Smartwool Merino Hiking Socks: A Hands-On Review

It’s no secret that the socks you’re wearing have a major impact on how you feel on a hike. Good socks are comfortable, moisture-wicking, and cushioned. I recently bought pair of different merino wool hiking socks and compared them. Two of these socks are Smartwool merino hiking socks, and I’ll share my thoughts about the in this post.

I purchased two different models of Smartwool merino wool socks, the light-cushioned Smartwool unisex-adult Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew, and the extra cushioned Smartwool unisex-adult Classic Hike Extra Cushion Crew. They have different features, but in this post, I’ll discuss Smartwool’s merino hiking socks in general.

I tested multiple pairs of socks, so if you want to see the full comparison, go to the full Merino wool hiking socks comparison post.

Key Takeaways:
Smartwool features great merino wool hiking socks. Their models are generally comfortable and have a really nice feel, durable, and well-cushioned. They are limited in their odor resistance and breathability and feel less breezy than some alternatives. They’re overall a good option.

Who Should Buy This Product?
Hikers who are looking for a pair of merino hiking socks with a nice feel and good cushioning, that typically hike in colder weather.

We should now consider the different criteria and see how Smartwool’s hiking socks measure up.

Comfort

Smartwool’s hiking socks feel really comfortable, especially because of the soft fabric. The sock itself and the cushioning is very comfortable and nice to feel.

The extra-cushioned sock is a lot softer but also thicker than the light-cushioned sock. It’s much more warming, and contains a lot more material, making it more warming but also softer to touch. If you plan on getting the extra-cushioned sock, make sure I’ll fit in your boots, because it’s thick.

The socks themselves are generally true to size and fit well on my feet. The extra-cushioned sock does feel a bit larger than the light-cushioned one, which fits perfectly on my leg.

I was pleasantly surprised that despite the high merino wool count in the socks (56% on the light-cushioned model and 70% on the extra-cushioned model) I felt the socks were just a little itchy, much less than some alternatives. For someone who has sensitive skin, this is a great feature.

Breathability

Both Smartwool socks I tried didn’t feel very breathable compared with the alternatives. The socks themselves don’t feel restrictive, and it does feel like they ventilate a bit, but overall they don’t feel as airy as most hikers would like.

Breathability is really important when hiking outdoors because it minimizes blisters and makes your feet feel less hot.

The socks themselves also take a long time to dry, and if you’re hiking and you sweat, they’ll generally absorb a lot of the moisture instead of wicking it. This is quite common with merino wool.

Durability

While the socks feel stretchy and their fabric feels soft, the socks seem to be high quality and durable. The material and knitting feel high quality, and I believe the socks should last a long time.

I’ve worn Smartwool’s socks multiple times and washed them, and they haven’t shown any signs of wear and tear. The socks retained their shape and color. The area around the ankle remains snug but not constricting. Overall, I am very satisfied with the durability of these socks.

Odor resistance

Smartwool’s socks contain a high merino wool count, which is a naturally odor-resistant material. Some merino blends don’t have the same natural resistance, so I wanted to test them. I tried testing the odor resistance of the socks by wearing the out for a day and trying to detect odors at the end of the day.

After wearing the light-cushioned socks for an entire day, I was able to detect a slight smell. The smell was much weaker than it probably would be with normal socks, but I was still able to smell it. I’d say the socks have a decent odor resistance, but it’s not as good as the alternative.

With the high-cushioned socks, I wasn’t able to detect smells, which is probably due to the higher merino count.

Odor resistance is a great feature for hikers because they don’t have to worry about bad smells after a day of hiking. While still a feature of these socks, I’ve listed it as a drawback, because other brands I tested performed better.

Temperature regulation

I tried wearing the socks in different temperatures, to test how well they regulate temperature and keep my feet warm when it’s cold out, and cool when it’s warm. In my opinion, the socks did a decent job in that regard.

The light cushioned socks didn’t feel too hot when I wore them for a hot day and kept my feet warm on relatively cold days. The extra-cushioned sock is very thick, so it obviously felt too hot to wear on a warm day, but it did an excellent job keeping my feet warm on a cold day.

Generally, I feel these socks do a decent job in temperature regulation, but should still be fitted to the weather. I wouldn’t wear the extra-cushioned socks on a sunny day, because of how thick they are, and the light-cushioned socks for a snowy winter hike, because they’re too thin.

Cushioning

While trying both the light-cushioned and the extra-cushioned socks, I was able to compare and contrast their cushioning. The socks have soft padding at the bottom, around the ankle, and around the toes, which is very comfortable when walking.

The socks I’ve tried are obviously very different in that regard. The extra-cushioned sock is really soft and fluffy, and the padding at the bottom is really thick. It provides cushioning and insulation to the bottom of the feet and is really comfortable to walk on.

The light cushioned sock has much less padding but still provides a relatively soft surface to walk on. In my opinion, while these socks are light-cushioned, they still give you some added comfort and protection.

Conclusions

After testing Smartwool’s socks, I think they’re a good option for hikers. The socks will keep you comfortable on the trail, cushion your feet, and stay good for a long time. While their odor resistance and breathability are not perfect, they still perform well when compared with the alternatives.

Overall, I think Smartwool is a safe option you should consider the next time you’re in the market for hiking socks.