A Guide to the Best Hiking Socks for Women
A Guide to the Best Hiking Socks for Women
I have been enjoying outdoorsy activities for many years now. Along with a good pair or hiking boots and a waterproof coat, good hiking socks are one of the most important things that you need to enjoy the outdoors in comfort. There are so many different types of hiking socks for men, women, and children on the market which can make it hard to know what’s best. In this guide to the best hiking socks for women, I answer many of your questions and share some of my own personal product recommendations too.
Do you have to wear hiking socks with hiking boots?
I would highly recommend investing in a few pairs of hiking socks if you are going to be walking or hiking a lot. Hiking socks are designed to keep your feet happy, comfortable and dry while you’re hiking. Keeping your feet dry is extra important as when your skin gets wet, it also gets soft. When you team this with friction, you are more likely to get a blister. Hiking socks help wick moisture away from your skin and are designed to prevent blisters too.
What are the benefits of hiking socks?
Comfort, blister prevention, and moisture-wicking abilities are some of the main benefits of hiking socks but there are many more too. Hiking socks also help improve blood flow, are durable, and often have reinforced areas or extra support to protect certain areas of your feet. Some hiking socks even have ventilation panels to keep your feet cool and many have anti-odour properties to keep your feet as fresh as possible while you hike.
Are hiking socks worth it?
Yes, they are 100% worth it in my option. I love my hiking boots and find them very comfortable but when I wear normal socks in them, I can tell the difference straight away. With a good pair of hiking socks on, my feet stay comfortable, cool, and dry for long walks and all-day hikes. I never need to worry about getting a blister when I’m wearing the right kind of socks for hiking.
Hiking socks are available in lots of different price ranges and more expensive doesn’t mean better. Further down in this article, I share some of my recommendations for budget-friendly hiking socks for women that are excellent too. Depending on how often you plan to hike, you might only need a pack of two hiking socks so it doesn’t need to be a big investment.
Do you need specific socks for hiking?
Yes, I would recommend buying specific socks for hiking. Hiking socks are simply the best socks for hiking as they have been designed for this purpose. Hiking socks are made to protect your feet, by providing support and cushioning, and keeping them dry by wicking away moisture.
What socks are best to wear for hiking?
Hiking socks that contain merino wool are very popular and often recommended by footwear specialists too. Merino wool hiking socks are excellent at regulating temperature keeping your feet cool when the weather is warm and warm when the weather is cold. Merino wool is also breathable, odour-resistant, and soft.
What fabric should hiking socks be?
There are lots of different hiking socks to choose from made from different materials (usually a mix of materials). Usually a wool and synthetic blend is a good choice. I always look for merino wool women’s hiking socks for myself as they work really well for me, keeping my feet dry and comfortable. The proportion of merino wool in the blend can vary hugely – usually the more expensive socks contain a larger amount but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are better or more comfortable.
Look for hiking socks made from a mix of moisture-wicking materials such as merino wool or synthetic fibres (polyester and nylon, for example). These materials are the best for keeping your feet dry and for protecting them against friction, reducing the risk of developing blisters.
One material that you should always avoid when it comes to hiking gear, including hiking socks, is cotton. Read more about that below.
Why not cotton socks for hiking?
Cotton can be a lovely material to wear on a warm day and usually feels breathable and cool as long as you’re not doing anything strenuous. For any high-intensity activities like hiking, cotton is not a good material choice. The reason is that cotton absorbs and retains water which is bad in both warm and cold weather circumstances. Wet cotton sits tightly against your skin and will make you cold in cold weather. In hot weather, cotton does not keep you as cool as other materials (such as merino wool or synthetic fibres), especially if you get sweaty.
When it comes to cotton socks, they’ll easily get wet from sweat and stay wet, then stick to your feet, wrinkle and cause chafing or blisters.
Is bamboo or merino better for hiking socks?
Bamboo is another material that you sometimes see included in hiking socks. It’s a great eco-friendly choice. Bamboo is also hypoallergenic, naturally moisture-wicking and odour-resistant too. Unlike merino wool, it’s also suitable for vegans. One downside is that bamboo absorbs water which is not good for hiking socks. Merino wool is much better at managing moisture and has excellent insulating properties too. I would recommend merino wool socks over bamboo socks for hiking. Bamboo socks are a great choice for everyday wear though.
What are the best types of hiking socks?
When looking for the best hiking socks for women, there’s more to consider than just the material. There are lots of different styles of hiking socks to choose from too (and different thicknesses which we’ll explore further down in this article).
What types of hiking socks are there?
- Ankle / Trainer Hiking Socks. Either with a regular ankle socks or a low cut trainer style fit. These can be used in warm weather conditions in walking shoes (not hiking boots) but are not suitable for cold weather, tricky terrains or longer outings.
- Mid-Calf / Crew Hiking Socks. These are the most popular kind of hiking socks. They are usually thick with a ribbed top and go to the middle of your calves if pulled up.
- Double Layer Walking Socks. Thicker socks with a built-in lining sock for extra comfort ant to help prevent blisters.
- Winter Hiking Socks. Usually a thicker and warmer version of the crew hiking socks. These are sometimes a bit longer too, for extra warmth.
- Liner Socks. Liner socks are meant to be worn under a thicker pair of socks to prevent blisters by wicking away moisture. They also pad out hiking boots to keep everything in place.
Should you wear thin or thick socks with hiking boots?
Whether thin or thick hiking socks are best for you depends on your own personal preferences, what kind of hiking you’ll be doing (shorter hikes or longer hikes), and what kind of hiking shoes or hiking boots that you use. The weather might impact your choice too. I personally prefer thicker socks as they provide more comfort. I tend to choose my thick hiking socks whenever I’m wearing hiking boots, even in warm summer weather conditions.
How thick should hiking socks be?
Lighter, thinner socks are suitable for warm weather and shorter, easier trails where you don’t need as much support. You can choose a mid-thickness option for tougher hikes in mild weather. Thick hiking socks are the best option for tougher hikes and cold weather.
Many hiking socks also offer extra support in the form of extra padding/cushioning around certain areas of the foot – often the heel, toe-area, and underfoot. Extra protection in these areas can add extra comfort as well.
Are single or double layer socks better for hiking?
As mentioned above, double layered socks have a built-in liner layer to help keep your feet comfortable and blister-free. If you are prone to getting blisters, these can be a good option for you.
Should hiking socks be tight or loose?
Hiking socks should fit snuggly. If there’s wrinkling or bunching, this can soon cause discomfort and blisters. You should be able to wiggle your toes and the heel of the sock should have a secure fit to ensure it doesn’t slip. You want your hiking socks to feel supportive but not restrictive.
Should you size up or down in hiking socks?
If your hiking socks are too big, they will be loose which can cause them to bunch up and rub, causing blisters. If they are too tight, they’ll be uncomfortable and won’t stay in place. Plus, socks that are small can cut off the circulation in your feet. Choose your regular sock size when buying hiking socks. I would recommend buying one pair at a time if you can to try a brand/type out before stocking up on more pairs.
Why do hikers wear two pairs of socks?
Some hikers choose to wear two pairs of socks to help provide better moisture absorption to reduce the risk of blisters. I have personally never felt the need to use two pairs of socks. I wear a thick pair of hiking socks and keep an extra pair of socks in my hiking bag in case the socks get wet from bogs, puddles, or rain.
Do you need to wear 2 pairs of socks when hiking?
No, you don’t need to wear two pairs of socks when hiking. It’s completely up to your personal preference.
What socks to wear under hiking socks?
If you do want to wear two pairs of socks, choose liner socks for the layer closest to the skin and wear a pair of thicker women’s hiking socks over the top.
What kind of socks do you wear to prevent blisters while hiking?
Socks made from soft materials such as merino wool and with extra cushioning are a great option for preventing blisters.
How many pairs of hiking socks do I need?
This depends on how much hiking you’re planning to do. If you go for a hike each weekend, two pairs of hiking socks is enough. If you are doing multi-day hiking adventures or hiking more often, you’ll need more. Two is the very minimum as it’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of hiking socks in your backpack.
How to prepare your feet for a long hike?
Proper footcare for hikers is a must to keep your feet happy and blister-free. Before you go on a hike, ensure that you have a comfortable pair of hiking boots that are worn in. Choose the right kind of hiking socks for the weather and according to your preference. Also keep your toenails trimmed and moisture your feet regularly (before bed is a good time).
Hiking Socks for Women Recommendations
I have a range of different hiking socks. Some of them are excellent and others I would not recommend or repurchase.
My Recommendations for the Best Hiking Socks for Women
- Best women’s hiking socks from Mountain Warehouse: Explorer Womens Merino Thermal Mid-Calf Socks
- Best Thick Hiking Socks: 1000 Mile Women’s Walking Socks
- Best Thin Hiking Socks: Decathlon QUECHUA Sock Hike 100 High
- Softest Thick Hiking Socks: Grisport Womens Merino Wool Socks
And one to avoid
Don’t buy these: Mountain Warehouse Womens Double Layer Anti-chafe Walking Socks (too thin and got holes straight away)
Conclusion – Best Hiking Socks for Women
We have answered the question Why should you wear hiking socks? and explored different options for hiking socks. We’ve also looked at a few product recommendations. What works for me might not work for you though. It’s important to remember to buy the right kind of hiking socks for the kind of hiking that you will be doing.
