The best socks for thru-hiking, backpacking, or just galavanting through the wilderness can be a decisive question among thru-hikers and recreators alike. Similar to shoes, there isn’t going to be a single brand, style, cushion, or length that agrees with everyone’s feet.
That said, there are brands and models used overwhelmingly by thru-hikers and those that have proven worthy of as a long-distance hiking sock after thousands of thru-hikers over the years. There is no perfect thru-hiking sock (just as there’s no perfect thru-hiking shoe), but there are some socks that are better than others – especially if you’re just starting.
Don’t forget you can carry more than one pair of socks on a thru-hike (or backpacking trip), so don’t be afraid to mix and match your socks to find what works best for you. I typically carry a variety of socks while hiking; there’s nothing better than a clean (or new) pair of socks on the trail.
All of the socks detailed here have also been repeatedly held in high regard by hikers participating in the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or John Muir Trail Surveys. The chart included below includes some additional socks available (in addition to the ones listed below). If you have a favorite you don’t see, I’m always looking for more gear to try – let me know!
The Best Overall: Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight
+ Extremely durable – even when thru-hiking
+ Made with 61% merino wool
+ Thru-hiker tested and approved
+ Unconditionally guaranteed for life
– Color options leave much to be desired
– You’ll never want to buy another brand of socks
The Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight (Men’s/Women’s) is the undisputed champion of thru-hiking socks. Chances are that if you find yourself in a group of thru-hikers, most of them will be wearing these Darn Toughs. They’re made of 61% merino wool and are unconditionally guaranteed for life. What does that mean? It means that should you find yourself with a defective (or hole-filled) sock during a thru-hike, simply send in your (clean) socks to Darn Tough for a new pair. If you don’t want to have to overthink your thru-hiking socks, do yourself a favor and check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Toe Option: Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew
+ Comfortable and durable
+ Help prevent blistering and chafing between toes
+ Excellent for wearing sandals around camp (or town)
+ Less expensive than other options
– Can be annoying to put back on (especially when filthy)
– Limited one-year warranty
I long avoided toe socks, but the Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Socks (Men’s/Women’s) have grown on me since I began experimenting with them for ultrarunning. The advantage to toe socks – beyond fitting nicely with a pair of sandals – is that you’re going to have a lot less chance of chafing on and around your toes. Not only will they not rub against one another, but they’ll stay cleaner as well. These socks are also nearly half the cost of some of the other socks listed here. That all said, putting back on dirty toe socks takes some getting used to – especially if you’re three or four days deep with the same pair. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Crew Option: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight
+ Extremely durable – even when thru-hiking
+ Made with 61% merino wool
+ Thru-hiker tested and approved
+ Unconditionally guaranteed for life
– Color options leave much to be desired
– Most expensive of the options listed here
The Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight (Men’s/Women’s) is simply the crew version of the Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight (the first option in this list). As with their shorter counterparts, these socks are61% merino wool and are unconditionally guaranteed for life. If you want the easy choice and are interested in a crew sock, you can’t go wrong with these. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The No-Show Option: Ridge Merino Rock Creek Low Cut
+ Comfortable, low-cut sock with a seamless fit
+ Made with 65% merino wool
+ Breathable and quick-drying
– Gray and black are the only color options
– No warranty to be found on the Ridge website
The Ridge Merino Rock Creek Low Cut Socks (Men’s/Women’s) sport one of the highest percentages of merino wool of any sock available at 65%. These socks are from a local thru-hiking town located along the Pacific Crest Trail in Mammoth Lakes, California. I especially love the Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Pullover Hoodie for thru-hiking and have come to appreciate their socks as well. Check out their socks here – Men’s/Women’s.
The Other Crew Option: Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Medium Crew
+ Odor-resistant and breathable, with a comfortable fit
+ Made with 65% merino wool
+ Lifetime guarantee (on socks only)
– On the expensive side
– Besides the gold, colors are fairly drab
The Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Medium Crew Socks (Men’s/Women’s) are another great merino crew sock if you’re looking to venture outside the realm of Darn Tough. Made with 65% merino, these socks (as with the other merino socks here) are odor-resistant, breathable, and come with a comfortable fit. They have a medium cushion and, as with Darn Tough, they also come with a lifetime guarantee. It’s worth noting that Icebreaker has only extended this guarantee to its socks and other Icebreaker items come with a one-year warranty. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Lightweight Option: Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter
+ Comfortable and lightweight
+ Made with 44% merino wool
+ Highly regarded by thru-hikers
+ Unconditionally guaranteed for life
– Color options leave much to be desired
– Not as thick (or as durable) as other options
The Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter (Men’s/Women’s) are the same sock as the Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight except they’re made with light (instead of medium) cushioning and are composed of less merino, 44% vs 61%. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side and don’t need any additional cushioning for your socks, these might be worth checking out instead of their heavier (more popular) counterpart. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Alternative Materials Option: PAKA Socks
+ Made with 41% Alpaca Fiber and 8% Tencel
+ Soft, comfortable, lightweight, and breathable
+ Ethically and sustainably sourced from Peru
+ Lifetime warranty
– No quarter length available
– Not available in stores
The PAKA Socks (Men’s/Women’s) are the only socks here made with alpaca fiber – 41% to be exact – and Tencel (a type of rayon made by dissolving wood pulp). PAKA is not a brand you will find widely circulating in thru-hiker circles, but that isn’t a reason to write them off. Founded in Peru, the company has also committed 2% of its revenues to support young and underprivileged women in Peru. These socks also come with a lifetime warranty should you wear a pair out! Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Polyester Option: Darn Tough Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight
+ Coolmax material actively moves moisture away from feet
+ Medium cushion throughout the foot and ankle
+ Unconditionally guaranteed for life
+ Made with vegan-friendly materials
– Limited color options
– No ankle/no-show Coolmax versions available
The Darn Tough Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Socks (Men’s/Women’s) use the company’s vegan Coolmax yarns instead of merino. These socks (like all Darn Tough socks) are made at the company headquarters in Vermont and come with Darn Tough’s lifetime guarantee. Coolmax socks are designed to actively move moisture away from your feet to ensure blister-free comfort on the trail. They have a medium cushion and come up about 6 in / 15 cm from the top of your shoe or boot. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Flashy Option: Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Print Crew
+ Mesh ventilation for moisture management
+ Made with 55% merino wool
+ A variety of unique and colorful styles
+ Two-year satisfaction guarantee
– Lighter cushion means less durability
– One of the more expensive options
The Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Print Crew (Men’s/Women’s) are some of the flashiest wool socks out there if you value your feet being loud above all else on a thru-hike. They come with a light cushion and are made with 55% merino wool and come in several equally loud and attention-grabbing styles. There’s a two-year warranty accompanying Smartwool socks – plenty of time to be put through the wringer on a thru-hike. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
The Fancy Option: Darn Tough Animal Haus Crew Lightweight
+ Animal prints to make sure everyone knows how cool you are
+ Lightweight and comfortable
+ Unconditionally guaranteed for life
– The thinnest of the options presented here
– Would be nice if they came up a bit higher (mostly for showing off animals)
The Darn Tough Animal Haus Crew Lightweight Sock (Men’s/Women’s) is your answer if you’re looking to dress things up on the trail. Perfect as town socks, sleep socks, or everyday hiking socks (if you’re not one for cushioning), these socks – made from 59% merino wool – come up approximately 8 in / 20 cm above a low-cut trail runner. They (currently) come in cow, dog, rooster, and skunk men’s varieties with a dog, pig, fox, and lemur option available in women’s. Check them out – Men’s/Women’s.
Thru-Hiking Socks Breakdown
| Socks | Price | Material | Length | Cushion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darn Tough Animal Haus Crew Lightweight | $23 | 59% Merino, 38% Nylon, 3% Lycra | Crew | None |
| Darn Tough Coolmax Hiker Micro Crew Midweight | $24 | 37% Nylon, 34% Coolmax, 28% Acrylic, 2% Lycra, 1% Other | Crew | Medium |
| Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight | $25 | 61% Merino, 36% Nylon, 3% Lycra | Crew | Medium |
| Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight | $20 | 61% Merino 37% Nylon 2% Lycra | Ankle | Medium |
| Darn Tough Light Hiker Quarter | $20 | 52% Nylon, 44% Merino, 4% Lycra | Ankle | Light |
| Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Medium Crew | $25 | 65% Merino, 33% Nylon, 2% Lycra | Crew | Medium |
| Injinji Outdoor Midweight Mini-Crew Wool | $21 | 43% Nuwool, 43% Acrylic, 12% Nylon, 2% Lycra | Ankle | Light |
| Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew | $16 | 58% Nylon, 39% COOLMAX EcoMade Polyester, 3% Lycra | Ankle | Medium |
| PAKA Costa | $20 | 52% Baby Alpaca, 11% Tencel, 36% Recycled Nylon, 1% Spandex | Crew | Maximum |
| PAKA Socks | $20 | 41% Alpaca, 8% Tencel, 50% Recycled Nylon, 1% Spandex | Crew | Medium |
| REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Quarter | $16 | 79% RWS Merino, 20% Nylon, 1% Lycra | Ankle | Light |
| Ridge Merino Minaret Lightweight Crew | $19 | 59% Merino, 38% Nylon, 3% Spandex | 3/4 Crew | Medium |
| Ridge Merino Rock Creek Low Cut | $18 | 65% Merino, 35% Nylon, 1% Spandex | No-Show | Medium |
| Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Ankle | $22 | 56% Merino, 11% Nylon, 31% Recycled Nylon, 2% Elastane | Ankle | Light |
| Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Print Crew | $24 | 55% Merino, 11% Nylon, 30% Recycled Nylon, 3% Elastane, 1% Polyester | Crew | Light |
| WRIGHTSOCK CoolMesh II Quarter | $15 | 70% Polyester, 27% Nylon, 3% Lycra | Ankle | Light |
| WRIGHTSOCK Double Layer Silver Escape Crew | $25 | 65% Dri-WRIGHT ll Polyester, 26% Nylon, 5% Silver, 4% Lycra | Crew | Light |
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