According to our expert tester Pat Kinsella, the HJ700s are “ideal for trekking, hiking and day walking in warm conditions from late spring though to early autumn”. These are socks from legacy brand Honest John Hall & Sons that are breathable, cool to wear and luxuriously comfortable. Despite extending only as far as the top of the ankle, the HJ700s feel highly supportive, with a graduated rib, arch support and ankle bracing to supply ergonomic fit and to keep the socks securely in place during outdoor activity.
The toe seam has been designed so you literally can’t feel it, and there are reinforced areas on the heel and toe to supply some extra enforcement where it’s most required while you’re hiking on the trails. The Coolmax material used wicks moisture and dries fast, although we would have preferred the brand to go with the EcoMade Coolmax option, which is made with recycle yarn. On the upside, HJ are currently donating 10% from the sale of all their ProTrek socks to Lamp , a British mental health charity close to the brand’s home turf.
The best hiking socks comparison table
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Calcetines de senderismo
List price
Estilo
Best use
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks
$24 (US) / £27 (UK)
Micro crew light hiking sock
3 season hiking, trekking, backpacking
Helly Hansen Unisex Technical Hiking Socks
$25 (US) / £20 (UK)
Mid calf hiking socks
4 season hiking, trekking, backpacking
Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Second Cut Crew Socks
$22 (US) / £27 (UK)
Recycled mid calf hiking socks
4 season hiking, trekking, backpacking
Hanwag Bunion Socks
$26 (US) / £20 (UK) / €23 (EU)
Shin height socks designed specifically for bunions
3 season hiking
Smartwool Ski Full Cushion OTC Socks
$27 (US) / £27 (UK)
Full cushioned, tall cut, ski socks
4 season hiking, mountaineering and skiing
1000 Mile Fusion Double-Layer Walk Sock
£17 (UK) / €20 (EU)
High socks designed for cold conditions
4 season hiking, mountaineering
Darn Tough Hike/Trek Micro Crew Cushion
$25 (US) / £20 (UK)
Mini crew merino hiking sock
3 season hiking and trekking
Horizon Performance Extreme
£45 (UK)
Over-calf winter socks
4 season hiking, mountaineering, fishing
Arctic Dry 100% Waterproof
£27 (UK)
Classic crew or long nylon hiking sock
4 season hiking and trekking
Camiseta de peso medio Injinji Trail
$17 (US) / £15 (UK)
Classic crew, blister preventing toe socks
3 season hiking and trekking
1000 Mile Repreve single-layer three-season hiking socks
£21 for a twin pack (UK)
Calf length single layer hiking socks
3 season hiking and trekking
Keela Primaloft Expedition Socks
£25 (UK)
Mid-calf winter socks
4 season hiking, mountaineering
HJ Pro Trek HJ700 Light Hike
£11 (UK)
Ankle length hiking socks
3 season hiking and trekking
How we test the best hiking socks Our reviewers test hiking socks on trails in a range of environments and conditions, while wearing various walking shoes and boots. Features (including height, thermal properties, style, breathability, materials, next-to-skin comfort and support) are tested against claims made by the brand, and we assess factors such as value for money, durability, functionality and environmental impact.
Meet the testers
Pat Kinsella
Consulting editor and gear expert
Pat is our consulting editor and an expert when it comes to outdoor gear. On his adventures in the UK, the Alps, Australia, New Zealand and more, he’s tested countless pairs of hiking socks in his time.
Julia Clarke
Staff writer and hiking expert
Julia is an expert on hiking gear and she uses the mountains of the Scottish Highlands as her test arena. Having lived in Vail, Colorado for many years, she’s a seasoned pro when it comes to hiking on both sides of the Pond.
Matthew Jones
Advnture contributor and hiking expert
An expert on all things hiking and camping, Matt has the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park as the ideal testing ground for his kit. He’s a fan of long-distance trekking, mountaineering and winter in the high places and, in this guide, brings his expertise to winter socks.
How to choose the best hiking socks The best hiking socks are a reasonable investment, especially because most people are going to need several pairs, so it’s important to get the right ones for your needs. For us, high quality hiking socks are high on our list of hiking essentials , as they play a vital role in keeping your feet dry and comfortable, preventing blisters and ensuring you have as positive experience on the trail.
When planning a backpacking adventure , your footwear is a primary concern. If you’re heading out in your winter boots, you’ll need thick socks rated for all seasons.
Oh, and don’t forget, wear your best walking socks when you come to try on new hiking boots in store. Forgetting them is a common mistake. It’s also worth keeping them on as you break in your hiking boots .
So, before you buy, carefully consider the following.
The best hiking socks keep your feet toasty and comfortable (Image credit: HJ)
How important is fit when it comes to hiking socks?
If your socks are ill-fitting they will pinch, bunch up or wrinkle, which will be massively uncomfortable and put a proper downer on the day. Being able to prevent blisters , which can ruin your walking experience not just for one day, but for weeks afterwards, is a big selling point for many of the best hiking socks
Feet vary enormously, and people have all sorts of different requirements, such as extra support around the arch or Achilles areas. Toe socks work wonderfully for some, while others will struggle to get their feet into them, which just leads to frustration. Take the time to find the best hiking sock design for you, and then stick with it.
Take the time to find the best hiking sock design for you, and then stick with it (Image credit: Getty)
What are hiking socks made from?
This is a big consideration when looking for the best walking socks – next to skin comfort is essential (the last thing you want is itchy feet when you’re already on the move), but you need socks made from fabrics that offer technical performance too. Merino is the magic material of the outdoor world, because it keeps you warm when it’s cold (even when wet) and cool when it’s hot, plus it’s highly breathable, wicks internal moisture away brilliantly and has antibacterial and anti-pong properties that mean you can wear it for several days without clearing a hut, or killing your tent mate when you eventually take your boots off. For these reasons, merino is often the material of choice for the best base layers too.
But, on it’s own, merino will wear through fairly fast, and won’t necessarily hold its shape well. Many socks combine merino (or other wools) with hardwearing synthetics such as nylon, plus panels of dynamic materials like Lycra, spandex or elastane, which provide support where its needed, such as on the arches and at the top of the cuff, so your socks stay up.
The best hiking socks offer excellent comfort (Image credit: Getty)
Other socks are made entirely of manmade materials, such as CoolMax, a series of polyester fabrics, which perform well in the outdoors because they don’t absorb water, so they won’t become overly heavy and will continue to provide warmth even when wet. Should you buy waterproof socks if you’re heading somewhere notoriously wet, such as Scotland’s Munros? Probably, so this becomes a factor to consider.
While they work well, however, synthetics are not biodegradable, and have a much bigger carbon footprint than natural materials. For some winter adventures, you may wish to consider fully waterproof socks, which are typically a bit more pricey, but will keep your feet dry while hiking .
What different styles do hiking socks come in?
For a seemingly simplistic item of clothing, socks come in a surprisingly array of styles. Things to look for in the best hiking socks are reinforced cushioning around the parts of the foot that bear the brunt of impact with the ground when you’re walking, so the heel and the toe box. Many also offer extra support around the arch and the Achilles. Some designs have designated left and right socks, and these often offer the best support.
Toe socks provide lots of protection from rubbing, but don’t suit everyone. Most of the socks featured here are nominally ‘crew’ socks, which typically means they will extend just above the top of a standard hiking boot, but interpretation of this varies quite a lot, with some going well up the shin. We have given the exact weight of all the socks featured here, but you will often see a sock described as ‘lightweight’ or ‘midweight’, which just refers to the chunkiness of the knit.
Advnture reviewer Pat Kinsella testing out the 1000 Mile Fusion Double Layer Walk socks (Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
How much should you spend on hiking socks?
We would encourage you to invest in decent hiking socks, because they will seriously improve your experience on the trails and are well worth the expense. You should expect to pay more than you would for everyday socks – from $12/£10 upwards – because you’re asking them to be technical and robust enough to deal with much tougher conditions. After all, as with the best hiking gloves y el best hiking hats , if you’re heading out into Arctic conditions, you want to be wearing something you have confidence in. It’s the same with socks. Bear in mind, however, that if you’re going backpacking or taking on multiday walks, you will need several pairs.
