Slipping on the best walking socks before heading out to the hills is one of the greatest feelings any foot can feel.
Every hiker, hillwalker, or outdoor enthusiast will tell you that it’s your feet that you really need to look after when you’re out on a walk.
Look after your feet and they’ll look after you. Keeping them dry, blister-free, and in good footwear will pay dividends – especially on those longer trips. But walking boots and trail shoes are only one part of the puzzle, it’s that first layer – your walking socks – that can make all the difference between a good and a bad trek.
Finding the best walking socks isn’t always easy and it feels like every brand now claims to offer the latest and greatest in hiking comfort. But who can you trust and which walking socks are really right for you?
Check out everything you need to know about the best walking socks for UK hiking in our top picks below!
If “great value” is what you’re looking for, it’s hard to beat a trusty multipack and Danish Endurance has a fantastic deal.
The three-pack of Danish Endurance Merino Wool walking socks is one of the best deals that we’ve found when searching for the best socks for hiking. Not only are the socks priced sensibly, but they’re top-quality, too.
Made from 38% merino wool, the socks boast all of the favourable qualities that we know and love about the magical material. They’re moisture-wicking, odour-resistant, antibacterial and have a breathable, cooling mesh to encourage good airflow.
There’s an in-built anti-slip heel that’s ideal for preventing blisters and the 3% elastane construction prevents the socks from slipping down. For the money, you really can’t beat the Danish Endurance Merino Wool multi-pack!
Available in six different colour options, the Danish Endurance Merino Wool 3-Pack offers the best bang for the buck. Made with merino wool, we adore these odour-resistant, moisture-wicking, thermal regulating walking socks.
When it comes to covering tricky ground quickly, a tough pair of breathable socks are an absolute must.
Saloman is an industry leader in trail running and hiking with the brand responsible for some of the best and most popular gear used in the great outdoors. It’ll come as no surprise then to find their merino wool walking socks as some of our favourites for UK adventures.
Made with merino wool, the socks are quick-drying, moisture-wicking and antibacterial, making for an impressive feature list. This in addition to the ventilated mesh panels, adding extra breathability, and a Moisture management system to increase wicking capabilities.
The Salomon socks are a must-have for every outdoor enthusiast interested in hiking and trail running!
The Salomon Merino Wool Socks offers a two-pack of moisture-wicking walking socks, perfect for UK adventures. The great value socks are a merino wool blend, complete with ventilated mesh panels and a fantastic moisture management system.
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A pair of lightweight walking socks should sit in the drawer of every walker and it doesn’t get much better than this pair from Darn Tough Vermont.
Made with 43% merino wool, the hiking socks offer all the incredible properties that we know and love from the super-material. The walking socks are odour-resistant, thermo-regulating, and moisture-wicking, everything you could want in a good pair of socks.
The brand also offers hiking socks in a range of different colours and designs ranging from a wacky purple to a sensible standard issue black walking sock. It’s a slip-on and forget that they’re there kind of sock and is a personal favourite in my personal wardrobe.
Darn Tough Vermont is known for its unique “No strings. No conditions. For life.” guarantee, a lifetime guarantee for every pair of socks sold by the company. That’s some serious belief in your product.
The Darn Tough Vermont Light Hiker Micro Crew walking socks are some of the best on the market today. Made with merino wool, it’s hard to beat the brand’s quality with a truly seamless design.
If you’re hoping to get out on the trails without breaking the bank, budget walking socks will prove a better solution than your latest Christmas gifts from Asda, Matalan or Next.
The problem with a budget pair of walking socks lies in the materials that are available at that price point. Merino wool, the universally loved and top choice for all walking gear, is expensive and when you’re on a budget, may have to be sacrificed.
In its place lie the Sock High 50, an affordable two-pack of walking socks from Quechua with a material split of 71% Cotton, 27% Polyamide and 2% Elastane. Available in two different colours, these socks, available from Decathalon, offers a fantastic option for budget ramblers looking to upgrade their over-loved socks.
The Quechua Sock Hike 50 is our top pick for the best budget walking socks in the UK. Offered in packs of two and in a pair of different colours, these are the perfect beginner walking socks to get introduced to the hills.
It’s easy to buy lightweight t-shirts and shorts that make hiking during the summer feel more comfortable. Yet when it comes to our feet, we’re often left with a dilemma as our best walking socks are built for harsher climates.
Our most recent adventure took us hiking through Croatia in 27-degree heat, so we needed to ditch our thicker socks in favour of something a little lighter.
HJ Hall kindly sent us their ProTrek Light Hike Socks to put to the test, and we’ve been super impressed. Utilising Coolmax® cotton and moisture-wicking technology, these socks kept our feet cool and dry for miles along hot and sweaty Croatian trails.
If you’re looking for a summer and budget-friendly hiking sock, we would recommend checking out HJ Hall’s Light Hike Socks. Use these during warm weather to keep your feet cool, dry, and comfortable. Remember to buy a couple of pairs so you can switch your socks halfway through longer hikes – this is a great way to prevent blisters!
Have a question about the best walking socks for hiking in the UK? Check out the most frequently asked questions below and we’ll (hopefully) be able to answer them for you!
For us, there’s only one brand of walking socks in the conversation when it comes to the best hiking socks – Darn Tough Vermont.
With merino wool and a lifetime guarantee, these socks often prove the favourite whenever we’re rummaging through the gear drawers.
Typically we would not recommend wearing two pairs of socks when hiking and we would instead condone a single pair of quality socks for a hike.
However, switching from one pair to another is a tactic that we have tried and do recommend on longer walks to keep your feet feeling fresh.
A good pair of high-quality walking socks should prevent blisters when heading out on your next hike, but this isn’t always the case.
If you’re still struggling with blisters, check out our guide on how to prevent blisters from your walking boots.
Still struggling to find the answer to your question? Head over to our socials – we’ll be able to offer tailored advice to help you find the best possible pair of socks for your next adventure.
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