10 Best Hot Weather Hiking Socks: Summer, Warm Weather

When hiking in hot weather (vs cold weather or mild conditions), a number of potential ills and ailments await the unprepared and inappropriately attired. Among the most irritating, inconvenient, and downright agonizing of these potential complaints are those that can befall our feet.

Given that our feet are our sole means of moving from A to B when out in the wild, they’re well worth taking care of, and getting our hands on (feet in?) a pair of high-performing, functional, trail-worthy socks is the best way to start.

But with so many options to choose from, how do we know which hot-weather socks will be best for us?

 

Best Hot Weather Boot Socks

These are the best socks for hot weather hiking:

1. Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew Socks

In the Damascus Lightweight Crew, North Carolina-based Farm to Feet have created a USA-made product that’s more than capable of holding its own amidst its many foreign-sourced competitors.

This lightweight sock is made with a high-performing merino-nylon-Lycra fabric blend of materials that offer great breathability, comfort, durability, and odor-free feet, and its only noticeable failing is a slight lack of cushioning.

In short, this is a tough, trail-ready, set of ultralight socks that does everything its foreign-made competitors do using a chain of supply based entirely on home turf.

Hiking Sock Pros

• Made entirely in the USA
• Great breathability
• Extra spandex content provides added durability
• Feel fresh even after hours on the trail
• Low calf fit (both men’s and women’s hiking socks)

Hiking Sock Cons

• Less merino content than competitors
• A fraction short on cushioning

Where to Buy? Pick this lightweight hiking sock up directly via the Farm to Feet website here.

2. REI Co-op Lightweight Merino Crew Sock

Although a touch warmer than lightweight competitors, the REI Co-Op Merino Crew is a frill-free workhorse that does everything you need a sock to do.

It’s made with very soft, comfortable merino wool hiking socks, breathes well despite relatively thick cushioning (thick sock feel, while still being a midweight sock), and costs a lot less than many other full-height models of hiking sock.

On the downside, this sock is prone to pilling after a few trips to the laundromat and can lose its shape after a month or two of regular use.

Hiking Sock Pros

• Very comfortable socks, soft fabric
• Good cushioning
• Excellent value for money
• Wicks well
• Highly breathable materials (nylon and spandex + merino wool hiking socks)

Hiking Sock Cons

• Slight durability issues

Where to Buy? Pick these merino wool socks up directly via REI Co-op at this listing here.

3. Injinji 2.0 Outdoor Midweight NuWool Crew

A bit of a wild-card entry on our list, the Injinji 2.0 Midweight Crew is a sock with a difference. Using a Vibram Five Finger-like toe design that wraps each digit in its own NuWool-Nylon sheath, this sock — claim makers Injinji — is the solution blister-prone hikers have been seeking for years. But how do their claims pan out in practice?

Well, quality socks are rarely the type of thing to inspire such sentiments as love or hate, but the Injinji manages to attract both, and in equal measures.

The unique toe design in the 2.0 NuWool Light Crew is a love-it-or-hate-it kinda deviation from the norm, and for many, it is a deal-breaker at first sight.

On the other hand, those who struggle to avoid blisters when hiking in hot weather no matter how many precautions they take otherwise may just find a solution in this quirky, innovative little alternative.

Hiking Sock Pros

• Separated toe design results in less rubbing and, thus, less potential for blisters and hot spots
• 64% merino wool blend, 33% nylon, and 3% Lycra content helps the socks retain their shape over time
• Design about as ergonomic as they come
• Ample cushioning

Hiking Sock Cons

• Take longer to get on than a standard sock
• Not as cool, temperature-wise, as lighter sock varieties

Where to Buy? You can find this directly via the Injinji website online here.

4. Icebreaker Hike+ Lite Crew

Icebreaker have taken the world of hiking apparel by storm since entering the fray a little over a decade ago. Expertly combining comfort with high-performance, their technical merino sock products have set new standards in terms of both quality and functionality.

The Hike+ Lite Crew sock is no exception, offering all the benefits of merino wool sock blend and also the kind of ergonomics and precision design you’d expect to find in more substantial items of apparel.

The only downsides to this sock are that the cuff or collar can lose elasticity over time and its relative lack of cushioning — highly forgivable given the benefits it offers in terms of comfort and performance.

Hiking Sock Pros

• 57% merino wool, 41% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex blend offers a nice balance of breathability, wicking, durability, and snug fit
• Breathable and wicks well
• Left and right foot fit reduces bunching up of excess material
• Material dries quickly
• Relatively odor-free after a day’s hiking

Hiking Sock Cons

• A little less cushioning than other light or mid-weight competitors
• Cuff can begin to sag slightly after a dozen or so uses

5. Wrightsock Escape Crew

Can synthetic products compete with the dearly loved woolen wonder that is merino? Those who have tried out the Wrightsock Escape Crew are usually prone to answer with a resounding ’yes’!

Made with 70% polyester, 26% nylon, and 4% Lycra, many first-time triers of the Escape Crew could be forgiven for lamenting the lack of cozy, comfortable merino. Once you get over that slight difference in feel, however, it’s very easy to notice the things this sock does well.

Despite a slightly chunkier build, the Escape Crew is very breathable and feels light and cool in conditions where other models would be making our feet feel like small antechambers to the hottest portions of hell. More importantly, it features a two-layer construction designed to absorb and wick moisture (moisture-wicking) in a hurry — ideal for those prone to blisters, sweaty feet, or painful hot spots caused by friction.

Pros

• Very good value for money
• Very lightweight
• Double-layer construction prevents friction and blisters
• Very breathable materials
• Comes with a “blister-free guarantee”

Cons

• Not the most durable sock out there
• Far from odorless!

6. REI Co-op Silk One Liner

Sock liners are a bit of a “cheat” but worth considering. Another slightly “out-there” choice, this sock merits inclusion on our list for a number of reasons, most notably its absolutely minimalist construction, excellent wicking capacity, and “barely there” feel on your feet.

Intended as a sock liner to be worn beneath your regular hiking socks, the Silk One offers a potential solution in high temps for the particularly sweaty-footed and those not overly concerned with cushioning or winning plaudits from their hiking partners for their appearance.

In short, this isn’t much of a looker and provides all but zero buffering between your foot and your hiking boot, but if overheating and sweat happen to be your backcountry bugbears, this high-wicking and heat-hindering alternative just might be worth considering.

Liner Sock Pros

• Ultralight
• Wicks well
• Feels surprising comfortable despite lack of cushioning
• Very cool in extra hot temperatures

Liner Sock Cons

• Zero cushion socks
• Won’t win any prizes for looks

Where to Buy? The only place you can pick these up is online via REI.com here.

Best Hot Weather Shoe Socks

1. Darn Tough Quarter Cushion Sock

Unlike many low-cut models, the Darn Tough Quarter Cushion feels and performs like a full-length hiking sock that’s merely been trimmed down to suit the stylistic tastes of those who prefer a shorter cut (Darn Tough light hiker). As such, it offers much better comfort, moisture management, and cushioning than other trail shoe socks and also more in the way of durability.

Importantly, the Darn Tough Quarter Cushion also features an extra inch and a half of material above the ankle (mid-ankle sock), thereby offering a happy-medium for trail shoe wearers looking for something between a low-cut, “invisible” sock and full-length varieties.

It’s warmer than ultra-light models like the Smartwool PhD Outdoor Micro and doesn’t offer as quite as much protection as the FITS Quarter Sock (above), but makes up for these shortcomings with impressive durability for strenuous wear and extra cushioning (padding) for boots and different foot types.

Darn Tough Pros

• Impressive durability for all kinds of hikes, foot types, and boots (i.e. darn tough!)
• Fresh as a daisy after a day on the trails
• Nice cushioning
• Fine-gauge knit provides seam-free feel

Darn Tough Cons

• Low/Mid cut provides less protection for scrapes and stings
• Not as light as PhD Ultra Light (below)

Where to Buy? You can pick up these socks directly via Darn Tough online here.

Further Read: My Darn Tough Socks Review and my Darn Tough vs Smartwool Hiking Sock comparison.

2. Smartwool PhD Ultra Light Micro

For the hot-weather hiker, there’s very little not to love about Smartwool’s Ultra Light Micro.

These Smartwool hiking socks are fantastically light, very cool in even the hottest conditions, and maintains a degree of comfort lacking in many other models in its price range. With 54% merino content and 4% elastane content, this is also a very breathable, odorless, and durable sock that retains its shape after many months of use and abuse.

For those seeking pillow-like cushioning, the Ultra Light Micro may prove to be a touch on the thin side; for everyone else, it’s a safe bet. Light, cool, and comfortable socks — what more could a hot-weather hiker ask for?

Light Hiker Pros

• Very cool and light
• Highly breathable fabric
• Comfortable despite lack of cushioning
• Ideal for extra-hot conditions
• Smartwool’s Reliawool fabric provides better durability than competitors
• Reasonably priced

Light Hiker Cons

• A touch short on cushioning

Where to Buy? I’ve had great luck picking these Like Hiker socks up via Backcountry.com here.

3. FITS Light Performance Trail Quarter Sock

In the FITS Light Performance, we get our review of shorter-length socks off to a start with a true contender to the title of “Best Trail Shoe Sock Out There.” It’s light, breathable, soft on the skin, cushioned in all the right places, and features those all-important added inches above the ankle that protect your skin from trail-side assailants such as sticks, branches, and rocks.

They aren’t the cheapest option out there, but for a few extra dollars, you get a lot of extra performance compared to other low or quarter-cut competitors.

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Extra inches above the shoe collar provide protection from brush and debris
• Plenty of cushioning
• 50% merino
• Very ergonomic fit
• Highly breathable fabric

Cons

• Slightly pricey

4. Inov8 All-Terrain Low Running Socks

For lovers of the low-cut hiking sock and products offering first-rate functionality at a very palatable price, the Inov-8 All Terrain is a very worthy addition to any shortlist. Performance-wise, this synthetic sock also ticks the majority of boxes that need ticking: it’s breathable, comfortable, ergonomic, durable, and wicks as well as many pricier, merino-based products.

And the downsides? The low cut of this sock does mean it lacks the protection of mid or high-cut alternatives, and its synthetic materials also tend to stink up in a hurry. Otherwise, the All Terrain is hard to find fault with. All in all, a winner for those on a budget.

Running Sock Pros

• Very light
• Great breathability
• Generous underfoot cushioning
• Wicks well
• Durable
• Flatlock seams help prevent chafing and hot spots
• Cheap — hard to beat in the value-for-money stakes

Running Sock Cons

• Not as odor-free as merino models
• Low cut means less protection for the ankles and lower legs

Why Does it Matter?

Getting your gear right for hiking in any weather requires a fair amount of pre-purchase research and consideration. But with boots, mid layers, baselayers, shell layers, and other larger items to consider, do we really need to give a hoot about such a paltry component of backcountry attire as our socks?

The short answer: yes!

The director’s cut answer: well, this seemingly negligible item of backcountry attire can play a pivotal role in a hikes’ success or failure, and also our levels of comfort while we’re at it — things that could not necessarily be said of many larger and seemingly more important parts of our apparel.

Some of the potential pains and problems that can result from poor sock choice include the following:

• Blisters
• Overheating and swelling
• Athlete’s foot
• Chafing
• hot spots
• The type of stench that would bring a blush to the face of even the funkiest-smelling bear in the forest

Given the above, a third answer might now be added to the two already given: hell yes!

Factors to Consider When Choosing Socks for Hiking in Hot Weather

Choosing socks for hiking in hot weather is slightly trickier and more nuanced than many expect, and the ideal choice for your needs may well seem counterintuitive prior to learning the ins and outs of different socks’ attributes, specs, and best uses.

Before heading to the outdoor store or getting online to make a purchase, here are a few key factors to consider that just might help you avoid a costly (and potentially painful!) process of trial and error.

Material Choice

Wool Socks

This all-time hikers’ favorite has enjoyed something of a revival in recent years thanks to brands such as Smartwool and Icebreaker, who have taken the once itchy staple churned out by grandmothers worldwide and given it a foot-friendly and performance-orientated makeover.

Wool, and merino wool, in particular, offers a great warmth-to-weight ratio (ideal for warm weather or cooler mornings), dries quickly (particularly in thinner, hot-weather socks), wicks moisture and breathes very well, and is far less likely to stink up as badly as synthetic fabrics and cotton socks.

Merino Wool Pros

• Largely odorless (combats foot odor)
• Breathable
• Wicks well
• Soft feel
• Itch-free in most merino-based products

Merino Wool Cons

• Usually more expensive
• Durability issues in some ultralight products

Synthetic Socks

While more prone to producing noxious odors following a hard day on the trails, modern synthetic socks have a lot going for them and are getting better by the year. Most importantly, they usually cost a lot less than what you can expect to pay for top merino products and are more likely to keep their elasticity and shape over time.

Pros

• Usually cheaper than merino-based products
• Most varieties breathe well and use high-wicking fabrics
• Keep their shape and springiness with time

Cons

• Some varieties stink up very easily
• Often not as soft feeling as merino socks

Cotton Socks

Many newbie hikers and/or those with a more lackadaisical approach to backcountry attire are prone to plumping for the cheapest and/or the first decent-looking pair of socks they come across in the store or online, which almost invariably means socks containing some degree of cotton.

The result? Said hikers are usually the ones eyeing their backcountry companions’ dry, unblistered, and scent-free feet enviously at the end of their day on the trail.

Cotton, in any athletic garment, is a poor performer for two reasons:

• Firstly, it wicks and breathes about as well as your average sponge (i.e. terribly) and therefore is liable to leave the insides of your boots with a mildly aquatic feel once you start working up a sweat.
• Secondly, this build-up of moisture creates the perfect conditions for blisters, hot spots, chafing, and fungal infections if you happen to be on a longer, multi-day hike.

In short: if it has cotton in it, avoid it at all costs!

Pros

• Cheap

Cons

• Poor breathability
• Soaks up fluids (sweat) instead of wicking
• Liable to lead to blisters, hot spots, and fungal infections

Sock Height

While the height of your sock might seem like a no-brainer to most, giving this aspect a little bit of pre-purchase thought could save you a great many paw-pains while out on the trail (not to mention a a quick remedial purchase when you return home).

Shoes

For hiking shoes, the full range of height options are feasible: low, mid, and high-cut socks will all do the job. In hotter temperatures, the temptation is to opt for whatever is smallest and lightest, but a few other important factors mean that low might not be the way to go.

First up, a low-cut sock offers no protection to your ankles and lower legs. On well-maintained trails this isn’t a problem, but if heading deeper into the backcountry things like poison ivy, low branches, ticks, and prickly foliage or undergrowth all add an element of potential “ouch” that would make a higher sock a safer and more practical option.

Secondly, a low-cut sock can leave the skin around your ankle, heel, and forefoot in direct contact with the cuff or collar of your shoe if even a fraction on the small side. While this is unlikely to do a great deal of harm on shorter hikes, after a few hours on the trail it can easily result in painful blisters, rashes, and tear-inducing hot spots.

Boots

Most hiking socks will stretch well above the collar of the boot, leaving at least a few inches of coverage of the skin on your shins and calves.

But just how high do you need to go?

As with shoe socks, there’s no harm in having a little extra material to deal with prickly brush and other potential assailants of your ankles.

Choosing a sock that stretches all the way to the knee is probably unnecessary and likely to lead to overheating in high temperatures, but, on the flip side, one that barely clears the collar is also not ideal. After a few washes, the elastane or spandex which holds the sock in place can slacken off, thus allowing the sock to slide down your shin and bunch up, potentially leading to rubbing and hot spots at the collar of the boot.

The bottom line? Choose a sock that provides a few inches of cover past the collar of your boot and with enough elastane or spandex (3-5% is a good bet) to keep them there twenty to thirty hikes and washes down the line.

Comfort

This fairly broad item for consideration encompasses a number of smaller contributing factors, most notably cushioning, breathability, and sizing.

Cushioning: This buffer between your skin and the fabric of your footwear is important in avoiding blisters and chafing in targeted areas. Look for added cushioning around the toes, heel, arch, and collar.

Breathability: Essential to let sweat wick away from your skin and keep your feet dry. Merino, CoolMax, and polyester are examples of fabrics that breathe particularly well.

Sizing: Shooting too low size-wise can leave your ankles or shins exposed to rocks and branches on the trail, and also to the material around the collar on your boots or shoes. On the flip side, socks that are too big can leave an excess of material that results in bunching and/or cause the sock’s cushioning to miss the desired spot in key areas.

Durability

Few frustrations compare to that of watching an item of your hiking gear disintegrate or decline performance-wise after a just few outings in the backcountry and trips through the laundry machine. As such, a sock’s life expectancy is another factor well worth considering and a key contributor to the overall value for money.

Judging durability is a tricky business, but, generally speaking, thicker socks with more cushioning are usually better bets when it comes to staying the course.

With thinner, lighter, warm weather summer hiking socks, however, look for enough elastane or spandex to allow the socks to keep their shape over time and be sure to read user reviews online to find out how their purchase worked out a few months down the line.

The 6 Best Socks for Hiking in Hot Weather

Model	Footwear type	Materials	Cushioning	Performance	Value for Money
Hike+ Lite Crew	Boot	57% merino wool, 41% nylon, 2% Lycra	Light	Excellent: breathable, high-wicking, cool even on the hottest of days	Prone to sag at the cuff after a dozen or so uses, but otherwise very good
REI Co-Op Lightweight Merino Crew	Boot	Materials: 79% merino wool, 20% nylon, 1% spandex	Medium	Excellent: wick well, boast a very soft feel, smell and feel fresh even after a hard day’s hiking. Not as cool as lightweight competitors.	Excellent: cheap and superbly cheerful despite the spandex losing its spring over time
Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew Socks	Boot	61% Merino Wool, 34% Nylon, 5% Spandex	Light	Very good: very breathable, light cushioning in key areas, just a fraction behind the REI Lightweight Merino and Icebreaker Hike+ Lite in terms of comfort and feel	Very good: built to last longer than similarly priced competitors
Escape Crew	Boot	70% polyester, 26% nylon, 4% Lycra	Medium	Very good: warmer than other socks in our review, but balance this out with added cushioning and comparable breathability	Good: lose elasticity and shape after a dozen or so uses
Injinji 2.0 Midweight NuWool Crew	Boot	64% NuWool, 33% nylon, 3% Lycra	Light/Medium	Great for some, ghastly fro others. The toe design isn’t to everyone’s liking but otherwise this sock performs well in terms of cushioning, breathability, and comfort	Excellent: retain shape and performance better than many wool competitors
REI Co-Op Silk One Liner	Boot	55% spun silk, 44% nylon, 1% spandex	None	Very good in super-sweaty conditions if you have a pair of very comfortable boots (lack cushioning otherwise)	Very good: surprisingly durable for a silk-based product and can moonlight as an under-sock/liner in winter months
Light Performance Trail Quarter Sock	Shoe	50% merino wool, 40% nylon, 7% polyester, 3% Lycra	Light/Medium	Excellent: Nicely contoured shape hugs your foot; breathes well; added cushioning in toe, arch, heel, and ankle areas; extra inches offer added protection above the ankle	Excellent: they’re not cheap, but they’re built to last and can’t be bettered on overall performance
Darn Tough Quarter Cushion Sock	Shoe	61% merino wool, 37% nylon, 2% spandex	Light/Medium	Very good: Low cut means they offer less protection, but otherwise a winner in the performance stakes — light, cool, and fresh	Excellent: Tough by name and tough by nature, these socks are of a sturdier build than most lighter competitors
Smartwool PhD Ultra Light Micro	Shoe	54% merino wool, 42% nylon, 4% elastane	Light	Very good: short on cushioning and very low cut, but wonderfully light and breathable	Excellent: ‘Reliawool’ technology protects high-impact areas and elastics provide greater stretch and recovery after usage
Inov8 All-Terrain Low Running Socks	Shoe	Blend of nylon, Techno- P-E, spandex	Light/Medium	Excellent: stink up fairly quickly but very comfortable, breathable, and cushioned generously	Excellent: a budget option that’s built to last and performs as well pricier competition

Final Step: Best Hiking Socks for Hot Weather

Despite their diminutive proportions, the socks we use for hot-weather hiking (or even milder warm weather) can play a big part in the well-being of our feet.

As, such selecting the right pair for our future hiking adventures are just as crucial as choosing the right boots, rain jacket, an insulating layer, or other items to which we are apt to pay more attention.

When buying your socks a number of factors need to be considered, none more so than comfort, overall performance, and value for money. Using these three criteria to evaluate the merits of the items in the above review, we found two socks to beat off the best of the rest.

For trail shoe wearers, the Darn Touch Quarter Cushion ousted the other pretenders to the podium on account of its superior ergonomics, soft feel, added protection above the ankle, and the inclusion of all that very welcome extra cushioning in key zones without compromising on breathability.

For those who do their hiking in full-height boots whatever the weather, the Farm to Feet Damascus won out in a photo finish with the REI Co-Op Lightweight Merino Crew thanks to its snug fit, peerless wicking capacity, and a nigh-on perfect balance of heat management, comfort, and key-area cushioning.

Further Reading on Foot Stuff and Hot Stuff

• Farm to Feet vs Darn Tough Socks Comparison
• Best Socks for Trail Running & Trail Runners [Trail Running Socks]
• Best Men’s Hiking Underwear
• Best Hot Weather Hiking Boots
• How to Break in Hiking Boots
• Best Hiking Boots for Women