Key Takeaways
- Choose the best socks for hiking and outdoor activities by considering environment, footwear, and activity—not just personal preference. The best socks offer durability, comfort, and are suitable for hiking boots and shoes. Climate, terrain, and load all influence the ideal sock choice.
- Materials matter—merino wool, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, and polyester each play distinct roles in durability, moisture wicking, odor resistance, and temperature regulation.
- Sock height affects skin protection and comfort. Select OTC, crew, micro crew, quarter, or low-cut socks based on boot height, climate, and coverage needs.
- Blister prevention relies on moisture control, proper cushioning, and appropriate liner use. Modern socks often eliminate the need for liners.
- Footwear compatibility is essential. Ensure full skin coverage, choose appropriate cushioning, and lace boots properly to prevent friction and hot spots.
- Cushioning and arch support impact comfort and fatigue on tough terrain. Match cushion levels to ground hardness and pack weight.
- Ultralight hiking prioritizes material durability over physical sock weight. Fewer, tougher, antimicrobial socks reduce pack weight effectively.
- Climate is the most critical factor. Hot, humid, cold, dry, and extreme environments demand socks engineered for those specific conditions.
Introduction to Hiking Socks
Whether you are someone who is becoming more serious about hiking, or someone who casually enjoys hiking, but wants to get the most enjoyment possible from the activity, you can learn what experienced hikers already know: dedicated hiking socks are an essential part of your kit.
Your feet have arguably the hardest job to perform when you hike. So, finding the right socks to match the hike is important in the same way finding the right hiking boot or hiking shoes are. These items become more than just clothing, they become gear that provide comfort and durability to support your favorite outdoor activities.
There are a plethora of hiking socks available on the market. Hiking socks are available in a wide array of materials, construction styles, and fitment styles.
The combination of the materials and construction allow a sock to be purpose-built for the task at hand, while the various fitment styles allow you to match your hiking socks to your favorite footwear and to satisfy your personal preferences.
No matter if you are hiking in tall backpacking boots in frozen lands, or mid-cut (ankle-height) boots in a rocky desert, or even low cut shoes, there is a hiking sock that is best for each occasion.
Selecting the right pair of socks is also essential for preventing blisters. The proper socks keep your feet comfortable and protected on the trail, allowing you to reach your next hiking goal or simply enjoy your time outdoors more. The difference the right socks makes in hiking comfort and performance cannot be overstated.
If you are someone who is interested in ultralight hiking, using a purpose-built hiking sock is one of your most vital considerations. The material and construction styles selected will play a pivotal role in your success. But as you will learn later on, the criteria for making the right selection is not the physical weight of the material.
We’ve broken hiking socks selection down into 7 key areas and give each a dedicated section below, so that you can not only see the value in using a purpose-built hiking sock, but also make an informed decision when you choose hiking socks and select the type you truly need.
1. Hiking Sock Materials
Selecting materials for socks is a balancing act of durability, temperature regulation, moisture control, and general comfort.
For example, the Covert Threads Ice Sock uses acrylic, wool, and nylon in proportions that are conducive to the environment they are intended for: hiking in extreme cold.
Conversely, the Covert Threads Jungle Sock is composed of polypropylene and nylon, which performs better in hot and wet conditions.
Note that not only are the materials different between the Ice Sock and the Jungle Sock, but the number of materials used in their construction is also different—the Ice Sock is composed of three materials, while the Jungle Sock is composed of two.
Furthermore, even if two socks shared the same materials, they are likely to be in different proportions to one another based on the intended use of the hiking sock.
Some common materials used to construct hiking socks and their properties are:
- Merino wool: excellent breathability, great moisture-wicking properties, and natural odor resistance
- Polypropylene: light, durable synthetic material that excels at wicking moisture
- Nylon: the most durable of all fibers, making it well-suited for socks that will take a lot of punishment.
- Acrylic: provides a smooth, comfortable feel in addition to enhancing the moisture-wicking properties of the sock
- Polyester: the strength to weight ratio makes polyester a great for thinner socks that still need to be durable
In addition to the properties these Sock materials already possess, the materials can also be treated with compounds like SmartSilver, whose antimicrobial properties aide in controlling foot odor.
Materials can be either synthetic or natural. Synthetic materials tend to be much more durable, but that does not mean that you sacrifice all durability if you prefer natural materials. Advances in modern manufacturing allow materials producers to create very high quality yarns from natural sources.
2. Hiking Sock Styles
It is worth noting upfront that in some discussions, “style” might reference the intended activity or climate the sock is intended for. You may even see instances where something like a compression sock is referred to as a sock “style” unto itself.
Because the word “style” does not have a universal meaning with regards to socks, in this article we will use style to reference the cut of the sock, specifically.
This allows us to break the subject out and guide you to an informed purchase more simply. Later we provide sections dedicated to considerations like climate and activity.
Hiking socks come in various height styles, including:
- Over the calf—aka “OTC”
- Crew socks
- Mini crew—sometimes called “micro crew”
- Low cut socks
- No show—sometimes called “footies” or “invisible socks”
- Quarter socks
The right sock style largely depends on the type of hiking boot or shoe being worn. We will cover sock and footwear compatibility in more depth in a later section. But sock height can also be a matter of personal preference, or hiking climate. One person may simply prefer that their socks rise higher or lower above their footwear.
We should also mention that, when selecting sock length, climate should be a consideration. In cold environments, your socks can provide more insulation by covering more of your skin. Conversely in hot climates, you may be more comfortable wearing a sock that covers less. For more on this, see the section dedicated to climate considerations below.
3. Blister Prevention
Preventing blisters is a top priority for hikers, and selecting the right socks can make all the difference.
The moisture-wicking properties of the yarns used in sock construction are instrumental in keeping your feet dry and reducing friction and hot spots, which in turn reduces the likelihood of developing blisters.
Additionally, targeted cushioning helps prevent blisters, because we take into account where repeated impacts and excessive friction might occur when designing them.
You might have also heard of sock liners being useful in blister prevention. But liners are not always needed, and how often they are needed has declined over time.
In older style socks, the lack of modern moisture wicking materials, and single layer design necessitated sock liners. But you should investigate to ensure that your hiking socks can and should be used with a liner.
Using a liner in applications where it is not needed can have the opposite of your intended effect and may actually create blisters! For example, in the case of Ice Sock and Wool Beast Heavy from Covert Threads, we have specifically designed these socks to not need a liner.
4. Hiking Boot and Shoe Compatibility
Hiking socks should be chosen to complement the type of hiking boot or shoe being worn. You'll want to consider factors such as shoe size, sock height, cushioning, and material to select hiking socks that are compatible with your hiking boots or shoes.
Proper coverage of the sock is essential to protecting your skin. Consider that if you were to hike in a very tall boot, but use a shorter cut sock, like low cut socks. Direct contact between skin and your boot will likely result in irritation and abrasion. These blisters, cuts, and boot burn can result in infections and at the least, discomfort during your hike.
While the primary consideration for footwear compatibility is ensuring complete skin coverage, it's not all about the socks. You should also take care to fasten your footwear properly.
The shoe or boot should be snug enough to prevent excess movement of your foot, which helps prevent undue friction between the sock and your footwear, which would result in hot spots and premature wear of your socks. The thickness of the sock will also effect this, and you should adjust as necessary. I.e., you will cinch down your laces less with full cushion socks versus those with light cushioning.
5. Cushion, Arch Support, and Other Comfort Considerations
Cushioning and arch support are important considerations when selecting hiking socks, as they have a strong effect on both comfort and performance. But there are a lot of options out there, and it helps to break the subject of cushioning down a bit.
A good way to understand cushioning selection is starting with the demands of your hiking terrain. Consider that one area of your foot might receive more impacts in one terrain versus another.
For example, if you were hiking the Ocean to Lake Trail in Florida, you are likely to encounter softer ground in swampy areas and sand dunes. In this case the lighter cushioning of the Jungle Sock is going to make more sense. You simply do not need the extra bulk to protect you from jagged impacts.
Conversely, if you are hiking in the Flatiron Trail in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, you can expect to traverse a lot of jagged, uneven terrain and hard ground. In this case, extra cushioning, like we see in the Covert Threads Rock Infiltrator Sock , is more than welcome.
Weight load is a key consideration for the cushioning of the sock. That is to say if you are carrying a heavy ruck sack or other gear, you will naturally increase the pressure in areas of your foot beyond what it would experience when hiking unloaded.
All this taken together, selecting the right level of cushioning is a balancing act between the feel of the sock and its fitment for environmental hiking conditions and the load you carry. A thicker sock will be bulkier, which you may accept because the terrain demands more cushion.
The kinds of advanced Hiking socks manufactured by Covert Threads may also have built-in arch support. While arch support is not specifically targeted towards one type of hiking terrain or another, you should strongly consider selecting socks that have it. When hiking with a load or performing very long hikes, hiking socks with arch support can help prevent foot fatigue and foot pain.
For added comfort, many modern socks also use acrylic materials to provide a smoother feel, and seamless socks to help prevent irritation. Two prime examples from Covert Threads are the Desert Sock and the Wool Beast, our premier Merino wool hiking sock.
We should also mention that when we and other sock makers talk about “lightweight” socks, we are typically referring to cushion and material thickness, not so much the weight of the sock on a scale. This is a separate matter, however, from lightness as it relates ultralight backpacking—sometimes called “lightweight hiking” or “ultralight hiking.” We’ll dedicate a section specifically to ultralight hiking below.
6. Weight Considerations: Ultralight Backpacking
Contrary to what you might instinctively think, the primary consideration for socks when it comes to ultralight backpacking is not the weight of the sock itself. The most desirable trait is instead the durability of the material.
The reason that the durability of the material matters most, is that the physical weight differences between one type of sock versus another is not that significant.
For example, the physical weight of seven pairs of Wool Beast Socks will be very close to seven pairs of Rock Infiltrator Socks. Meanwhile, the physical weight difference between packing seven pairs of socks versus two is much greater.
The most effective way to get your pack weight down for ultralight hiking is to pack fewer socks that you use for longer. But consider how much tougher the socks themselves must be if you are going to do so. This is why the robustness of the material is paramount, as well as the material's antimicrobial properties.
Socks that are constructed of wool are a great choice, particularly Merino wool hiking socks, because wool is naturally antimicrobial, excels at wicking moisture, and is odor resistant.
Silver-treated materials are also a great choice, as the silver increases the antimicrobial properties of the sock.
Socks that contain nylon tend to be more robust, and lend themselves well to the abuses of multi-day use in ultralight backpacking applications.
It is not easy to find a sock that contains all these materials, but one option from Covert Threads to consider is the Desert Sock. But you'll also want to consider the climate of your hike, which is what we cover next.
7. Climate Considerations
At Covert Threads, we consider climate to be one of the most, if not the most, important considerations when selecting a sock. We find climate to be so critical in fact, that it's a part of our slogan, "a sock for every clime and place."
Sadly, most sock manufacturers to not focus on this enough, but you should carefully consider the climate that you'll be hiking in.
The primary considerations for climate are material and thickness. Additionally, you must consider how one material or another will behave in a given climate. Alternatively, you may use our Sock Finder tool to make your selection easier.
For example, our Jungle Sock is a thinner sock that is 75% polypyrene, meaning it provides less cold temperature resistance, but has superior moisture wicking capability. Perfect for hot humid climes like those found in the jungle and subtropical regions.
Conversely, the Covert Threads Ice Sock is a thicker sock composed of acrylic and wool, which provides greater insulation, making them the best hiking socks for extreme cold.
Conclusion
Selecting the right pair of hiking socks can make all the difference in how comfortable, capable, and resilient your feet remain on the trail.
From merino wool’s odor resistance and moisture-wicking power, to the abrasion resistance of nylon, to purpose-built climate-specific designs, modern hiking socks are engineered pieces of gear—not simply clothing.
Matching the correct materials, cushioning levels, sock height, and climate-appropriate features ensures you stay blister-free, keep your feet dry, and maintain temperature regulation during winter hiking, summer hiking, and everything in between.
Whether you're stepping into rugged mountaineering terrain, tackling tough desert trails, or navigating hot, humid environments, choosing high-performance socks designed for your conditions is essential.
FAQ
1. What are the best hiking socks for preventing blisters?
Socks with strong moisture-wicking properties (such as merino wool or polypropylene blends), targeted cushioning, and proper fit provide the best blister prevention. Modern hiking socks often remove the need for sock liners, which can cause friction if used incorrectly.
2. Are merino wool socks good for warm weather?
Yes. Merino wool regulates temperature exceptionally well, keeping feet warm in cold conditions and breathable in hot weather. Its natural odor resistance is also beneficial during long hikes.
3. What sock height should I choose for my hiking boots?
Match sock height to footwear height:
- OTC or crew socks for tall boots
- Micro crew or quarter socks for mid-cut boots
-
Low-cut socks for trail runners or low-cut shoes
The goal is full skin coverage to prevent abrasion.
4. How does cushioning affect performance on the trail?
Light cushioning works well for soft ground or warm climates, while full-cushion socks excel on rocky, uneven, or cold terrain. Heavier pack loads also justify thicker cushioning to reduce impact and foot fatigue.
5. What should ultralight hikers prioritize in sock selection?
Durability and antimicrobial properties matter more than physical sock weight. Fewer, more robust socks—often merino or nylon-reinforced—reduce pack weight efficiently.
6. Are wool socks the best option for winter hiking?
For winter hiking and extreme cold, thicker wool blends (such as acrylic-wool combinations) provide superior insulation and help keep toes warm while maintaining moisture control.
7. Can I wear the same socks for trail running and hiking?
You can, but trail running typically requires breathable socks with lighter cushioning and low-cut profiles. Hiking often benefits from more coverage and enhanced durability.
8. How do I choose hiking socks for hot and humid climates?
Look for thin, moisture-wicking socks using materials like polypropylene and nylon. These keep feet dry and reduce the risk of blisters in warm, wet environments.
