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Best Summer Hiking Socks of 2023

JUMP TO: DARN TOUGH LIGHT HIKER |  SMARTWOOL PERFORMANCE HIKE | ICEBREAKER HIKE+ LIGHT | DARN TOUGH COOLMAX | WRIGHTSOCK COOLMESH II | INJINJI RUN LIGHTWEIGHT | REI CO-OP ECOMADE LIGHTWEIGHT FLASH  |  BUYING ADVICE  |  COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Sam Brilleman | Updated: Jul 9, 2023
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The Short Version

The Long Version

One useful thing about a rotating earth is that — regardless of which hemisphere you live in — the summer hiking season will eventually arrive. And when it does, a pair of quality summer hiking socks will help to keep your feet happy and healthy when you do hit the trails.

In cold conditions choosing the right socks can be vital, or you’ll be left with cold toes or worse. But in warm conditions, choosing the right socks is also just as important for your on-trail comfort. Warm conditions require a sock that has decent moisture management properties and ideally is resistant to the odors associated with sweaty feet.

And not all socks are created equal — some materials wick moisture and resist odors better than others (forget about cotton!) and certain manufacturers do a better job of ensuring a good fit, targeted support, seamless construction, and long-term durability.

In this article, we review the best socks for summer hiking. If you’re someone who hasn’t put much thought into your sock choice previously, then allow this guide to help keep your feet blister-free at the end of your next hiking trip.

If you enjoy reading this review of the best socks for hiking in hot weather, then you'll likely love stepping into some of our other hiking and backpacking content:

 

Need to know what to look out for?

Looking for a little more insight into what makes for a great hiking sock? Check out our buying advice at the bottom of this page, where we explore the different materials, styles, and designs you should consider when finding hiking socks fit for you.

 

MATERIALS: 59% merino wool, 39% nylon, 2% Lycra

HEIGHT: Micro crew (also available in No Show)

CUSHIONING: Light (also available in Medium)

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Durability, lifetime guarantee

CONS: Expensive, sizing may be confusing if you’re between sizes

Sock aficionados and distance hiker extraordinaires may find no surprise in seeing this offering from Darn Tough at the top of our list. Darn Tough has made a name for themselves as a US-based sock maker that offers a seemingly unbeatable combination of durability, performance, and comfort.

The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion (men’s and women’s) is one of their most popular socks. Yeah sure, it’s an excessive mouthful to pronounce, but setting that aside, it really is a f**king awesome sock.

It is made from a merino/nylon blend that Darn Tough has essentially perfected. These socks breathe incredibly well and are impressively odor-resistant thanks to the merino, and the additional nylon content will increase longevity. The lifespan of these socks continually astounds us. They legitimately do live up to the brand name.

Although it is “light” cushioned, it should have enough cushioning to be forgiving while not erasing ground-feel. The Darn Tough Light Hiker prides itself on being anti-slip and seems to have a low profile and compressive “forget it’s there” type of fit which we like.

This sock inevitably comes with a higher price tag, but it is backed up by Darn Tough’s lifetime guarantee. However, it is unlikely you will be needing to use it — Darn Tough’s socks are known for being some of the most durable on the market. Nonetheless, if you can beat these socks into submission before their natural end, Darn Tough will replace them at no cost to you.

MATERIALS: 56% merino wool, 41% nylon, 3% elastane

HEIGHT: Crew (also available in Low Ankle, Ankle, Mid Crew)

CUSHIONING: Light (also available in Full Cushion)

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Higher merino content, two-year guarantee with no need to ship product back

CONS: Expensive, returns only give you store credit

Another household name in the hiking community (as well as with runners, skiers, and adventurers in general) Smartwool began its brand with socks before successfully branching into other outdoor performance clothing.

The Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew (men’s and women’s) is perhaps their most well-rounded sock for warm weather hiking. One thing we love about these socks is their low profile: they hug your feet a bit closer and take up less space in your shoe. We find that their minimal design helps reduce chafing and excessive sweating. And if you’re someone who prefers to wear hiking sandals on trail, then a sock that takes up less space means a more comfortable fit with the sandal straps.

Realistically, once you hit a certain price point in socks (i.e. the top picks on this list), there isn’t a great degree of variance and brands need to offer something specific to stand out. In this case, Smartwool touts a dialed-in fit that prevents any sort of slippage — including the frustrations of your crew-length sock coming down your leg.

At a height of 8 inches, the Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew will come in a bit higher than the micro-crew offering from Darn Tough, but not by much. Smartwool also advertises a re-design of their “comfort zones” with extra stretch in the ankle for full, uninhibited motion without sacrificing the comfort of compression.

A perfect choice for summer, these socks are light and virtually seamless, erasing any awful chafing problems that can be found in other socks with more pronounced seams.

Best Merino Hiking Socks: ICEBREAKER HIKE+ LIGHT CREW

MATERIALS: 61% merino wool, 37% nylon, 2% Lycra

HEIGHT: Crew (also available in Mini Crew)

CUSHIONING: Light (also available in Medium)

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Odor resistance, comfort, lifetime guarantee, eco-friendly production

CONS: Expensive

It might seem strange to give a best merino sock award when the previous two offerings were also predominantly merino. But hey, sometimes shit just doesn’t make sense in this world, and I guess this is one of those times! So here we are – awarding the Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew (men’s and women’s) with the best merino sock award.

To be fair, the Hike+ Light Crew does have a slightly higher percentage of merino wool than the Smartwool and Darn Tough offerings. The more merino wool that makes up the sock, the less your socks are likely to smell at the end of the day. While that may not be the biggest of concerns for a weekend trip, if you plan any sort of extended trip, it might just be a concern you want to factor in. 

Of note, however, is that there is a durability trade-off for merino. Having said that, Icebreaker has so much faith in the quality of their merino/nylon blend that they offer a lifetime guarantee. This includes holes – wear through a hole in your sock and they will replace the pair.

Odor resistance and durability aside, these are also a comfortable pair of socks. They have a secure performance fit that remains even after regular use and washing.

And if you’re concerned about environmental impact, then you can feel good about purchasing from Icebreaker. Icebreaker has a commitment to sustainability and publishes a transparency report which sheds some light on their process and goals, and helps explain some of the considerations that go into their sustainable manufacturing.

Best Synthetic Hiking Socks: DARN TOUGH COOLMAX MICRO CREW CUSHION

MATERIALS: 37% nylon, 34% Coolmax polyester, 28% acrylic, 2% Lycra

HEIGHT: Micro Crew (also available in Boot)

CUSHIONING: Medium (also available in Full)

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Durability, good moisture management

CONS: No natural odor resistance

If you worry about the durability of merino wool, then synthetic socks can bring you some peace of mind. And the Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Socks (men’s and women’s) are some of the best synthetic hiking socks on the market.

With a combination of nylon, polyester, and acrylic fabrics, these socks hit home in the departments of durability and moisture management. This makes them a great sock for warmer weather or particularly active pursuits.

However, the nice thing about this material blend is that it should help regulate your foot temperature such that you’re cool and breezy in the heat and somewhat insulated when the temp drops. If you live in a relatively mild climate and don’t want to buy a closet full of socks for every season, then you could push these socks through to the shoulder seasons.

One of the minor downsides is that there is no natural odor resistance like there is with merino wool. That might or might not be an issue depending on how you plan to use them (backpackers beware).

Of course, the upside is that you get the greater durability of synthetics and a sock that should be faster drying than an otherwise equivalent weight merino pair.

Best Anti-Blister Socks: WRIGHTSOCK COOLMESH II CREW

MATERIALS:
    Inner: 70% polyester, 26% nylon, 4% Lycra
    Outer: 71% polyester, 24% nylon, 5% Lycra

HEIGHT: Crew (also available as Quarter, Lo Quarter, or Tab)

CUSHIONING: Light

PRICE: $$

PROS: “Blister free” double layer design, less expensive

CONS: Patterns aren’t very fun (if that is what you are into!)

The Wrightsock Coolmesh II Crew (men’s and women’s) uses a novel two-layer design to create what is marketed as a “blister-free sock”. Essentially two socks — an inner and an outer sock sewn together — the two-layer design reduces contact friction against your skin and thereby reduce the chance of blisters.

Wrightsock believes in the design so wholeheartedly that they offer a “blister-free guarantee”. Got a blister? Return your socks and get your money back. Of course, it will be little consolation, especially if you suffer the blister whilst out on a long hike. But at least it means that Wrightsock stands by their promise.

The Coolmesh II is their lightest double-layer sock, so perfectly suited for warm weather hiking. And if you prefer a shorter ankle then the Coolmesh II also comes in a quarter, lo quarter, or tab version.

So if you’re looking to extend old shoes or are just prone to blisters, these could be a game-changer for you. And as a bonus, they are only about two-thirds the price of our other top picks.

MATERIALS: 67% nylon, 28% Coolmax polyester, 5% Lycra (also available in a wool version)

HEIGHT: No show (also available in Mini Crew and Crew)

CUSHIONING: Light (also available in Medium)

PRICE: $$

PROS: Less expensive, wearable with flip-flop-style hiking sandals, can help prevent toe blisters

CONS: Take a bit of adjusting to when you first wear them

Toe socks (and toe shoes by extension) are about as polarizing as socks can get. The people that dislike them, well, they seem to really dislike them. And the people that love them, well, they seem to be true believers.

If the latter happens to be you — or you think you could be a convert in the making — then the Injinji Run Lightweight No Show (men’s and women’s) could well be your next favorite sock.

Injinji has been the go-to name in the toe sock department for years now. With their toe sock design, they attempt to solve the problem of friction between toes and the chaffing that it can cause.

Their Run Lightweight No Show is a true minimalist sock – it is low profile, light on the foot, allows your toes to splay out, and provides no excess material to bunch around the ankle. This makes them particularly good for day hiking in warm climates, fast and light hikes, or trail running.

And open-toed spendthrifts rejoice — these socks come in at just over half of the price of Darn Tough, Smartwool, and Icebreaker.

MATERIALS: 77% Coolmax polyester (recycled), 22% nylon, 1% spandex

HEIGHT: Quarter (also available in Crew)

CUSHIONING: Ultralight (also available in Lightweight)

PRICE: $$

PROS: Inexpensive, partially recycled materials

CONS: Long-term durability isn’t as great as our top picks, no natural odor resistance

Coming in at a slightly lower price point than brands like Darn Tough, Smartwool, and Icebreaker, the REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Lightweight Flash Quarter Socks are an option that’s both wallet-friendly and trail-worthy.

While cheaper prices often come with ethical trade-offs, that isn’t true for these socks. REI is committed to minimizing their environmental impact as well as treating their workers humanely. As part of this endeavor their EcoMade Lightweight Quarter Socks are produced using polyester created from recycled water bottles.

While natural fibers like merino wool are arguably the best for the planet, this sock from REI gives a purely synthetic option that also feels reasonably environmentally friendly. It is great to see more companies starting to use recycled materials in their manufacturing process; something that for a long time only seemed to be taken seriously by Patagonia.

The EcoMade Lightweight Quarter Socks are a pretty reliable option for warm weather hiking. They don’t quite live up to the same performance standard as brands like Smartwool and Icebreaker — who provide a more performance and secure fit that should stay that way for longer. Whereas the REI offering seems to lose some of its support over time and the material didn’t seem to hold up as well as the more expensive options. But if you are just looking for a slightly cheaper lightweight option for occasional hiking then these socks are a pretty solid bet.

As an added bonus, if you’re an REI member you can get 10% back on this product as part of your yearly dividend.

BUYING ADVICE FOR HIKING SOCKS

Materials

The best hiking socks are made from merino wool or synthetics like nylon and polyester. These materials are favored for socks (and most other hiking apparel) thanks to some key characteristics: they are moisture-wicking, breathable, and quick-drying. Unlike some natural fibers, like cotton, these materials will keep your feet dry and blister-free by pulling away moisture.

Merino wool socks are our personal favorites. Merino has outstanding thermo-regulation qualities: it keeps you warm in cold weather and cool when the sun is blazing. Merino socks are also, without a doubt, the best option for odor resistance. You can wear the same pair day after day on backpacking trips without invoking the ire (and disgust) of your entire hiking party.

Synthetics like nylon and polyester are not naturally odor-resistant and will absorb sweaty feet smells after just one use. Because of this, we tend to avoid purely synthetic socks for multi-day trips, but these materials do have their own advantages.

Compared to merino wool, nylon and polyester are far more durable. Most merino socks (including all of our favorites on this list) are blended with a considerable portion of nylon, mostly for added durability. It is also common to see a small amount of elastane (Lycra or Spandex) added to help socks to hold their shape.

Synthetics are cheaper than merino wool, which in many ways makes up for their lack of natural odor resistance. They are also comfortable and quite breathable, reducing the likelihood of chafing and blisters. 

Fully synthetic socks can be a great choice for day hikes or trail runs. But for backpacking trips or traveling, we prefer the odor-fighting magic of merino.

Style

Hiking socks come in a variety of heights and styles. All have their own particular advantages, depending on conditions and your footwear.

Here are the categories you will most likely encounter while on the hunt for new hiking socks:

CREW: This is the classic hiking sock. Crew socks extend up to your lower calf. They work best with traditional hiking boots featuring high cuffs. The extra coverage can be nice even with low-profile hiking shoes or trail runners, but they may get warm in hot summer weather.

MID-CREW: Also called “mini crew” or “quarter” these socks are a crew sock in style, but are a few inches shorter, rising two or three inches above your ankle bones.

ANKLE: Even shorter than mid-crew socks, ankle socks will sit right at or slightly above your ankle bones. They work well with mid-cut hiking shoes or trail runners.

NO-SHOW: The most minimal of sock options, no-shows won’t cover your ankle bone and don’t provide much protection from boot abrasion. They’re a great pairing with low-cut trail running shoes.

TOE-SOCKS: If a standard sock is like a mitten, then toe socks are like a glove. Runners and hikers love them for their ability to eliminate nasty toe blisters, others find them claustrophobic and tedious to put on. The only way to find out how you feel is to try them for yourself. Our favorite toe sock, the Injinji Run Lightweight No Show, is also available in mid-crew and crew heights.

Cushion

Hiking socks often come with different levels of cushioning. Ultralight, or “no cushion” socks have minimal padding and are the most breathable option. Lightweight socks provide more cushioning under the heel and ball of the foot while remaining quite breathable and moisture-wicking. This balance of cushioning and breathability makes lightweight socks our go-to for most summer hiking outings.

Medium and heavily cushioned socks provide even more padding. This makes them warmer as well — too warm for most warm weather hiking. They do best in cooler shoulder season weather or for winter hiking.

Odor-Resistance

Few things are less pleasurable than the scent of sweaty hiker feet in high summer. Merino wool socks are the best way to keep that foot odor under control, especially for backpacking trips when you’ll be wearing the same pair of socks day after day.

Unlike merino wool, synthetics do a rather poor job of suppressing foot odors. This isn’t too much of a problem for your typical day hike, but you will likely regret going with fully synthetic socks for any adventure extending beyond a single day.

Fit

Every hiker knows that happy feet are critical to a happy outing. Well-fitting socks are a critical part of making that happen. Too big, and the extra material creates friction points and blisters. Too small, and you restrict blood flow to your feet, and holes are more likely to develop.

Hiking socks should feel snug and secure, but never tight. Look to make sure that your heel rests naturally into the heel cup of the sock. For merino wool socks, we tend to size up as needed due to their tendency to shrink in the wash.

Durability

In general, synthetic socks are likely to be more durable than merino wool, but as we’ve discussed, that doesn’t mean they are always the better option. Merino socks are the undisputed top performer for backpackers, even if they may be quicker to tear and develop holes.

However, all of the merino socks on our list are there in part because of their impressive durability. By blending merino with nylon, socks from brands like Darn Tough, Smartwool, and Icebreaker can take a lot of abuse. Even after your socks have run their course, all three brands offer pretty robust warranties, making the not insignificant price tag easier to swallow.

Washing Care

Merino wool is also one of the more sensitive performance sock fabrics, so pay a little extra attention when washing them. Avoid washing them in hot water, and air dry them to avoid any shrinkage.

That said, we find the delicate nature of merino to be somewhat overstated. We will often tumble dry our socks and experience, at worst, a small amount of shrinkage. If you are close to being between sock sizes, we simply recommend you always size up, unless you plan to be ever-diligent about washing and drying your socks by hand.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What should hiking socks be made from? Moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics such as polyester, nylon, or merino wool make for the best hiking socks. Merino is more odor-resistant. Nylon and polyester are more durable and budget-friendly.

What hiking socks are best to avoid blisters? Merino or synthetic socks wick moisture, which helps reduce the risk of blister formation. Ensuring your socks are well-fitted will also reduce rubbing and pressure points that lead to blisters. Though they are not for everyone, toe socks are great for avoiding blisters on and between your toes.

What are the best odor-resistant hiking socks? Merino wool socks are the best option for odor resistance. We swear by them for any multi-day backpacking trips and prefer them for most day hikes as well.

What hiking socks are the most durable? Synthetics such as nylon, polyester, or acrylic will offer the greatest durability. But high-end (ie. expensive) merino wool socks from brands like Darn Tough are impressively durable as well.

Can I use hiking socks for running? Hiking socks with medium or heavy cushioning are probably too thick and bulky to run in comfortably. But ultralight or lightweight hiking socks in a no-show or ankle height can easily double as excellent running socks.

MORE INFORMATION

I hope you enjoyed this review of the best socks for hiking in warm weather. May your feet forever be cozy and comfortable!

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