Editor’s Choice – Hike TrailTown Lightweight Crew by Fox River

These Hike TrailTown Lightweight Crew Socks by Fox River are simply the best hiking socks for summer. They are thinner so your feet won’t get too hot, but they have a reinforced toe and heel area to help those high wear areas last longer. Not only are they super comfortable, but they are an affordable price from a great brand.

These crew socks are our personal favorites for summer hiking. They have lightweight sock cushioning, which means they have some minimal padding for comfort but overall it’s a thinner sock that’s meant for warmer weather. Even though they are thinner, they still have a reinforced toe and heel area to increase the socks’ longevity in those high wear areas.

They’re made of a mix of nylon, Merino wool, and other materials, all of which add up to an optimal blend of materials that’s ideal for warmer conditions. Merino wool is perfect for wicking sweat and reducing odor-causing bacteria, so not only were our feet more dry but they were also less smelly.

The Hike TrailTown socks also feature a flat toe seam, so we didn’t have to worry about rubbing in that sensitive area, and their URfit® System provides long-lasting support without the sock bunching up or stretching out.

Best Warranty – Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks by Darn Tough

If you want socks that you know (for a fact) will last you a lifetime, then Darn Tough is the way to go. Their socks are incredibly comfortable, fit perfectly, and have an unconditional lifetime warranty that lets you get a brand new pair of socks when yours wear through. Shop men’s and women’s or continue reading to learn more about the specifics of how awesome these socks are.

These particular socks are a light cushioning, which makes them great for summer hiking adventures. We could tell that they are a thinner material, but the areas of reinforcement in high pressure places like the toes, heel, and Achilles tendon has made them withstand the test of time. They do feature breathable mesh panels for increased air flow, which helps with moisture management and sweaty feet on those warmer days.

Plus, they have a good percentage of Merino wool, which is ideal for any hiking sock. It has natural properties that perform extremely well in hiking socks such as inhibiting bacterial growth (for stinky feet), sweat-wicking (for blister prevention), and temperature regulation (to stay warm in the cold and cool in the hot).

The Warranty

Darn Tough’s warranty is the gold standard in the world of socks, and it involves an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If you get any holes, rips, tears, etc., they will replace your socks. The damage must be from normal wear and tear (and not from your dog) but otherwise they don’t even need a receipt.

I recently put this to the test with my oldest pair of Darn Tough hiker socks that had a small hole in the top of the foot. I paid to mail them to Darn Tough, which was just a few dollars, then within a week I had a code for a new pair of socks with free shipping. It was super easy!

About the Brand

Darn Tough is based in Vermont and is one of the biggest manufacturers of recreational socks. They are a family-owned business currently in the third generation and their companies has some stand-out values. Perhaps our favorite part is that all their socks are made in Vermont, so you’re supporting an American-made and -run business.

P.S. – there’s something for everyone with kids sizes as well.

Runner-Up: Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks by SmartWool

These Performance Hike Socks by SmartWool are some of the best hiking socks on the market because they are are virtually seamless, extremely durable, and extra comfortable and breathable for warm weather adventures. Shop men’s or women’s or continue reading to learn more.

We can appreciate how SmartWool put quite a bit of effort into the technology on these socks, as they are perfectly engineered for hiking in warmer weather. We felt that the light cushioning on the bottom of the foot added comfort but didn’t add too much material, plus the mesh zones helped with breathability and moisture regulation.

Their high percentage of Merino wool brings along great benefits (like sweat-wicking and temperature regulation) and that wool is ZQ-certified, which prioritizes animal welfare and economic sustainability. The virtually seamless design makes them super comfortable and we never experienced any rubbing or bunching, which helped prevent blisters.

About the Brand

SmartWool is easily one of the most well known brands when it comes to socks and underlayers. With ‘wool’ being in their name, you can bet that these wool based socks will be a good product. Plus, we love that they have an extensive 10-year sustainability plan and are moving towards 100% of their products being climate-positive, which is a step above achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

Specifications

• Cushion Level: Light
• Height: Crew
• 56% Merino wool, 31% recycled nylon, 11% nylon, 2% elastane for sweat wicking
• Seamless design for total comfort

Best Double Layer – Double Layer Silver Escape Crew Socks by WRIGHTSOCK

These Double Layer Silver Escape Crew Socks by WRIGHTSOCK use a double layer design so they are guaranteed to be odor-free and blister-free! Even with the two layers, they are considered light cushioning, so they are great for summer hiking conditions.

There are two features that immediately stand out about these socks – the double layer design and the silver infused yarn. The double layer is the most ideal feature for blister prevention because it reduces friction and moisture that cause those nasty hot spots and blisters. You can see and feel the two layers, which is an interesting and cool design.

The inner layer has silver embedded in the yarn, which is a material you don’t normally see in socks. The silver helps with odors and bacteria, so these socks are guaranteed to have no odor! This is a game-changer for anyone with stinky hiking feet and stinky boots.

Specifications

• Cushion Level: Light
• Height: Crew
• Inner layer: 65% Dri-WRIGHT II polyester, 26% nylon, 5% silver, 4% Lycra spandex
• Outer layer: 68% Dri-WRIGHT II polyester, 24% nylon, 8% Lycra spandex
• Guaranteed to be odor-free and blister-free

Best Merino Wool – Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks by REI Co-op

The REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks are the highest percentage of Merino wool on this list (79%), meaning they are super comfortable, naturally odor resistant, and are especially great for multi-day hikes and backpacking trips since they can last longer between washes.

These socks are one of the most popular summer-weight hiking socks on REI’s website and for a good reason. These Merino wool socks have lots of natural properties that are desirable for summer hiking, such as breathability, temperature regulation, sweat wicking, quick-drying, and odor-resistance.

This makes them super comfortable in all kinds of weather and they can even be used for multiple days between washes. They are ideal for backpacking, thru-hiking, and any other long distance treks, but also perform exceedingly well on day hikes for those who appreciate all that they have to offer.

As for the design of the sock, it’s super comfortable and fits well due to an arch band that keeps it in place. The seamless toes prevent bunching and rubbing and there’s reinforcement in high wear areas so they are built to last for a long time.

Specifications

• Cushioning: Lightweight
• Height: Crew
• 79% Merino wool, 20% nylon, 1% Lycra spandex for lots of benefits from the wool material
• Perfect fit with stretch arch band and seamless toes

Best COOLMAX – COOLMAX Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks – by Darn Tough

COOLMAX is a great material for hiking socks and these Darn Tough COOLMAX Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks are the best when it comes to utilizing this awesome material. These socks will keep your feet cool, dry, and comfortable even in the warmest of hiking weather. Shop men’s or women’s or read more to continue learning.

Because COOLMAX is designed specifically for keeping you COOL in warmer weather, any COOLMAX synthetic socks are awesome hot weather hiking socks. They’re engineered to move moisture away from your skin, which not only helps with preventing blisters but also enhances your comfort levels.

Plus, you’re getting all the great design features of Darn Tough socks like the perfect fit for less bunching, a seamless toe seam for no rubbing, and a lifetime guarantee that’s hard to beat. The only downside of this sock is that it’s a medium cushioning instead of light, but the materials help balance that out since they’re so good at keeping you cool.

The Warranty

Darn Tough’s warranty is the gold standard in the world of socks, and it involves an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If you get any holes, rips, tears, etc., they will replace your socks. The damage must be from normal wear and tear (and not from your dog) but otherwise they don’t even need a receipt.

Specifications

• Cushioning: Midweight
• Height: Micro Crew
• 37% nylon, 34% COOLMAX polyester, 26% acrylic, 3% Lycra spandex to keep you cool and dry
• Vegan materials

Best No Show – Silver No-Show Socks by Balega

If you wear trail running shoes and want a low-profile sock to match, these Silver No-Show Socks by Balega are your best option. They are remarkably comfortable and are designed to maximize performance through sweat-wicking and friction-reducing properties.

This is easily one of the most comfortable no-show socks we’ve ever worn and we couldn’t recommend them more. From the silver ions that work to reduce odor and bacteria to the seamless construction so there’s no rubbing, these hiking socks seem to be truly engineered for comfort and moisture control in warmer weather.

Everything about the design is for keeping your feet cool, dry, and blister free, so they are exceedingly comfortable to wear. They even have a deep heel pocket so they won’t slide down your heel, the Drynamix yarn keeps you cool and dry, and the non-constricting ankle and arch support bands keep the sock in place.

Specifications

• Cushion Level: Medium
• Height: No-show
• 75% polyester, 23% nylon, 2% elastane for comfort and sweat-wicking
• Silver ions help prevent stinky feet

Best Ankle Height – Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Socks by Injinji

An ankle height sock is perfect for trail runners and these Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Socks by Injinji are some of the best socks you could buy. They are remarkably highly rated by users and the toe design helps prevent blisters across your entire foot while the five-toe design helps optimize performance.

Injinji socks are known for their patented toe socks, which means you get blister protection all over your foot and not just on your heel like regular hiking socks. Pair these with a wide toe box in your hiking shoes to let your feet spread and swell during hot weather, and you’ll be more comfortable than ever before.

Sometimes lower socks can be prone to dirt and debris getting inside while you’re hiking, but Injinji combats that by having an elastic cuff to keep it out. Plus, they are quick-drying and moisture-wicking, so you can be sure you won’t be getting blisters while you’re out on the trail.

The only downside of these socks is that they are a medium cushioning instead of light, but the COOLMAX fabric will outweigh that by keeping you cooler.

About the Brand

Injinji is based in California and was founded in 1999 by some passionate dreamers looking to change the way people thought about running footwear. Injinji means “to perform at your peak, leading to a state of euphoria.”

Specifications

• Cushion Level: Medium
• Height: Ankle
• 58% nylon, 39% COOLMAX Ecomade polyester, 3% Lycra spandex for cooling and comfort
• Five toe design lets your feet spread more naturally while also preventing blisters between your toes

Honorable Mention – Farm to Feet Damascus Crew

We simply had to include Farm to Feet because they’re one of our favorite socks brands of all time. They have outstanding quality and are completely American made from start to finish. Their Damascus crew socks are so comfortable – you can feel the quality with every step.

Named after one of the most hiker-friendly towns along the Appalachian Trail, the Damascus socks are built for serious through hikers and backpackers who depends on their socks for long periods of time. Because they’re so durable and high quality, they work just as well for day hikers and casual hikers who want one of the best socks currently on the market.

Everything about this sock is perfect for hiking in hot weather, including the lightweight cushioning, moisture-managing Merino wool, and full-density targeted padding that keeps those high wear areas super durable for many miles to come.

About the Brand

Farm to Feet socks have an all-American recipe: US materials, US manufacturing, and US workers. Because its entire supply chain is in the United States, the quality of the materials and products are outstanding and have less impact on the environment.

Specifications

• Cushion Level: Light
• Height: Crew
• 51% US Merino wool, 46% US nylon, 3% US Lycra spandex
• 100% American made and sourced so every sock is remarkably high quality