Smartwool  Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks - Men's

I've been buying these socks for years and have loved them for their comfort, moisture wicking, warmth, and longevity. These, however, are not the Smartwool that I've come to know and love. One of the three pair had a hole in the seam right out of the box, and they pill like crazy, which is a new phenomena for me with this brand. I kept them and I'm wearing them, but I won't be purchasing them again. Makes me sad, because not only do I wear the hikers, I also wear their dress and casual socks. It's too bad that a brand that earned my trust over so many years managed to lose it in one fell swoop. On to the next.

Usually I go for Darn Touch socks for hiking. But my wife got me some Smartwool cycling socks which I absolutely love so decided to give their hiking socks a try. Purchased some to use on a recent trip to Glacier National Park. Big mistake and bigger waste of money. The insides felt so rough and uncomfortable. It felt like super cheap 100 thread sheets you find at dingy motels rubbing on my feet. I was shocked at how uncomfortable these were. Fortunately the first hike we did in Glacier was only 6 miles - I couldn't wait to get back to the car to take these off. Maybe I got a bum pair, but I was shocked at how poor and cheap these felt. Back to Darn Tough socks for me.

I bought two pairs in different colors about a month ago. Used them this week for the first time on a short hike. After one use and one machine wash one of the socks teared apart completely on the top. Like the sewing was a extremely weak or unfinished and the threads came out destroying the upper part of the sock in just one wash. I would post a picture of it was possible but I see no option for that.

They’re thick and comfortable, but not a compression sock. Quality, but almost the exact opposite of their nearest competitor DT. I like these. Although they don’t fit tightly, they don’t wrinkle in the boots either. Toes have a little wiggle room.

I definitely recommend. These socks are my go-to for both work and play if I am not wearing the REI branded sock of the same style. I think they provide great cushion, no hot-spots, and most importantly, they stay up on my leg (even though I have large calf muscles). I wear these all year (4-season sock) as they wick sweat in the summer and keep me warm in the winter. Sometimes, I even sleep in them. Even after long days hiking or working on the farm, they tend to not be stinky. I have noticed if there ever is a smell usually originates from the shoe, and not the sweaty sock.

Ten years ago, I bought the same Smartwool crew sock. The sock from ten years ago was thicker, ample, with a higher wool content. It was a medium size and fit my size 9. 5-foot size perfectly. The Classic Edition Crew Socks that just arrived are about 1/2 as good as the socks manufactured from years past. Using Smartwool's sizing guide, this time I order the large size, and the LG size of the new sock feels actually smaller than the medium size from yesteryear. In my opinion, Smartwool is yet another corporation that cuts corners with their products to boost profits and hoping that more recent customers will never know the diminished quality of Smartwool's current socks.

Socks are comfortable, true to size and have withstood multiple washings. I'm an 85 old senior hiking about 5 miles a day most days of the week in the River Mountains in Boulder City, NV. So far, the socks have held up. I would recommend these to a friend.

I have owned many pairs of Smartwool soaks, the latest set does not appear to be wearing as well as the older ones. After several wearing I am seeing pilling of the fabric

These are my favorite everyday sock, by a wide margin. However, it turns out that they are not completely immune to damage by 10-month old German Shepherds. From all else, they hold up extremely well.

Purchased three pair of the Hike Classic Edition Full Cushion Crew Socks for a ten day, 125 mile, backpacking trek on the Appalachian Trail. Never did less than eleven miles per day and did one twenty mile day. Hiking was through the famously rocky section of the trail in Pennsylvania —a graveyard for hiking boots and trail shoes. The socks were awesome. My hiking boots and liner socks (another brand) showed serious wear, but the Smartwool hikers were outstanding and offered blister-free, cushioned comfort despite days of use in rain, 90+ degree heat, and rocks, rocks, rocks. Highly recommended.