Hiking socks and their specifics: How do they differ from regular socks?

You don't need the perfect gear to enjoy hiking and nature to the fullest. While some pieces of gear are a necessity and there are pieces of clothing where it's worth the extra cost, there are also pieces of gear that are overkill for most hikers.

But where do hiking socks fit in? Are they worth paying extra for when you can find whole multipacks at a similar price in supermarkets and fashion stores? Are hiking socks really important when at the end of the day it's just a small piece of fabric?


What are hiking socks?

Hiking socks are often made of wool or durable synthetic materials close to wool in their properties and parameters. They are designed and structured to reduce friction, offer extra warmth and are reinforced in critical areas such as the heel or toes. Although hiking socks are by default sturdier than their fashionable counterparts, their fit is usually very snug.


What's the difference between hiking socks and traditional socks from the store?

Hiking socks are, however, as hinted at, often many times more expensive than socks from any fashion store or supermarket. Is this price difference something that's worth biting the bullet for me?

In short, yes.

But let's break it down in more detail.



Sweat and moisture wicking

Standard socks from the fashion store are made of cotton. Cotton is a very pleasant material to wear, it is breathable, durable and very easy to maintain. Simply good all around.

The catch, however, is what happens when the cotton gets wet. Unlike functional materials, water binds and holds onto it, and when wet it loses all its good qualities and such cotton is anything but pleasant to wear on the body. But we're not just talking about getting wet from rain, the real risk comes from the other side - away from the body.

In the case of socks, this means that if your feet get sweaty, which is a good bet to happen when hiking, the cotton sock will soak up that moisture and such a wet sock is an excellent base for blisters to form. And as you know, hiking with blisters is anything but an enjoyable experience. However, cotton socks are an excellent choice for leisure, which is why cotton is so often used on socks. It has its justification, just not for hiking.

Hiking socks, on the other hand, are created from materials that don't trap moisture, but instead wick it away from the foot to the outside. So your feet stay dry, your socks stay dry, and blisters are just an unpleasant memory of the days when you wore cotton socks for hiking.

Durability

Hiking isn't a walk along the promenade at the mall - it requires gear with extra durability that can withstand the potential for abrasions. Including socks. While standard socks can be thrown away after weeks or months, hiking socks last for years thanks to their durability. This durability is ensured both by the durable materials and also by the aforementioned reinforcement in the critical areas that are most stressed.

Ordinary socks don't need such durability. They are considerably softer and "more fragile", as it is assumed that they will not encounter the challenges that movement in mountainous terrain brings. However, if you do take them into the mountains, you can't exactly rely on them.

Compression fit

How long is the average hike? 10? 15? 20? 30 kilometres? We're all different and it's hard to write down a specific number, but surely we can all agree that the average hike is usually several times longer than the average city walk and can get your legs pretty tired.

Hiking socks usually have a very snug to compression fit, which helps your legs and feet to get better blood flow, making you walk longer and farther. Of course, the taller and tighter the socks, the more noticeable this effect is.

In addition to this benefit, the snug fit also offers another benefit - the socks rub less against the skin of your feet and therefore the risk of uncomfortable blisters is reduced.

With standard socks, these features are not addressed - naturally, such socks are not designed for long hikes.

Reinforcement of critical areas

Hiking socks are probably easiest to distinguish from standard socks in that they often have a different colour in the toe and heel area - manufacturers design these areas this way because extra reinforcement is used. These are the most stressed parts of the socks, so special weaving techniques are used in these areas to significantly extend the life of the hiking socks.

Not all hiking socks have this reinforcement, individual models can vary considerably in this case. As a standard rule, the longer the hike, the heavier the backpack, the more reinforcement it requires.

Thermoregulating properties

Quality hiking socks will keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer. The functional materials of hiking socks such as merino wool can effectively wick away sweat and moisture, keeping your feet dry even in hot weather, while the thicker texture of hiking socks and extra reinforcement help keep your feet warm.

One pair of socks for several days?

Especially merino wool socks have one amazing benefit - you can wear them for several days in a row without any unpleasant smell.

Merino wool has antibacterial properties that make it odourless even after days of wear - just air the socks out in the fresh air after wearing them and they're ready to serve you again the next day. Can you imagine that in cotton socks?