Best Hunting Socks 2023 – Top Warm Socks for Hunters
Ever had a lousy sock day? I'm talking about the day you have everything ready to go hunting. You have your pair of hiking boots, shooting vest, insulated camo gloves, a cold-weather pants, and jacket. But when you reach for your socks, you find them all flimsy, bunchy and holding water like a sponge. Disappointing right?
When it comes to cold weather hunting, a bad sock day can happen to the best of us. This guide is meant for those who have had to go through that terrible ordeal and to prevent those who have not gone through it from falling victims to appalling socks.
We are going to review five of the best hunting socks on the market and tell you everything you need to know about them. By the end of this guide, you will have all the information you need to purchase the best socks for your hunting trip. It would be a shame to let a mere pair of socks ruin your experience, so without further ado, let us get right to it.
Quick Picks: Best Hunting Socks 2023
Benefits of buying the best hunting socks
They keep you warm
Hunting in cold weather can take its toll on your feet, especially if they are not well protected. Premium hunting socks are designed to keep the heat in and the cold out, thus leaving your feet warm, even in cold weather.
They provide extra support for your feet
Premium hunting socks are specially designed to support the calf of your feet, thus ensuring that you are comfortable, even on long hikes or when you stand for long.
They are durable
Ordinary socks tend to lose their grip on your foot after a short period in use. Premium hunting socks, on the other hand, are specially designed to avoid slipping, bunching and blistering, even when used for long.
They are cost-effective
Premium hunting socks cost more than regular socks, but they last longer and provide better service.
They are made with anti-odor and moisture management technology
When hunting, you often have to walk for long distances. Walking causes your feet to sweat, which then causes them to smell. Smelly feet can be very uncomfortable, not only for you but for the people around you as well. The presence of excessive moisture in your boots can be quite uncomfortable too.
Fortunately, premium hunting socks solve these two problems simultaneously. They are specially designed to absorb moisture from your feet, thus keeping them fresh. Their microbial features also further the freshness of your feet by preventing bad odor. With a good pair of hunting socks, your feet can remain fresh up to ten hours in the harshest environments.
Five of the best hunting socks on the market reviews
1. Darn Tough Hunter Over The Calf Extra Cushion Sock - Best Hunting Socks
When it comes to producing the best socks in the industry, Darn Tough is one of the best brands. The company produces the best category-specific socks for the casual, outdoor and even the lifestyle market.
Features
The Darn Tough Hunter socks are available in five sizes. You can choose from small, medium, large, extra-large (XL) to extra-extra-large (XXL). This is especially advantageous because their availability in a wide range of sizes means that you don't have to settle for a one-size-fits-all sock, which would otherwise lose its shape in a short period of time.
They come in grey, charcoal and forest-color; hence you can even get a pair that matches your outfit. Their dimensions are 1.1" X 0.9" X 0.5" and weigh about one pound. They are made from three different kinds of fabric: nylon, merino wool and Lycra spandex.
The fabric is awesome in a way that ensures no bunching, no slipping and no blisters of any kind appear on your feet. Merino wool is also known for its natural temperature regulation properties. Another upside to these socks is that they wick moisture; hence you don't feel itchy even when you keep them on for many hours. They can keep your feet fresh for up to ten hours.
These socks take cushioning to a whole other level. They are made of sturdiest, thickest and highest density cushioning available. Also, they have a high ratio of stitches per inch; hence they are more comfortable and durable. Darn Tough managed to do this without adding much bulkiness. Impressive! Right?
The slip-on closure feature enables you to slip them on with ease. Also, once you have them on, they stay tight on your calves and snug on your feet, thus keeping you warm. They also remove moisture from your skin. This is especially helpful if you like hunting during the winter season.
The Darn Tough socks dry quite fast. This is essential in keeping your feet hot during the summer and absolutely cool in the winter. They also repel odor; hence you don't have to get embarrassed about taking your shoes off in front of people after a tough day at work.
They have a terry loop piece of construction that assists to ensure your entire feet warm and cozy. Terry loop technique is used to reinforce double loop cautioning, which is essential for keeping warm. The ribbed support design is also a great feature that enables the socks to custom-fit the user and prevents slipping, bunching and blistering.
When you first put on the socks, you might feel uneasy due to the elasticity and thickness of the socks, which tend to squeeze your feet. We advise buying a larger size to give your feet enough space to move around.
Their ability to dry very fast and keep you warm during winter makes them perfect for all seasons.
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2. Carhartt Arctic Heavyweight Wool Boot Socks - Warmest Hunting Socks
The US-made Carhartt Arctic Heavyweight Wool Boot Socks have a soft cushioning to provide comfort and excellent thermal insulation. They are also made at a suitable length to ensure they fit with your work boots perfectly. They are made for rugged and cold climate work, thus making them perfect for winter hunting.
Features
These socks are made of 23% nylon, 1% spandex, 68% merino wool and 8% of other fiber. Carhartt's yarn makes it more durable. They are also capable of sweat transport, thermal regulation, and odor resistance.
Their dimensions are: 0.4” X 0.4” X 0.4” and weigh one pond.
They have a pull on closure that keeps your feet warm by giving them full closure. They are all machine-friendly; hence you don't have to worry about having to hand wash them after every time you use them. The top of the socks is manufactured in a way that prevents falling, binding and pitching, thus making them very comfortable.
They have abrasion-resistant fibers that maintain their cushion and make them comfortable to wear and long-lasting. The socks also have additional reinforcement in areas that have frequent movements like the heel and toes to make them last longer.
Among the many fascinating features of these socks is their fast dry technology. It helps remove sweat; hence you won't have to worry about having to change your socks when you are trudging in the woods.
The socks are made with a compression arch. They’re engineered in a way that they perfectly fit your feet and deliver the necessary support. The arch offers stability whenever you need to spend a long time standing and also provides full-motion support.
One of the most important features of outdoor socks is odor control. Lucky for you, these socks have it. The socks help fight odor using proprietary technology, thus keeping your feet smelling fresh.
Although these socks keep you warm, they are less effective in temperatures of -30 degrees; hence you need to prepare yourself with well insulated boots to protect your feet.
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3. Smartwool Hunt Crew Socks - Best Hunting Socks for Cold Weather
The USA-made Smartwool hunt crew socks are heavy-duty hence perfect for winter hunting. Their cost is quite substantial, but they make up for it through their high quality and top-notch knitting engineering.
Features
They are made of 76% merino wool, 1% elastin and 23% nylon. The extra yarn enables them to retain their warming properties even when they are wet, unlike nylon and cotton materials that when getting wet from sweat, they lose their insulation properties.
Their height is 8.5 inches, but they can be stretched to fit any leg in any calf. They have a tight, comfortable collar that ensures that once you put them on, you don't have to worry about them coming back down into your boot.
Apart from being super comfortable due to their dense cushioning, these socks provide optimum support in the arch of your foot, thus minimizing the discomfort to your feet that comes with long hikes and standing for long periods.
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4. PEOPLE SOCKS Merino wool crew socks - Best Winter Socks
If you need high quality, budget-friendly hunting socks, then the PEOPLE SOCKS Merino wool crew socks are the socks for you.
Features
They are made of 71% merino wool, 7% poly, 21% nylon and 1% spandex. Not only are they affordable, but they also provide an incredible balance between comfort and warmth. They come in a bundle of four pairs and considering their quality and affordability; they are just awesome.
These socks are antimicrobial, keep your feet fresh for a longer time and are exceptionally warm. They also wick away moisture, thus allowing your feet to breathe.
These merino wool crew socks keep your feet fuzzy and warm even in the extreme winter season. Although they are not extra cushiony, they keep your feet very comfortable. The extra wool enables them to retain their insulation properties even when they get wet from sweat or water.
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5. Soxnet Eco-Friendly Heavy Weight Recycled Cotton Thermals Boot Socks - Best Thermal Socks
If you are big on conserving the environment, then you should consider buying these socks. They are made of recycled cotton and are 100% eco-friendly. They are made of 66% polyester, 2% spandex, and 32% recycled cotton.
They are perfect for cold winter weather. They are very comfortable when worn with hiking or thermal insulation boots.
Comfort in mobility cannot get better than it does with these socks. They are cushioned to absorb shock hence keep you comfortable even when walking on rough terrain. They are also specially designed to provide calf support for your feet; therefore, they keep you comfortable even on long hikes or when you stand for a long time. You also don’t have to worry about them not fitting on your feet as they come in a variety of sizes (from size 7-11), which is the average range of adult feet size.
The company also provides customer support if you have any questions or problems with your order.
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Factors to consider and tips for buying the warmest hunting socks
Check for thermal qualities
Since the primary role of winter hunting socks is to keep your feet warm, you should buy socks that can keep you warm for a minimum of 10 hours. The thermal qualities of some socks are affected by moisture. You should, therefore, go for those that are not affected by moisture from sweat and water. A good example is Marino wool socks.
Avoid wool
Wool socks tend to lose their shape and hold on your feet after a long period of use. Also, they are likely to cause your feet to itch and smell because they don't absorb the extra moisture on your feet well enough to keep you fresh.
Check the type of material the socks are made of
The material the socks are made of has a significant effect on the quality of service they will provide you in different conditions. The material also affects comfort, thermal quality, and durability. As we mentioned above, when buying hunting socks, avoid those made of wool. Merino wool, on the other hand, is quite useful.
Durability
Whenever you buy a product, even if it is just a mere pair of socks, you want it to last. After all, who wants to sew their hard-earned money go down the drain? Buying a durable pair of hunting socks ensures that you not only get value for your money but also enjoy them longer.
Moisture and anti-odor management
During hunting trips, you often walk long distances. When you walk for a long distance, even in winter, your feet are bound to sweat. Sweat causes your feet to get uncomfortable and smell. You should, therefore, go for socks that have excellent moisture management and anti-odor properties. These features are, however, available in premium high-end socks only.
Price
This is probably the first thing that you should consider. The cost of an item dictates your ability to purchase it and, in most cases, says a lot about its quality. When shopping for hunting socks, set a price range, and then browse the features of the socks that match your budget. This enables you to pick the highest quality socks in your budget without having to strain your budget.
Key features
All hunting socks have different features that enable them to be best suited for certain environments and usage. You should, therefore, go for hunting socks whose features match your requirements. The key features to look out for in hunting socks are odor and moisture management, durability and arch support.
Conclusion - The Best Warmest Socks for Hunters
If you have ever had a bad sock day, now you know how to prevent it from happening again, and if you've never had one, you don't have to. We have reviewed five of the best hunting socks on the market from which you can choose from to make your hunting expedition seamless.
If none of the socks we have reviewed meet your requirements or budget, you can go shopping for one at your favorite store. Remember to put the factors we have stated in the buying guide into consideration. Once you consider all these factors, you are sure to end up with a high-quality product at a reasonable price.
Your choice in the kind of socks you wear when going hunting could mean the difference between a great experience and a frustrating one. So whenever you feel tempted to overlook the quality of socks to wear when going hunting, please don’t! You might end up ruining an otherwise would-have-been great experience.