Wearing the right gear matters if you plan to go on a hike. While some hikers focus on their backpacks and hats, they may forget to buy the right type of socks for their adventures. Hiking socks can affect how comfortable your feet feel during a hike, so we decided to help you out by creating a top 10 list.
We like the Darn Tough socks since they come in tons of sizes, have great durability, and eight colors to choose from. If that sock doesn't appeal to you, then you can look at the other options in the top 10 list. Once you go through our list, you should look at the buying guide to figure out what socks you should get for your next hike.
Image | 1 ![]() Darn Tough | 2 ![]() Time May Tell | 3 ![]() Merrell | 4 ![]() ThemeDesigner | 5 ![]() Innotree | 6 ![]() Danish Endurance | 7 ![]() Onke | 8 ![]() Dearmy | 9 ![]() Feideer | 10 ![]() Yuedge |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks | Men's Hiking Socks | Cushioned Performance Hiker Socks | Premium Merino Wool Blend Socks | Men’s Cushioned Hiking Socks | Merino Wool Cushioned Hiking Socks | Merino Wool Heavy Cushion Low Cut Socks | Cushioned Athletics Hiking Crew Socks | Men's Hiking Walking Socks | Men’s Moisture Wick Cushion Hiking Socks |
Features | Durable Socks Designed for Hikes and Activities | Unique Designs With Good Insulation | Comfortable and Form-Fitting Synthetic Socks | Wool Socks Designed to Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry | Comfy Socks With Additional Cushioning | A Supportive and Warm Wool-Synthetic Blend | Thicker Socks Ideal for Larger Feet | Socks With Additional Cushioning and Arch Support | Socks That Fit Well and Reduce Overheating | Lightweight Socks Designed to Stay Put |
Price | $19.99 | $12.99 | $17.79 | $19.99 | $17.99 | $25.95 | $24.99 | $23.99 | $15.99 | $17.99 |
Materials | Wool, nylon, spandex | Cotton, polyester | Acrylic, wool, nylon, spandex | Wool | Cotton, nylon, spandex | Merino wool, synthetic | Wool, polyester, spandex | Cotton, polyester, spandex, rubber | Cotton, polyester, spandex | Cotton, polyamide, spandex |
Available sizes | 5.5-17 | 6-12.5 | 9-15 | 4.5-12.5 | 6-9.5 | XS-XL | 6-15 | 7-12 | 6.5-15 | 6-13 |
Available colors | 8 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 5 |
Mesh ventilation | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Reinfored parts | No | Toe | Heel, toe | Heel, toe | Heel, toe | No | Heel, toe | Bottom cushion | No | Heel, toe |
Arch support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
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Here are our 10 best picks for hiking socks for men. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
$19.99
Materials | Wool, nylon, spandex |
---|---|
Available sizes | 5.5-17 |
Available colors | 8 |
Mesh ventilation | No |
Reinfored parts | No |
Arch support | No |
3 pairs
$12.99
Materials | Cotton, polyester |
---|---|
Available sizes | 6-12.5 |
Available colors | 4 |
Mesh ventilation | No |
Reinforced parts | Toe |
Arch support | Yes |
3 pairs
$17.79
Materials | Acrylic, wool, nylon, spandex |
---|---|
Available sizes | 9-15 |
Available colors | 6 |
Mesh ventilation | No |
Reinforced parts | Heel, toe |
Arch support | Yes |
3 pairs
$19.99
Materials | Wool |
---|---|
Available sizes | 4.5-12.5 |
Available colors | 3 |
Mesh ventilation | No |
Reinforced parts | Heel, toe |
Arch support | Yes |
5 pairs
$17.99
Materials | Cotton, nylon, spandex |
---|---|
Available sizes | 6-9.5 |
Available colors | 5 |
Mesh ventilation | Yes |
Reinforced parts | Heel, toe |
Arch support | Yes |
3 pairs
$25.95
Materials | Merino wool, synthetic |
---|---|
Available sizes | XS-XL |
Available colors | 8 |
Mesh ventilation | Yes |
Reinforced parts | No |
Arch support | No |
4 pairs
$24.99
Materials | Wool, polyester, spandex |
---|---|
Available sizes | 6-15 |
Available colors | 4 |
Mesh ventilation | Yes |
Reinforced parts | Heel, toe |
Arch support | Yes |
5 pairs
$23.99
Materials | Cotton, polyester, spandex, rubber |
---|---|
Available sizes | 7-12 |
Available colors | 8 |
Mesh ventilation | Yes |
Reinforced parts | Bottom cushion |
Arch support | Yes |
5 pairs
$15.99
Materials | Cotton, polyester, spandex |
---|---|
Available sizes | 6.5-15 |
Available colors | 11 |
Mesh ventilation | Yes |
Reinforced parts | No |
Arch support | No |
5 pairs
$17.99
Materials | Cotton, polyamide, spandex |
---|---|
Available sizes | 6-13 |
Available colors | 5 |
Mesh ventilation | Yes |
Reinforced parts | Heel, toe |
Arch support | Yes |
As you check the hiking socks available for men, you will notice they have different materials, ways to regulate heat, and other comfortable features. Let's look into the details for these socks to find the best ones for you!
Wool, cotton, synthetic, and polyester are the most common materials for socks, so let's look into the advantages and drawbacks of each one!
Wool is one of the most common materials for hiking socks. Wool does a great job of regulating temperature, so it will feel comfortable to wear in most weather conditions. It also absorbs water, so your sweat will go to your socks, keeping your feet dry during your hike.
However, wool takes a long time to dry out. So, if you step in some water, you will have a lot of trouble drying them off. But if you tend to hike in a variety of weather conditions, this might be the material for you.
Cotton is a very comfortable material, so it will feel nice against your feet when you wear it. Cotton works great for leisure walking and light hiking when you want to focus on comfort.
However, it takes a while to dry, making it annoying if you step into a puddle. Due to these drawbacks, you will usually see cotton socks mixed with other materials to provide comfort while avoiding the major cons.
Synthetic materials include nylon, spandex, or a mixture of both. Synthetic socks will also mix in other materials from this guide and they do a great job of resisting rips and holes. They also hug your feet, providing you with arch support while keeping your feet warm during the cold weather.
However, they aren't as comfortable in warmer conditions since your feet will feel too hot.
Polyester socks are known for their lightweight design in comparison to wool and cotton. It's a durable synthetic material that resists fading, so it will stay in great condition for a long time. It also dries quicker than other materials, so you won't have to worry if you start to sweat or step in a puddle.
On the other hand, polyester doesn't provide much breathability, making the socks uncomfortable during warm weather. But if you think you will encounter rain or puddles during your hike, you may want polyester socks.
As you go on a hike, you will want to regulate your temperature to avoid overheating or freezing.
Mesh ventilation is when a sock has a layer made out of mesh to make the sock thinner in certain parts. This type of ventilation adds breathability, so your feet won’t get as hot or sweaty. If you live in warm areas or sweat easily, you may want socks with mesh ventilation.
On the other hand, socks with mesh ventilation won't provide you as much warmth during colder seasons.
Shorter hiking socks go past the ankle, and long socks go halfway up the shin. While one length isn’t better than the other, you should consider which one you should use based on the weather. Short socks work great during warm weather since they won't make your legs as warm.
On the other hand, long socks are good if you plan to hike during cold weather since they can protect your legs from the cold. Most product pages don’t tell you the length of the socks, so you will have to look at the pictures to get a general idea of the length.
Socks come with different features designed to make your hikes more comfortable, such as reinforced heels, toes, and even arch support.
Socks usually form holes at the heels and toes since you use those parts of your feet a lot when you walk. Reinforcement for socks means making parts of the sock thicker to prevent wear and tear.
Reinforced heels and toes can make your socks last longer since they won’t develop holes as quickly. The added layer from the reinforcement can also provide more protection for your feet.
However, some people may not like how thick and heavy the additional layers make the socks feel. But if you notice you get holes in your socks quickly, or you like to go on more intense hikes, reinforced socks might be the option for you.
While people may be familiar with arch support for shoes, socks can also provide arch support. Arch support can reduce pain in your feet while you hike. It can improve your balance and make you more stable, too.
If you tend to face foot pain during or after your hikes, you may want to find socks with arch support. You can often confirm the strength of the arch support by reading customer reviews.
To fully enjoy your hike, you might need other items to keep yourself comfortable and safe. Check out some of our favorite options below!
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