Your attire for your outdoor excursion can make or break your trip altogether. An ill-fitting shirt can be annoying, just as a size-too-small pair of pants can leave ankles exposed to the elements. An oft overlooked part of your wardrobe - your socks - play a critical role in your comfort while hiking, camping, climbing, or biking.
Your feet carry the weight of you and your equipment, and your socks are designed to add a layer of comfort for your trip. Dry, comfortable, blister-free feet are the key to comfort (and safety), and a great pair of high-tech, outdoor socks are the answer.
Shop our extensive selection of socks at Outdoor Shopping.
Design
Socks are designed with simplicity in mind, but different styles and compositions are tailored to suit drastically different purposes.
Anatomy
Toe: The toe of your sock takes a beating, and many outdoor socks will have reinforced toes to ensure that they stay intact.
Instep: Where your foot arches is your instep, and socks can have different instep designs for added comfort. Some socks offer a tighter, reinforced weave in the arch to improve support and prevent arch pain.
Gusset: The gusset connects the lower half of your sock at the ankle to the upper sleeve.
Heel Turn and Flap: Like the toe, the heel of your sock will also suffer a lot of wear-and-tear. These typically match the composition and durability of the toe for any given sock.
Leg: Aptly named, the leg of your sock is the sleeve that extends up one’s leg. Some socks forego the ‘leg’ altogether and simply connect to a shortened cuff, but we’ll discuss sock heights later.
Cuff: Keeping your feet debris free and your sock firmly on your calf or ankle, the cuff is the elasticized part of your sock that keeps your sock upright on your persons.
Height
The height of your sock can determine whether or not it’s fit for any given outdoor activity. Here’s a quick rundown to help you identify what sock height may be best for you.
Height | Guidelines | Best for: | |
Ankle (also known as mini- or micro-crew) | Resting at or just a few inches above the ankle, these are for people who may not like the feel of taller socks. |
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Crew (or mid-calf) | This is the most common length for socks and extends mid-calf. These offer abrasion protection from boot tops. |
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Knee-high | Extending up to the knee, these socks are great for colder weather and taller boots. |
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Weight
Socks are split up into categories of weight, and while this may not make much of a difference in the weight of your pack, per se, it will have an impact on your comfort.
Weight | Guidelines | Best for: |
Liners | Comprised of silk or synthetics, these fit under regular socks for blister protection. |
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Lightweight | Can be safely worn without liners and are great for warm-weather. |
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Mid-Weight | Provide warmth and comfort and typically feature additional cushioning in the ball of the foot and in heel of the sock. |
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Heavyweight | Warmest, heaviest, and provide the most cushioning. |
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Materials
Once you have a height selected that suits your needs, then it’s time to narrow down your selections by material make-up. Different materials can provide layers of warmth, protection, and durability, and some are better for certain weather conditions than others. At the same time, some materials are better at dispersing moisture, which can become a safety concern in freezing conditions. Here are some of the key players in material compositions for outdoor socks.
Material | Guideline | Best for: |
Merino Wool | Many may think of wool as an itchy, cold weather material, but merino wool uses finer fibers to prevent itchiness while providing warmth. Wool is also a great absorber of moisture, but it does take longer to dry. |
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Synthetics | Common synthetics include nylon, Lycra®, CoolMax® polyester, Wickspun™ acrylic, and Isolfil® polypropylene. Some provide more arch support (nylon/lycra) while others focus on wicking-capabilities. |
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Ingeo | This corn-based polylactic acid (or PLA) fiber acts similarly to polyester but is an eco-friendly alternative. Keep in mind that it’s less durable than some other options. |
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Silk | While silk is a natural insulator with a smooth texture, it’s also a less durable option for socks. |
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Cotton | While a traditional favorite for casual wear, cotton tends to absorb sweat, saturate quickly and dry slowly, which is a perfect recipe for blisters. |
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There are also different specialized socks that may even have a combination of materials to cater to your needs. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Liner Socks : Typically comprised of synthetic material, liner socks are meant to be worn under your hiking socks to help draw moisture away from your feet and into the sock where it can evaporate.
Waterproof Socks : Obviously great for anyone in watersports or foul weather, waterproof socks can be worn on their own or over your backpacking/hiking socks during wet conditions.
Toe Socks : Covering the toes, these help prevent between-the-toe blisters that can occur for folks who are running or hiking.
Fleece Socks : A traditionally ‘comfy’ material, fleece is best for keeping your feet warm and wicking away moisture, but they should be reserved for chilly camping nights or at-home use.
Heated Socks : Ideal for sedentary sports like fishing or sports-watching, heated socks use a low-amperage battery to provide quick heat.
Shop our extensive selection of socks at Outdoor Shopping.
Which Socks Should I Choose?
The detail guidelines above are great, but knowing which choices are popular among different outdoor enthusiasts can help guide you to the right sock for you!
Planned Use | Guidelines | Popular Sock Style |
Sports/Athletics | Choose a sock with minimal bulk and wicking properties. Some may be built with technical aspects for cross-training and running. | Low-cut styles with moisture-wicking fabrics. |
Running | Choose a sock with padding to suit your personal preference. Some come with little to no padding; some may have extra padding on ball and heel of foot for reduced foot fatigue. | Low-cut styles with moisture-wicking fabrics. |
Walking | Choose socks with cushioning for fitness walking. | Low-cut styles, moisture-wicking fabrics, padding in ball and heel. |
Casual Wear | Typically designed for comfort and style. | Ankle or crew socks are traditional favorites. Can be patterned. Many made of Merino Wool. |
Hiking | Can be worn with or without liner socks and should be cushioned. | Crew or knee-high lengths to reach the top of your hiking boots. Modest cushioning. |
Backpacking | Can be worn with or without liner socks. More padding than lightweight hiking socks plus cushioning at top of foot and leg for comfort on long trails. | Crew or knee high lengths to reach the top of your boots with heavier cushioning. |
Mountaineering | Heavyweight socks with extra padding for cold conditions. | Knee high socks with heavy cushioning and padding. |
Ski/Snowboarding | Padding at shin and instep. Meant to provide protection at pressure points. | Knee high socks with specialized areas of cushioning. |
Other Features
When choosing a sock, you can pick from the categories above based on your needs, but there are some other features that can play a role in the comfort provided.
Fit : Sure, the tightness at your calf for knee-high socks can make or break the effectiveness and/or comfort of your sock, but the length from heel to toe can also impact your results: too long and the sock could bunch at the toes; too short and the sock may pull down into your boot. Padding can also impact how your sock fits into your boot, so choose a few pair and try for comfort and fit when they arrive.
Thickness : While your planned activities will determine different levels of cushioning, a good rule-of-thumb to keep in mind is that people with low-volume (or petite) feet will want thicker socks while those with high-volume (or wider/bulkier) feet may want less thickness. It all depends also on the fit of your boot.
