How to Choose Fly Fishing Socks

When I was learning to fly fish there were a ton of things to worry about:

• Trying to actually catch fish
• Not getting swept away by the current while wading
• Being aware of numerous animals in Montana that could ruin your day — grizzly bears, moose, rattlesnakes, etc.

One thing I wasn’t thinking about was fishing socks or what to wear under my waders. While I was spending as much time as I could out fishing, it didn't occur to me that my feet were cultivating a whole ecosystem of smelly bacteria in the neoprene feet of my waders.

TL;DR

If there is one thing that you should take away from this blog, let it be the importance of WEARING SOCKS INSIDE YOUR WADERS!

From those humble beginnings, I can say that I have come a long way: in my skills as an angler, my decision making around gear to be comfortable on the water, and most importantly, taking care of my feet.

I tend to switch between several styles of socks depending on the type of day I'm planning. Below are a few tips and factors to consider that can help you stay focused on the fishing part of your day on the river!

Do you need socks under your waders?

As mentioned above, socks are a must have for waders. Whether you wear boot foot or stocking foot waders, you will benefit from socks.

Neoprene is a key material in most waders and is notorious for holding moisture, so they can get “funky” pretty quickly. While there are a ton of blog posts out there about trying to remove the smell from the inside of a pair of waders (definitely wash your waders regularly), a good preemptive step is wearing a pair of Merino Wool socks on your outing (they're anti-odor).

Most fly shops recommend sizing up your wading boots to leave room for both the neoprene feet of your waders and a light to medium weight sock. Think of these as a liner sock, giving you a moisture wicking, thermoregulating layer that is much more comfortable than neoprene alone. A key consideration is balancing the thickness of the sock and your circulation; adding extra layers won’t help you stay any warmer if it is cutting off circulation to your feet.

Another tip: bring your preferred socks with you when you get new waders/wading boots. When choosing a sock, here are some important factors to consider:

Temperature

A good tip from the whitewater boating community is to add the air temp and the water temps together. If the combined temp is below 120 (60 degree air temps + 60 degree water temps), you would typically want some sort of insulation from the water, either nylon breathable waders or neoprene waders.

If it is warmer, you may elect to wet wade with some quick-dry pants. If you do, Merino socks will dry quickly and continue to insulate even while wet.

Boat vs wading

Wade fishing can mean a whole lot of movement, adding miles of walking into your day, and can definitely change the dynamic of what you wear while fishing. I tend to go with lightweight socks when I’m doing any combination of wade fishing and hiking. Exceptions being fishing in rivers that you know will involve standing in the moving current for the majority of the time, like something you would find in Alaska or British Columbia. The tradeoff between warmth while wading and comfort while hiking takes a bit of trial and error to really fine tune, so when in doubt I tend to layer warmer knowing that Merino Wool thermoregulates and can still insulate when wet.

Fishing from a boat doesn't necessarily mean warmth and comfort either. Some of the coldest days of fishing I’ve had were sitting in a boat on a windy day. You are moving less and it is harder to stay warm. If you ever find yourself in this position, you can always volunteer to row the boat!

Consider whether the section of water you float is worth wearing waders (with your wading belt cinched tight) or whitewater specific outerwear (wetsuit/drysuit) . I wear my drysuit if there is any whitewater and the water is cold enough to warrant waders.

Terrain

The terrain near where you are fishing should heavily factor into your footwear decision. Wading boots give confidence across not only rocky river bottoms, but also when scrambling down steep river banks, crossing mud filled back channels, and moving through thick brush.

Many boot options exist, from tread patterns to sole materials, as well as traction accessories like removable metal cleats or wading crampons to give you extra purchase on slick river bottoms. A wading staff can also be helpful for crossing swift water.

Depending on where you are fishing, boots/waders can be a good defense from snakes, ticks, leeches, and other creepy crawlies that can be found in and around riverbeds.

One time stalking some rising fish, trying to be as quiet while getting into position to make my cast, one step felt more “squishy” than expected as I approached the riverbank. I looked down and saw what was perhaps the largest snake I have ever seen.

Safe to say my quiet stalking became a loud, high-stepping splash directly into the river, scattering every fish within a half mile. I sure was happy I wasn’t wearing sandals though…

What to wear fly fishing in the fall?

The fall is a great time for fishing, temperatures are more comfortable for trout, aggressive fish are hunting for bigger meals, and there’s less competition at the best fishing holes. During this time of year, being prepared for colder water and large temperature swings becomes key.

Wearing waders with some midweight Merino socks like the 1466 Micro Crew and lightweight pants underneath will give you the breathability you need to hike to that hidden section of river that gets less fishing pressure than the popular roadside access points.

What to wear when it is really cold?

Spending time breaking ice off of your fly line is a unique experience. If properly dressed and motivated, some of the best fishing happens in the winter months.

Layering some down pants or Merino tights with Over-the-Calf hunting socks will keep your lower extremities warm enough to focus on the fishing and keeping your hands warm enough to set the hook.

Cold weather fishing can be dangerous, so bring extra layers with you, always let someone know where you are headed, and try to find areas you can fish without having to wade the whole time.

What do you wear wet wading (when it’s warm)?

Depending on your geography and elevation, many fly fishers leave the waders at home during the warmer months. Even if you plan to wet wade, you should put some thought into your footwear.

Wading boots are always a good choice; uneven river bottoms and a swift current can be a dangerous combo, so combining your wading boots or water shoes with some light Merino hiking socks will help keep your feet comfortable even when they are wet. This is my preferred method when float fishing in the summer, especially when stopping to fish from shore along the way.

Some anglers prefer synthetic fabrics, and if that’s you, check out our Coolmax socks. Neoprene socks with gravel guards can also be effective (wear your Merino or Coolmax socks against the skin, with the gravel guards overtop for protection), as they help keep rocks out of your boots when you are wading across the current. They take up about the same amount of volume in your boot as your normal stockingfoot wader! A pair of sturdy sandals can also be a great choice for wet wading.

Best socks for fly fishing?

While I do mix up my sock selection based on a variety of factors, if I had to pick one type to wear for fly fishing I would go with a Light Hiker in a micro crew height. These cover the widest variety of my needs and give the benefits without added bulk. I run a bit warm and the lightweight socks coupled with the warmth of neoprene is enough for the majority of days I spend on the water.

Of the Light Hikers, the Darn Tough FastPack is overall my favorite fly fishing sock. If things are a bit cooler, I’ll go with the VanGrizzle boot sock for a little extra height and the midweight warmth.

Lastly, I keep a pair of heavyweight hunting socks for the days I really want to fish in the cold. If you run a bit colder I recommend starting with midweight micro crew socks and moving into heavyweight boot or over-the-calf heights as temps go below 60.

More employee recommendations

"I usually run the 1466 or a similar cushioned hike sock cause i like the extra cush for being on my feet all day." — Dan R., Senior Designer

"The Ranger Micro Crew has a good stretch, good cushion, and good thickness for most water temps!" — Rob S., Finance

"Comfortable, moisture-wicking socks are a must for an afternoon on the water, but I also like to consider what will make me feel most in my element. For me, that's the Trailblazer." — Carmen C., Brand Manager

”I like a longer sock like the 1405 Hiker Boot Midweight  or the Mountaineer Over-the-Calf because my pants and insulation layers always migrate up my leg and these socks cover the gap.” — Adam C., Customer Service

What our customers say

Great socks

"These are the best socks I have ever owned. They protect my toes during off road excursions and when wearing steel toed shoes. Very warm and great inside my waders when fly fishing." — David P. on the Mountaineering Micro Crew Heavyweight sock

A game changer for winter fly fishing

"This sock has been a game changer for winter fly fishing in cold creeks. Ordering more!" — Tom W. on the Hunter Over-the-Calf Heavyweight sock

Winter fishing must have...

"Fly fishing trout streams in PA, NY, and MD in comfort is essential -Vermont Darn Tough - delivers in keeping out the cold sensation that shorten a good day fishing when wading in cold cold water. Moreover, when Steelhead fishing these are the ONLY socks to wear." — Michael D. on Boot Heavyweight Hunting sock

Great for fly fishing — Solid, heavy-duty fishing socks

"Keeps my feet warm in the river and they're strong enough to handle the rocks, pebbles, and leaves by the river side." — Kevin M. on T4022 Tactical Boot sock

Permanent Part of My Fly Fishing Kit…

"Best purchase made in 2022 and now a permanent part of my fly fishing wading gear. Combined with my Simms G3 waders and boots, this pair of socks make a day in the water no longer painful…wonderful, perfect fit and I now tell everyone about them." — Michael D. on Paul Bunyan Midweight Work socks

About the Author

Kevin is a fly fishing enthusiast, and Darn Tough employee that can often be found on local Vermont rivers wade fishing with a baby backpack.