Merino wool is our favorite travel fabric, so we love Merino wool socks, too! In fact, some of the material's best qualities excel when worn on your feet.
The moisture-wicking properties work well in warm climates to ensure your feet don't get sweaty and clammy in hot weather. They’re also odor-resistant, which is essential for folks with stinky feet or who maybe want to pack fewer pairs and get away with wearing the same socks two days in a row. Plus, they're uber breathable — a perk for any sock, Merino or not.
Before diving into this post, you should decide what kind of socks you want. You'll typically want the same cut you usually wear, such as ankle or crew, but made from Merino. That way, you aren't experimenting with anything new. That said, if you've tried certain kinds of regular socks that didn't work for a specific reason that Merino could fix, it's worth giving it a go. For example, some people don't like how restricting taller socks can feel, and Merino breathes better, so you may like them better.
If you go through this entire list and still can't decide, we've answered some frequently asked questions to help you figure out what socks are right for you. For now, let’s dive in!
Darn Tough socks are the cream of the crop as far as we’re concerned. As the name denotes, they’re incredibly durable and have a lifetime warranty to match it. You can return any of their socks, no questions asked, anytime after purchase. No, seriously, they’ll cover almost anything — we’ve tested it ourselves. Plus, their socks are crafted from high-quality, sustainably sourced Merino wool, and all their products are manufactured in Vermont, which isn’t common in the 21st-century’s global economy. While Darn Tough’s socks are some of the most expensive on the market, their durability, sustainability, and wide range of styles and models make them some of the best out there.
When it comes to versatile socks, few are more useful than Darn Tough's Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Socks. The Midweight thickness can be worn in hot or cold weather, making it a solid choice for trips in the summer or winter, so long as the weather isn't extreme in either locale. Plus, it offers extra cushion, which adds comfort. The mid-ankle height is ideal for hiking, long walks, keeping your lower leg out of the sun when wearing pants that don't hang as low, and keeping your skin protected from high-reaching plants. They're not the most packable socks, but they're more packable than those that crawl up your calves higher, which is a good compromise.
Why We Like It- It has a versatile design
- There are multiple colorways available
- Those who like low-cut socks will find the design restricting
- The price is high compared to regular socks
If you can't decide between something that covers your ankle and something low-cut, the Hiker Quarter Midweight Hiking Socks are a tried and true option. They allow your calves to breathe but still give you support around the ankle, which we dig, though you aren't getting as much protection from puddle splashes and reaching plants. The Midweight design offers a comfortable cushion and still breathes well for warm or cold weather trips. There aren't as many colorway options for this model as other Darn Tough socks, but you still have the same durability and warranty, making this a solid shout.
Why We Like It- They offer thickness for comfort and breathability
- They aren't as restricting as higher-cut socks
- There aren't as many colorway options for this model
- You don't get as much protection from splashes, plants, and the sun
Typically, when we get Darn Tough socks, we try to get models that are as versatile as possible because of the high price tag. When shelling out big bucks for socks, you might as well get your use out of them. While these socks aren't as versatile overall, they still offer various uses and may be the most used for certain travelers. They're low-cut and designed to work for runners, with a super lightweight thickness to keep things breathable and comfortable on runs, long walks, and other athletic activities. They don't have as much padded comfort, but for those who don't require it or want breathability above all, they're a solid choice. The socks are much smaller than those that rise higher up your calf, too, so you can save space in your packing cube for other clothing items.
Why We Like It- They're more packable than other Darn Tough offerings
- The socks are incredibly breathable
- They aren't as durable as the thicker models, but you still get the warranty
- Some of the colorways are limited quantity—act now!
L.L.Bean has been making and selling outdoor gear for over a century and is likely a household name if you’re from the United States. The brand offers a wide variety of clothing and accessories, and their socks have always been a bargain compared to some of the brands that only make socks or stick to exclusively Merino products. You can find everything at L.L.Bean, making it a solid one-stop shop for your next trip, whether hitting the trail or going into the city. Plus, their founder’s name is Leon Leonwood Bean. Unrelated, but how rad does that sound?
If you're heading somewhere a little chilly, like extra cushion and support, or just want to be cozy, the L.L.Bean Adults' Cresta Wool Midweight Hiking Socks are a perfect fit for you. They're thick enough to keep you warm in most climates, though you might want something warmer if you're heading to the Arctic. The extra padding makes all-day walking comfortable, whether hitting the trail or exploring a rainy city center. The price is fair every day of the year, but in typical L.L.Bean fashion, there's usually a deal, especially if you shop in-store. Plus, there are fun colorways that'll match other gear from the brand that you already own.
Why We Like It- They're budget-friendly
- The cushion is enough for hiking or walking in the city
- They can be a bit sweaty in warmer climates, despite the comfort
- Colorways come and go, so you might not be able to get your favorite every time
L.L.Bean Adults' Cresta Wool Lightweight Hiking Socks are a solid option for travelers who want the perks of Merino wool in a more compact and lightweight package compared to some of the thicker options available. These aren't as ultralight as running or cycling socks; however, they're breathable and fit like a standard hiking sock, which makes them a solid shout for long walks through the countryside and a day of exploring the local cuisine in the city. There are vibrant colorways available, which we dig, and the price is competitive compared to Merino socks of the same comfort and thickness that we've tested. These fit like a standard pair of L.L.Bean socks but have the added benefit of Merino wool, which makes this pair a solid entry into the fabric for those who haven't tried it.
Why We Like It- They're comfortable, reasonably lightweight, and versatile
- You can get them in vibrant colorways, which isn't always the case for Merino
- They aren't as lightweight as other socks we've tested
- The fit feels dated, though not in a bad way
Smartwool has been around since 1994, and they know something about making socks. The brand started in the ski sock game, manufacturing the first performance Merino socks on the market. That has expanded to a vast catalog of Merino socks, clothing, and winter accessories that we’ve taken on dozens of trips across the globe. Whereas Smartwool doesn’t specialize in only socks, we appreciate being able to find the same quality in footwear, clothing, and accessories from one brand. If a material works for you, why go somewhere else?
The Smartwool Hike Low Ankle Socks are a solid option for travelers who want the perks of Merino wool packed into an athletic design that works well for light running and all-day hikes. They're thick enough to offer padding for excursions where you'll be on your feet for hours and lightweight enough to provide solid breathability to keep your feet dry. They don't feel as durable as similar options offered by Darn Tough, though we haven't had any issues in testing. We think the price is high for a single pair of socks, though they'll likely last twice to three times as long as a standard pair of socks if maintained correctly, so the price may work for those who can swing the initial investment.
Why We Like It- They're low-cut to keep your legs free and cool
- The rear tongue helps keep them from falling into your shoe
- They don't feel as durable as other Merino wool options
- The colorway designs look like regular, non-Merino socks
The Smartwool Bike Ankle Socks are perfect for the bicycle heroes among us and for travelers who love socks with zero cushion to save space and promote breathability. Whereas many travelers prefer a cushion for extra comfort, it isn't a requirement. These socks have no extra padding, but some shoes or outfits negate the need for it. The lack of padding promotes incredible breathability, so it's ideal for long bike rides, all-day walks or hikes in a new city or on the trail, and long days in the office if you're prone to sweaty feet. Despite needing less material (and Merino wool), these socks are priced similarly to other Smartwool socks, which feels like a miss, though we appreciate the unique design offered by this model.
Why We Like It- They're incredibly lightweight and breathable
- You can pack them smaller than any other Merino socks we've tried
- The lack of padding is noticeable
- They're similarly priced to thicker models
Smartwool's Run Mid Crew Socks are some of our favorite travel socks for a few reasons. First, they rise high enough to offer support around the ankle and lower calf, which is ideal for those who aren't as sure on their feet, prefer extra support, and like protection from the sun and tall plants. Second, since they're designed for runners, they're lightweight and won't bunch up or give you blisters. Last, but certainly not least, they have reinforced toes and heels, giving you cushion where you need it and stellar breathability everywhere else. They're highly durable, budget-friendly for the height and padding, and pack down relatively small for such a large pair of socks.
Why We Like It- They are lightweight and breathable
- The heel and toes have extra padding for support in the right places without strangling your foot
- There aren't a ton of colorway options
- The runner's design may be overkill for casual use
Others We Considered
Merino wool brands are constantly popping up, and the market keeps expanding as more travelers realize the material’s amazing properties, so we plan to update this post with more socks as we test them. We really like what we’ve seen from Red Wing Shoes’ Merino socks, especially the Premium Safety Light Weight Crew and Premium Safety Medium Weight Quarter Crew models, as they’re versatile and will keep you warm when the temperature dips. Plus, heavyweight models are also available if you need more warmth or cushion. Additionally, we loved using the Decathlon Quechua SH500 Mid 2-Pair Winter Hiking Warm Socks, though we’re worried about supply issues. The brand often changes styles on a whim, too, so you might not be able to buy the same sock twice if you wait a year or two.
Why You Should Trust Us
We have over half a century of travel experience combined, and, believe it or not, every single one of those trips involved some kind of socks. Jokes aside, we’ve been perfecting our packing game since Pack Hacker launched in 2017, including finding the best socks that allow us to travel with fewer clothing items. Every traveler is different, but we’ve been trying to find the most durable, packable, and comfortable socks on earth, and the journey continues. All that knowledge has been packed into this post, and we’ll ensure it’ll fit inside your packing cubes, travel backpack, or rolling luggage, too!
How We Tested It
Test 1: Comfort is essential when choosing socks, and we tested each of these socks to ensure they’re comfortable when walking, running, and sitting for an extended period.
Test 2: Packability isn’t essential for every traveler, but saving space is never a bad thing. We’ve gone over how easy it is to pack each of these socks so that you can save space in your pack.
Test 3: You can’t put a price on comfort, but we sure can try. Spending a lot on socks feels like a drag, but you’re standing on them all day, so it seems like a worthwhile investment!
What makes Merino wool socks great?
Three primary things make Merino wool socks great, with a few extra perks. First, the material is moisture-wicking, meaning that it won’t hold onto sweat. This plays into the second feature: breathability. The fabric promotes airflow, keeping you cool. Last, the material is naturally odor-resistant, enabling it to last longer between washes, which is handy for travel.
Our favorite extra perk is that, because Merino was a specialty material for so long, numerous specialty brands manufacture clothing using only Merino wool, so you can find a brand that specializes in just Merino wool socks. If a brand only makes one thing, it’ll typically be better engineered than one that makes everything. In this example, a top brand would be Darn Tough.
Should socks be 100% Merino wool?
That depends on what you’re using them for and your budget. 100% Merino wool socks will perform better in the categories we just reviewed, but will also be more expensive. Typically, we tell travelers to start with a few pairs of 100% Merino wool socks and shift to a lower percentage to see how low they can go without noticing a difference. For some, you may be able to get as low as half and half, and others will need to stay closer to 100%. This also depends on your skin’s sensitivity, how much you sweat, and other comfort-related issues.
What are the downsides of Merino wool socks?
The biggest downside of Merino wool socks is the price. Sometimes, you pay more than $20 for a single pair of socks. If you’re going with a budget-brand of non-Merino socks, you could get a five-pack (or more) for that price. That said, one pair of well-made Merino socks will often last longer than a five-pack of junk socks, so there’s value to be had there. Some folks can get by with rotating three pairs of socks—others need a dozen or so. You’ll have to make this decision for yourself and your travel needs.
Additionally, Merino wool makes some people itchy. There’s no real rhyme or reason to whether you’ll fall into this category, so you’ll have to try it to find out!
Hopefully, by this point, you have a few pairs of Merino wool socks in your cart and are ready to hit the ground running (or walking or hiking) with a pair of Merino wool socks. Enjoy the trip!