Hiking and Trail Women's Socks
Hiking involves walking long distances in outdoor conditions, so it is helpful to have comfortable and reliable footwear. Hiking and trail women's socks are designed to have extra padding, moisture-wicking properties, and other features that are not found in standard socks. Most hiking socks are made from merino wool, but some include synthetic material blends.
What types of socks are used for hiking?Hiking socks are typically divided into a few different categories based on their level of cushioning, amount of warmth, and ability to wick moisture.
- Liner socks: Liners are very thin socks without padding that go between the foot and the main socks.
- Light socks: Lightweight hiking socks have a small amount of cushioning along the heel and plenty of moisture-wicking properties.
- Midweight socks: These items have additional padding and cushioning in the heel and ball area, and they are warmer than light hiking socks.
- Heavy socks: Extra bulky options have padding throughout the foot and are made from materials designed to keep feet warm.
The exact type of hiking socks you will choose depends on your unique needs and preferences. When selecting hiking socks, take the following factors into account:
- Foot shape: Women with wider feet and a high instep put less pressure on their foot with each step, but women with narrow or flat feet may prefer extra cushioning.
- Boot shape: If you already have the boots you intend to wear, make sure your wool socks are tall enough to prevent the boots from rubbing against your skin. Hiking socks are typically available in ankle, crew, and knee lengths.
- Hiking conditions: Consider whether your main goal is to keep your feet warm or cool during the hike. Merino wool is useful in warm or cool situations, but you will need thicker knits for chilly hikes.
- Hiking length: For long hikes, higher padding levels are beneficial.
These tips will help to keep your wool socks clean and fresh smelling.
- Washing and drying on a hike: For multiday hiking, you can carry additional pairs of socks with you. This allows you to wash a pair with water at night, and tie them on your pack to dry during the day.
- Read washing recommendations for your sock brand: Pairs made from pretreated Merino wool can be machine washed while pairs made from virgin wool need to be hand washed. You can read the tag on your socks to see which method is recommended.
- Add smell removal solutions to wash: Include some white vinegar or baking soda to your washing water to help remove any stubborn smells. Avoid bleach because it can stiffen wool fibers.
- Be cautious while drying: For wool socks that can be dried in a machine, use a low heat. When air drying your garments, lay them flat to prevent stretching.