How To Choose Your Perfect Pair Of Hiking Socks Ensuring A Proper Fit Every Time

I love hiking socks! It's the one item I ask for every birthday, anniversary, and Christmas. The more colorful, the better. Although, most of the time my family and friends think I’m joking.

But before I mindlessly grab that cute and colorful pair of the shelf, there are a few things to consider when purchasing this underrated piece of apparel. 

A well-fitting sock should keep your feet warm or cool in different climates, comfortable, dry, and blister-free. They should be supportive, stay in place, and be comfy even on your longest hikes. 

What sock you pair with your hiking boot or shoe will make a big difference. If you experience blisters, unusual wear patterns, or discomfort, it might not be your shoe; it may be your socks not fitting correctly. 

So before tossing those expensive hiking boots toward the back of your closet, never to be seen again, try changing your socks. 

But with so many different options available, how do you find the right fitting sock for you? Beyond moisture-wicking, sizing, and your preference of crew, no-show, boot cut, mid-calf, knee-high, there are several other areas to consider for your perfect fit: toe, seams, heel, cushioning, yarn weight, and cuff. 

SIZING 

The first step in determining your perfect fit is to check your shoe size. Most socks come sized S, M, L, XL and correlate to shoe size. 

TOE FIT AND SEAMS

Socks from  Swiftwick, Fox River, and Darn Tough have a seamless toe box design. This configuration helps eliminate friction on and around the toes. 

But if you feel any excess fabric, bunching around the toes (what I called sock bumps as a child), or rubbing in the toe area when walking, hiking, or running, you may need to size down to avoid forming blisters. 

HEEL FIT 

Next, evaluate the heel. The sock should have a contoured-shaped design and envelop the heel without any excess fabric. If the heel section extends above the heel, the sock is too big, and if it aligns more toward the arch of your foot, it is too small. 

CUSHIONING

Sock cushioning or padding is another area to consider when choosing the type of sock to wear. The cushion is created by terry loops, a knitting stitch used to create padding to give the sock a comfortable cushy feel, help in shock absorption, and air pockets that generate warming insulation.  

There are also different levels of cushioning.  

• No cushioning socks are somewhat thinner regardless of the yarn weight and have no terry loop stitching. They are great for short hikes in warmer climates.

• Cushioning is the most popular and versatile of the levels. The terry loop stitch is found underfoot, around the toes, and behind the heel. This level of cushioning is an excellent choice for longer hiking days in warm or cool climates.

• Full cushioning socks have terry loops that run throughout the entire length of the sock and are perfect for all-day hikes, backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

YARN WEIGHT

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn. It ranges from super fine to super bulky. 

• Ultra-lightweight yarn is used to make the thinnest imaginable socks, most sock liners are made with this type of yarn while keeping the durability and tech features needed.

• Lightweight yarn is used to make socks that are great for most outdoor activities. These are my everyday socks in Houston. They are perfect for walks in the park, especially during those warm summer mornings.

• Midweight yarn is ideal for socks I use most on my outdoor adventures. It's the yarn weight I chose to hike the 26.6 Mile Ulitmate Hike in Georgetown, and it's also the weight I bring when backpacking many of the long-distance trails around the country. Midweight yarn keeps my feet warm in cooler temperatures and cool in warmer climates.

• Heavyweight yarn is the heaviest and used for ultimate warmth in extremely cold conditions. I'll wear this weight when I'm snowshoeing the Rocky Mountains and hiking Kilimanjaro.

CUFF FIT 

Lastly, there is the sock cuff. The very top of the sock and usually knitted in some type of ribbed stitching.

A well-fitting cuff is snug but not binding and stays put all day. The cuff shouldn't slide down during your hike. If you find yourself stopping to pull your socks up throughout the day, your sock is too big. Or, if you feel like the cuff is too binding and causing pain, you might want to select a larger size. 

WRAPPING UP

Ill-fitting socks can ruin a day on the trail. Nobody likes getting blisters or being uncomfortable when trekking along the countryside. But before ditching the shoes, try changing socks.

Ensuring your socks fit properly, may not only lead to an enjoyable day on the trails but might save you money as well. 

Catch y'all next time, and as always, let's take all the side roads together and enjoy the views along the way.

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