Many hikers rave about hiking liner socks, but are they really necessary?

Sock liners are thin socks that are meant to be worn under your hiking socks. According to several trusted hikers, liners have many helpful benefits.

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Do sock liners really work? More importantly… are they worth it? In this article we’re taking a closer look at sock liners.

We’ll address the benefits, how they work and what to consider when buying a pair of liner socks. We’ll also share top-rated hiking liner socks. 

Sock liners are thin socks that you wear with thicker socks while hiking. These thinner socks have benefits, including sweat-wicking and blister prevention.

Sock liners can work well as a base layer, but you can also wear them on their own. They help keep your feet cool and dry. They can also help prevent blisters.

Sock liners should be thin and fit well. These types of socks are meant to conform tightly to your feet when worn with your hiking boots. 

You can even find sock liners in toe-sock styles for efficient skin coverage, even between your toes.

Look for moisture-wicking and quick drying materials. Most sock liners are made from wool, nylon or acrylic, polypropylene and/or polyester blends. 

These fabrics are ideal for sweaty feet. They pull moisture away from your feet and redirect it onto your outer pair of socks or your hiking shoes.

This helps keep your feet dry which keeps them cool. It also makes your feet more resistant to blisters.

When your feet are wet from sweat, your skin is softer. Soft, moist skin is more susceptible to blisters than dry feet.

Yes, sock liners do really work. Whether you choose to wear them alone or with a thicker pair of socks, sock liners are great for hiking in any weather.

In hot weather, your feet sweat more. Wearing sock liners helps keep your feet dry and cool, even if it seems counter-intuitive.

In cool weather, sock liners have the added benefit of helping to keep your feet warmer. Wet feet are cold feet, and your feet still sweat in cold weather.

Hiking liner socks worn in cold weather pull sweat and moisture away from your skin and also provide an extra layer of insulation for warmth.

Alternatively, you can wear hiking liner socks by themselves in warmer weather. They still have moisture-wicking properties when worn alone.

Instead of directing moisture and sweat to your outer layer of socks, it will go to your shoes instead.

Since liner socks are meant to be lightweight, moisture wicking and conforming to your feet, there are a few factors to look for in liner socks.

Different liner socks appeal to different people, and we’ve got a great selection of liners in this article.

* Weight: Liner socks should be thin, lightweight socks. Some liner socks can be thicker, but weight ultimately is a matter of personal preference.

* Cushion: Hiking liner socks should not have any cushion. These socks are meant to be worn in tandem with thicker, cushioned socks.

* Length: Sock liners for hiking should be as long or longer than your regular socks. This prevents them from slipping down and causing discomfort.

* Materials: Liners should be made from moisture-wicking and quick drying materials. A liner sock should be comfortable and stay in place without extra bulk.

* Style: Believe it or not, this is an important consideration. If you can’t stand toe socks, you’re not going to enjoy them as toe sock-style liners.

* Durability/Warranty: Since liner socks are usually pretty thin and lightweight, be sure to choose a good brand with a good warranty.

Due to their thin nature, liner socks may wear out faster than regular socks. You still want them to last. Look for brands that offer guarantees on their socks.

We’ve shared the top things to look for in hiking liner socks from material to style, comfort and more.

Below are the top-rated hiking liner socks in a variety of styles and materials. You’re sure to find the perfect pair for you

These Wigwam Coolmax liner socks come in a three-pack. These crew-style socks stay secure on your calf with a low-profile toe seam for comfort.

The Coolmax socks are made with a proprietary Coolmax fabric, which is a blend of polyester, nylon and spandex.

These materials comes together for efficient moisture-wicking, comfort and stretch to create the perfect liner socks.

The Wigwam socks are thin, lightweight, and lack any cushion that would make them uncomfortable under other socks.

The Fox River Alturas liner socks are crew length, lightweight and have a virtually non-existent toe seam for comfort.

You can get these socks in three colors to go with any hiking boot or sock combo. Alturas liner socks are made with a blend of polypropylene, nylon and spandex.

These socks keep your feet dry and cool and are surprisingly soft. The smooth, flat toe seam prevents irritation during wear.

These socks tend to run a little large, so be sure to check the size chart and read reviews before selecting your size.

The Injinji Liner Crew NuWool socks are some of the most popular hiking liner socks on the market today. These liners are toe socks.

The toe sock styling is designed specifically for runners and hikers to provide maximum skin coverage and sweat wicking.

These socks help pull moisture away from your feet to keep them dry. They also prevent blisters and hotspots when hiking and running.

The Injinji hiking liner socks are made with Merino wool with a wool, nylon, and lycra fabric blend. They are also odor-resistant thanks to Merino wool. 

The Smartwool Classic hiking liner socks are perfect for the trails. These liners come in black and white and are made with a Merino wool and nylon blend.

They’re naturally odor-resistant, sweat wicking, and so soft and comfortable. They have an elasticized arch brace and a flat toe seam for comfort and support.

These liner socks have zero cushion so you almost don’t even know you’re wearing them under your regular hiking socks.

Pair these liner socks with a pair of thicker Smartwool hiking socks for a great combo of sweat wicking, odor resistant, natural wool foot coverage.

Last but not least, the REI Coolmax liner socks are perfect as a barrier against chafing, blisters, and to pull sweat away from your skin.

These socks are made with the Coolmax EcoMade polyester, nylon and spandex blend. The eco-friendly polyester yarn is made from recycled water bottles.

They are crew length and sit snug on your calf and they won’t slip down. These socks have smooth, flat toe seams that won’t irritate your toes while hiking.

The REI Coolmax socks have zero cushioning making them appropriate for layering under any kind of exterior hiking sock.

When shopping for hiking liner socks, you may have to test out a pair or two to find the perfect pair for you.

Luckily, hiking liner socks are relatively inexpensive. It also never hurts to have a few extra pairs on hand.

The best liner socks for hiking are made from moisture-wicking materials like polyester, polypropylene, nylon, spandex, and/or acrylic.

Socks made from wool are naturally odor-resistant, so if you have problems with food odor, stick with wool!

Look for arch support and a flat toe seam for support and to prevent rubbing or hot spots. Hiking liner socks are great for winter and summer hiking.

They’re perfect for keeping your feet dry, preventing blisters, and adding a bit of extra insulation while hiking.

Erin Gifford is the editor of Go Hike Virginia. She has completed more than 300 hikes in Virginia. She is also the author of three hiking guidebooks from Falcon Guides. Need help finding a hike? Check out the Trail Finder feature or send Erin a message.