20 Best Wool Socks For Hiking (2023 Updated)

Purchased another pair- yes they are pricey but worth it! I am not lying when I say they are life changing for me. This is because I now only wear darn tough socks-I need a couple more pairs but I say life changing because now that I utilize a handful of pairs I no longer have all the bs matching socks, losing socks, holes in socks, et al.

Now I grab a pair and go. Simplified my life and I’m not looking back! Just need a few more pairs as I have discovered certain pairs I prefer for certain activities (i. e. gym, running, dress etc. ) I don’t know if they still do this but awhile ago I got one pair without cushion (I prefer cushion) and they sent another pair before even reviewing my first pair back, which I literally just dropped in a mailbox to return which was SUPER convenient since I don’t drive).

I am lauding these aspects over the quality because the quality speaks for itself and once you try them you will not go back. The only comparable one is bombas from what I hear but I have not tried those yet so I cannot speak to which is better.

I’ll stick to darn tough though, I’ll pay premium for quality over quantity and the fact made in USA!!!! The only complaint I have is that they don’t have any kind of loyalty program. Like I said I don’t mind paying for quality but would be nice to say buy 5 pairs and get one free or half off or something.

That said I LOVE that they don’t do the whole coupon/sale stuff- they let product speak for itself and it really does!.

This was the sock that turned me onto Darn Tough Socks about a decade ago, and my favorite model sock (okay, they come in second to EVIL X DISSENT 8″ ULTRA MTN MERINO SOCKS for biking). It’s the most tightly woven wool sock and has a firm cush.

There is no sock fluff on my toes or lost wool over time. It maintains its shape. They have a great warranty. HOWEVER I bought a pair of Olive socks (great, just like my old ones) and a pair of Onyx, and the Onyx were of a totally different quality than the Olive ones.

They were about 3 inches longer and not as thick or cushy; a stretched out weave (or even a different weave pattern). I can still see these being a good sock, but it really surprises me that the quality is so different over different colors.

Maybe as Darn Tough rapidly expands over models and colors they are still figuring things out. I recommend sticking to the more classic colors in the Micro Crew – I had a problem with the vibrant color block ones where they were much thinner (though still the same size).

I recommend ordering several at once so you can know what the true magic of the micro crew really feels like. I wish that they kept the chocolate/blue color, as I think it’s really handsome. I also wish they came in size small and xs.

It’s very sad that the women’s colors are so different and that both genders don’t have the options of both sets of colors. I hate the women’s colors so I am really a small but get the medium men’s and they *just* fit.

(Usually a women’s 7. 5).

I seldom write reviews because most products i utilize work well (or I return them) however more often than not they lack that “wow factor” for me. I also like to get daily use out of said product before I review it, there is no way after you buy something and use it for one day that you can give an honest, thoughtful review (for the most part and in my opinion).

I have poor circulation in my feet and was looking for a pair of socks that would keep my feet warm while being comfortable. If I had to do a number assessment I would say comfort 9 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 for warmth, this is a very honest review as I quite literally have been wearing these socks every single day since buying them just shy of a month!! The price is on par with other socks maybe even a little cheaper if you buy them as I did in a 3 pack, It works out to be roughly $10 a pair (big box stores cost you $20 for a pair of socks that are considered “heat keeper” socks and inevitably these shrink and lose that heating ability).

All things said I would absolutely buy these socks again, if the manufacturer actually pays attention to these reviews I would like to see them fix those small things that I mentioned.

For starters the price is crazy for what they are they much less quality then others merino socks. They like to fall down. There very thin and I don’t see them lasting long. I have a different brand that far surpasses danish endurance.

I wear these for work and I’m on my feet majority of the day. I do not recommend these socks. Look elsewhere.

The dude says they work really well in the cold. He’s been working outside on top of a river, so he’s in the freezing winter wind wearing thick boots and usually has problems sweating and freezing. He says these socks are warm and his feet aren’t getting sweaty or chafed.

He’s the kind of person who should be changing socks two or three times a day regularly, so for winter wear these are perfect. (No idea about summer yet. ).

Fine socks. Good quality. No surprise.

Excellent to wear under a second pair of hiking socks to avoid blisters

Good fitting.

FITS makes great socks. I especially like my medium hiker crew socks since I like cushioning all around my foot. They feel great and perform as described. While being a bit expensive, you get what you pay for.

Getting them on sale really helps. One more thing, I wear them in the summer too. You might think they’d be too warm, but I’ve found they are still fine for my feet. Great socks!.

I have a variety of fits socks, all are excellent. I have a pair of “dress” fits, two pair of light hiking socks that I wear with my NB walking / light hiking shoes and three pair of thick boot / hiking socks that I wear with my high top hiking shoes.

All are very comfortable and fit perfectly. As I accumulate more Fits socks, I find that I wear fewer and fewer of any other of my socks because none reach the level of comfort and durability of Fits.

I have been wearing compression socks for years on a daily basis because of venous insufficiency and mild edema. Just recently, I saw an advertisement for Fits compression stocks and ordered a couple of pair, one nylon and one wool.

Based on the size chart on the Fits website, I ordered XL socks but, although very comfortable, the XL socks are just a little too big and tend to slide down slightly. I contacted Fits about this minor problem and exchange was offered.

Although not optimal, I decided to order one pair of large wool compression stocks for comparison before exchanging the XL. I found a perfect fit with the large size – exchange is now processing. As far as comparison of wool versus nylon compression stocks, I prefer the wool which for me are softer and more comfortable than the nylon.

I doubt ever buying any other brand of hiking or compression stocks in the future. Thank you for an excellent product.

Does exactly what it’s supposed to wicks moisture away. Stays up in position, does not bunch up at the toe, driest stocking for outdoor actively I’ve ever worn,and I’m out in the cold all day everyday during the winter, then I’m in and out of airplanes and the sock acts as a compression sock, extremely comfortable.

The only complaint I have is they don’t wear well I have 18 pair of the light hunter so I rotate them constantly. I talked to a representative from fits, and I must say the best customer service you will find ever.

She suggested that I go with a bigger size so the fibers are not stretched as tight on the little toe area and the heal. Seems to be working time will tell. I’d still purchase them I’ve tried everything out there socks that last longer but feet are moist and get cold don’t stay up bunch at the toes.

I’ll still purchase from Fits because they work so well and do exactly what there supposed to do I know they listen to customer reviews and will remedy the wear issue ASAP. For out door activities with mountain type boots like Kenatreks you will not find a better sock out there.

These used to be my favorite socks for the past 2 years so I bought some more, but they redesigned them and ruined them. I started buying smartwool socks because I have sweaty and stinky feet and wool is supposed to help with that.

For the past 2 years they have worked wonders and I raved about them. They were so good I replaced all my socks with smartwool (probably have 20 or so pair in assorted styles). I’d wear these ones to hike and workout and my feet would smell fine and remain relatively dry.

I would be ok wearing the old pair 2 days in a row even. Now I put the new pairs on and my feet STINK in less than an hour from just walking around and my feet feel damper in these than my older pairs.

I’ve worn these a handful of times now and threads are already pulling out. Also the stripes around the calf aren’t as solid of black, there is white patchiness in them. I’m quite disappointed in what they did to these and makes me hesitant to buy any other pairs.

It just feels like they are cutting corners to save money. They are still soft and comfortable, just not the same quality they used to be.

My wife and I have many pairs of Smartwool Hike Light socks, most are for dog walks and hikes. I wanted something lighter-weight to wear with sneakers and walking shoes, and were thinner, which I find are better for wearing with this type of footwear.

I find the Hike series a bit too thick to wear with shoes, so they are best worn with boots. Around the house and when doing errands or dog walking in the summer months, I like the thinner weight of these socks.

Wearing Smartwool is always a better choice than cotton. My feet are more comfortable with wool. I am a size 10 shoe, so the L’s fit me well. I should mention that I would not wear anything made from wool, as I found it uncomfortable.

My wife always liked Smartwool socks, and after much encouragement, I tried a pair a few years ago. I would say that I wear Smartwool socks about 95% of the time, all year. A definite highly recommended.

Bought several pair in black and grey. The 2 pack of black socks fit a bit bigger. After a few hours of wearing I can feel my feet slipping around instead of being snug in the sock. They stretch out and fit like an old pair of wool socks, making them impossible to wear for more than a few hours.

Making several wears between washes not possible. I wear a size 8-8. 5 mens, regular width, and very normal ankles and have always been a smartwool medium. Recently I have had several issues with smartwool mediums being too roomy in the toe box and ankle area and fitting big.

I will be ordering several sizes and pairs from now on and keeping the ones that fit properly. if any. These are an inconsistent fit from pair to pair. I feel I should always “fill them up” being that I’m on the far end of the size chart for mediums.

Great quality compared to the women version. Stretchy, comfortable, hi quality material. Reliable quality, like all Sam’s clothing products, considering the price. Can be washed too, unlike designer clothing that can only be dry cleaned, ensuring that you cannot be of the stinky variety to use such clothing.

Unlike mommy who used to buy cheap rubber school shoes for sweaty climate, & complain to everyone of stinky toes, these socks won’t cause a stink, since we all know MN is arctic cold.

We have purchased these socks from Sam’s club for many years. We had finally worn holes in the older socks and needed to order more. When they arrived, I could immediately see that they were not as thick or cushiony soft as the previous ones.

I assume they may not last as long as the older socks, but we will see. The older socks wore like iron and never made your feet sweat while keeping them warm. Just be aware these are not the same as their predecessors.

They are very comfortable, but not as thickly cushioned. They are still a reasonable price per pair for Merino wool.

I wear size 14-15 and size L fit great. I wear these socks year round. I’m hoping they don’t easily get holes in them like some did that I bought a few years ago. Even with the holes this is a great sock for the money.

I bought this and Wolverine to compare. There isn’t a good comparison. The Browning product is only 16% wool and that appears to be in the reinforced toes and heals. The rest is polyester and spandex, not really recommended for temps below 50F but comfy around the house.

One down side is you can really feel the seams of the toes and heals. The Wolverine brand was much heavier ( as much as 2x the weight) and is much better below 50F. It too has reenforced toes and heals.

It is 99% wool, the rest elastic as expected.

I test products pretty thoroughly before writing reviews. These socks are comfortable, warm, and you get two pairs for the same price as a single pair of quality socks, but that’s where the good part of the review ends.

The durability leaves something to be desired. I’ve only had these socks about 6 months and I’m already getting holes the bottom. This is one of those products where you “get what you pay for. ” If you’re looking for a pair of socks that last, pay a little more for a quality sock that’ll last.

If you don’t need a durable sock, then these might do the job for a few couple months.

Look nice but quality lacking. I bought 2 pair. The 1st pair tore at the top as I was pulling them on for the first time. I was disappointed so I called SG customer service, and they refunded the money for my order and let me keep both pair.

The 2nd pair are fine so far–wearing them now. Great customer service (5-star) from SG! I have been a member since 2006.

I have worn Smartwool hiking socks for decades. Not anymore. I am addicted to Stance hiking socks. They are soft. They have the exact amount of cushion. They are great looking and best of all, they have a lasting and consistent elasticity.

Thanks Stance. I have replaced my sock drawer with these hikers.

Thick, but not too thick, wool. Not scratchy at all. Cool designs. I wish there was a little bit more mid foot compression, and I wish they would not have a big “R” and “L” over the right and left toes.

I like to wear my socks with Birkenstocks or Chacos and its ugly to have the R and L sewn into the sock. Just put the Stance logo somewhere so I know which sock is the right one and which is the left.

Wearing the socks with winter boots as I needed something thicker and warmer. Perfect thickness, not too bulky like a lot of wool socks. They are high enough that the boots don’t rub on my calf and the socks keep me dry and warm.

Highly recommend! Be sure to hang dry your socks or they will shrink or get wonky in the dryer.

OK full disclosure, wool socks in the summer what are you daft? Boy was I wrong! Quick back story purchase a non-no fly zone version of this sock three years ago by mistake they sat in my sock draw ever since.

Got behind on the laundry was heading out on a hike and these “wool socks” were my only clean socks [got a thing about wearing clean socks]. Fast forward after a day of hiking about 15 miles my feet were cool and comfortable.

I was amazed. Purchased six more to test out my find and again great results. Purchase a laundry load and never looked back! These socks are laundered with hot water and heavy cycle and the ware so far has been outstanding as has been the fit and finish.

Kicking myself for not trying the miss-purched pair earlier! Highly recommend trying a pair.

I rarely ever write a poor review of LLBean products, but I was disappointed in these socks. My husband has been wearing this style for some years, and they have always held up well, until recently. The two or three pairs we’ve bought in the last year have worn out quickly, especially on the heels and ball of the foot areas.

Probably in less than a dozen wearings, they are worn out. We also bought a pair of ragg socks a few months ago, which he wore about 3-4 times around the house (on carpeted floors) before they developed huge holes in them.

Not sure what’s happened here. The quality of the past is very much lacking. I can’t recommend them, as much as I would like to. On the plus side, they were comfortable, and the size fit well.

I ordered three pairs of these lightweight quarter socks in XL sizing. LL Bean characterizes XL (extra large) as fitting sizes 13-15. I wear a size 13 shoe and these “extra large” socks were far too short straight out of the bag.

I washed one pair inside-out, in cold water, and dried on ultra low heat. The result is a sock short to the point of being entirely unwearable. These socks might honestly qualify as Large but never as Extra Large.

Adding insult to injury, LL Bean expects me to pay for the return shipping of their incorrectly sized product!.