How to Choose Hiking Socks

Year-round socks for outdoor enthusiasts, these women's Bridgedale merino socks are designed to keep feet warm, dry and comfortable. Medium cushioning delivers impact protection.
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Imported.
View all Bridgedale Women's Hiking Socks| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 38% nylon/26% new wool/18% merino wool/17% Endurofil polypropylene/1% Lycra elastane |
| Sock Height | Crew |
| Sock Cushioning | Medium Cushioning |
| Moisture Wicking | Yes |
| Gender | Women's |
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I was looking for socks with good cushioning and these seemed like they would meet my needs. I wanted to wash before wearing so I washed them in cold water, line dried. They no longer fit. The shrinkage was substantial. They would have been great when I was around 9-10 years old but are far too tight to try to wear now, even when stretched to the maximum. And of course if you have to stretch them to the max you lose some of the cushioning. I guess that's maybe why they were being sold in the outlet but this flaw should have been disclosed.
These are my all-time favorite socks. By FAR. They lasted an entire AT thru-hike. No holes, no rub spots, no worn-out patches, no scraped heels, no wear in the cushion. I jokingly bet someone (by the name of "Young and Dumb", I kid you not) I could do the whole AT thru hike in those socks (I only ever had 2 pairs on trail), no prob. And so I did: they look like new. They never strangled my ankles, either. The cushion is "Goldilocks". Not too heavy, not too light. My experience with other top brands, by contrast, has always been exasperation. The American brand that has some kind of lifetime guarantee? The heels wear out in about 6 weeks. The one with the NZ wool? The toes wear out in no time, as do the heels. On both brands, the ankles grow ever tighter until you're getting ankle-throttle. Now I only use Bridgedales and Farm to Feet.
These socks are wonderful! I hiked 2200 miles of the AT in them. Not a hole, not a wear spot, no damage when I got done. Every other sock I've worn for hiking or around town—especially Darn Tough and Smartwool—have worn through at the heels in a couple of weeks. I used to have to buy Bridgedales in England, and I'd stock up when I went there. So glad to find them in the US.