The Alternate Stitch

Replacing “problem” socks might seem like the easiest fix for many hiking sock-related issues, but that may not help you address the real issue. If you treat the slipping, bunching, and sock movement as a roadmap to the actual cause, you should be able to mitigate future issues and get back to enjoying the trail.

There’s no perfect solution to keep feet dry hiking. But Jenny will share everything she's learned – from her dad and from miles on the trail – to help you choose the best hiking socks for wet conditions and manage what’s in your control to keep them dry.

The best hiking socks for hot weather are designed to manage moisture, maintain fit, and reduce movement. If you’re looking for the best socks for sweaty feet and summer hiking, this guide covers what to look for and how to choose socks that perform in real summer conditions.

In this blog we will talk through the factors to consider for wet hiking socks, some lessons learned the hard way, and tips to bring with you on your next trip into the backcountry — whether that is a multi-day trip or a quick after work hike.

Winter hiking does require a bit of extra preparation. You’ll require some extra gear like traction and extra layers. But of all the gear decisions you'll make, few matter more than what goes on your feet. Matching your hiking sock weight to the season is arguably never more important than in winter.

In this post I’m going to get into the pros and cons of liner socks to help you determine your best footwear system. Spoiler: I truly don’t think you need liners if you have the right sock and shoe combo. So let’s get into it…

We make the most durable hiking socks, but after they leave our Mill, their fate is in your hands (and feet). Fear not. We'll take you through what durability means to hiking socks, how to take care of your hiking socks, how they wear over time, and what to do if they ever do.

Wet feet bring blisters, cold toes, fatigue, and a generally miserable hike. The good news is that the right gear and a little know-how make wet feet manageable. If you’re tired of wet socks ruining your hikes, here’s what causes them — and what to do about it.

Most hiking sock issues fall into four buckets: managing moisture, staying comfortable across changing temperatures, preventing blisters and fit problems, and making sure your socks actually last. This guide will help you understand the basics — and points you to deeper dives on what to do if one of those problems shows up on the trail.

This guide breaks down hiking sock heights, how they fit, and what they’re best used for, so you can choose what kind of socks you want for hiking based on your trail, your boots, and the way you like to hike.

Meet the No Show sock. Our go-to in the spring and summer, on a run, hiding beneath a stylish sneaker or loafer, or sauntering around a golf course (golfers saunter, and you know it). Hopefully it goes without saying that although the No Show is minimal, it still has our trademark Merino Wool for the comfort, quality, and protection you know and love.

The science is clear. That rank smell is the result our bodies’ natural cooling system being turned against us. Hear us out on this: it’s going to get a little icky before we explain how Merino Wool helps to prevent stinky socks.

So, you want to know if Merino Wool is warm. Or, well, warmer than synthetic materials. The TLDR is, yes. The long version is, yes, and we’ll explain why…very explicitly.

And after keeping your feet cool and fresh all summer, Merino Wool socks are still going to be your warmest socks and the best socks for winter. Let’s celebrate 5-ish reasons why Merino Wool makes the best warm winter socks.

When you consider the benefits of Merino Wool, the fact that it makes great fire resistant socks probably isn’t one that you’ve put much thought into. But if you’re a wildland firefighter or flying with the Air Force, this less-discussed benefit of Merino Wool might rank high on your list.

Should running socks be thick or thin? We’ll lay out the pros for each, but the biggest factor is personal preference. What might work for one person might not work for another.

We choose Merino Wool because it’s wildly resilient and incredibly versatile. Two great things for hiking socks, snowboard socks, skiing socks, running socks, and every sock in between. You might be wondering why Merino Wool is so perfect as a sock material, so we’re covering what is it and how it’s different from regular wool.

Why do socks exist? Sounds like a question a fuzzy-eyebrowed professor might scrawl on a blackboard during a college philosophy course. Since we’re talking socks, let’s bring that navel-gazing proposition closer to the ground with the top five reasons why socks matter (We know you saw this spoiler coming: Socks do have a purpose. Multiple actually).

We only make one thing — socks. And since ours are designed to last a lifetime, we’re jumping straight into the quirky history of what people have worn between foot and footwear over the last 5,000 years or so.

Have you ever opened your sock drawer, winced, and just closed it right back up again? Me too. Here’s my story of sock drawer organization, with tips and tutorials on how to organize socks, and my in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of different sock folding methods.

Stains are tough, but our socks are tougher… and so are you! We’ve gotten a fair share of questions about how to remove stains from socks. We decided it was high time to do some semi-formal testing. We explain three stain-removal methods and recommendations on how to remove grass stains from socks.