The best socks for hiking and running

For a long time, I lived life completely unaware of the glorious world of sock options. I thought that white cotton ankle socks were as good as it got.

But during my first-ever trip to REI, I was informed in no uncertain terms that cotton socks were not going to cut it. Cotton doesn’t wick moisture or dry quickly, which leaves you with swamp feet in the summer and numb toes in the winter. Both set you up for a one-way ticket to Blister Town.

What do I want instead of cotton?

Either synthetic (polyester, rayon, etc) or merino wool. Synthetic is less expensive, but merino wool is SO soft and nice. Plus they stink less (nice for multi-day camping!).

I started at Target for an affordable synthetic option. In the last few years, they have majorly upped their sock game. Before, I relegated Target socks to household chores or working out. But now (2020), these stretchy black ankle socks rarely leave my feet. They hit right at my ankle, are synthetic fabric, and dry out quickly. I love them for hiking in sneakers, road running, and trail running. Plus, $11 for a six-pack is a pretty good deal!

Wait, but you also recommend wool?

Yes, wool. My husband insisted merino wool would “change my life” and to be honest he was right. But buying something that was wool seemed totally counter intuitive at first. Wouldn’t they be itchy? Scratchy? Stiff?

NOPE.

Merino wool is stretchy, soft, and also retains its warming ability even when it’s wet. Case in point: I ran through ankle deep snow and even though my socks were totally soaked and it was in the 20s, my feet stayed warm the whole time.

Ok, so I want to splurge a little on merino socks.

REI now makes a merino wool option, which will be your best bet for less expensive merino socks. I haven’t personally tried them, but I’ve had great success with several other REI Co-op brand purchases, so they’re worth a shot. (They’re 25% off for Labor Day 2020, too!)

Smartwool is a very popular merino wool brand. They’re also well-known for their super thin, light socks. I do think their socks are exceptionally comfortable. However, all of mine have worn out very quickly (less than a year), so I don’t think they’re worth the price. It’s a Colorado company, so I want to love them, but I just can’t.

Instead, my heart lies with Darn Tough. They are also 25% off for Labor Day, but I love them even at full-price thanks to their lifetime guarantee. If I’m paying double digits for ONE pair of socks, they better last forever. I got my first pair in 2014 and have used and abused them regularly since then, but only the dye has rubbed off in a few spots. I also love Darn Tough for their slightly shorter crew sock height, and of course, the merino wool. Darn Toughs aren’t quite as thin as Smartwool, but I haven’t been bothered by that.

Should I get crew socks or ankle socks?

Your socks should come up a little higher than whatever shoes you’re wearing. This keeps your sweaty skin from rubbing against your shoes and getting blistered. For running, ankle socks do the trick. For hiking, you may want to consider crew height socks.

Yes, I know most people think they are super dorky (although I think the youths wear them now as a fashion thing?). But if you’re hiking in boots, you’ll want socks that hit above the top of your boots.

Darn Tough’s are slightly shorter, which I think looks a little better (at least on me). If you want the classic crew sock hike or to spend less money, REI’s Ultralight Hiking Crew socks are an affordable option when Darn Toughs aren’t on sale. Darn Tough also makes ankle socks, which are my husband’s favorite running socks. I didn’t personally love them, but I can’t really pinpoint why.

Another reason to consider crew socks is trail running. You keep up a lot of rocks and dirt while you run, which can end up in your shoes and socks.

The thought of wearing crew height socks with shorts and sneakers horrified me (because I’m SO fashion forward). But trail runners that I thought were cool wore them…and I was getting a lot of rocks in my shoes.

If you find yourself getting uncomfortable because you’ve got rocks in your socks (is that a Dr. Seuss book?), try a crew height sock. Save Our Soles makes excellent options in merino wool that’s a little lighter than Darn Tough, making them better suited for running.

What weight socks should I get?

If your hiking boots are waterproof, they’re also going to be quite warm (even in winter). I recommend looking for socks that are labelled ultralight or microlight to keep your feeties cool.

If your feet run cold, you can always try lightweight or midweight socks to see if those are a better fit, particularly if you’re doing a lot of winter hiking or running.

Save Our Soles are merino wool socks that are a happy medium between ultrathin and the slightly thicker Darn Toughs (even the “micro” weight). These are my go-to for winter trail running if its snowy enough that my feet will get wet.

What are other running sock options?

I do love my Target socks, but it can also be nice to treat yoself and get some nicer, running-specific socks. I like a bit of padding, so my first try was Thorlo. They had plenty of padding on the heels and toes, but the arch of the sock was really thin and the contrast felt weird. It could’ve been coincidence, but my feet started cramping a lot when I ran in them. So it was on to the next.

Maybe I just needed something uniformly thin. I tried Feetures and immediately hated them. They didn’t fit right on my feet and the fabric felt scratchy and uncomfortable after just a few washes.

On a whim, I bought some socks from a brand I’d never heard of called Stance. Mostly, I just liked that they had a topographic design on them. But I ended up falling totally in love with them, particularly for the higher back.

Stance’s Uncommon Lite socks have the perfect amount of rear tab (that’s a technical term). They shrink pretty badly in the dryer, so my first pair is a little too snug. I sized up for pair two and they fit like a dream. They also have glitter on them, which is pretty fantastic. (Stance also makes hiking socks. I haven’t tried them, but you can find them on sale at REI right now)

I was arrogant enough to think just because *I* had never heard of this brand, they clearly were new and unknown. Since I loved the socks so much, I went to their website to see if they had brand ambassador opportunities. They did…for Rihanna. Safe to say they were doing just fine without me.

As you may guess from a brand with enough money to pay Rihanna, they aren’t cheap! So I tried out Balegas because Boulder Running Company carried a bunch of them, they were on sale, and I had a gift card.

These are like wearing soft, silky bunnies hugging your your fit (without, you know, any bunnies being harmed in the process). Plus, some of the pairs have cute messages on them like “Be The Light.” I have narrow feet, and they’re nice and snug on them and have just enough padding. I also liked that they had a just-over-the-ankle height in addition to no-show ankles and crew socks.

What’s the bottom line?

In general, you’ll want something lightweight for summer and maybe one heavier pair if you’re planning on really getting after it in the cold weather. Merino wool is the best, but there are lots of synthetic blends that will work too.

The ideal height for socks will vary based on your personal preference and footwear. When it’s a million degrees out in July, I run in ankle socks, but taller ones have honestly been really nice for keeping the rocks out of my shoes when I trail run.

If you’re hiking in boots, you’ll want something above the ankle or you’ll be pretty uncomfortable. Darn Tough’s crew size is a bit shorter than other brands and is perfect for hiking boots. If you’re on a budget, Target works for running and REI is great affordable bet for hiking.

Happy sock hunting!

Gear Guide: How to pick out your first pair of hiking boots

I define hiking as walking outside on an unpaved surface. Which could be why I have an unpopular opinion about hiking footwear.

My hot take on hiking boots: 90% of people getting outside probably don’t need hiking boots in the first place. They’re expensive. And most hikes the average Outdoor Beginner goes on don’t require that level of grip or ankle support.

If your regular sneakers aren’t cutting it, first try Brooks Cascadias to see if they’re comfortable. And then wait for last year’s model to go on sale and snag them for under $100.

As a general rule of thumb, you do not need the newest model of anything. So if you find a brand and model of any footwear that fits for your hiking needs, wait for them to go on sale or see if last season’s model is already on sale. (I actually have a whole blog on saving money on outdoor gear if you want to more of that information.)

But if Cascadias aren’t comfortable. Or you want more ankle support or a waterproof shoe (BUT Cascadias also have waterproof models!), you could consider hiking boots.

What makes hiking boots different than sneakers?

As you may have guessed by now, ankle support. If the trails you’re hiking on (or want to hike on) are rocky or otherwise irregular terrain, the stability of hiking boots can be a welcome relief to rolling your ankle every time you hit the trail.

Hiking boots also have really excellent grip, which again comes in handy when you’re on rocks or slick surfaces. If you’re hiking on smooth dirt, you probably don’t need to worry about having better grip. Vibram soles are sort of the gold standard of grip (you’ll recognize that name from the barefoot shoes that were all the rage for a while). I have Merrell hiking boots with Vibram soles an do love them, but rarely *need* them.

Hiking boots typically have a bit more cushion than regular shoes. This makes walking over rocks or roots more comfortable, but mostly only matters if you’re hiking all day long or for multiple days in a row. If a product description includes a “rock plate” or “rock shield” or “rock barrier,” this is what it means.

Finally, most hiking boots are waterproof, which is really handy for muddy conditions or crossing water. If you hike in muddy, rainy places a lot (I’m looking at you East Coast), this could be helpful. But most hiking boots/shoes are breathable enough that if you wear non-cotton socks and get your feet wet, the water drains out quickly and you’ll be fine without waterproof footwear.

I think I still want hiking boots. But I hate how they look.

Totally get that. First of all, hiking boots have come a LONG way. Even since I first wrote this blog, companies like Merrell (and others) have really upped their design game and come out with really cool looking boots. So don’t immediately discount boots without taking a look.

If you absolutely don’t want something coming up over your ankles, there are plenty of options! Hiking shoes and trail running shoes are also super grippy and come in waterproof styles. I’ll say it again: Brooks Cascadia trail runners are an awesome option frequently on sale.

There are hundreds of choices. How do I narrow it down?

During the coronavirus pandemic, it’s obviously much harder (and less safe) to be spending hours in a store trying on shoes on in person. Shopping online, or at least researching online, beforehand can be much safer or at least make your in-person trip more efficient. It’s an easy way to hone in on a few possibilities.

I recommend starting on a site like REI. There are tons of brands, plus they have an excellent return policy (use your gear for up to a year and return them if it doesn’t work out, no questions asked). Their curbside pick-up has been really easy, too.

When you click on the hiking boots section of their website, you’re met with hundreds of choices. First filter your results by your shoe size and the review rating. I wouldn’t bother looking at anything with under four stars. But on REI’s site that’s still 132 possibilities.

Are the boots waterproof?

I don’t think hiking boots are worth the investment if they aren’t waterproof. If you don’t need waterproof shoes for what you’re doing, save the money and just wear sneakers.

Your feet will be a little hotter in waterproof shoes or boots. Make sure to look for mentions of breathability (or lack thereof) in reviews.

A note for vegan readers: a lot of waterproof shoes have leather on them. If that’s an issue for you, REI has a handy “Vegan” filter you can apply to your search. If you’re on another site, just make sure to closely read the product description.

Are your feet wide or narrow?

If your feet are wider, Merrell’s Moab boots are a popular option (but one I haven’t personally tried). Unfortunately, your options are way more limited if you need a wide footbed.

If you have narrow feet, you’ll want to filter by Regular Width and then search reviews to get an idea of fit. I have narrow feet and Merrell boots also fit me well. So do, you guessed it, Brooks Cascadias.

But it all comes down to comfort.

It’s 2020 and a good hiking boot should feel comfortable right out of the box. If you put on a pair and think “ehh these will be comfortable after I walk in them and break them in,” move on! Don’t think that any weird pressure points will magically disappear. If they aren’t comfy right away, they’re not for you.

Don’t be shy about busting some moves in your boots. Try walking on your tip toes, walking up or down stairs, do some laps around your house or the store. REI has a handy-dandy faux rock to climb on. And with REI’s return policy, you can test them out hiking and then return them if they don’t fit right.

Comfort means more then cushioning, though.

Hiking boots also vary in weight, and unless you’re doing some really intense hiking (in which case you are reading the wrong blog) anything heavy is just going to be a chore to wear. If they feel heavy when you’re walking around your apartment, I gaurantee you they’re going to feel WAY too heavy when you’re hiking.

The bottom line

If you’re still overwhelmed by options, don’t be shy about just trying on a pair that you like the looks of. There’s no shame in wanting to have fashionable footwear in the outdoors! Once you’ve got a few pairs on your feet, go for the pair that’s the most comfortable (physically and financially). And don’t forget to look for sales!

Who Am I?

I’m a beginner, just like you.

Until a few years ago, I never even owned a pair of hiking boots.

I grew up in Maryland running around in the woods like a wild child, either on foot with my dog or on the back of a pony that I’m sure was wondering why the @#$* it was out past dinner time thanks to my ridiculous hijinx.

But then I grew up. 

I always wanted to be outdoorsy, but it wasn’t really part of the culture in the suburbs where I grew up. You do that stuff as a kid, but then you grow up and go to the mall. You know, to be cool. My friends didn’t want to go hiking (I was also too afraid to ask), and I was too scared to get outside my comfort zone and do it on my own.

When I met my now-fiance, his dating profile said he wanted to someone to hike the John Muir Trail with. I had no idea what that meant, but in the first year of dating he took me on my first real camping trip, taught me why I needed hiking boots, and introduced me to my new lord and savior, REI.

But not everyone has that someone.

And what I really wanted was information from other beginners.

I quickly discovered that none of the “beginner’s guides” I found were actually written by a beginner, so I thought I’d solve the problem myself.

And that’s why I started this blog. Besides my random reflections on being an outdoor beginner, I’ve got campground reviews, trail guides, gear reviews, and how-to’s like how to pack for your first camping trip and how to pick out hiking boots when you have no idea what you’re doing.

I’m still no expert, but I hope Outdoor Beginner is enough to help you get your own adventures started.




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