The Greatest Mountaineering Socks of 2024, Examined and Reviewed

These are a crowd-pleaser for backpackers and day hikers alike. We discovered them to be the proper top for carrying with climbing boots (popping up simply an inch or so above the collar), however not too extreme to put on with lower-top climbing sneakers. The crew-height stays up effectively with out shifting round, and the Merino makes up just below half of the composite, which is sufficient to withstand odors and really feel delicate on ft with out compromising materials energy. 

They arrive in enjoyable colours and have simply the correct quantity of under-foot cushion to really feel comfy with out the majority of excessively padded. The toes and heels are seamless and strengthened, which helps forestall sizzling spots and blisters in addition to including sturdiness. You’ll be able to seize a pair of those climbing socks for males and ladies in easy colorways or with enjoyable patterns like these cute bears. 

The Particulars: Measurement S-L Ladies’s, M-XXL Males’s | Nylon, Merino, and elastane | Micro crew

For warm-weather hikes, look no additional than these light-weight, breathable socks made with ultra-soft rayon from bamboo. These have been our go-to socks for summer time hikes, and are good for carrying with path trainers or low-top climbing sneakers. We choose this decrease top for heat days, and the micro-crew top nonetheless protects our ankles from overgrown trails (and bugs) with out feeling constricting. The mix of Merino, bamboo rayon, and nylon is gentle and breathable, plus they’ve pure moisture- and odor-resisting properties. We have been additionally impressed with the built-in help that we actually felt over the period of a 10-plus mile hike.

The Particulars: Measurement S-L | Bamboo, Merino, nylon, and elastane | Micro crew

Once we want a pair of climbing socks with plenty of underfoot cushioning, that is the pair we flip as to whether you’re looking for ladies’s sizes or males’s sizes. The arch, toes, and heels have a dense layer of wool reinforcement that feels each protecting and excellent for cold-weather hikes, including an additional layer of insulation from the bottom. These didn’t slip round in our boots and sneakers, and we’ve worn them for a lot of miles and put them by means of many wash cycles and have but to see any snags or pilling. 

Smartwool just lately up to date this line (previously PhD Open air) to incorporate extra sustainable supplies and higher sturdiness by means of the foot-mapped mesh zoning. Lastly, the crew top is our go-to for cooler climate, including a layer of heat and safety with out going overboard. 

The Particulars: Measurement S-L Ladies’s, M-XXL Males’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Crew

With their sturdy seamless development, high quality Merino wool, and Darn Powerful’s lifetime guarantee, we are able to’t get sufficient of this model. That stated, you most likely gained’t want the lifetime guarantee because of how extremely sturdy these socks in ladies’s and males’s sizes have confirmed to be. Our tester wore these for six weeks whereas climbing the Camino de Santiago in Spain, counting on handwashing and air-drying and the socks nonetheless look nice. He even wore these beneath climbing sandals on later days when he wished to offer his ft a relaxation from bulkier boots, and so they survived the rocky, dusty trails with out situation. The high-density knitting makes them each well-padded and supportive, whereas the mix of supplies helps them to really feel breathable and sweat-wicking.

The Particulars: Measurement S-L Ladies’s, M-XXL Males’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Micro crew

For longer hikes or anyplace the bottom may be rocky or rooty, having additional cushioning underfoot isn’t a foul factor, and we discovered these socks in males’s and ladies’s sizes to be additional comfy on lengthy hikes after we may really feel fatigue after prolonged time on our ft or when carrying a heavier pack.

We’ve additionally worn them for a number of days in a row throughout sizzling summer time climate with out washing them and located them to be remarkably odor-resistant because of the excessive proportion of Merino. These are additionally effectively mapped, with completely different help zones for the ankle, instep, and underfoot cushioning. 

The Particulars: Measurement S-L Ladies’s, S-XL Males’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Crew

By far the softest socks on our record, Paka’s mixture of tencel and ultra-fine alpaca fibers are an absolute pleasure to put on and have even change into our go-to socks for wandering round the home. They’ve the proper quantity of help that we wish from a sock with out feeling too unfastened or too tight, and the marginally prolonged top helps forestall sagging and nonetheless feels sweat-wicking and breathable regardless of the taller top. Paka additionally has an emphasis on sustainable sourcing, and all of their alpaca fibers are traceable. As a bonus, we love the enjoyable designs that peek excessive of our boots. 

The Particulars: Measurement M-L | Alpaca, tencel, nylon, and elastane | Crew

Compression socks aren’t for everybody, however most individuals gained’t even discover the added compression within the Aspire Knee Excessive Socks throughout shorter outings. These don’t really feel as tight as a extra aggressive compression sock, however you get the good thing about diminished fatigue from the sunshine compression. That stated, these will really feel restrictive after carrying them for prolonged intervals of time, and we’ve loved them totally on shorter outings or any time after we’re actually getting our coronary heart price up. To not point out, the taller top gives extra safety for our calves on slim or overgrown trails. 

The Particulars: Measurement S-XL | Terry loop, olefin, nylon, and spandex | Knee-high

For anybody who prefers low-top climbing sneakers over boots, these light-weight, breathable socks are a wonderful possibility in enjoyable colours and each males’s and ladies’s sizes. The seamless toes assist remove sizzling spots and bulk within the entrance of our sneakers, and we have been completely happy to report zero bunching, which implies they’ve a good weave and correct match. We’ve worn these for a lot of hikes over a number of seasons and haven’t seen any put on and tear even after months of washes and wears. These have the next proportion of Merino than others, which does make them softer and extra plush (so that they may be too cumbersome to put on with tight-fitting boots and sneakers).

The Particulars: Measurement S-L Ladies’s, M-XXL Males’s | Merino, nylon, and elastane | Micro crew