Hiking Socks That are Good For You 

When it comes to traveling, you want to do so with confidence. Confidence in yourself, your knowledge, the environment, and of course, what you choose to wear. Your choice of apparel when making that auspicious climb up the mountain or taking that daunting path off the beaten trail in the forest, is an all-important factor for ensuring your preparedness and comfortability when doing so. There are no shortage of options when considering what you should wear, but for this article, let’s focus on a single yet key aspect of your traversal ambitions: your footwear. 

Whatever outdoor activities you plan to take part of, whether hiking or mountain climbing or even biking, your feet are going to be doing the majority of the leg work (poor pun intended). Because of this, you’re going to want to make sure that your feet are prepared for the undertaking you may be considering embarking upon. The right shoes are important to be sure, and there are plenty of footwear out there to choose from, but what’s underneath those jogging shoes or hiking boots are just as important. For your outdoor activities, you’re going to want to invest in some durable socks, specifically, hiking socks. 

The Purpose

As I’m sure you know the name implies, hiking socks are made for one purpose: hiking. While such does include taking on the mountains or forests, that isn’t always the case. But be certain that they are made for trekking less than comfortable terrain. Considering that the average individual takes around 2,000 steps to walk one mile, and that number is sure to increase when traveling through terrain that will likely not agree with you, you’re going to be in for some serious traversal. Hiking socks help ensure that you are prepared for that serious traversal. 

The Function 

When first considering hiking socks, you’re going to want to know more about how they work. They’re designed to keep the foot safe and comfortable. This can include simple things like padding the underside of your feet and protecting them from unwanted debris and pesky blisters to more involved functions such as regulating their temperature and providing breathability so that they don’t feel tightened or constrained.

The Composition

The composition of hiking socks varies, as they’re rarely, if ever, made from one single material. There are a variety of fabrics that are made into them, blended to create the ideal experience for comfort, durability, warmth, and even swift drying. Some common materials you’ll find in hiking socks include wool, which is the most popular and most recommended, nylon, spandex, silk, and polyester.

A very popular material for making hiking socks is actually Merino wool. It is an ideal material for moisture wicking, a simple but important process in hiking apparel that’s designed to draw the moisture away from the surface of the skin towards the clothing itself which then evaporates. This in turn helps keep the body cool and active throughout travailing. Of course, hiking socks make use of this process as well, helping to keep your feet cool and dry.

Hiking socks also come in many different forms, shapes, and sizes. There are no-shows, which offer the least protection and aren’t really recommended. There are ankle socks, which as the name implies, cover the ankles. Crew socks which are the average choice, resting a few inches above the ankle. And also, knee-highs, which are mainly used for mountaineering. 

Where Can I Buy?

Now when it comes to shopping for hiking socks, you have no shortage of options, as they can be found almost anywhere on the market. There are plenty of companies who are knowledgeable about the brand and sell it in some form or fashion. Some of them include the likes of Kohls, REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Nike, Moosejaw, and of course many others. But you may want to consider companies such as Stio, whose apparel specializes in outdoor activities. From flannels and base layer clothing, to backpacks and duffels, they tend to have it all, and just in case you’re wondering yes, that includes hiking socks. 

The prices for them can vary, but most hiking socks can venture anywhere between thirty to fifty dollars. It can depend on factors like branding, comfort, fitness, and most importantly, what you’re looking for when it comes to your personal preference. But whatever they are, be assured that there is a pair of socks that are just right for you.

Conclusion So the next time you are considering taking that trail off the beaten pathor trekking the forests and mountains, be considerate in not only the journey, but the clothing you choose to take it in. Hiking socks are an essential piece of your apparel to ensure that your next hiking trail or mountain climb is taken in the most efficient and pleasant way possible. Your feet are doing most of the work, it’s only fair to make sure they’re comfortable working.