![\"(photo\/Heather](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Ortovox-Alpine-Light-Comp-MId.1-700x394-1.jpg\")
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It doesn\u2019t matter whether you\u2019re trail running, skiing, or backpacking <\/strong>through the high alpine: your socks are the unsung hero of any adventure. They\u2019re the last line of defense between your tender tootsies and the blistering and harsh realities of nature. <\/p>\n But not all socks are created equal. Wool socks are especially known for their technical prowess since they wick sweat away from your feet, regulate temperature, and resist odor \u2014 an especially important job in the dark, dank abyss that is your moist shoe. <\/p>\n And, spoiler alert: wool doesn\u2019t mean those socks are only meant for cold weather. Thanks to a variety of weaves and weights, you can wear wool socks trekking through the desert beneath a high noon sun (although we may question your life choices). <\/p>\n Still, there are literally thousands of wool socks out there so it\u2019s tough to decide which is the best for you. We spend countless hours hiking, skiing, running and biking outside every year, so we brought a bunch of socks along for the ride. From slushy trails to desert sandstone and powdery steeps, we put these socks to the test. We bring you our favorites.<\/p>\n Scroll through our picks for the best wool socks of the season, and be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer\u2019s guide<\/strong><\/a>, comparison table<\/strong><\/a>, and FAQ<\/a> section.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMade in the USA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLifetime warranty is tough to beat<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSecure fit doesn\u2019t bunch or wrinkle<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWool always costs more than synthetic socks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Consider these the Goldilocks of the wool sock world. The Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew sock<\/a> ($25) hits that sweet spot with durability and comfort \u2014 no matter who wears them. The fit is just<\/em> snug enough to feel supported while logging hours on the trail, as our tester discovered during an overnight backpacking trip in Colorado\u2019s Mount Massive Wilderness. But they aren\u2019t too tight, so you never feel like your feet are turning into stuffed sausages. It\u2019s a fine line, and Darn Tough walks it well (probably in these socks).\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n We felt slight cushioning along the Achilles tendon and beneath our feet, but the sock wasn\u2019t bulky or cumbersome. We climbed 4,000 vertical feet over 10 miles on our backpacking trip, and the cushioning never once folded or bunched in my boot. we typically prefer a thinner sock for that very reason, but never once cursed the padded gods while wearing the Darn Tough socks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n And, we like the cut. Like most hikers, we usually opt for a higher-cut sock that keeps grit and sand out of my shoe. But, we don\u2019t love the look of shorts and socks reaching halfway up to our knees. The Hiker Micro Crews sit about 4-5 inches above a low-cut boot and just barely above a midcut. This is just enough to ward off dirt while still maintaining (a few) style points.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Durability is always tough to test with a limited window of time, but we\u2019ve worn the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew sock<\/a> routinely for over two months and there is nary a snag or pilling to be seen. They\u2019ll eventually give out \u2014 all socks do \u2014 but that\u2019s where Darn Tough\u2019s incredible lifetime warranty steps in. We\u2019ve actually traded in other pairs in the past, and it\u2019s not lip service: Darn Tough will send you a new pair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolid two-year warranty with registration<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVersatile fit on its own or as a liner beneath warmer socks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMost affordable sock in this test<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTaller height may awkwardly hit at the calves<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n You get a lot of bang for your buck with the Minus33 Boot Liners<\/a> ($18). Not only do they perform well and feel good, but you can bring them with you for almost any activity \u2014 and they won\u2019t break your budget.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n While the price tag is lower than every other sock in this guide, the merino wool-to-nylon ratio is the second highest. The Boot Liners boast a whopping 61% merino wool which means they are less reliant on synthetic (and cheaper) fibers like nylon. But they still have a nice, snug fit. Our tester wore these socks while hiking in Colorado\u2019s Roaring Fork Valley and mountain biking in Little Book Cliffs, and they were comfortable no matter what we did.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n And, they more than passed the stink test. During testing, we wore them for seven days straight, including three days of camping, four mountain bike rides, and two lunchtime hikes. With all of that dust and sweat, our tester still able to take a big whiff without grimacing (in the name of testing, of course). Bonus: Due to their thinner construction and lack of padding, the Boot Liners can also pull double duty in the winter with a second pair of burlier socks. Year-round use, for the win.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n If there is a slight tradeoff, it\u2019s the ten-inch cut. Our tester is 5\u20195\u201d, and the Minus33 Boot Liners<\/a> hit slightly awkwardly, right above the base of the calves. This isn\u2019t a deal breaker, as you can just tug them down a pinch, and all is right. But it\u2019s worth noting.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFlat toe seam doesn\u2019t chafe<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWarm during chilly treks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstructed with circular yarn derived from old socks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLooser fit may not work for everyone<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you\u2019re anything like us, you have a massive pile of lonely single socks sitting somewhere in your closet. Like us, you plan to reunite those socks with their partners \u2026 one day. Like us, chances are good that your reunion tour will never happen.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n That\u2019s the beauty of the Smartwool Hike Second Cut socks<\/a> ($22). Socks are one of the most commonly tossed apparel items, so Smartwool aims to combat that by requesting folks send in their singles. From there, they turn those companionless foot covers into new socks like the Hike Classic Second Edition. Not only does this clear out your closet, but it also saves thousands of socks from landfills.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s only brilliant if we love them \u2014 and we do. The weave feels slightly rougher than the Hike Classic without recycled fabrics, but it\u2019s barely noticeable and doesn\u2019t cause extra chafing or hot spots. And the cushioning is just enough padding to add more comfort when standing all day.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Smartwool Hike Second Cut socks<\/a> have a slightly looser fit, which is especially noticeable around the arch and toes. It\u2019s not sloppy, and our tester praised the extra wiggle room for preventing blisters between her tootsies. But, some long-distance hikers may prefer a snugger performance fit.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Best Wool Socks of 2024<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Overall Wool Socks\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDarn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t59% merino wool\/39% nylon\/2% Lycra Spandex<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMicro Crew<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedium<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tS-L<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t![\"Product](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BestOf_2024.png\")
\n\t\t![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/darn-tough-hiker-micro-crew-cushion-socks.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tHeather Balogh Rochfort<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$25 at REI – Men's<\/a>$25 at REI – Women's<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Bargain Wool Socks\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMinus33 Boot Liner\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t61% merino wool\/20% stretch nylon\/18% nylon\/1% spandex<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMid-Calf<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo cushion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tS-XL<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MICRO-LINER.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tHeather Balogh Rochfort<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCHECK PRICE AT MINUS33<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Eco-Friendly Wool Sock\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSmartwool Hike Classic Edition Second Cut Crew Socks\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t33% merino wool\/33% mixed fibers\/25% recycled nylon\/8% nylon\/1% elastane<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCrew<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFull Cushion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tS – XL<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Hike-Classic-Edition.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tHeather Balogh Rochfort<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tcheck men's price at rei – Men's<\/a>check women's price at rei – Women's<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/performance-crew-socks.jpg\")
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