The 12 Warmest Winter Socks You Can Buy

Most socks don’t develop a cult following, but these aren’t most socks. Darn Tough are some of the most popular socks on gear roundups (including the fastidious Outdoor Gear Lab), drawing lifelong devotees to their hardy construction and lifetime warranty.

To buy: (men’s) amazon.com, from $17; (women’s) amazon.com, from $19

Smartwool socks often tie with Darn Tough at the top of testers' lists, with solid merino wool construction, fun patterns, and a slew of sock options for any activity. The PhD Outdoor Medium Crew is one of the most popular pairs, but they also offer heavier and lighter choices in varying lengths and a rainbow of colors.

To buy: (men’s) zappos.com, $24; (women’s) zappos.com, $26

Polar explorer Erik Larsen recommended the Wigwam Ice sock in his tips for managing the cold for GearJunkie. If it can stand up to expeditions over the tundra, the merino wool/nylon blend should be able to stand up to your coldest glacier hikes.

To buy: (unisex) amazon.com, from $16

Where better to source your merino wool socks than from New Zealand, home to both millions of sheep and some of the best hiking trails in the world? Icebreakers Hike+ offer an anatomical fit and full cushioning to make the best of both of those resources.

To buy: (men’s) icebreaker.com, $23; (women’s) icebreaker.com, $23

Uniqlo’s HeatTech technology claims to generate heat using your body’s natural moisture production and store that heat in pockets within the fabric. These futuristic socks are just as thin or thinner than your everyday pairs.

To buy: (men’s) uniqlo.com, $6; (women’s) uniqlo.com, $10

A favorite of Outside editors for winter hiking, Fits socks offer a deeper heel pocket than most other designs, which stops them from sliding down no matter how much walking you’re doing. Try the Medium Rugged Crew for inner merino cushioning and a nylon exterior to minimize abrasion.

To buy: (women’s) fitssock.com, $19 ; (men’s) fitssock.com, $19

The UnderArmour Unrivaled Crew socks with HeatGear are made for any gender but customized with specific left and right feet for full arch support and a better footbed fit.

To buy: (unisex) underarmour.com, $15

Sock brand Bombas was created when its founders set out to design the perfect sock after learning that socks were the most-requested item in homeless shelters. Their quest resulted in a company that donates one pair of socks for every pair purchased and offers detail-focused everyday merino wool socks specifically designed to stay up even within your fussiest pair of boots.

To buy: (men’s) bombas.com, $18; (women’s) bombas.com, $18

If you want compression and warmth on a long flight, these merino compression socks should do the trick, created with help from vascular surgeons.

To buy: (men’s) vimvigr.com, $35; (women’s) vimvigr.com, $35

Another Outdoor Gear Lab favorite, the Farm to Feet Damascus Midweight won praise for its versatile balance of durable fabrics and quick drying feature.

To buy: (unisex) amazon.com, $26

If your toes just don’t play nicely together, Injinji offers merino toe socks in weights ranging from the Everyday Crew to the Snow for full-foot engagement and individualized toe sweat wicking, just in case your pinky toe’s been slipping.

To buy: amazon.com, from $16

If you’re looking to buy in bulk, this Amazon favorite comes in packs for four for $35. Though they have a more limited color range, the local production and merino wool land them in the league with the rest of this list.

To buy: (large) amazon.com, $35; (small) amazon.com, $35

If you want to extend the life of your socks on a long trip, adding CoolMax liners will help wick sweat away from your feet — wear a new pair of thin liners with the same chunky sock for multiple days, helping cut down on packing volume.

To buy: (unisex) rei.com, $7