Do You Wear Socks With Hiking Sandals? Answered + Best Hiking Socks ! [2023]
Do you wear socks with hiking sandals? Have you recently got yourself a pair of hiking sandals, and you’re wondering if you should be wearing socks with your hiking sandals or not?
It’s a relatively normal question, and these days, it’s pretty common to find many hikers who wear socks with their hiking sandals.
In summary- You can most definitely you can wear socks with hiking sandals!
The good thing about wearing socks with sandals is that it can be both a hiking or camping staple and a fashion accessory – or both, depending on how you choose to wear it.
It may seem a little unusual, but you can easily style your socks and sandals by matching your socks or sandals to your outfit, and voila! Stylish and practical!
We all know that you should always wear socks with your hiking boots, but does this apply to hiking sandals?
This article will explain everything you need to know about wearing socks with your hiking sandals, which type of socks to wear, and what’s best for your feet.
Are you ready? Let’s get to it!
DISCLOSURE
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Can You Wear Socks With Hiking Sandals?
Most definitely you can wear socks with hiking sandals! If you’ve tried wearing socks with hiking sandals, then you’ll know that you should get a proper pair of hiking socks to go with them.
If you plan a hike on a cold day, you will need thick wool socks, or some might prefer to double their socks to stay warm.
However, it’s crucial not to overdo it because you might start sweating through your socks.
It can be highly uncomfortable sweating in your socks, and we’ll be happy to explain why. Let’s discuss how wearing socks with your hiking sandals can benefit you.
Why You Should Wear Socks With Hiking Sandals
There are a good number of benefits to wearing socks with hiking sandals. One of which is how hiking sandals will be able to offer more breathability, which would be great if you tend to get extra sweaty on your hikes.
Plus, wearing socks with your sandals can potentially elevate your foot’s comfort more than you think.
One of the main benefits of wearing hiking socks with sandals is that in cold weather, socks would be able to help keep your feet warm.
While sweaty feet can be pretty annoying, I think we can all agree that cold feet are incredibly uncomfortable and not very pleasant.
This would also help you avoid getting frostbites on your hikes!
They also do well to protect your feet from the sun on a hot day. They can help keep your feet cool by allowing sweat to evaporate more quickly and absorbing sweat to keep you dry.
You can prevent your feet from blisters, sores, and hotspots from creeping up when you wear socks on long-distance trips.
Chafing can potentially happen to your toes on long trips hence why it’s great to have socks keeping it at bay.
In addition to this, socks also offer protection from external elements such as rocks, dirt, bushes, and terrible insect bites that you might find during your hike.
What Type Of Socks Should You Wear With Hiking Sandals?
Generally, hiking socks are the best kind of socks to wear on a hike.
However, there are different types of hiking socks, and the right style will do wonders for your feet depending on the conditions you’re about to go hiking in.
In terms of materials, wool is a popular material used by hikers regardless of whether they’ll be using it for hiking sandals or boots.
Wool hiking socks are typically thicker than usual without being too warm for your feet and have excellent breathability. This means that no matter how much your feet sweat, it will not cause your feet to be uncomfortably damp when you hike.
In addition to this, the length of your socks also plays a big part in determining your comfort levels in your hiking socks, but this is a matter of preference.
If you were wearing long pants on a hot day, a pair of low-rise socks would be better as they would help keep your feet and calves cooler than high-rise socks.
However, if you will be hiking in winter or cold weather, high-rise socks would fare much better to keep your legs as warm as possible.
Regardless, you could experiment and decide which type you would prefer – there are plenty of options to choose from anyway!
To help you choose the best ones, we have listed some of the best hiking socks to use with hiking sandals we’ve found so that you won’t have to worry too much about finding the right ones for you.
Best Socks To Wear With Hiking Sandals
1. Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew
Height: Crew and no-show
Fabric: 54% nylon, 43% merino wool, 3% Lycra spandex
Cushioning: Light and medium
What we like about these hiking socks:
- Durable
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Comfortable
- Odor resistant
- It doesn’t slide down
What we didn’t like:
- Expensive
- Tend to get warmer than some
The Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew socks are versatile, comfortable, and built to last. They’re relatively thin and woven tightly for good temperature regulation and incredible durability.
They are slightly thicker and warmer than regular hiking socks, but they’re still quite breathable and adaptable in warm and cool conditions, thanks to their wool-synthetic blend.
2. Farm To Feet Damascus
Height: Quarter, low, ¾ crew & crew
Fabric: 51% merino wool, 45% nylon, 4% Lycra spandex
Cushioning: Light
What we like about these hiking socks:
- Durable
- Lifetime warranty
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Comfortable
- Odor resistant
- It doesn’t slide down
What we didn’t like:
- Expensive
The Farm to Feet Damascus socks is constructed and made of 100% American materials. These socks are designed to be tough and last long distances, created explicitly with long hikers in mind.
These socks have a unique targeted cushioning and slight compression in the heel and on top of the instep, which will help prevent any pain from shoelace pressure, which can come in handy for long, steep descents.
We highly recommend these Damascus socks for rugged backpacking trips in trail runners or hiking boots when minimalist socks aren’t enough.
3. Smartwool Performance Hike
Height: Crew, micro, mini & mid crew
Fabric: 56% merino wool, 41% nylon, 3% elastane
Cushioning: Light
What we like about these hiking socks:
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Comfortable
- Odor resistant
- It doesn’t slide down
What we didn’t like:
- Expensive
The Smartwool Performance Hike socks are some of the best all-around hiking socks. They are designed with a snug, anatomical fit, and padding for excellent breathability in all the right places.
They have stricter wool in the heel and toe which lengthens their lifespan, and excellent moisture wicking properties to keep your feet dry in wet or cold conditions.
4. Balega Hidden Comfort
Height: No show
Fabric: 100% polyester
Cushioning: Medium
What we like about these hiking socks:
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- It doesn’t slide down
What we didn’t like:
- Warmer than some
- Not odor-resistant
- Not very durable
If you’re looking for a pair of hiking socks that are lightly padded but still comfortable, then the Balega Hidden Comfort hiking socks might be the one you’re looking for. They come with soft tabs at the ankle that keeps them from sliding down.
The plush padding across the sole makes them warmer and less breathable than some, but it does not mean they’re less comfortable, especially in cold weather. They are an excellent, comfortable choice if you look for low-cut comfy socks for daily use.
5. Injinji Run
Height: No show and crew
Fabric: 67% nylon, 28% CoolMax polyester, 5% Lycra spandex
Cushioning: Medium and ultralight
What we like about these hiking socks:
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Comfortable
- Prevents toe blisters
- Affordable
What we didn’t like:
- It takes longer to put on
- Not odor-resistant
- Lack long term durability
The Injinji Run hiking socks are one of the most popular toe socks there in the market, and for a good reason too. They’re great for reducing friction between your toes, affordable, and highly breathable.
They do an outstanding job keeping your toes dry on the trail, too, thanks to the design that wraps each toe in moisture-wicking fabric. Toe socks may feel a little strange at first, but they might be worth getting used to if you often struggle with blisters on your toes.
Should You Hike In Sandals?
There are many debates in regards to this question, but in the end, it all depends on your preferences and what you’re most comfortable in for hiking.
If you find that you prefer hiking in sandals, then you should do just that. You can stick to your hiking shoes and boots if you don’t. Both hiking sandals and shoes are designed for hiking, so both are suitable to walk in regardless of preference.
Hiking sandals are designed to be used specifically on the trails. They have all the features of your regular hiking shoes or boots – arch support, durable straps, and rugged soles to keep you grounded on your hikes. Some varieties may even offer toe protection as well.
They are primarily designed to get wet, but they also dry much faster than your regular hiking shoes, so that’s a plus point. If you’re not a fan of heavy boots, hiking sandals will make a great alternative as they are the most breathable and lightweight hiking footwear option.
Wearing Socks With Hiking Sandals – What To Avoid
When you are wearing your hiking sandals with socks on, we’d recommend avoiding bodies of water as much as possible. It can cause your socks to get wet, annoying, and uncomfortable.
You also risk getting an infection if you have open cuts or bruises on your feet and the possibility of getting a water-borne illness, even from a puddle.
Bacteria can breed in stagnant waters and when you have any open cuts or bruises, it increases the chance of an infection.
Stepping into and walking through shrubs, bushes, or any plant clusters you’re not sure of should also be avoided.
This is because certain plants can be poisonous, prickly, or both and it can be excruciatingly painful to step on a poisonous plant or a thorny bush.
You know what they say; better to be safe than sorry.
Are Socks Supposed To Be Worn With Sandals?
Despite being considered a fashion faux-pas and the unique “German on vacation” trademark look, wearing socks with sandals can open a wide range of opportunities while offering increased warmth and comfort – when it’s styled right. Wearing socks with hiking sandals can be especially helpful during cool summer nights on the trails.
Why Do Hikers Wear Sandals?
Hikers usually wear sandals so that their feet can breathe and benefit from the sun and breeze to keep them dry. This is because wet feet accompanied by friction can cause blisters, which can cause a lot of discomfort and misery on your hikes. While hotspots can still happen where straps rub on your feet, it’s easier to avoid with sandals.
Is It Okay To Wear Sandals For Hiking?
Yes, it is okay to wear sandals for hiking. Hiking in sandals has certain advantages that hiking boots or shoes cannot offer. With sandals, it would be much easier to deal with water crossings on your path and to eject pebbles that can get stuck between your feet and the footbed.
Conclusion
Now you know it’s alright to wear socks with your hiking sandals. But should you wear them? You can, but it depends on your preferences and what works best for you and your feet.
As long as your feet are comfortable, supported, and healthy when trying on these socks with your sandals, then we’re sure you’ll feel the same on your hiking trips. We hope you’ve found this article relevant and valuable, and we hope it helps you decide if you should get a pair of socks to go with your hiking sandals or not.
Good luck!
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