The 5 Best Hiking Sock Liners
Hiking sock liners are some of the most underrated pieces of gear. No matter how well your hiking socks or boots fit, blisters happen. Is there a way to prevent them completely? I wish! But hiking sock liners help prevent them more than anything else. Whether you are hiking a short day hike or a multi-day hike, hiking sock liners are a must! This guide has everything you need to know about the best hiking sock liners and why you should invest in them. I promise you won’t regret it!
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What are Hiking Sock Liners?
Hiking sock liners are thin socks and usually worn underneath regular hiking socks. The best hiking sock liners are moisture-wicking, breathable, durable, and lightweight, provide additional comfort while hiking, and help prevent blisters. And they do all of that without breaking the bank because hiking sock liners are usually under $15! They are, in my opinion, an essential piece of hiking gear that many hikers overlook.
Reasons to Invest in Hiking Sock Liners
Hiking sock liners are the first line of defense for your feet and help with:
Wicking moisture
Blister prevention
Providing breathability
Added warmth
Added comfort and cushion
Hiking sock liners are the first line of defense against moisture and friction while hiking and are breathable and comfortable. Blisters happen, and they hurt. We all have been there! Hiking sock liners help prevent chafing and friction that cause blisters. They also can have a five-toe design to prevent friction between toes which can cause blisters.
The best hiking sock liners can also add warmth when hiking in cold weather and comfort for long hikes. You can either wear hiking sock liners as a base layer under your hiking socks or wear them alone for easy adventures. They are lightweight, so you won’t even notice you are wearing them!
I, personally, love wearing them under my Darn Tough hiking socks because the combination is perfect for preventing blisters. I wear my hiking sock liners under my regular hiking socks even if it’s hot out, so they make the perfect base layer sock for year-round adventures. Hiking sock liners are pieces of hiking gear you will not regret investing in!
The Best Hiking Sock Liners
Injinji Liner Crew Socks
Pros:
Lightweight
Breathable
Five-toe design
Durable
Minimal seams
Inexpensive
Cons:
No cushioning
Find at:
The Injinji Liner Crew Socks are the best hiking sock liners! I have been wearing these for a few years, and I have not had a blister since. My feet are prone to blisters, so they were a lifesaver! Many thru-hikers swear by these hiking sock liners as well.
The Injinji Liner Crew Socks are made of CoolMax polyester, nylon, and spandex and are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. They also have a five-toe design, helping to prevent friction in between toes. The toe socks can take some getting used to but help prevent toe blisters. The Injinji Liner Crew Socks also have minimal seams to help decrease irritation and are incredibly thin, so you forget you are wearing them under your regular hiking socks. Whether you want to wear them on long hikes with other hiking socks or alone for short adventures, the Injinji Liner Crew Socks are some of the best hiking sock liners on the market!
REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Liner Crew Socks
Pros:
Lightweight
Breathable
Durable
Minimal seams
Inexpensive
Cons:
No cushioning
Find at:
The REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Liner Crew Socks are very similar to the Injini Liner Crew Socks, except they don’t have a five-toe design. These hiking sock liners have a combination of CoolMax Eco Made polyester, nylon, and spandex, making them moisture-wicking, breathable, lightweight, and durable. They also are ultrathin and have minimal seams to help prevent irritation and potential friction that causes blisters. Because they are ultrathin, they fit perfectly under regular hiking socks, and you won’t even notice you are wearing them. The REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Liner Crew Socks are among the best hiking sock liners, especially if you do not like the five-toe design.
REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks
Pros:
Lightweight
Breathable
Durable
Minimal seams
Inexpensive
Cons:
No cushioning
Find at:
The REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks stand out from many hiking sock liners in this list because they are made of silk. The combination of silk, nylon, and spandex creates an ultra-comfortable hiking sock liner! The REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks are great with blister prevention because they are wicking moisture, prevent chafing and irritation, and have minimal seams. They also are ultralight, so you can easily wear them under your regular hiking socks year-round or alone for easy adventures. If you prefer a silk sock, the REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks will be the best hiking sock liners for you!
Icebreaker Hike Liner Crew Sock
Pros:
Made of merino wool
Lightweight
Breathable
Durable
Minimal seams
Cons:
No cushioning
Find at:
Icebreaker makes incredible and durable gear, so you know anything that comes from them is going to be great! The Icebreaker Hike Liner Crew Socks are different than many hiking sock liners in this list because they are made of merino wool. Merino wool is one of the best materials to regulate temperature, wick moisture, and provide durability, so it is fantastic for hiking sock liners and to prevent blisters! They are also ultralight and breathable, so you can easily wear them under your regular hiking socks. The only downside is they are a bit more expensive than other hiking sock liners, but that is because you get a durable merino wool sock. If you prefer merino wool socks, the Icebreaker Hike Liner Crew Socks will be the best hiking socks for you!
Smartwool Classic Hike Zero Cushion Liner Crew Socks
Pros:
Made of merino wool
Lightweight
Breathable
Durable
Minimal seams
Cons:
No cushioning
Find at:
Smartwool is a classic hiking sock brand known for quality socks that last a long time, and the Smartwool Classic Hike Zero Cushion Liner Crew Socks are no different! The Smartwool Classic Hike Zero Cushion Liner Crew Socks are made of merino wool, nylon, and polyester, making them great for wicking moisture, regulating temperature, providing breathability, and preventing blisters. They are also ultrathin, so they are perfect to fit under regular hiking socks without irritation. Similar to the other hiking sock liners in this list, the Smartwool Classic Hike Zero Cushion Liner Crew Socks have minimal seams and are knit flat to prevent chafing. If you are looking for comfortable merino wool sock liners, the Smartwool Classic Hike Zero Cushion Liner Crew Socks are the best hiking sock liners on the market for you!
Hiking Sock Liners Features
Here is a list of what you should consider when looking for the best hiking sock liners.
Material
One of the most important things to look for in the best hiking sock liners is their material. The purpose of hiking sock liners is to wick moisture, provide additional comfort, prevent blisters, and provide breathability, so you want to make sure their material has all of those things. The best hiking sock layers are made of:
Polyester
Silk
Nylon
Merino wool
Spandex
A combination of the above
All of those materials will be lightweight, thin, and provide everything you need in hiking sock liners!
Design
Hiking sock liners come in different designs, so there are a few things you want to look for when investing in a pair. Here are a few things to look out for:
Seams: Make sure to look out for seams that may cause irritation and discomfort. Seams may seem like not a big deal, but if they are in the wrong place, they can rub against your foot and increase the chance of getting a blister. The best hiking sock layers have thin or no seams.
Height: Hiking sock liners come in different ankle heights. The rule of thumb is they should be at least the same height as your regular socks you will be wearing over them. Anything shorter may cause your hiking sock liner to ride down and be difficult to adjust. Hiking sock liners that are the same height or slightly longer than your regular socks work best!
Toe socks: Whether you want your hiking sock liners to have a toe sock design is a personal preference. Having a toe sock design helps prevent friction between toes that can cause blisters, which is why I prefer them.
Comfort: Hiking sock liners provide comfort, whether for cushion, warmth, or prevention against blisters. You want to make sure the hiking sock liners you invest in are soft on your skin and don’t cause irritation or itching. Everyone has different sensitivities to materials, so make sure to find a material that works best for you!
Durability
The last thing you want to consider when looking for the best hiking sock liners is durability. Any hiking socks you wear should be durable to withstand long and hard days on the trails. I prefer to purchase socks from companies that have warranties or repair or replace socks that become damaged. Buying hiking sock liners from those companies will help you feel confident that they are long-lasting, and if something happens, you could get another pair without cost.
If you are looking for the best hiking sock liners, this guide is a great place to start! Hiking sock liners are a must-have piece of hiking gear, especially if your feet are prone to blisters. This guide has everything you need to know about the best hiking sock liners and why you should invest in them.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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