Hiking socks are often overlooked in favor of more exciting purchases like new hiking boots or the latest backpacking backpacks, but the importance of choosing the best hiking socks for your feet can’t be overstated. Hiking socks differ from everyday socks in terms of their material, cushioning, and seams. My favorite hiking socks are normally made with a blend of synthetic and natural fibers and are designed for extended comfort on the trail with added cushioning underfoot, reinforcements in high-abrasion areas like the heel and toes, and unobtrusive seams to help prevent blisters.While you can get away with wearing cotton socks at home, the merino-synthetic blend in a hiking-specific pair will help keep your feet comfortable thanks to the way the material wicks sweat, as well as its softness next to skin. I look for at least a mini-crew height to help keep debris out of my shoes, but I’ll go with a full crew if I’m wearing hiking boots.Below are the best hiking socks I tested this year during my many miles on trails across the country and abroad, as well as tips on what to look for when you’re shopping for hiking socks.The Best Hiking SocksBest Overall: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew CushionBest Value: REI Coolmax EcoMade Lightweight Hiking SocksBest for Hot Weather: Darn Tough Micro Crew Ultralight CushionBest For Long Backpacking Trips: Farm to Feet Damascus Light Targeted CushionBest Targeted Zoning: Smartwool Hike Light Cushion CrewWhat to ConsiderFabricBoth natural fibers (usually merino) and synthetic (usually polyester or nylon) are good options for hiking socks, and most of my top picks use a blend of the two. Merino wool hiking socks are naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, plus they have temperature-regulating properties. This makes them excellent for hiking in a variety of conditions, as well as extended backpacking trips.Fully synthetic socks have their place, though. They tend to dry faster and are more durable than natural fibers, plus they often cost less. I typically opt for a blend of natural and synthetic, with the natural fibers offering moisture-wicking and breathability and the synthetic fibers giving the socks structure and elasticity.HeightWhile socks come in a range of low and no-show heights, I prefer either mini-crew or full crew hiking socks to help keep debris out of my shoes and protect my ankles against overgrown trails. There isn’t a true standard sock height measurement, and you’ll see a variation in listings between mini-crew, quarter-crew, and micro-crew. Ankle-height and full-crew are more standardized, but the mid-range heights vary by brand.For hiking, I look for models that sit above the ankle but below the knee. A mini-crew sock (also called a micro-crew) has cuffs that sit just over the ankle bone. (This is the style of our top overall pick, the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion.) Mini-crew socks aren’t tall enough to cause your feet to overheat, but they still provide a good baseline of protection from sand and debris.Crew-height, when the cuff sits right around the middle of your calf, is my second-favorite hiking sock style. These socks, including the Farm to Feet Damascus Light Targeted Cushion, offer more protection against ankle bangs and scratches, and they pair well with hiking boots. They can get a little too hot on summer hikes though, and I’ve found them to be overkill with low-cut shoes. PaddingMost hiking socks have light to moderate cushioning, which keeps the socks breathable and low-profile while providing enough underfoot cushion to reduce fatigue during long days on trail. Most of my picks fall in the middle. Lighter hiking socks, like the REI Coolmax EcoMade Lightweight Hiking Socks, are still made with reinforced underfoot material, while medium-cushion socks, including the Tough Cutie Merino Wool Crew Socks, have additional padding underfoot and through the heel and toes. These take up more space inside a hiking shoe, but for longer miles, the extra padding is a blessing. For winter hikes or if you’re wearing heavier boots, a maximum-cushion sock will be your best bet, but be aware these can start to make your shoes feel too tight. BreathabilityA sock with a blend of synthetic and natural fibers will wick sweat and breathe well. If you’re hiking in hot climates, look for a lighter sock with lower cushioning levels. Lighter socks won’t feel as heavy and constricting, and you want to keep your feet as dry as possible to avoid blisters. Merino and polyester are both breathable materials, but merino takes longer to dry once it gets wet.DurabilityFor maximum durability, look for socks with a tight knit pattern, low-seam construction for fewer failure points, and reinforced toes and heels for reduced wear in high-impact areas. Cuffs with banded elastic at the top will stay up better, and many cuffs have an alternating knit-purl pattern for better stretch and shape retention. Finally, a small percentage of spandex, elastane, or lycra will help the socks maintain their shape over time.How We SelectedI have been hiking, backpacking, and thru-hiking for more than a decade and testing gear professionally for nearly as long. Testing these sock models first-hand was important for this guide, and I took notes on the hiking socks that I’ve worn both on my own trips and during testing for this piece.While testing, I focused on whether the socks bunched up at the heels and toes, if they stayed up around my ankles and calves on longer days, and how well they wicked sweat. I also checked for hot spots and ill-fitting areas, and for the socks I wore backpacking, I tracked how well they held up after a few days without washing.For durability and shape retention, I looked for socks with a small amount of elastane, and for the best wicking and comfort, I made sure to test socks with a blend of merino and synthetic. My top-ranked hiking socks are mostly micro-crew and mini-crew height, but I did test a variety of heights to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. I wore these socks on hikes and trail runs over the past season, and several pairs were my go-to backpacking picks last summer in the US, Slovenia, and Italy. Hiker Micro Crew Cushion With a high-quality, seamless construction, sustainably sourced merino wool, and a lifetime warranty, these socks are at the top of my list to start every hiking season. They are made with a high-density knit that combines underfoot padding with stellar breathability, and I feel comfortable wearing them during both summer activities and on shoulder-season hikes. The arch is supportive without having too much elastic, and I’ve never known them to bunch up in the toes or heel despite having a smaller-volume foot.The cuff stays up easily but doesn’t cut off circulation, and the double-stitched toe and heel on my most-worn pair haven’t developed holes, even after a lot of use. The only thing I notice is that the denser knit can collect sweat more than other pairs, and they feel a bit stiff after getting sweaty, which can be annoying on multi-day hikes. These socks are available in both men’s and women’s versions. Coolmax EcoMade Lightweight Hiking Socks While most of my hiking socks are made from a blend of natural and synthetic materials, you’ll typically save money if you opt for a fully synthetic pair like this one from REI. The Coolmax EcoMade fibers are spun from recycled bottles, and branding under REI’s own name allows them to make quality socks without a ridiculous price point.The socks are quite soft, even on hot and sweaty days, and they wick moisture well thanks to fine fibers that feel similar to a lightweight merino. Like most fully synthetic socks, you’re going to sacrifice odor resistance by foregoing natural fibers, and I wouldn’t choose to wear these for an overnight backpacking trip lest I smoke my tentmate out of the shelter. Micro Crew Ultralight Cushion For hot hikes in the desert or mid-summer outings, I want as light a sock as possible without losing too much in the way of comfort. These socks offer three different heights for versatility, and while they all feature an ultralight build, the micro-crew is my preferred option as it still offers calf protection from desert spikes and sun.The merino fibers are highly odor resistant, and even though it’s a lightweight sock, it’s still foot-mapped with added flexion across the top of the foot for support at the ankle and arch.The socks are designed with material removed at the base of the ankle, which prevents them from bunching up and causing hot spots under hiking boots or tighter shoes once your feet swell. I did notice some extra soreness underfoot after a long day on rocky trails, which most likely comes from the minimal padding. On hot days though, the breathability, quick-dry capabilities, and lightweight build are worth it. These socks are available in both men’s and women’s versions. Damascus Light Targeted Cushion Farm to Feet designed their taller Damascus sock, named after the famous trail town on the Appalachian Trail, with thru-hikers in mind, and it shows. These socks are supremely comfortable for long days on the trail. They work well under low-cut hiking shoes as well as boots, and they have extra cushioning in reinforced ribs on top of the foot where your laces or shoe tongue might rub.The toe area is seamless, which helps minimize bulk, and the fit is snug enough to offer light compression around the calf, though some people might prefer extra underfoot cushioning for the added weight of carrying a heavy pack. The crew height might feel tall at first, but hikers hitting the trail in shorts will appreciate the extra coverage. Hike Light Cushion Crew Smartwool renamed their popular PhD collection a few years ago, and the Hike Light retains the best qualities of the former line with a few nice updates. The most recent socks use more recycled synthetic fibers, have updated foot-mapping for more support, and added reinforcement in key areas like the toe and heel. Plus, the targeted mesh zones—areas of reduced bulk and increased stretch based on where you’ll need less padding, like where your ankle meets your foot—add breathability and flex.Overall, these fit better than almost any other socks I’ve tested thanks to the extra material where I need the cushioning and lighter flexion at the top to reduce bulk. The targeted zoning makes these secure all the way through the foot and over the ankle, though I found the top of the sock to get a little stretched out over time. They did resolve some past issues with wear and tear by improving durability at the toes and heel without adding stiffness. These socks are available in both men’s and women’s versions. Hiker Boot Sock I didn’t include any winter-specific socks in this guide, but this pair comes closest without being too seasonally limiting. These are a full-cushion sock that can be used as a winter hiking sock with the right footwear, but they still aren’t too heavy and thick for shoulder-season hikes where you’re carrying a heavy pack and want extra cushion underfoot.Despite the heavier material, these have a smooth, low-seam build that doesn’t bunch or rub. The high percentage of merino helps with temperature regulation, so these stay relatively cool in warmer weather thanks to the natural wicking properties. That said, they aren’t my first choice for true summer hikes, as you might start to feel overheated thanks to the heavier padding. Pursuit Quarter Crew These super soft socks have a high percentage of merino but wick as well as socks made mostly from synthetic. Swiftwick uses a fine-gauge knit with a structured toe and heel to keep these socks form-fitting with an almost compression-like feel. And their quick-dry properties make them one of my top picks for humid hikes.This style is taller than other quarter-crew socks I’ve tested (there isn’t a standard measurement for style names). They are offered in a few different heights, though, and I’ve used all of them with different styles of shoe and for runs and hikes of different lengths.The brand calls these a medium-cushion sock, but they don’t have as much underfoot padding as other medium-cushion socks I’ve tested. This isn’t a deal breaker (and in fact it helps keep them breathable), but people on longer hikes or carrying a heavier pack might want the extra ground protection of a reinforced design. Merino Wool Crew Socks Don’t let the somewhat goofy brand name fool you: These are fantastic technical socks for hiking, running, and wearing around the house. Entirely female owned and operated, Tough Cutie makes socks for low-volume feet that have the perfect amount of cushion around the heels and toes, nearly invisible seams, and a flexible-yet-sturdy topline structure that feels supportive without too much thickness.These fall right in the middle of the road for material blend, with just over 50 percent merino for odor resistance and moisture management and excellent structure with the 46 percent nylon. These socks stay soft and stink-free on multi-day backpacking trips, and I have both the ankle-height (use for running) and the quarter-crew (use for hiking). The taller socks feel comfortable on both hot and cold hikes, though they are primarily designed for women and probably will feel too low-volume for many men.