Traditionally, hiking socks have been downright boring. Luckily, sock manufacturers are getting creative and making聽performance-minded socks that feel great and look even better. Here are five of our favorite hiking socks that will keep you stylish on and off the trail.
Stance Geothermal ($20)
Stance has a variety of beautiful socks, from retro stripes to this聽wild and colorful outdoorsy聽pair created in collaboration with photographer-climber Jimmy Chin. They鈥檙e made of a natural wool blend with a seamless toe and anatomical cushioning for a killer fit.
Farm to Feet Englewood ($24)
Farm to Feet鈥檚 Damascus is a standard for hikers on the Appalachian Trail, but we鈥檙e smitten with the lodge styling on these Englewood hikers. The North Carolina鈥揵ased manufacturer uses 100 percent American-grown merino wool, blending it with nylon and spandex for a sock that breathes well, dries fast, and stretches like crazy.
Darn Tough Haselton Hiker ($20)
Vermont-based Darn Tough puts minimal cushion in this hiker for a snug fit that鈥檚 enhanced by the significant amount of merino in the blend. We dig the simple stripes聽and the lifetime guarantee.
Smartwool PhD Outdoor Mountaineer ($35)
Smartwool throws all of its tech into these performance-minded socks, using 鈥淚ndestructawool,鈥 a proprietary yarn聽construction that strategically reinforces merino wool with nylon聽so you get the feel of merino but the strength of nylon. There鈥檚 also high-density cushioning in the heels and toes and graduated compression throughout to help you recover.
Icebreaker Hike Lite ($20)
OK, the style here is definitely muted, which just means you鈥檒l be able to wear these socks to work as well as the trail. And you鈥檙e going to want to wear these a lot because聽seams are few to reduce rubbing, a snug fit prevents slipping, and lots of merino wool聽makes them comfy in the summer or winter.