Carrying the proper footwear is essential to success in all out of doors adventures, however it’s particularly necessary for mountain climbing and backpacking. As hikers, our ft are the workhorses that carry the load and take probably the most beating on the path. Our expertise has taught us that now we have to deal with our ft proper to maintain them in peak situation so we will see and do extra comfortably.
It’s regular to expertise some foot aches and pains, overheating, and sizzling spots/blisters after lengthy days of mountain climbing, however we’ve discovered that carrying high quality socks (together with good sneakers/boots) makes an enormous distinction in how lengthy we will preserve our ft comfy and in good condition on path.
Fast Suggestions
Take a look at this fast checklist of one of the best mountain climbing socks in case you’re in a rush, or proceed scrolling to see our full checklist of favorites with in-depth critiques.
- Finest total for high quality, consolation & sturdiness: Darn Powerful Mild Hiker Micro Crew Males’s / Ladies’s
- Breathable wool socks with a efficiency match: Smartwool Efficiency Hike Mild Males’s / Ladies’s
- Finest funds no-show socks: Balega Hidden Consolation Unisex
- Finest worth heat wool socks: REI Merino Mountain climbing Crew Unisex
- Finest toe socks: Injinji Path Midweight Mini Crew Males’s / Ladies’s
Mountain climbing Sock Comparability Desk
WhaT’s Most Essential to You in a Mountain climbing Sock?
FABRIC:
Socks made with polyester, nylon, and different artificial materials are breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, in order that they’re nice for mountain climbing. In addition they are usually a bit extra sturdy than pure fibers, although they will tablet and maintain onto odors extra.
Wool is a pure fiber that’s wonderful for managing moisture, evaporating odors, and holding you heat when moist. High quality merino wool is mushy and cozy and works exceptionally nicely when blended with artificial fibers.
Cotton collects and holds moisture, which might result in blisters (take a look at our The right way to Stop and Deal with Blisters put up for more information). We don’t advocate socks with any cotton content material for mountain climbing, however they’re cheap and cozy for on a regular basis use.
CUSHIONING:
Cushioning impacts sturdiness, consolation, and heat. Ultralight cushion socks and liners are finest for operating or mountain climbing in low reduce sneakers. We sometimes favor them as a result of they dry rapidly and breathe nicely, however they’re not as sturdy as different socks. Some individuals use liners below different socks to assist forestall blisters.
Socks with mild cushioning are comparatively skinny and have a great steadiness of breathability, moisture-wicking, consolation, and sturdiness.
Medium cushion socks are good for mountain climbing in common to chilly climate. They supply a reasonable quantity of cushion within the heel and ball of the foot to guard your ft from influence.
Socks with heavy cushioning are the thickest and warmest. Many hikers discover them too cumbersome and sizzling for backpacking, however they’re nice for heat in camp, winter mountain climbing, and mountaineering in boots.
HEIGHT:
Sock top comes down to non-public choice. No-show and quarter socks come to the ankle and are most suitable with path runners or low-cut mountain climbing sneakers. They’re trendy when carrying shorts and supply one of the best airflow. However they depart your ankle uncovered to heel clipping, can acquire particles, and should have to be pulled up periodically.
Crew socks come as much as about mid-calf and work nicely with nearly all footwear, together with boots. They have a tendency to remain up and preserve particles out higher, in addition to supply some safety to your ankles. Crew socks are just a little simpler to overheat in although, and it’s possible you’ll get a sock tan in case you put on all of them summer season.
The entire socks on this checklist are available quite a lot of heights, however we’ll define our favorites from every class beneath.
- Finest no-show socks: Balega Hidden Consolation (Unisex)
- Finest ankle/mini-crew/quarter socks: Farm to Ft Damascus (Unisex), Injinji Path Midweight Mini Crew (Males’s) (Ladies’s), Feetures Elite (Unisex), WrightSock Coolmesh II (Unisex)
- Finest crew socks: Darn Powerful Mild Hiker (Males’s) (Ladies’s), Smartwool Efficiency Hike Mild (Males’s) (Ladies’s), REI Merino Mountain climbing Crew (Unisex), Swiftwick Flite XT Path (Unisex)
Finest Mountain climbing socks of 2023
Darn Powerful Mild Hiker Micro Crew
Finest total mountain climbing socks for high quality, consolation & sturdiness
Worth: $24
Cloth: 54% nylon, 43% merino wool, 3% Lycra spandex
Top: Crew
Cushioning: Mild
Execs
- Lifetime guarantee
- Sturdy
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Snug
- Don’t slide down
Cons
- Costly
- Hotter/much less breathable than some
Darn Powerful Mild Hiker Micro Crew Males’s / Ladies’s are comfy, versatile, and constructed to final. They’re woven very tightly, which supplies them excellent sturdiness.
The Mild Hikers are hotter and thicker than minimalist socks, however they’re nonetheless fairly breathable and the wool-synthetic mix makes them adaptable in heat or cool situations. Darn Powerful socks are costly however nicely definitely worth the cash since they final ceaselessly and are backed up by an incredible unconditional lifetime assure.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra cushioning and heat, Darn Powerful’s Hiker Micro Crew (males’s & girls’s) and Hiker Boot Socks (males’s & girls’s) are additionally wonderful.
Smartwool Efficiency Hike Mild
Breathable wool socks with a efficiency match
Worth: $24
Cloth: 56% merino wool, 41% nylon, 3% elastane
Top: Crew
Cushioning: Mild
Execs
- Snug
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Do not slide down
Smartwool’s Efficiency Hike Mild Males’s / Ladies’s are a number of the finest all-around socks for mountain climbing. They’re well-designed with a comfortable, anatomical match and padding solely the place you want it for wonderful breathability. Although previous variations of the Efficiency Hike have lacked sturdiness, the third era Efficiency Hike socks have more durable wool within the heel and toe which considerably extends their lifespan (and Smartwool will substitute them in case you ship them in inside 2 years of the acquisition date). We advocate Efficiency Hike socks to those that favor a sock that’s a bit lighter and extra breathable than Darn Powerful’s, even when they received’t final fairly as lengthy.
Farm to Ft Damascus
Finest sturdy socks designed for lengthy backpacking journeys
Worth: $22
Cloth: 51% merino wool, 45% nylon, 4% Lycra spandex
Top: Quarter
Cushioning: Mild
Execs
- Sturdy
- Lifetime guarantee
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Snug
- Do not slide down
The Farm to Ft Damascus socks are made with 100% American supplies and development. Created with long-distance hikers in thoughts, these socks are constructed robust and can final for a whole bunch of miles. In addition to that, they’re assured for all times! Slight compression and distinctive focused cushioning within the heel and toe in addition to on prime of the instep assist forestall ache from shoelace stress, which is particularly good for lengthy, steep descents. We advocate the Damascus socks for rugged hikes and backpacking journeys in path runners or boots when minimalist socks aren’t fairly sufficient.
Balega Hidden Consolation
Finest funds no-show socks
Worth: $16
Cloth: 100% polyester
Top: No Present
Cushioning: Medium
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Snug
- Do not slide down
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
Cons
- Hotter/much less breathable than some
- Maintain odor greater than others
- Not as sturdy as some
Balega’s Hidden Consolation Socks are easy, frivolously padded, and cozy with soft tabs on the ankle that successfully preserve them from sliding down. The plush padding throughout the complete sole makes them a bit hotter and fewer breathable underfoot than some. That mentioned, the Hidden Comforts are a superb, inexpensive alternative for these on the lookout for comfortable low-cut socks for on a regular basis use. Balega additionally provides their common Ultralight No Present Socks (wonderful ultralight really feel, however lack long-term sturdiness), Blister Resist No Present Socks (made with mohair fibers that resist friction), and Silver No Present Socks (nice compression and antibacterial properties). If you happen to’re on the lookout for a quarter-length mountain climbing sock, we additionally actually love the Balega Enduro Quarter Socks.
REI Merino Mountain climbing Crew
Finest worth heat wool socks
Worth: $18
Cloth: 79% merino wool, 20% nylon, 1% Lycra spandex
Top: Crew
Cushioning: Mild
Execs
- Good worth
- Snug
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
Cons
- A bit too heat for summer season situations
- Can slide down with some footwear
The REI Merino Mountain climbing Crew Socks are a superb worth since they’re made with premium high quality wool, however they price lower than these from different prime manufacturers. They’ve a fantastic steadiness of heat and breathability, which makes them nice for lengthy days on the path or for carrying as sleep socks on tenting and backpacking journeys. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a cushty mountain climbing sock with the efficiency of merino wool with out breaking the financial institution, you may’t go incorrect with these. For summer season, we advocate REI’s Light-weight Flash Crew Socks.
Injinji Path Midweight Mini Crew
Finest toe socks
Worth: $16
Cloth: 58% nylon, 39% CoolMax polyester, 3% Lycra spandex
Top: Mini-crew
Cushioning: Medium
Execs
- Helps forestall toe blisters
- Reasonably priced
- Snug
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
Cons
- Maintain odor greater than others
- Takes just a little longer to placed on/take off
- Lack long-term sturdiness
Injinji’s Path Midweight Mini Crews Males’s / Ladies’s are a number of the hottest toe socks in the marketplace as a result of they’re inexpensive, comfy, extremely breathable, and wonderful for decreasing friction between the toes. Since every toe is wrapped in wicking material, we discover that they do an excellent job of holding our ft dry on the path too. Toe socks might really feel just a little unusual at first, however we predict they’re value getting used to in case you regularly wrestle with toe blisters.
Swiftwick Flite XT Path
Technical socks for mountain climbing & path operating
Worth: $27
Cloth: 38% nylon, 24% merino wool, 22% olefin, 13% polyester, 3% spandex
Top: Crew
Cushioning: Medium
Execs
- Snug
- Sturdy
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
- Odor-resistant
- Do not slide down
Swiftwick’s Flite XT Path are a number of the first socks we seek for within the drawer for fast-moving adventures. They offer medium compression for tendon assist, and so they’re hardly noticeable as a result of they’re so comfortable. They’re the proper weight for practically all climate situations, and the combo of merino wool and artificial fibers give a fantastic steadiness of thermoregulation and sturdiness. The only real additionally has fibers that assist grip the within of your shoe to scale back slippage. The Flite XTs are just a little costlier than others, however they’re stable performers for mountain climbing and path operating, and we anticipate them to final for a very long time.
Feetures Elite
Finest socks for cardio exercise in heat situations
Worth: $18
Cloth: 92% nylon and eight% spandex
Top: Quarter
Cushioning: Mild
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Lifetime guarantee
- Snug
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
- Do not slide down
Cons
- Maintain odor greater than others
- Lack long-term sturdiness
Feetures is a model that’s better-known within the operating neighborhood, however we love their socks for mountain climbing too. Feetures’ Elite Mild Cushion Quarter Socks are skinny, stretchy, and match snugly with compression in all the proper locations so the socks keep easy and wrinkle-free throughout cardio exercise. The Elite socks stand out finest in heat situations when wicking and air flow are crucial.
WrightSock Coolmesh II
Double-layer socks for blister prevention
Worth: $15
Cloth: 70% Dri-Wright II polyester, 26% nylon, 4% lycra
Top: Quarter
Cushioning: Mild
Execs
- Helps forestall blisters
- Reasonably priced
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Very comfy
- Lifetime guarantee
- Do not slide down
Cons
- Lack long-term sturdiness
- Maintain odor greater than others
WrightSock Coolmesh II Socks are extraordinarily comfy and really feel like slippers in your ft. They’re skinny and minimal, and the double-layer system makes them wonderful for stopping blisters. The draw back is that they’re constructed with skinny supplies and so they put on down pretty rapidly within the heel and toe. We want the outer layer of the Coolmesh II was a bit more durable, however for these with blister-prone ft, they may nonetheless be nicely value it.
Honorable Mentions
The next socks didn’t make our last checklist, however they’ve bought lots of good issues going for them. You by no means know, possibly certainly one of these socks would be the proper match for you.
- Point6 37.5: fully-cushioned wool socks that struggle odor and don’t slide down
- Icebreaker Hike+:light-weight wool socks which might be good for thermoregulation
- Woolly Outside Air: inexpensive wool socks which might be nice for on a regular basis use
Crucial Sock Concerns
SUPPORT
Strategically-placed bands of compression across the calf, ankle, or arch of the foot assist socks keep in place and retains them from twisting and bunching. Compression additionally offers assist to the muscle groups and ligaments to stop situations like plantar fasciitis, which might make mountain climbing extraordinarily painful. When you have an current situation, a great pair of socks can work simply in addition to an Ace wrap or sports activities tape.
FIT
Your socks ought to match good. Not too tight, however not too unfastened.
SIZING
Mild compression and a comfortable match support in your socks capability to successfully wick moisture, breathe, and keep wrinkle-free, however socks which might be too tight can limit blood circulate and restrict your toes vary of motion.
WASHING AND DRYING
Beware that socks with excessive merino wool content material are prone to shrink in case you put them within the dryer on excessive warmth. For finest outcomes, comply with the producer’s directions for laundry and drying your socks to keep up their cushion and keep away from miniaturizing them. We advocate washing wool merchandise inside-out on a cool or lukewarm washer setting with light detergent, then air drying them on a clothesline or flat floor. If you happen to’re in a rush, the following neatest thing is to tumble dry your wool socks on low. If you happen to deal with them nicely, your wool mountain climbing socks ought to final for a very long time.
HOW TO AVOID LOSING SOCKS
It’s an enormous bummer to have a pile of single costly mountain climbing socks, however everyone knows how simple it’s to lose observe of them. We advocate utilizing a small mesh laundry bag as your sock-specific hamper and simply toss the laundry bag into the wash when it’s full. Soapy water will get by the bag and the socks will get clear, however they received’t go lacking.
Extra Info
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Thanks for studying and glad trails!