Wool Hiking Socks

When it comes to hiking socks, there isn’t much better than wool hiking socks. Wool is an ideal fabric for socks for a couple of reasons. First, it wicks moisture well, which is always an important feature to have in a sweaty, enclosed space. It also insulates in cold temperatures and breathes well when it’s warm out. And best of all, wool is much more resistant to odors than other fabrics like cotton.

Wool Hiking Socks

All the best features of wool hiking socks.

• Weight - There are a wide variety of wool sock weights available, ranging from thin and light all the way up to thick and heavy. What you use will depend in large part on what weather conditions you plan to go hiking in, but for most spring, summer and fall hiking, light hiking socks provide ample warmth.
• Form Fitting - Leave the tube socks at home, and pick up a pair of fitted hiking socks instead. Hiking socks that conform to your feet will prevent blisters, and allow you to utilize features of these higher end socks, like strategic venting, to improve the performance you get form your hiking socks.

Best Wool Hiking Socks

The very best in wool hiking socks, broken down in to genders.

Best Men’s Wool Hiking Socks

• Teko Merino Light MiniCrew Socks – This sock from Teko is an ideal sock for hiking in. It features an articulated heel, along with an arch brace and a seamless toe box construction to give you a fantastic fit. The specific fit allows there to be some strategically placed venting along the sides and top of the sock, to give you maximum breathability. The wool is also organic, chlorine free, from Argentine farms. An all around fantastic wool hiking sock.
• SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Sock – The PhD is a great line of wool socks from SmartWool. The entire line comes with SmartWools 4 point stretch system, which gives support to the arch, ankle and instep. Thin, stretch mesh along the top of the toe maximizes breathability, while double layered wool under the heel and toes helps cushion your step. A higher ankle than the Teko MiniCrews will work better with a hiking boot.

Best Women’s Wool Hiking Socks

• Teko Merino Light Low Sock – This sock from Teko has a low profile ideally suited to a low cut hiking shoe. Other standard features from Teko, like an articulated heel and toe box, as well as venting along the top of the sock, are what make this such a great women’s wool hiking sock.
• SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Mini Socks – The higher ankle of this PhD sock will make for a much better fit with hiking boots than the Teko sock above. SmartWool uses their 4 point support system on these socks to give ample support to the ankle, arch and instep. And just like the men’s version of the sock above, you get a slightly padded heel and toe section, to give you a bit of cushion in your step.