The Best Hiking Socks of 2025: Staff Picks

A year-in, year-out favorite on the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails, this heavy-cushioned crew sock from Darn Tough has seen its fair share of 30-mile days. Unlike a lighter sock that saves the padding for the ball and heel only, this puppy offers plush, high-density cushioning throughout the entire sock to keep feet happy on tough days of pounding rugged singletrack.

Many hiking socks use the wool/nylon/elastane trifecta, and the Hiker Boot Full-Cushion is no different. Where it does dogleg from the others is in the high percentage of merino wool used—that's where the plush cushioning comes from. And for a poofier sock, it's not at all sloppy: Our testers laud its snug, no-slip fit. "No bunching means no blisters, even on even the sweatiest days," says one editor, who's had the same pair of Hiker Boot Full-Cushions in the rotation for seven years.

What's more, this sock comes with the Darn Tough lifetime guarantee. That's the sort of durability we can all get behind. Buy women's. Buy men's.

Wet feet = blister-prone feet. So whether you're naturally sweaty or hiking in high temps, you owe it to your sole to check out a pair of socks with light cushioning like these. The Performance Hike Light Cushion—the brand's evolution of the venerable PhD Outdoor line—has less wool than a full-cushioned sock, reserving the padding in higher-impact zones like the heel and ball. On the top of the foot, Smartwool places thinner, mesh-like fabric that serves as a vent to keep moisture away. "It gives me the benefit of padding without suffocating me," one staffer says. "I get really sweaty feet when I'm hiking, but when I pair the Performance Hike Light Cushion with trail runners, I don't swamp out, even on 80°F days."

The Performance Hike Light Cushion features Smartwool's Indestructawool™ technology, which is basically the brand's way of zoning the merino, nylon and elastane where you need them most without introducing more seams that can chafe or feel annoying. That's all supposed to make the sock more durable—something we haven't tested in a lab but are into. One staffer has logged about 150 miles and a dozen washes on her trusty pair and the socks are no worse for wear. The Performance Hike Light Cushion also has recycled content, and it uses New Zealand merino wool that's ethically sourced—so you can feel good about your purchase. Buy women's. Buy men's.

This sock from REI Co-op is one of the most budget-friendly winter-ready socks, so we'll forgive you for overlooking it at first glance. But on closer inspection, you'll see why these merino wool babies scored high praise from our experts: Warmth and comfort aren't sacrified at this price point. You get all-over cushioning to keep you warm for cold-weather hikes, and reinforcement at the heels, toes and footbeds for lasting comfort. Added bonus: All that merino wool provides natural odor control. And for summertime camping, the Merino Wool Midweight Hiking Crew pulls double-duty as a luxurious sleep sock to stuff in the bottom of your sleeping bag.

Feel good about wearing this socking, too. The Merino Wool Midweight is made using wool that's certified by the animal-friendly Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). Buy here.

Do a cursory search for "best thru-hiking sock," and Darn Tough comes up every time. This fan-favorite quarter-height sock hits just above the ankles, making it perfect for hikers who wear trail runners or low-cut boots on excursions, while the lighter cushioning extends up the Achilles heel for targeted comfort without feeling bulky. "The last pair of these I bought over 7 years ago and found them again. The first pair has survived two trips to Burning Man," says one member-tester. "I love that they are made in the USA and very comfortable."

Beyond that, the Light Hiker boasts all of the hallmarks we've come to expect from Darn Tough, including a no-slip performance fit, a moisture-wicking merino blend and True Seamless™ fusion to prevent blisters or discomfort. And this sock is also backed by the Darn Tough lifetime guarantee, which is just icing on the cake. Buy women's. Buy men's.

Have an issue with blisters? Try going double: The WRIGHTSOCK Cool Mesh II Crew has two layers that work together to limit friction caused by repetitive motion. The ultrathin inner layer fits snugly so that it's difficult to pinch loose; that makes it nearly impossible for the material to bunch, crease or chafe your bare skin. (It also helps wick moisture like a dream to keep your feet dry.) The outer layer, meanwhile, cushions your foot like a standard sock while absorbing any rubbing from your shoe as it slides (friction-free) over the inner layer. Mesh panels boost breathability for all-day dry, comfortable feet, and a Stabilizer Zone™ in the arches keep your feet snug—no hike-stopping slipping. Silver extruded into the yarn protects against the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and will help your feet feel like a million bucks (while costing 0.0025% as much). Buy here.

Blisters be gone thanks to the Light Hiker No Show Lightweight hiking socks from Darn Tough, which are the perfect pair for lower-profile trail-running shoes. These are made for fleet feet flying down tough terrain: Seamless construction prevents unnecessary friction in your shoes, and a stay-put fit means no bunching or slipping that can also create or exacerbate hot spots. “These are my all-time favorite fast-moving outdoor socks,” says Ever Meister, Hike editor for Expert Advice. “My feet are relatively wide across the metatarsals and I am notorious for blowing holes into the sides of my socks as a result. My Light Hikers have not only stayed in one piece (er, two pieces?) but also never give me blisters, even when it’s hot and humid out.” They’re backed by the Darn Tough lifetime guarantee, to boot. 

Fine-gauge merino wool dries so fast you’ll wish you could match its pace, and it’s naturally moisture-wicking to keep sweat and precip from drowning your miles. Merino is also thermoregulating so your tootsies stay cool in summer and warm in winter. And lucky for anyone who shares your post-run carpool, merino repels odors. Buy women's. Buy men's.

It's a fact: Kids can't sit still. And all those steps can add up to achy feet. But a good pair of socks like the REI Co-op Trailsmith Merino Wool Lightweight Crew Socks provides midweight cushioning underfeet for all those long hikes, romps through puddles and playground rambles. "These are nicely cushioned and toasty!" says one member reviewer from Kentucky. A bit of spandex adds stretch to the fabric for a snug fit, and the sock is made with merino wool that's certified by the animal-friendly Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). Buy here.

Whether you're eyeing a leisurely recovery day or a long-distance flight, your legs deserve the power of a properly designed compression sock. Using graduated pressure from the Achilles to just above the calf, compression socks can help decrease swelling and increase blood flow. The Sockwell Circulator has moderate (15-20 mmHg) graduated compression that's highest at the ankles and lightest at the calves, helping push blood up your body toward your heart for maximum circulation. This can help reduce recovery time when you're training and lessen leg swelling during hours spent sitting in an office chair or on a plane.

The Circulator is designed with a merino/nylon/spandex blend similar to what you might find in a typical hiking sock. But Sockwell also sneaks bamboo into the mix, which has antimicrobial properties. Buy women's. Buy men's.