The 5 Best Wool Socks For Hiking And Running
When it comes to hiking (or really any activity for that matter) we all know choosing the right socks is important. The right socks need to be comfortable, reduce blisters, and wick away sweat, and these days merino wool is the way to go. Wool used to have a bad reputation for being scratchy and too hot in the heat, but spend any time on a long-distance hiking trail these days and it’s the only type of sock you'll see.
There are more new socks on the market than ever, and as always some stand out above the rest. I've listed my top 4 below, but first a little bit about why you should use wool and what makes a good wool sock.
(If you already know all that stuff, you can jump to my favorites here)
why wool?
Today’s ultra-fine merino is softer and more comfortable than just about any fabric out there (including cotton). That’s great on it’s own, but wool has a ton of other key benefits that set it apart as the best fabric for a hiking sock.
- Temperature regulation - wool will keep you warm (relative to other fabrics of the same weight) in the cold, but will efficiently release heat when needed. This is due to the "crimp' of the fibers and is why wool is a great fabric for both cold and warm conditions.
- Moisture-wicking - This is merinos most touted quality, and for good reason. By the nature of the material, it will "wick" moisture away from your skin and into the fibers (it can actually absorb 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet). This ultimately means dryer skin, which is more comfortable and less prone to blisters.
- Anti-odor - Last but not least, merino wool is naturally anti-microbial. So even when it's wet (like from nasty foot sweat) it's still inhospitable to bacteria that cause bad smells. It's not completely impervious to stink, but it's miles ahead of even the very best synthetic options.
Pure Merino vs. Synthetic Blend
If you look at almost any major wool sock brand, you'll see that they aren't actually 100% merino. Instead they're usually a blend of merino and nylon, with varying ratios.
The main reason for this is merino alone isn't very durable. It also doesn't have much natural stretch, and stretch is important to create a snug-fitting sock. A good fit is essential in reducing friction, which is the root cause of blisters.
No ratio is necessarily better than another, but know that the more synthetic material is incorporated, the more durable and stretchy the sock is likely to be. I will note that although there isn't a one-size-fits-all ratio, the socks on this list all have pretty similar blends, probably for good reason.
My Review Criteria
When I put on my first pair of wool socks I realized I need to pay a lot more attention to what makes a good sock. Over time I've come up with key factors that separate the great from the not so great.
In merino socks I value wicking ability over everything, which I ultimately determine by how dry my feet feel while wearing them (relative to other socks). Comfort/fit is a close second, and durability is right after that. Breathability can also be nice, but how much this factors in depends on the weight of the socks and what you want to use them for. In my opinion, wicking is more important, and a sock that is too breathable (i.e. too thin) can actually end up making your foot feel wetter than if the fabric was thicker (again situation and shoe-dependent). It's a bit of a complicated equation that changes by activity, but I like wicking, comfort/fit, and durability as my main criteria.
Top 5 Merino Wool Socks
I switched to all merino socks for hiking and daily wear years ago and make it a point to try new options from time to time. I'm sure there are some out there I don't know about (I'd love to hear about your favorites in the comments), but here are my top picks.
1. Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Sock Cushion
Wool Blend: 61% Merino, 37% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex
Weight: Midweight
Made in: Vermont, USA
MSRP: $17.95 USD
Darn Tough is the brand I've been wearing the longest and is hands-down my favorite sock of all time. They are extremely comfortable right out of the package and have just the right amount of softness and stretch. Also, the cushion level is great for long days without being too thick. I couldn't ask for a more comfortable sock.
They're also nearly completely stink-free (more so than any other sock i've tried). I love that I can wear them for several trail days in a row without a proper washing and not notice anything too bad (like you would with pretty much any full synthetic).
These aren't just the comfiest socks out there, but they also truly live up to their brand. I've worn 5 pairs on nearly constant rotation for about 4 years, and only now are they starting to show serious wear. These are my daily go-to's for literally everything and I don't see that changing any time soon.
2. Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Elite 1/4 Crew
Wool Blend: 51% Merino, 45% Nylon, 4% Spandex
Weight: Lightweight
Made in: 100% USA
MSRP: $20 USD
I haven't been wearing Farm to Feet nearly as long as Darn Tough, but so far they're my second favorite socks ever. They feel a little more synthetic than Darn Tough (probably due to a higher percentage of Nylon and Spandex) but that hasn't shown to be an issue so far.
They're a little bit more technically minded, with bands of cushion and venting areas for higher intensity activities. I've been wearing them running and I like them a lot. I haven't beat them to death like I have with my Darn Tough's, but they (like Darn Tough) also have a lifetime guarantee so I don't foresee durability being a problem.
I have noticed, however, that they don't seem to be quite as stink free as the DT's. Not a huge deal, but they'll probably need to be more thoroughly washed and more often.
3. Icebreaker Hike+ Light Cushion Mini Sock
Wool Blend: 63% Merino, 35% Nylon, 2% LYCRA Elastane (seems to vary slightly each year; various blends are available from Amazon and Icebreaker)
Weight: Lightweight
Made in: China (with wool from New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa)
MSRP: $20.00 per pair
These socks from Icebreaker are possibly the most well fitted socks I've ever tried. They nailed a lot of details, from cushion placement, to seamless toes, to ventilation zones that don't hinder comfort. I still find the fabric of both Darn Tough and Farm to Feet to be slightly more comfortable, but it's a close call and these are awesome socks.
The lighter cushion makes these best for shorter, more intense efforts. They're also very durable for the weight, and like my first and second picks, they have a lifetime guarantee.
4. Smartwool PhD Pro Approach Crew
Wool Blend: 62% Merino, 36% Nylon, 2% Elastane
Weight: Lightweight
Made in: USA (with imported wool)
MSRP: $27.95 USD (1/4 cut versions are cheaper)
My first pair of wool socks was Smartwool, but at that time the durability left a lot to be desired. I heard that they made some big improvements in the last couple years, though, so I got this pair and have been really happy with them.
I've recently been using these as my go-to boot socks, and they seem to be much more durable than they my first pair. They're not quite as comfortable as Darn Tough in my opinion, but I think a lot of that comes down to personal preference. I generally like an ultra-soft, almost fuzzy feel, and the Smartwool's feel lighter and a little more technical for those who like that style. Either way, these are great socks.
5. Kirkland Signature Wool Crew Sock
Wool Blend: 72% Merino, 27% Nylon, 1% Spandex
Weight: Midweight-heavyweight
Made in: USA (with imported wool)
MSRP: $18.99 USD for 6 ($3.17 per pair)
I'm not going to claim these are the best socks around, but in my opinion they're far and away the best for the price. For the cost of one pair of any of my top 3, you can get 6 of these, and they perform really well.
They don't breathe quite as well and tend to be warmer than the others, so I think they're best as a cooler weather sock. I've also seen reports that the fabric can pill after washing, but I haven't noticed that myself. Overall they're awesome for those of you who can't stomach paying 20 bucks for one pair of socks, or anyone who wants to fill out their merino lineup without breaking the bank.
Buy Men's (unisex fit; estimate size difference for women) on Amazon (price varies; they are not available at Costco at the time of this update.)
Any questions, comments, suggestions or corrections? Let me know below!
Good Info. Also, if you can’t get to a Costco for the Kirkland socks, you can usually find them on Amazon.
Good point!
Been slowly switching all my socks over to Darn Tough for the last couple years. I wear them nearly 10 hours a day in waders and have dry, cozy dogs when I slip my Chacos over them at the end of the day. I treat my Kirkland socks more like slippers haha
Ha yeah I mostly use the Kirkland socks the same way. I wouldn’t choose them over DT ever but I do like having them as a decent option for the winter that doesn’t cost much to add to the lineup.