Best Hiking Socks for Women in 2020

I've worn Darn Tough Hiker Boot Socks for the last three years during massive thru-hikes and short day hikes and haven't regretted it once. Extra padding under the toes, balls of the foot, and at the heels cushions joints and babies your skin, guarding against a sore body, hot spots, and blister formation. The fine merino wool fibers are soft, never scratchy, and they effectively pull moisture away from the skin, making these great socks for cold or warm weather hiking. Available in six fun color styles, these Darn Tough socks come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

When you're serious about keeping your pack and bodyweight down, you want SmartWool Cable II socks. Made just for women, the Cable IIs have a narrow heel and slim fit that hugs your feet and calves without pinching. The socks never bunch up or slide down, and they're fluffy soft. There's minimal cushioning on this model. This keeps weight down but still offers enough of a buffer between your foot and boot to prevent blisters. Made of merino wool, nylon, and elastane, these durable socks can be machine washed and tumble dried or hand-washed during adventures and hung to dry. This offering from SmartWool comes in 14 color choices, and they feel every bit as good as they look.

I love Danish Endurance socks for their ability to keep my feet warm when the temps dip below zero and cool when Mother Nature turns the heat up. These are thick socks, but not so bulky as to make your footwear feel too tight. Ventilation mesh lanes stripe through the ankles and over the tops of the feet to keep air moving while merino wool works to make sure your feet stay dry. Cushioning is medium weight in these crew length socks, making them the perfect companions for long treks or chilly afternoons. This set of three comes in a variety of color choices, and each is anatomically designed for a perfect fit.

If you hike in trail running shoes or low cut hikers, Darn Tough quarter cushion socks are a beautiful thing. They hug your foot just above the ankle, so they're not too high nor too low. A combination of Lycra, merino wool, nylon, and Spandex gives these a lightweight feel and moisture-wicking capabilities. The cuffs stay up without fail, and the soles of the feet have added padding to cushion your steps. Seriously, these are the most comfortable midweight socks I've ever worn. Made in Vermont and backed by a lifetime guarantee, Darn Tough quarter cushion socks come in three bold colors choices and are perfect for three-season outdoor adventures.

If foot pain prevents you from hiking or enjoying other activities, SmartWool's medium cushioned hiking crew socks could be the answer to your prayers. Flat knit toe seams do away with bunched fabric at the front of the shoe and give your toes lots of room to spread out. Meanwhile, a superbly designed elasticized arch brace and padded heel supports your foot and relieves the pain of arthritis, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, and fatigue. These SmartWool socks are tall enough to wear with boots and protect your shins against scratches and abrasions on the trail. SmartWool socks are made of genuine wool that's naturally antimicrobial. Get these in all seven colors and treat your feet to real arch support.

If you're a summer hiker or trail runner, Merrel's Performance line of socks has a lot to offer, including these low cut tab models. You'll get a three-pack for your money. A small tab of fabric sewn into the back of the sock helps you pull the socks on without stretching them out, hold them in place during activity, and act as a buffer between your shoes and skin. Arch support is superb at preventing foot fatigue and adds to the overall comfort. These are polyester, nylon, and Lycra Spandex, so they're best worn during afternoon walks in the woods and not on your next long-distance hike.