The benefits of good hiking socks are often underestimated. And - although you wouldn’t think so - selecting the right socks can be more difficult than buying boots.

There are so many good boots available from reputable manufacturers, plus user reviews, that you’ll usually find ones that are sturdy, fit well, and fall within your budget.

But socks? Hey, that’s much tougher. Socks are not just socks - you know, those pieces of fabric with holes in the toes and worn spots on the heels - specially when it comes to hiking.

Sports or casual socks are not hiking socks. You don’t want to wear the same socks you use to play tennis or go jogging in when you set out on a long hike.

Okay, so what’s the big difference?

Moisture-Wicking

A good hiking sock will be thick, incredibly sturdy, comfortable, and have great thermal and moisture-wicking properties - all attributes to help keep your feet happy and pain-free.

You’ll put about 1,000 miles on a pair of hiking socks before they’re ready for the trash can. That sounds like a huge distance. But consider that it is really only about a year if you take modest hikes every weekend.

For those 1,000 miles you want comfort. The word has the ring of luxury about it - but in hiking, comfort is essential. Blisters, chafing and other foot ailments can turn a two mile hike back to the trail head into torture if your socks fail you.

Good moisture-wicking is mandatory. “Wicking” means taking the moisture produced by your sweat glands off the surface and transporting it away from the foot. If the sock fails to do that, you’ll develop fungi, blisters, chafing, and other unpleasant consequences. Forget about just bad foot odor here, we’re talking health issues.

If you spend even a moderate amount of time hiking, you’ll need excellent thermal properties from your socks. In hot summer conditions the sock has to allow good conduction of the heat away from the foot where it can migrate out of the boot. In cold conditions, feet should be kept within a comfortable temperature range.

Support and Cushioning

The fact that socks can actually perform these two contradicting goals is something of a technological wonder. Yet they do. That they can do that while providing support, cushioning and moisture-wicking is little short of astonishing.

True, we’re waxing lyrical about socks. But for those non-believers who think this is just sentimental claptrap, try some bad socks underneath really good hiking boots and observe the results for yourself. You’ll quickly become a convert. But onto practical matters.

Cotton is still a very good way to go when it comes to fabrics. Nature’s material offers all those needed attributes. But clever engineers have gone beyond nature in some ways too. Blends - Lycra, wool and others - and micro-geometry have been combined to provide great support and cushioning, excellent thermal control and superior moisture-wicking.

If your feet feel the cold easily, it’s probably best to stick with woolen hiking socks. Natural wool has superb insulating qualities, yet can still wick sweat away from your feet

On the design side, hiking socks should have thick areas on the toe, ankle bone and heel because these are the parts that get the most wear. Make sure the socks don’t have any ridges, especially near the toes or at the ankle bone. Those can irritate as quick as a pebble in your boot. They should be long enough to extend well above the top of the boot and fold down.

Hiking Sock Elasticity

Even the best socks will lose elasticity at the top and sometimes folding them down over the top of the boot is the only way to prevent them sliding down inside the boot when you’re on the trail. In any event, try to find a style and and brand that retain elasticity as long as possible. Hiking socks are more expensive than other types ($10 per pair or more), and you don’t want to have to replace them every month or two.

You should, if possible, have several pairs to choose from - feet change size at various times of the day or year. You may also need some variety for different climates if that’s where your hiking takes you. And, of course, your favorites will always be in the laundry. Buy three pairs of those!

Twenty-eight years ago, three people came up with the idea that what the world wanted was better shoes for the outdoorsman and sportsperson, and Merrell sandals were born in Waitsfield, Vermont. The people who had the idea were C. Matis, Randy Merrell and J. Schweitzer.

Since ‘81 this brand has kept its commitment to excellence and high quality shoes for hikers, runners and just general outdoorsmen. The initial product that the company made was a hiking boot that was suited to the feet of Americans rather than Europeans, with a much wider toe and a narrower heel shape.

Men's Merrell Waterpro Animas (10 M in Beluga/Rust)

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Retail Price: $85.00

Amazon Price: $84.90

For men and women, the Merrell’s shoe styles include slip ons, boots, lace ups and sandals. For active wear, choose from winter, running, hiking, and multi-sport sandals.

Merrell shoes are known for the well-built, long lasting construction of their product, the Vibram sole that is the signature of the brand, as well as an air cushion positioned in the heel of the shoe (or boot) that cannot be broken and which creates padding for the heel that is unbeaten in comfort. The variety of in the Merrell brand is today one of the largest in business.

The company was first sold to Karhu USA and again in 1997 when it was bought by Wolverine Worldwide Outdoor Group. Obviously, there are many other footwear manufacturers offering active shoes, but Merrell has grown to be a big favorite because their footwear is both stylish and functional.

Merrell shoes have continued to extend the boundaries of outdoor recreational shoes and outerwear and have a commitment to the people that they serve, to offer the best fitting, most comfortable, highest quality product that can be delivered, for the cheapest price. And customers have rewarded Merrell shoes for this loyalty to them by keeping loyal to Merrell!

Merrell shoes are known the world over for their great manufacture, craftsmanship and design. The company has expanded its focus from only shoes to a clothing line which incorporates materials that are literally on the bleeding edge of outdoor technologies.

In some cases, companies have failed to see the signs and change with the times, but this is not the case with Merrell hiking shoes. As with all things, this brand has continued to make and build new markets since it was first founded in 1981 and people who love to get outdoors and exercise will continue to rely on the superior products from Merrell for their footwear and outer clothing needs for many years to come.

Ouch! You’ve been on the trail for a few hours and you’re on your way back. Unfortunately, you still have a few miles to go and you just noticed you’ve got blisters. That turns a pleasant homeward hike into torture.

Blisters are caused by friction between your skin and your sock, and hence from the wall of your hiking boot. Even the best socks and boots will still allow some slippage of your foot inside. That leaves open the possibility of painful friction.

But that problem can be minimized with a good pair of socks. Cotton, wool and silk are the most common traditional materials, but today hikers have a lot more choices. Lycra, various kinds of polyester and many others - especially when they’re combined with the traditional materials - do a very good job.

Helping those materials along are new construction methods. Lack of ridges, thicker sections and many other elements help keep socks working to reduce the friction between foot and boot. At the same time, their moisture-wicking and thermal handling properties help improve the environment inside the boot.

You can help minimize the potential problem even further by your selection of hiking boots. Find some that fit right and feel good from day one. True, many stiff shoes will loosen a little bit. But most hiking boots stay stiff throughout their lifetime. If they feel uncomfortable, try another. Find some that keep water and gravel out of your boot.

Dry Your Feet Well

If you take off your boots anytime during your hike, say to put your feet into a creek or just to cool them off, take precautions when re-booting. Dry your feet well and make sure there is no gravel in the boot and no ridges on your socks when you lace up again.

But, even with all that protection the possibility is still there. So, what do you do when they happen anyway?

When you feel a blister start, take off your boot and inspect your foot. Use some water to clean off the area and, if you brought some, disinfect the area with alcohol or anti-bacterial cream.

Puncture the blister horizontally near the base with a disinfected needle. Gently squeeze out the fluid (mostly salt water), but don’t remove the skin over the blister. Instead, cover the area with a band-aid, or moleskin. The latter is a kind of artificial ’skin’ used like a band-aid.

Once you’re home you can do a better job of treatment using anti-bacterial cream such as Benzoin. In some cases you’ll want to carefully cut away the skin flap. This is usually only necessary if a large percentage of the skin has become loose from the foot. Otherwise, if you let it alone it will simply fall off or decay naturally.

A little common sense and some good gear selection will help keep you hiking long distances. Don’t let a little heat and water ruin your day. As the Boy Scouts say, be prepared.

As a hiker, one of the most important investments you can make is in the purchase of good quality boots. Nothing - short of a serious accident – is more likely to jeopardize a hike than a bad pair of boots.

On the positive side, good boots provide the comfort, foot support, and traction you’ll need to conquer any trail.

A long hike can place tremendous stress on your feet and ankles. That stress in turn is transmitted to the legs and further upwards, affecting your back and possibly your entire body. It’s more than simply avoiding blisters – you need a solid base to take your weight.

Support is Paramount

For this reason support becomes paramount. A good boot provides the additional stiffness combined with “springiness” that will nurture your feet and ankles, allowing you to press off uneven terrain in a sure way.

This in turn gives you the necessary confidence that your boots will support you, whatever the surface. Without proper support, painful feet or even twisted ankles are almost guaranteed.

Although hi-tech materials are a feature of all modern boots, leather is still a major component of better-quality boots. Natural leather is tough, water-resistant (when treated), and has important stiffness, moisture and thermal properties.

While the word “comfort” may have connotations of luxury, in hiking terms comfort is most certainly not a luxury - it’s a necessity. When you’re on trail it’s simply imperative that you can keep walking without your footwear causing blisters or chafing.

You also need to be able to spend long hours in your boots without moisture build-up, or excessive build-up of heat or cold.

Must “Feel Right”

So choose boots that “feel right” for your foot. Bear in mind that size is only the starting point. It’s worth spending the time and money to find boots or shoes that feel good the minute you put them on.

Though hiking boots, like normal shoes, will wear in, if they don’t feel right immediately they rarely will later.

Remember also that good hiking boots are not shoes. You should expect them to feel stiff and give only a little on the outer sole and around the ankle. That stiffness is part of what they are designed to do – support your feet.

It’s more than likely you’ll be scrambling over slippery rocks, flakey gravel and muddy trails. While no boot can overcome all obstacles, boots do differ in their ability to help. Some are little better than tennis shoes while others approach nail-studded expedition boots.

Maximum Traction

Well-designed hiking boots will have a variety of materials and geometries that minimize slippage on wet rocks and maximize traction on flaking hill grades.

At a minimum the soles should have Vibram lugs with some kind of tread. They look almost like car tires, but the material is more plastic and less rubbery.

A gusseted or bellows tongue, where the tongue and upper part of the boot are attached, will help keep small stones and other debris out of the boot.

Also, look for materials - treated leather, rubber, special composites - that are water-resistant. Wet boots cause blisters and can lead to other foot problems. Gore-Tex is a common ingredient these days because of its excellent thermal properties. Look for it.

Rough Terrain

If most your hiking takes place over rough terrain, you should look for something relatively high-laced as you’ll need support above your ankle.

Other features to consider depend on the type of hiking you plan to do. Should you become a serious hiker, you’ll almost certainly have more than one pair of boots.

That’s okay since good hiking boots will last for years. Even at $125-$200 or more per pair, you’re getting a good deal. Think of how much you spend on normal shoes over a two- to five-year period.

Finally, before parting with your cash, remember to try new boots using socks that closely match those that you’ll be using. Thick, moisture-wicking, cotton or blend are best. It’s not possible to correctly judge a boot’s fit if you try them on with casual or light sports socks.

Wherever your next adventure takes you - through icy puddles or up the side of a mountain - the Timberland® Flume men’s hiking boot has you covered. It’s crafted using supple waterproof leather, with a shock-absorbing EVA footbed for a smooth, comfortable ride. The solid rubber outsole features a lug design that follows the natural motion of your foot, offering incredible support.

Price: $89.95

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Men’s Columbia Coremic Ridge Mid Hikers stomp through all kinds of trails with the support and traction you need for the kind of BIG SAVINGS you live for! Among nature lovers and adventure seekers like yourself, very few brands carry the credibility of Columbia! And a special Guide find gets that first-rate brandname on your action-hungry feet for an impressive low price. The Coremic Ridge Mid Hiker brings lightweight cushioning, breathability and stability together for a Hiking Boot that offers exceptional traction and plenty of support. Check ‘em out: Suede uppers with synthetic overlays and mesh panels for the ultimate in breathability, toughness and all-around comfort; Rubber toe and heel for added protection; Omni-Grip rubber outsole with tread pattern for maximum traction on a wide array of terrain; Removable, die-cut EVA insole for shock absorption; Full-length lasting board and molded nylon shank give you supreme support and protection; Internal EVA midsole for extra cushion; Gusseted tongue prevents debris from getting into your boots. State Size. Order yours now! Columbia Coremic Ridge Mid Hikers

Price: $64.99

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214167 Features: As you splash through the surf and streams, get the traction you need with full-length Spider Rubber outsoles that provide enhanced traction in wet environments Don’t carry half the lake with you when you get out, the uppers drainage ports allow excess water to escape the shoe in all directions Your feet dry out quickly with air-circulation provided by the breathable mesh uppers with welded TPU support structures that provide structure and durability When you don’t have a moment to spare, lace up the quick-pull lacing system whether it’s wet or dry; keep your laces stowed in the tongue pocket Keep dirt and pebbles out of your shoes with the mono-sock upper construction; polyester mesh lining helps pull moisture away from your feet for dry, fresh comfort Your knees will thank you for the soft, compression molded EVA and polyurethane midsole Specifications: Upper: nylon mesh to thermoplastic urethane Midsole: EVA to polyurethane Lining: polyester mesh Outsole: rubber

Price: $99.95

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Head out on your next adventure in the Hi-Tec® Natal Low WP men’s hiking boot. A combination of suede and mesh in the construction ensures both breathability and support, while Comfort-Tec cushioning attenuates shock on impact for a smooth ride. The carbon rubber outsole delivers dependable grip on tricky, uneven surfaces.

Price: $64.99

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