The best wool socks for workouts, the outdoors and everyday wear

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Buying socks is an inevitable part of life and in my experience, wool socks are a necessity. Their moisture-wicking properties come in handy for skiing and other outdoor sports, and when you’re indoors, wool is the coziest fabric you can wear to keep your toes toasty warm during the wintertime.

Before buying a pair of your own, read on for expert shopping advice from Ben Clower, an outdoor enthusiast and marketing coordinator at JAX Outdoor Gear in Colorado, Ken Bernard, an outdoor enthusiast and owner of Outlandish , an outdoor gear and apparel store in Brooklyn, NY, and Ashleigh McClary, a hiking enthusiast and Backcountry expert Gearhead. I also gathered a list of options to shop informed by their guidance and our testing experience.

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Tested and approved: The best wool socks

This roundup includes top-rated options, expert recommendations, and products tested (and loved) by NBC Selected staff.

Best overall

Darn Tough Morgan Crew Lightweight Sock

These socks come recommended by Clower — their material is Merino wool blended with nylon and lycra, giving them a stretchy, flexible feel, according to the brand. These socks are thin and lightweight, making them great for everyday wear without overheating your feet, and have a slight cushion on the bottom for added comfort.

Best ankle socks

Bombas Merino Wool Blend Ankle Socks

Bombas is an NBC Selected favorite and Wellness Award winner — this option is Merino wool blended with polyester and elastane for a flexible yet firm fit, according to the brand. The socks have a cushioned footbed and a seamless toe for added comfort, along with an elasticized, honeycomb-design support around the arch. The socks also have a blister tab at the back of the opening to prevent ankle chafing while you walk. They’re available in men and women’s sizes.

Best workout socks

Smartwool Run Mid Crew Socks

These socks are lightweight with minimal cushioning, making them ideal for running and high-intensity workouts. They have mesh air zones for extra breathability, which prevents your feet from overheating, along with reinforced toes for added comfort, according to the brand. The Merino wool fabric also helps to regulate the temperature and odor of your feet, while the fit is snug to help prevent friction and blisters.

Best hiking socks

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion Sock

McClary, a huge fan of Darn Tough socks, says this all-weather pair is one of her absolute favorites because, in over 15 years of wearing them, she’s never gotten a blister . The light cushion and wool-blend material are designed to wick sweat and prevent odor, according to the brand. Their height is just above that of a standard hiking boot for added protection against chafing. Bernard says they’re very durable and “excellent” for a wide range of activities. They also have a seamless toe design to minimize friction and blistering, and come in a version with medium cushioning , too (which McClary also loves).

Best everyday socks for women

Darn Tough Women’s Blossom Crew Lightweight Sock

Another recommendation from Clower, these socks from Darn Tough are designed for casual wear and light activity, according to the brand. They’re made from a lightweight Merino wool blend that allows them to dry quickly, stretch well, and survive the strain of everyday wear. They have no cushion, which the brand says helps them to fit well in any shoe, and a performance fit, meaning they closely hug your feet like a second skin to prevent bunching or slippage while you walk.

Best ski sock

Smartwool Ski Zero Cushion OTC Sock

These are McClary’s favorite ski socks — you may think you need a thicker sock when it comes to skiing, but she says lightweight socks “will fit significantly better in a performance ski boot.” These socks are made from a Merino wool, nylon and elastane blend that helps to control the temperature of your feet and absorb sweat, according to the brand. It has no cushioning for best fit with performance ski boots, and also reaches over the calf to provide additional cold-weather coverage.

Best socks for rough terrain

Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full Cushion Sock

When it comes to heavy-duty or rocky terrain, McClary grabs these wool socks. They have a lightweight material, but a heavy cushion that protects feet from blisters. They’re bunch-free, quick-drying and have anti-odor properties, according to the brand.

Best everyday socks for men

Fox River Matterhorn Lightweight Crew Sock

Clowers also recommends these lightweight Merino wool blend socks from Fox River. They have a medium cushion for extra footbase padding and a flat, knit toe seam for added comfort at the front of your shoes. To help your feet stay cool, the socks have mesh venting panels on the sides, along with reinforced material along the heel and toe line for extra durability, according to the brand.

Best for warm climates

Icebreaker Merino Hike+ Light Crew

Bernard recommends these socks from Icebreaker, an ideal choice for warmer climates because of their lightweight texture. They have light cushioning and ankle and instep support for added stability while walking, according to the brand. The brand says they’re designed for day hiking and warmer conditions, and that the socks have improved ventilation around the middle of the foot for increased breathability.

Best cozy socks

Smartwool Mountaineer Classic Crew Socks

These socks from Smartwool are great for long, cold periods of outdoor activity. They’re made from a thick Merino wool blend for maximum warmth, and have a plush bottom cushioning for comfort while out in the cold, according to the brand. NBC Selected senior editor Nikki Brown says that these socks are her “most cherished gift” from a bridesmaid goodie bag she received years ago. “The wedding was in the Midwest and it was cold, so these came in handy and I still use them today,” she says. The socks also have an elasticized arch brace for added support and to ensure a secure fit, according to the brand.

Best knee-length socks

Hylaea Merino Wool Ski Socks

These knee high socks are made from a thick Merino wool blend that makes them great for winter and ice sports, according to the brand. They’re designed with terry loops in the forefoot, heel and toe to minimize friction and help absorb shock as you walk, along with padded areas on the front shin where skiers may need more cushion, according to Hylaea. The socks also have an elastic band around the foot for compressive arch support.

Best sock multipack

Fitrell 4-Pack Women’s Merino Wool Hiking Socks

These socks from Fitrell are made of a Merino wool and cotton blend to reduce itchiness. They have a reinforced heel and toe area to increase durability and prevent holes, along with a cushioned footbed for added comfort while walking, according to the brand. They also have a smooth toe seam and an arch compression area to help stop the formation of blisters.

How I picked the best wool socks

To choose the best wool socks, I kept in mind the following factors, per our experts:

How to shop for wool socks

When shopping for wool socks, these factors should guide your decision-making:

Frequently asked questions

Merino wool is a wool fiber grown year-round in Australia by Merino sheep. It has a softer, finer texture than normal wool, which is what allows it to be so smooth and lightweight. Clower says that, compared to regular wool, Merino wool also has more naturally odor-repelling properties. It’s also better at regulating temperature, as well as absorbing and wicking away moisture from your feet.