How to Choose Walking Socks: Why Merino Wool Makes the Best Socks for Walking

Walking for exercise has many benefits for the body and the mind and is one of the most convenient activities we can do for our well-being. While no membership is required, investing in some good quality basic equipment will help ensure you get to focus on your walk (or your pup, or friend, or podcast) and not your feet while you’re out there.

Socks that have a performance fit and are knit using a mix of Merino Wool, Lycra Spandex, and Nylon fibers are good for walking because they provide the best first line of defense against blisters, foot fatigue, and moisture. Here’s a simple guide on how to choose the right walking socks, with tips on what to look for and why good socks matter.

Features to Consider When Picking Walking Socks

1. Blister Prevention - socks with a performance fit won’t slip, bunch, or rub
2. Arch Support - socks with arch support reduce foot fatigue and improve comfort
3. Moisture Management - Merino Wool socks keep feet dry and fresh naturally
4. Durability - socks that are made to last and will be with you for many miles
5. Technical Features - technical sock features can help you adjust individual fit and function
6. Personal Style - height, weight, cushion, and design help dial your walking sock style

Blister Prevention Is Worth the Hype

Trust us… blisters are the worst. Not only can they ruin a perfectly good walk by popping up at the worst time but, like any wound, they can end up infected and that’s bad news for your foot health. So, when it comes to blisters, prevention is absolutely worth it. This makes knowing how to prevent blisters when hiking or long-distance walking especially essential.

One of the simplest things you can do to prevent blisters is to choose the right walking socks. Socks that are knit with Merino Wool and a performance fit that features strategic amounts of elastic (like Lycra Spandex) and Nylon can reduce friction and control hotspots - making them great anti blister walking socks.

For more information, take a deep dive into Blister Prevention 101. And be sure to avoid cotton socks, which hold onto moisture like a sponge.

Darn Tough Merino Wool socks intentionally incorporate Lycra Spandex and Nylon fibers to improve comfort and durability, and to hug feet so each of our different types of socks will move with feet like a second skin.

Most of our styles also have True Seamless™ non-seamed toe closure, which is flat, invisible and smooth. A snug performance fit and seamless toe mean Darn Tough socks don’t slip, bunch or cause hotspots, making them the best walking socks to prevent blisters.

Comfy, Cute, and Protect My Feet From Blisters
I love these socks! I wear them hiking, and also anytime I go walking in the park. They are very comfortable. They also keep my feet from getting blisters on the heel, which was a problem with my old socks. - Tiffany A.

Socks That Support Your Step Goals

While walking is generally considered a gentle form of exercise, this doesn’t mean your feet won’t get tired, especially on a long walk. Foot fatigue is common and happens when the muscles of the foot become overly tired. It can affect anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet - walkers, hikers, workers, multi-day backpackers, etc.

The symptoms of foot fatigue can include swelling, achiness, cramping, and pain. And just like with blisters, prevention is key so you don’t get stuck out there in pain. 

We recommend pairing your walking boots or walking shoes with socks that have built in arch support. Our Merino Wool socks are designed intentionally with elastic through the arch of the foot to provide support that won’t let you down.

I Wish I Could Tell You That They Aren't Worth It...
I wish I could tell you that these socks weren’t worth the cost, but they 100% are. Arch support. Just the right amount of cushion. Perfect no-show height. Zero bunching up or sliding down while working out and running. I’ll definitely be investing in more pairs! - Cora R.

Sweat Happens, but You Can Manage It with the Right Socks

Fun fact: feet have more sweat glands per square inch than any other part of the human body. So, it’s pretty likely that your feet are going to sweat during your walk.

Whether you’re trail hiking, embracing the benefits of long distance walking, or just walking briskly around the block, choosing the right socks can have a meaningful impact on your comfort and foot health by effectively managing moisture.

Sweaty feet and soggy socks make you more prone to blisters, and create conditions where feet get smelly and can’t stay at a comfortable temperature. Managing extra moisture, fighting foot funk, and thermoregulating (aka keeping your feet at the right temperature) are important features of a comfortable walking sock - and they are all things Merino Wool naturally does.

Keep in mind that more Merino fibers = more Merino benefits. For high intensity or long distance walking, consider wearing cushioned walking socks made with Merino Wool to better handle excess moisture and offer extra padding.

Our ultra-lightweight and lightweight styles are super thin socks, but our midweight and heavyweight socks have more Merino fibers, which can naturally handle more sweat and keep your feet dryer, fresher, and more comfortable.

Very Comfortable!
My primary exercise is walking. So, I walk a lot. I needed comfortable socks that also absorb the sweat. I own several pairs of Darn Tough socks and I love them all. Very comfortable to walk in for long periods of time. I won't buy any other socks! - Eric M.

Durable Socks Won't Let You Down

Durability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re choosing a walking sock. But, rest assured that performance and durability are closely related. Socks that are designed intentionally to hug the foot and not shift around will last longer because there is less friction wearing them down.

At Darn Tough, we know that durability goes beyond socks just lasting a long time. We truly believe that the most durable socks should stay comfortable and maintain their supportive performance fit day after day - mile after mile. When you’re really racking up the miles (we’re looking at you long distance walkers), this is the kind of durability that won’t let you down.

Great Fit, No Team Seam
Great fit, no toe seam rubbing, decent arch support, and cute to boot. I have had a pair for about 5 years with regular weekly use and they are still going strong! No color fading, fraying, or hole in sight. - Christine P.

Level Up Your Walk with Technical Features

We’ve already covered why socks knit with moisture wicking Merino Wool and a performance fit (which includes arch support) are the best choice for foot health, freshness, and comfort while walking.

But are there other things to consider as well? Sure! Darn Tough socks offer technical features, like flex windows, mesh zones, and padding that help you dial in the right fit and function for you.

Flex windows and breathable mesh zones help ensure feet can move and breathe easily. Our running socks have plenty of options with these two movement-friendly tech features.

Targeted padding over the ankle and Achilles tendon can help protect delicate areas and add comfort and durability. Our socks for hikers offer a variety of targeted cushioning combinations that deliver their own kind of trail magic.

How We Test Our Socks

When we say our socks are built for the long run (well, walk), we mean it. A Darn Tough sock pair begins and ends right here in our Vermont mill, where quality is baked into the process from yarn to finished sock.

First, we test the raw materials; we source the highest quality yarns from America and around the world. Before any yarn reaches the knitting floor, our quality team evaluates each batch of Merino Wool, Nylon, and Spandex using precise methods like tensile testing to measure yarn strength against our standards. If it doesn’t pass, it doesn’t move forward. We want to ensure you get quality with every step.

Once those yarns become socks, we push them further with abrasion testing. Using an industry-standard abrasion tester (the same style of machine used across the textile world), we stretch the socks over a form and rub them against an abrasive surface until they finally give out. That tells us how our construction and yarn choices stand up to the kind of friction your feet create with every step.

Then comes the real proving ground: actual miles on actual feet. Warranty returns and in-the-wild feedback are a huge part of our testing loop. When a pair comes back worn through in the heel, toe, or over the Achilles, our team studies those patterns and uses them to refine knit density, reinforcement zones, and cushioning on future styles.

Walk Your Walk with Personal Style Elements

At Darn Tough, we don’t have socks outright labeled “walking socks,” but in every activity category (hiking, running, every day, skiing, hunting, work, and tactical) you will find socks knit with moisture wicking Merino Wool and a snug, supportive performance fit that are great for walking.

Sock Height

Do you like your socks to stand tall, fly below the radar, or hover somewhere in between? Our size chart is the go-to for detailed info on our sock heights that range from No Show Hidden all the way to Over-the-Calf.

Be sure to consider what shoes you’ll be wearing when you select your sock height - generally speaking the taller the shoe or boot, the taller you’ll want your sock to be.

DYK: Across the clothing industry, sock heights tend to be pretty universal. But Darn Tough felt there was something missing between the quarter and crew sock heights so we invented the Micro Crew height - a mid crew sock that sits just above the top of a standard hiking boot.

Size Guide

A good walking sock (especially for long walks or hikes) should feel like it was knit just for your foot; snug, supportive, and smooth, with no extra fabric to bunch or rub. Getting that “just right” fit starts with choosing the right size. 

Our socks are sized to match your US shoe size, and each product page includes a size chart so you can quickly match your shoe size to your sock size. As a general rule:

• If you’re between sizes, we knit with a closer fit, so consider the larger size. 
• If your shoes are already very snug, consider no cushion socks, as cushion adds material between your foot and the shoe. 

A few fit checkpoints for walking:

• The heel cup of the sock should land right on your heel, not creeping up your Achilles or sliding under your foot.
• The toe area should give your toes room to wiggle without excess fabric folding over.
• The sock should feel gently compressive through the arch and midfoot, not loose or baggy. 

Our performance fit is designed to stay put and move with you. When you are in the correct size, your walking socks will feel like a second skin with no slipping or mid-walk adjustments.

Cushion and Yarn Weight

Different cushion levels and yarn weights can affect everything from how the sock feels inside a walking shoe to how much moisture the sock can absorb without feeling wet.

Generally speaking, lighter weight socks are ideal for short, lower intensity activity. Thicker, padded walking socks can manage more moisture and keep feet comfortable during strenuous activities and in changing temperatures.

PRO TIP: A lightweight sock with cushion underfoot is a sweet combo that provides extra sweat absorption, durability, and lasting rebound during walking, while the overall sock composition is light, airy, and less bulky.

Sock Design

Now for the fun part - choosing your favorite design(s)! Strictly speaking, the design elements on your socks will not directly affect your walking abilities. But it doesn’t hurt when your socks put a smile on your face. Here is some design inspo for you:

• Best selling socks for men and women’s best selling socks are two great lists to browse for ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ styles you know others love too
• Our hike socks make super durable walking socks for men and for women. 
• For a classic vibe, the Solid & Colorblock collection has you covered with socks in all nine heights
• Walk on the wild side with Animal socks that are cute and make great conversation-starters
• Search designs by your favorite colorway - like walking socks that feature Orange tones
• How about supporting a special cause with a pair of Socks that Give

Love My Socks!
Keeps my feet warm and dry and I love the arch support. Plus I love the designs and colors and really love that they are made in America! - Susan P.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, our Sock Finder quiz can help. Answer a few simple questions and let us suggest what we think you might like.

Things to Keep in Mind

We believe Merino Wool vs regular wool walking socks are the best choice for most people, most of the time. But no sock is right for every foot, shoe, or situation. Being upfront about that helps you find what actually works for you.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Warmth & thickness: Merino Wool helps regulate temperature, but a heavily cushioned midweight or heavyweight sock might feel too warm or bulky in very hot weather or inside tight shoes. If your walking shoes are already snug, stick with ultra-lightweight or lightweight options.
• Allergies & sensitivities: Most people find Merino Wool smooth and comfortable, but a small number of people are sensitive to the lanolin. If your skin tends to react on a walk, even in Merino, consider trying one of our synthetic styles, which some folks with sensitivities prefer. 
• Fit depends on shoes: Even the best walking socks can’t fix shoes that are the wrong size or shape. If your shoes are too small, narrow, or worn out, you may still get pressure points or discomfort.
• Not one-sock-fits-everything: The sock that feels perfect for everyday neighborhood walks might not be your favorite for steep mountain trails or all-day work in heavy boots. That’s why we knit specific socks for hiking, running, work, and more—each with features tuned for that use. 

Think of your walking socks as part of a system. When you match the right Darn Tough sock to the right shoe and activity, you’ll get the best blend of comfort, support, and durability.

Walking Sock Care and Maintenance

If you are wondering how to wash merino wool socks, look no further. You’ll find that our walking socks are tough, but a little care goes a long way toward keeping them comfortable and performing at their best for mile after mile. The good news: caring for them is simple.

Washing Basics

• Turn socks inside out before washing to help lift sweat, dirt, and skin cells from the inside of the fabric.
• Machine wash in cold water with a mild detergent.
• Avoid bleach and fabric softeners—they can break down fibers, reduce wicking performance, and shorten the life of your socks.

Drying

• Tumble dry on low or air dry. High heat can be hard on elastic fibers over time and may affect the snug, stay-put fit.

Everyday Upkeep Tips

• Rotate between a few pairs if you walk daily; giving socks a break between wears helps them rebound and last longer.
• If your walks involve a lot of mud, sand, or grit, rinse heavily soiled socks before washing to reduce abrasion in the machine.
• Store socks dry and fully clean. Merino naturally resists odor, but it still deserves a fresh start.

When organizing your sock drawer, take care of your socks, and they’ll return the favor: soft feel, reliable fit, and walk-ready performance every time you lace up.