy and will probably have holes within a few uses. It's unfortunate that REI socks have gone this way, but I would steer clear.
I’ve been buying the same style REI socks since 2001. They have changed slightly over the years. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. And this time around it’s for worse. The fit is not the same. The socks are loose around my foot, especially the toe box. I can feel them slipping around in my hiking boots. The same elastic band is still around the mid foot so I’m not sure why it feels so much more loose. Perhaps the blend is different? What ever the reason is it’s disappointing and expect more from a sock that is $10.39 (bought 3 pairs) pair. They are still better than the average sock you can get from a big box store, so I gave it 3 stars.
They're great while they last. Unfortunately, they don't last. They develop holes in the heal and toe box very quickly. REI socks used to be awesome! Not anymore.
I had already written a review as I had previously purchased size S for myself as a women’s 8, which fit perfectly! However, I went back to order size M for my mom (W8.5 wide) and after trying on the socks myself.. size M fits me perfectly too!! I even compared the socks from size S and M on both feet and they look identical in sizing/fit. So I took one size from each pair to compare the length and they seem to be identical as well..? Perhaps when hiking, size M may be big..? I’m not sure anymore but considering my first purchase for the crew socks were size M (perfect fit), I will probably stick to M for the future..
Nice Socks, a bit heavier than I thought. They seem to run big, exchanging for smaller size. I wear 11 and the heel cup is on my achilles
I appreciate the reviews that said to size down, but I got the mediums since 9.5 was at the top of the range. They are still too big and when I wore them with my very comfortable hiking boots, they slipped down and I got horrible blisters where the socks bunched up. They are okay to wear around the house on cold mornings and would probably work with sneakers that didn’t allow them to slip.