The number one rule in thru-hiking is to take care of your feet. Ignore your feet, your hike isn’t going to last very long. After trying out all manner of socks throughout the years, I think I’ve found the World’s Best Hiking Socks. What are these miracle socks you ask?
Cheap Polyester Dress Socks
That’s right, the very same polyester dress socks found at any discount store are perfect for hiking! Don’t believe it? Read on my friend.
As I wrote earlier about Hiking in Sandals, I used polyester dress socks in combination with Chaco sandals for my 6-month hike thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I started with another pair of nice wool socks, but quickly ditched them in favor of my cheap black dress socks. The dress socks dried faster and wore like iron. In fact, I had over 1,000 miles on a set before a mouse stole them while I was sleeping in a shelter!
Advantages
- Cheap, cheap, and cheap. I’m not dropping $18 on a pair of socks again.
- Dry very fast
- Easily replaceable
- Long-lasting
- A Fashion Statement. The single fastest way to get that Retiree-living-in-a-RV vibe is to rock a pair of black socks with your sandals.
Disadvantages
- Usually need to wear two pair at a time
- Not as much cushioning as wool or high-tech synthetic socks
- The ultra-thin sheer types of dress socks wear out quickly
Now that your sold on the idea, here’s a few tips to keep in mind
- Don’t get fuzzy, thick dress socks. They don’t dry as fast and leaves stick to them. A mid-weight ribbed sock (black, always) has worked the best for me.
- Try out a few pair and see which ones work best for you
- Keep your toe nails trimmed for best wear
- Hiking socks + separate cozy sleeping socks = happy feet
- Dress socks generally work best with lighter-weight hiking shoes, trail runners, and of course, sandals.
Try ‘em out, and let me know what you think. Anyone else have any sock preferences that work well?
nice article Juan – I’m not even a hiker and this still got me to read to the end
G
Thanks Garrett. I had waaaaaaay too much time to think about this stuff while I was on the AT. I do love these socks though. They rock hard, just like you!
I typically wear Gold Toe over-the-calf wool (with a touch of nylon) dress socks as a first layer while hiking. They wear well, are warmer than liners and don’t get the stink that poly socks can be troubled with. They dry quickly because they’re thin and they’re very light. Try it sometimes. Not cheap, but you can usually find them at a discounter with blemishes for about $4 a pair.
Good call on the wool blends. I’ll have to give those a try once things cool off some. I’m all about cheap, quick drying socks.