The 7 Hiking Socks I Wear on the Trail (and the Street)

Merrell’s ankle hiking socks offer the same cushioning and reinforcement found in itstaller styles— because they’re the exact same socks, just cut lower. They feature arch support, a reinforced heel and toe, and a blend of acrylic, wool, nylon, and spandex that makes them perfectly snug yet comfortable.

The thinnest, lightest hiking socks I’ve ever worn, these still provide solid support thanks to an elasticized arch. The thin weave of 56 percent merino wool, 41 percent nylon-polyamide, and 3 percent lycra allows for plenty of breathability, and won’t suffocate your feet even on the longest journeys. I should note that they lack the cushioning a thicker sock offers — but if you have comfortable boots, these are a superlative option for warm-weather wear.

[Editor’s note: These socks are sold out in the crew size, but they’re available in a3/4 crew sizefor $18 on Amazon.]

These socks have the least amount of wool among my favorites. Their blend of merino (29 percent), bamboo rayon (36 percent), nylon (30 percent), and spandex (5 percent) gives them an almost silky feel, and allows them to stay nice and cool. Large mesh patches on the upper ventilate excess heat and sweat, and tight knitting on the bottom offers good arch support. At $22 a pair, they’re not the cheapest, but I’ve worn the same pair regularly for a year and they’ve yet to show signs of wearing out.

I’ve also worn the same pair of these slightly less-expensive Feetures hiking socks at least once a week for the past year, and they too have held up. Their blend of merino wool and Tencel — a material made from wood pulp — gives them a silkiness similar to the above pair, and they also feature mesh patches (for ventilation) and tight knitting on the bottom (for arch support).

This is another great pair for anyone who finds mostly wool socks too warm or itchy. These socks feature a fabric blend that’s 37.5 percent merino and 37.5 percent acrylic, with the rest being a combination of lycra and nylon. This specific weave results in a sock snug enough to stay in place even during high-intensity activities that also wicks away sweat well. The heel and toe have decent padding, too. But despite their “Light” name, I’d say these socks are more medium weight, making them best-suited for mild to cool weather.

When you’re climbing a mountain, it’s not uncommon to go from hot to cold weather conditions as you make your way to the top. But chances are you’re not going to want to pause halfway through your ascent to change socks. That’s why I like to wear these on days I anticipate changes in temperature (whether I’m spending them on the trail, or running around town). The socks offer good wicking and moisture release, but are also thick enough to keep your feet warm. They also have a thicker collar at the top (resulting in less friction caused by boot cuffs rubbing against them), and blister-preventing knitting at the heel and toe (to protect those areas against skin abrasion).

These socks rise up to your mid-calf, which is higher than most others that call themselves “crew.” But if you’re walking through tall grass and low brambles in a pair of shorts, you’ll likely appreciate that rise — at least on a milder day (at 65 percent wool, this pair wouldn’t be the best to wear when it’s superhot). Even though it’s predominantly wool, the material is still on the thinner side, and supersoft. Plus, these socks also offer decent cushioning and stay in place well, making them a great option for longer treks.