Best Hiking Socks for 2022 – Being a Hiker with Strong Feet
Best hiking socks for 2022 are an important part of your hiking outfit for the new year. For a hiking trip to be successful, your feet have to be comfortable. However, you can only achieve the right level of comfort with good socks. Moreover, it is considered an essential hiking gear and an important piece of fashion as well.
A hiking sock has to keep your feet dry and warm, protect them from foot injuries and blisters, and let the air circulate properly so that they don’t smell.
Factors to Consider when Buying Hiking Socks
- Materials used
- How breathable it is
- Wicking abilities
- Fit, including weight distribution
- Functionality (e.g., if you want to wear them with boots or shoes)
- Construction type (including tabi-style)
- Climate conditions where you will be hiking
Types of Materials Used in Making Hiking Socks
Synthetic
Synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic are lightweight, fast-drying, and tightly woven; they do not absorb moisture easily but make you overheat quickly.
Wool
Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet yet it’s also breathable. It does not hold warmth when it becomes wet and takes a long time to dry (around 3 days) because of this property. Due to its wicking abilities, wool is highly recommended for hiking socks that will be used during the winter season or in cold climates where your feet could get wet from snow or rain.
Cotton
Cotton absorbs sweat and holds dampness close to the skin making your feet wet and cold. This material is also heavy, which makes it unsuitable to wear during hiking or other strenuous activities.
Review of the 5 Best Hiking Socks for 2022
SmartWool Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks
The brand offers a wide range of hiking socks made from different materials. However, we will focus on the SmartWool Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks that are available in a variety of colors and sizes: men’s small to extra large and women’s small to extra-large.
These socks have an anatomical design and a trademarked Fit System featuring four unique construction elements for an excellent fit. The cushioning provided by these socks is well distributed to provide you with all-day comfort. It also has anti-microbial properties which prevent foot odor, ensuring freshness every day. To boot, this sock is durable as well as eco-friendly; it uses recycled polyester which contributes to the reduction of waste and pollution.
Specifications
- Materials used: 58% wool, 42% nylon/polyester, 2% elastane.
- Country of origin: Imported
- Manufacturer warranty included? Yes
- Recycled Nylon
- Mesh Ventilization
- Seem-free
Where to Buy? – Amazon
Price – $ 25.00
Ice Breaker Hiker Liner Crew Sock
This is an amazing line of merino wool socks that specializes in hiking. It has a medium-weight which makes it suitable to wear with boots or shoes, and the cushioning is designed specifically to withstand continuous pressure without losing its shape even after repeated use.
Specifications
- Materials used: Wool, nylon
- Country of origin: Imported
- Manufacturer warranty included? Yes
- Durable
- Cusioning for comfort
- Seem-free
Where to Buy? – Amazon
Price – $18.00
SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof Ankle Sock
The brand offers a great deal with this line of production. Hikers can now enjoy a three-layer construction, 52% merino wool, and 48% high-performance nylon which is waterproof, breathable, and comfortable to wear as well. This sock is perfect for hiking in warmer climates where your feet could get wet from rain or snow because it has an amazing ability to wick moisture away from the skin. It also dries faster than other fabrics used to produce socks.
Specifications
Materials used: 58% merino wool / 42% nylon/lycra
Country of origin: Imported
Manufacturer warranty included? Yes
Comfortable
Wicking abilities for warmth & dryness
Waterproof – three-layer construction for warmth, durability, and waterproofing
Breathable & fast drying capabilities.
Where to Buy? – Amazon
Price – $39.18
Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Socks
This is one of the best hiking socks for all hikers out there as the extraordinary design prevents the dreaded blisters and hot spots. The brand is very proud of these socks because they are made from a combination of fabrics that increase breathability, durability, and moisture management.
Specifications
- Materials used: CoolMax, Nylon, Lycra Spandex
- Country of origin: Imported
- Manufacturer warranty included? Yes
- Blister resistant – reduces friction – specifically designed to reduce hot spots.
- Breathable & fast drying capabilities.
- Allows for more comfort throughout the day with superior fit and overall protection..
- Machine washable.
- Durable & long lasting construction.
Where to Buy? – Amazon
Price – $16.49
Thorlos XJ Max Cushion Running Socks
This comfortable pair of hiking socks are a must to include in your hiking gear because it was specifically designed for extra shock absorption and comfort. It has an orthotic design that ensures stability, impact protection, and anti-microbial properties. The padding is thicker in the heel area, which makes it ideal for runners who are prone to getting blisters at the back of their heels.
Specifications
- Materials used: 66% nylon, 32% polyester, 2% elastic
- Country of origin: Imported
- Manufacturer warranty included? Yes
- Orthotic closed toe running sock provides added support & relief from blisters.
- Breathable Anti-Microbial Moisture Removal System prevents odor & wicks away moisture.
- Exclusive CoolMax Yarns – Coolmax breathes better, keeps feet drier & reduces friction.
- Seamless Toe
Where to Buy? – Amazon
Price – $ 31.65
How to Choose the Best Hiking Socks for 2022?
Although seemingly challenging, it’s quite easy to choose the best hiking socks for your particular needs if you follow these simple steps:
1. Consider Your Shoe Type
When it comes to footwear, hikers need to pay close attention to both the type and style of their boots or shoes. Hikers who wear solid walking shoes will be better suited with a lightweight ankle sock that doesn’t interfere with breathing or moisture-wicking capabilities. On the other hand, hikers wearing boots must take into consideration how high the socks will sit on them and whether this design will rub against their skin. A popular option is a mid-calf height which is also known as crew because they typically rest above most boot edges providing comfort without any rubbing issues.
2. Decide On Fabric
It’s important to think about what type of fabric you want to use in the construction of your hiking socks because this will determine their overall ability to perform well. You should be looking for a fabric that is breathable, but also wicks away moisture and dries quickly. If you’re going to be wearing these through hot climates, look for a material with anti-microbial properties as well. 100% merino wool is known for its ability to keep feet warm and dry regardless of conditions, but it does tend to run more expensive than other options. If you don’t mind spending the extra dollars on fabric, then consider using synthetics instead which are typically cheaper and can still hold up against odors.
3. Consider The Extra Features
When it comes to hiking socks, the extra features are what set apart the best products from their competitors. For example, consider cotton as an option because it’s not common among hikers. It will absorb moisture well but won’t wick away moisture as synthetic fabrics will. So, think about what works best for your needs and weigh them against the price of each sock.
4. Lifestyle
Your daily activities will directly impact your choice of hiking socks because you need to consider where you’re going to be wearing them most often. Hikers who stick mostly to shoes or boots should pay attention to ankle socks that only come up midway on the calf at most. On the other hand, those planning long-distance treks should invest in a hiking sock that comes up to the thigh.
Summary
If you’re looking for the best socks for hiking, then check out our list of the top five products on this website. We have included some ankle socks, mid-calf height, and knee-high options so regardless of your particular needs, you should be able to find something suitable. Be sure to look at all of our specifications before making any decisions because there are differences between each product which are noted above. Lastly, if money isn’t an issue, consider using 100% merino wool socks as they come with many benefits including odor resistance and moisture-wicking properties not found in cheaper options like synthetics. These types of socks will cost more money than traditional products but they’re worth the investment in the long run.
The best thing to do when trying to achieve a task is to have the right tools for the job. This includes your Hiking shoes and hiking socks, which are more important than you think because proper footwear can make or break an expedition. So, you must do some research on what type of sock is best suited for your needs and then look at reviews on each product before making any purchase decisions so you don’t overpay for something sub-par. The last thing anyone wants is blisters on their feet, so take note of our reviews above and choose wisely!
