Check out our recommendations for the best anti-blister walking socks – perfect for your next high-mile adventure.
Best anti-blister walking socks for UK hiking
Even the most experienced walker can suffer from painful blisters. Whether it’s hiking in the heat, walking in the wet or racking up the miles on a walking challenge, blisters can turn a great day into one to forget.
Thankfully, with advancements in modern footwear, blisters are far less common. But rubbing can still prove problematic, especially on those high-milage days. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who are prone to blisters, a pair of anti-blister walking socks might just be the perfect solution.
All of the best anti-blister walking socks featured in our roundup use double-layer technology. These walking socks typically combine a soft, moisture-wicking inner with a grippy, durable outer. Any friction in the feet should, in theory, be contained between these layers as they move over one another – keeping your feet blister-free.
Table of contents
- Best overall – 1000 Mile Fusion Double Layer Walking Sock
- Also great – HJ Hall ProTrek™ Dual Skin Anti-Blister Socks
- Best budget – Trespass Anti-Blister Walking Socks
Best overall – 1000 Mile Fusion Double Layer Walking Sock
A double-layer walking sock with additional padding for the heel, toes and Achilles tendon. The 1000 Mile Fusion is the go-to for anti-blister walking socks. Available in both men’s and women’s fits, the sock is best worth from Autumn to Spring with a lightweight Merino replacing them in the warmest weather.
- High-quality, double-layer walking sock
- Additional padding for the heel, toes and Achilles tendon
- High-volume Merino wool offers both warmth and moisture management
- Available in men’s and women’s sizing
- High price point
- Three-season use (recommended)
- Size: Men’s M, L / Women’s S, M
- Materials (Inner): Tactel® (100%)
- Materials (Outer): Outer layer: Merino wool (30%), Nylon (46%), Cotton (23%), Elastane (1%)
The 1000 Mile Fusion Double Layer Walking Sock is our anti-blister walking sock of choice. Not only are they a great product on paper, but in the flesh, too.
Both Ann and I put the Fusion socks to the test in our recent Yorkshire 3 Peaks attempt. Despite ending up in the worst possible weather conditions (HEAVY rain and galeforce winds), we ended up with blister-free feet after more than 45,000 steps over 10 hours.
We found the double-layer socks a little fiddly to put on, but once they’re wrapped around the foot, they are incredibly comfortable. We’ll be packing them again on any future high-mileage walking challenges!
2. Best value anti-blister walking socks
A highly featured anti-blister sock with year-round capabilities.
Also great – HJ Hall ProTrek™ Dual Skin Anti-Blister Socks
With more than 140 years of experience making socks in the UK, HJ Hall knows a thing or two about quality anti-blister design. The ProTrek™ Dual Skin Anti-Blister Socks are some of the best on the market. They offer a versatile, dual-skin sock with arch support, ankle bracing and a reinforced heel that can be worn year-round.
- Dual-layer design with comfortable Tactel® inner
- Reinforced outer with arch support and ankle bracing
- Smooth, reinforced toe seams
- Unconditional 6-month guarantee
- High price point
- Size: 4-7, 6-11
- Materials (Inner): Tactel® (100%)
- Materials (Outer): Outer layer: Wool (40%), Polypropylene (40%), Polyamide (19%), Elastane (1%)
HJ Hall has a special place in both of our kit bags – simply put, they make some of the most comfortable walking socks on the planet. The ProTrek™ range – particularly the Mountain Climb Mountain Socks – are always the first out of the drawer for any standard hike.
But for those long-distance hikes or when breaking in a fresh pair of boots/shoes, the ProTrek™ Dual Skin Anti-Blister Socks are a fantastic option. Similar to the 1000 Mile Fushion socks, the ProTrek™ Dual Skin socks use a dual-layer design with an uber-comfortable Tactel® Inner Liner.
There’s also arch support, ankle bracing and a reinforced heel offering the ultimate in hiking sock design. The ProTrek™ is also covered by HJ Hall’s unconditional 6-month guarantee.
3. Best budget anti-blister walking socks
Anti-blister walking socks at a fraction of the price of high-performing alternatives.
Best budget – Trespass Anti-Blister Walking Socks
The Trespass Anti-Blister Walking Socks are fantastic budget anti-blister walking socks. Entry-level hikers will love the anti-blister properties but will sacrifice the additional padding and wool construction of the best anti-blister walking socks. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
- Great value, double-layer walking sock
- Comfortable Tactel® lined inner
- A range of colours/designs
- Available in men’s and women’s sizes
- Lower quality materials, cotton used instead of wool
- Minimal padding or additional support
- Size: Men’s 4-7, 7-11 / Women’s 3-6, 6-9
- Materials (Inner): Tactel® (100%)
- Materials (Outer): Outer layer: Cotton (51%), Polyester (36%), Polyamide (9%), Elastane (4%)
Why are the Trespass Anti-Blister Walking Socks so much cheaper than their competitors? A mixture of materials and features.
The Trespass anti-blister hiking socks are made primarily of cotton (51%). This means they will lack the characteristics of a premium sock. The cotton won’t offer those valuable moisture-wicking, antimicrobial benefits that you get with the 1000-Mile and HJ Hall alternatives.
Similarly, the amount of support built into each sock is lower. The premium products have additional outer padding in the heels, toes and Achilles for a high-performance. The Trespass socks offer a much simpler design with minimal padding.
However, with a saving of almost 70% for a single pair, the drop in performance may well be worth it for beginner hikers heading out on casual strolls. If nothing else, they may prove a valuable backpack essential to switch out the socks when you can feel a blister coming on.
How do we test anti-blister walking socks?
We’ve taken the best anti-blister walking socks the UK has to offer around some of our favourite trails in the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales. From a particularly soggy (and blister-free, I might add) Yorkshire Three Peaks attempt to scale Mam Tor in sideways snow. We’ve pushed these socks to the limit and were pleasantly surprised with what we found!
Final thoughts
Anti-blister walking socks shouldn’t be necessary when heading on every walk. Instead, they should be reserved for challenging long routes, for breaking in new boots/shoes and for blister-prone feet.
With this in mind, we’d always recommend stretching your budget to invest in the best possible gear. The best anti-blister walking socks should last a lifetime. If you can afford them, go for the best possible pair.
Best overall – 1000 Mile Fusion Double Layer Walking Sock
A double-layer walking sock that’s available in both men’s and women’s sizes. It doesn’t get better than the 1000 Mile Fusion.
FAQ
Have a question about the best anti-blister walking socks? Check out our FAQ below.
Anti-blister socks are designed to prevent blisters caused by rubbing on the feet from hiking or running footwear.
Anti-blister socks typically work with a dual-layer construction that focuses the in-shoe friction into the sock, rather than into the foot. Any rubbing of the shoes onto the socks should be constrained between the two layers rather than against the sock and the skin.
Preventing blisters on your feet when walking is all about minimising the amount of rubbing on your feet.
Ensure that you’re wearing a walking boot that fits and that doesn’t constrict or allow the foot to move around when hiking. If you’re still struggling, invest in a pair of good anti-blister walking socks to prevent the pain.
Still not managed to solve your issue? Don’t be afraid to reach out and send us a message on one of our socials – we’re always happy to help!