Best Winter Hiking Socks [2023 UPDATE]

Runner Up Overall: SMARTWOOL PERFORMANCE HIKE

MATERIALS: 56% Merino Wool, 31% Recycled Nylon, 11% Nylon, 2% Elastane

CUSHION: Medium

HEIGHT: Crew

PRICE: $$

PROS: Use of recycled materials, Ergonomic design that provides a great fit

CONS: Lower use of merino wool

The Smartwool Performance Hike features a smart ergonomic design that provides a solid secure fit for hiking. This will prevent the sock sliding around or bunching up in your boot, helping to keep your feet happy and blister free all day whilst on the trail. Plus, they use a seamless design meaning you won’t get a hot spot halfway through your hike.

This sock is a redesign of a previous model, with the newer model making improvements in fits, durability, and the use of more sustainable materials. On this sock Smartwool have used recycled nylon and ZQ certified merino wool, which helps protect the environment. The cushioning is not as heavy as some of the other socks on this list. However, they have distributed the padding to areas of the sock where it is most needed, improving both comfort and warmth.

Also, the Performance Hike do have a slightly lower percentage of merino than some of the other socks on this list, but the difference is likely to be negligible for practical purposes. Especially given that you wouldn’t be wearing these in seriously frigid conditions.

Extreme cold aside, the fit and quality of the Smartwool Performance Hike makes them an awesome pick for your general winter hiking adventures.

Best for Cold Conditions: DARN TOUGH MOUNTAINEERING MERINO WOOL

MATERIALS: 73% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex

CUSHION: Heavy

HEIGHT: Over the calf

PRICE: $$

PROS: Great for use in extreme cold

CONS: Too warm for milder conditions

If you are a serious mountaineer, then you are going to need a serious sock. And the Darn Tough Mountaineering Merino Wool is a great choice if you find yourself in extremely cold conditions.

It is made predominantly from merino wool, which is exactly what you want for an extreme cold weather sock. Similarly, the heavy weight and full cushion design is a massive advantage, as it will keep your feet comfortable and warm in your boots.

Darn Tough use a tight knit stitch for all their socks. This makes them very warm but also exceptionally tough, and their mountaineering sock is no exception.

Their mountaineering sock is a much longer sock, covering up and over the calf, and thereby helping to create a more effective barrier between you and the elements.

In milder conditions it will likely be too warm – this sock is designed for serious cold, so in warmer temperatures you might find your feet begin to overheat.

But if you are the type of hiker that likes to push for big miles in very cold climates, then this sock is the best choice for you.

View at Darn Tough

Runner Up for Cold Conditions: FARM TO FEET DENALI

MATERIALS: 91% Merino Wool, 8% Nylon, 1% Lycra Spandex

CUSHION: Heavy

HEIGHT: Extended Crew

PRICE: $$

PROS: High percentage of merino wool, Lifetime warranty

CONS: Some might prefer a longer length for seriously cold conditions

The Farm to Feet Denali is another fantastic sock for those who find themselves in extreme cold weather.

It has a seriously high merino wool component (91%), making it a great winter sock choice due to its natural warmth, moisture wicking, and odor resistance properties. Plus, the merino used in this sock is farmed and produced on American farms.

Farm to Feet refer to this style as “extended crew”. This means that it sits higher up on the calf, providing more warmth to your lower leg. However, they aren’t as tall as a true “over the calf” sock such as the Darn Tough Mountaineer – essentially this sock will rise only to the base of your calf, rather than over it.

The Denali has a ribbed section across the arch of your foot, to help prevent the sock from moving or bunching up while you are hiking. And as you would expect from a cold weather sock, it has full cushioning on the sole. In fact, it uses a 4-ply construction that will make it feel like you are walking on clouds.

With quality materials, construction, and a lifetime warranty – it is hard to look past the Farm to Feet Denali for cold conditions.

View at Farm to Feet

Best on a Budget: REI CO-OP MIDWEIGHT

MATERIALS: 80% Eco Polyester, 19% Nylon, 1% Spandex

CUSHION: Medium

HEIGHT: Crew

PRICE: $$

PROS: Affordable

CONS: Purely synthetic materials – that lack the warmth and odor resistance properties of merino wool

Some of the socks on this list can get a bit pricey, particularly those that use a lot of merino wool. Merino is a top-quality material but depending on how cold it is you might not need it.

If you are happy to forgo merino, and head into your winter hike with pure synthetics, then the REI Co-op Midweight sock is still a great pick for moderate winter conditions – especially if you need something a little more wallet friendly.

Despite its more affordable price, this midweight sock still has a lot going for it. Spandex threads lace the arch of the sock, which helps it retain its shape and keep it in place. They also use a seamless design around the toes, to help prevent hotspots and subsequently blisters.

This sock has a moderate level of cushioning, making it fine for the casual hiker. If you plan to put some big miles in during winter, you may want a sock with a little bit more cushion.

Of course, REI are another company trying to produce gear with a limited environmental footprint. To help them along with that endeavor, the polyester used in this specific sock is made from recycled materials.

Overall, REI Co-op Midweight Sock is a solid choice if you are on a budget or only a semi-regular winter hiker, and happy to go with a full synthetic sock with a little less warmth and cushion.

Best Anti-Blister Socks: WRIGHTSOCK ECO HIKE WOOL

MATERIALS: Outer: 71% Upcycled Wool, 24% Nylon, 5% Lycra; Inner: 70% Polyester, 26% Nylon, 4% Lycra

CUSHION: Medium

HEIGHT: Crew

PRICE: $$

PROS: Double layer designed to prevent blistering

CONS: Not merino wool, Some people might not like the double layer design

The Wrightsock Eco Hike Wool (like all Wrightsocks) is a great choice if you find you have sensitive feet prone to blistering. Wrightsock use a relatively novel double layer design that helps to reduce the chance of blisters.

The double layer acts as a sort of “sock within a sock”, but integrated so that it works seamlessly. This allows the sock to wick moisture away from the skin and reduces the potential for friction. The sock is also designed with a stabilizing zone in the arch of the sock, which further helps to keep it from moving around on your feet.

The Eco Hike Wool also boasts an impressive amount of recycled materials used in its construction. The outer layer is made from wool that has been upcycled from industrial scraps. Whilst the inner layer uses polyester that is made from recycled plastic bottles.

So, if blisters are a common complaint on your longer hikes – be sure to give the Wrightsock Eco Hike Wool Socks a try on your next winter stroll.

Best Waterproof Socks: SEAL SKINZ COLD WEATHER

MATERIALS: Mixture of nylon, merino wool, acrylic and polyester

CUSHION: Medium

HEIGHT: Mid Length Crew (also available as Over The Calf)

PRICE: $$

PROS: Fully waterproof

CONS: Expensive, Lack breathability, Stiffer than normal socks due to the waterproof membrane

In cold conditions, getting your socks wet is an absolute nightmare. And in seriously cold conditions, wet socks are not only uncomfortable but can actually be dangerous.

Most people will turn to waterproof boots in winter, as a first line of defence (and rightly so). But waterproof boots aren’t always bulletproof! So, if you find yourself walking through wet snow or venturing into conditions where wet socks could be seriously problematic, then it could be a good idea to consider getting a pair of waterproof socks.

Seal Skinz – well known for making a wide range of waterproof socks – make a great pair that are designed with extra insulation for cold weather (or for seriously cold conditions they make an Extreme Cold Weather version). The Seal Skinz Cold Weather Socks use a multi-layer design, with each layer aimed at achieving a specific purpose.

The outer layer is stretchy nylon and elastane, which gives the sock a (relatively) secure fit and a barrier to protect the middle layer – which is a waterproof membrane. The inner layer is then a mixture of merino wool, acrylic, and polyester that provides great insulation from the cold.

Your main concern with these might be their breathability, anything the stops water getting in might also stop it getting out. However, Seal Skinz do a reasonable job of wicking moisture. But at the end of the day, a waterproof sock is never going to wick moisture as well as a standard sock – so you can expect your feet to get sweaty. Having said that, this might be a better outcome than the exterior water getting in (e.g. if it is melting snow).

Also, the waterproof membrane is also pretty stiff. So, although these are comfortable enough to wear on a long day hiking, be aware that they won’t be as soft, comfortable, and flexible, as a normal pair of socks.

Of course, not everyone will need waterproof socks, but if you find yourself on very wet trails or travelling through deep wet snow with insufficient protection from your boots, then the Seal Skinz Cold Weather Socks are definitely worth considering.