The Best Hunting Socks of 2025

Best of the Rest

The Best Hunting Socks of 2025 Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Hunting Socks of 2025

The crew of hunters at GearJunkie has been testing different hunting socks for decades. Between everyone, we’ve hunted in the desert with temps over 100 degrees, to frigid late-season muzzleloader hunts in the mountains. Different socks excel in different situations, and after all of our time in the field, we have the sock game dialed.

Our Expert Testers

Hunting is one of my ultimate passions and I’ve been backpack hunting with a smile on my face for the past 10 years. And the health of my feet is a massive part of that. Trust is a must with socks for me.

Whether I’m making a long double-digit hike into a backcountry camp, or I’m hauling out a mind-bendingly heavy load, my feet are the gateway to the finish line. In other words, I have absolutely zero tolerance for incapable socks.

GearJunkie contributor Morgan Nowels has gone through dozens of pairs of socks and found which ones he can rely on year after year. In one season alone, he chased desert muleys in August, Nebraska pheasants, ducks on the Great Salt Lake, late-season elk, and chukar in the snow-covered mountains. Through varying conditions, he developed his own thoughts on what makes certain socks stand above others.

Our Testing Process

When testing out a pair of hunting socks, there are a few things on my radar. Fit, comfort, insulation, and breathability. I’m also paying attention to how my feet feel overall while hiking, whether hot spots are present, or if my feet are sweating. Success in these areas is critical for pursuing my passions, as a bad pair of socks can cause a bad day in the field.

Of course, with my own experiences, I also took into account the experiences of trusted hunters around me. It provides a different perspective and gets me out of my own head for a bit.

Between all of the contributors, we actively hunted in the heat and sat in blinds for hours in the cold. In those types of extreme conditions, the cream of the crop rises to the top in short order.

All of our feet may be a little bit different, but the hunting socks listed above will cater to a wide range of hunters — whether they’re sitting in a treestand or packing miles into the backcountry.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Hunting Sock

Up above, I’ve laid out quite a few options for hunting socks. And aside from the top picks, there are a ton of options out there for you to choose from. So, how do you go about choosing the right hunting sock for you? Read on to find out. Once you’ve dialed in your sock game, consider taking a look at the GearJunkie guide to the top hunting boots.

Time of Year

The first thing that needs to be established is what time of year you’re planning on hunting the most. Choose a sock that fits the demands of most of your hunts. Obviously, the early season is going to be warmer than the late season. Don’t be the guy hunting with a late-season sock when it’s 80 degrees out. That’s a recipe for a bad time.

So, why not just use a midweight sock for everything to hit all of the marks? You can absolutely do that, just know that it’s a give and take. You’ll give up warmth in the late season or you’ll give up breathability in the early season. Of course, there are tricks to get by like airing your feet out often when it’s hot or starting a fire to warm the toes when it’s cold.

Style of Hunting

Another factor in choosing the right hunting sock for you is your style of hunting. Some hunters are more active and they prefer to stay mobile. And when you’re more mobile, you’re naturally going to sweat more. At the same time, the more methodical hunter who plays the waiting game more often than not has different needs. They aren’t going to sweat as much and will require more insulation depending on the time of year.

For the active hunter a lightweight hunting sock like the Meindl MT3.5 Lightweight Merino sock is going to be best. This is going to not only wick moisture away, but because it’s thinner, it will be more breathable and dry faster. Even when it’s cold out, if I’m moving on a regular basis, I don’t need a super thick sock to stay warm. In fact, having too thick of a sock could cause more harm than good because you’ll sweat more. Wet equals cold. You want to keep your feet dry and warm.

For more stationary hunters, sock choice is going to be temperature-dependent. In the early season, a lightweight sock will be just fine. However, when it gets cold, this is where the gap increases between the active and stationary hunters. In these cases, lean on the mid-heavyweight side. When you’re not moving as much, you’ll require more insulation simply because you’re radiating less heat. When things are cold and you’re stationary hunting, the Smartwool Mountaineer Classic Edition Crew Sock is tough to beat.

Test Before Your Hunt

This is not a cookie-cutter process. The hunting sock that your buddy loves might not do right by you. I’ve had that happen in the past. Maybe you just don’t like where a certain seam or reinforcement zone is on a sock, thus decreasing the comfort level.

With that said, test your socks before heading out on a hunting trip — even if that’s just wearing them around the house for a day. You won’t know if they’re going to work unless you try. And you don’t want to find out they don’t while out on a hunt.

Price and Value

Socks are cheap relative to the rest of the gear you need for a complete hunting kit. There isn’t nearly as much of a difference between the prices as other equipment, and it’s one of those things where it really makes sense to spend the money on the best there is. With that said, here are the different tiers of hunting socks you’ll find on the market.

Budget

When it comes to hunting socks, there aren’t any “real” budget options (under $15). Most technical socks are much more expensive per pair than the average standard sock on the market.. A budget sock would be the ones you already own or buy in a six-pack at Walmart.

Most budget socks are not technical pieces of apparel. They won’t have moisture-wicking properties, and are more than likely not wool. Many are made with cotton, which is a no-go in the woods.

Budget socks will leave you with cold feet, blisters, and will not be durable.

Mid-Tier

While the Cabela’s Instinct 2.0 Wool Crew won the “best budget” award, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a mid-priced sock at around $15 per pair. But for hunting specific socks, they’re a steal.

For under 20 bucks, it’s hard to find merino socks, but they are out there. A good mid-tier sock will be made with merino wool, providing warmth and moisture-wicking properties. They may not be as durable as others or have extensive padding for those long treks, but they can certainly get the job done.

Premium

Premium hunting socks ($25 or more per pair) are the crème de la crème and will give hunters everything they ever need. In this price range, you can find synthetic/wool blend socks like the Meindl MT3.5 Lightweight Merino socks, which provide you with fantastic breathability for warm-weather hunts.

There are also options with thick merino wool, like the Smartwool Mountaineer Classic Edition Crew Socks for those hunts that are so cold, most people stay at home watching football.

Other ultra premium options, like the $39 KUIU Ultra Merino Over the Calf Sock have some of the most advanced padding you can find, ensuring your feet stay comfortable for long backcountry hikes.

Paying a premium price allows you to hone in on the perfect sock for your needs. In the GearJunkie team’s collective experience, it’s worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions