Cold Feet On the Trail? Here Are the Best Winter Hiking Socks

Winter hikes can be magical, but cold feet could ruin your day. Enjoying the snow or crisp air is simpler when you can rely on good footwear that keeps your feet from getting sweaty, clammy, cold, or blistered. Luckily, there is a simple solution – wear high-quality graduated compression socks in fabrics adapted to your activity and weather conditions.

The best winter hiking socks tick all these essential boxes while looking chic and feeling fantastic. Read on to find out how to choose your next pair, why compression socks help when hiking, and which options are the best for your needs. By the end, you’ll know precisely which socks will keep you moving confidently through winter’s toughest trails.

Step into warmth and support — explore our winter-ready compression socks today.

Choosing the best socks for winter hiking requires looking at a few factors that will influence comfort and - importantly - how warm your feet stay in the conditions. Insulated, warm footwear is key, but you also need socks that let your feet breathe. Here are our top things you need to know.

When heading out on a winter hike, it is important to consider how well your socks keep your feet warm. This is why organizations like Utah State Parks advise hikers to use thermal socks and even bring a spare pair in their backpacks in case their feet get wet.

The solution is for you to pick warm fabrics that keep your feet well insulated, but don’t make them sweat. Merino wool compression socks are lightweight and breathable, ticking these boxes. The fact that air circulates at the skin’s surface and in and out of your footwear is key: there is no moisture building up and the temperature is regulated continuously.

Crucially, merino is quick-drying and antibacterial, too. So, if you do get your feet wet, swap to your spare merino wool socks and carry the wet ones in your backpack. They will dry quickly and you can wear them again the following day (or in the evening, while relaxing!).

It’s important to choose winter hiking socks that are moisture wicking. This is not just for cases where your feet get wet (as we’ve seen above, the best thing to do in that case is to change socks to stay warm and dry).

Your boots or hiking shoes may allow some snow in, which will get your socks a little wet, so it’s great to rely on a pair that will quickly dry up. Additionally, don’t underestimate how much you’ll sweat during a winter hike! Your feet can get as hot as in the summer, despite the low temperatures. If too much sweat builds up in the socks, the moisture from the sweat will cool down fast in low temperatures and cause your feet to get cold.

Merino wool socks are excellent for moisture-wicking and they also have the added advantage of being odor-resistant, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic. You won’t be worried about smelly feet or any infections or irritations, even when you’re out in heavy boots all day.

Breathable fabrics allow heat and moisture to escape, reducing overheating and sweating or that clingy feeling of the socks against your feet. When you walk or hike for hours, your feet will sweat, no matter how cold it is outside. The result can be friction against the socks, which could lead to blisters and discomfort. Having a breathable fabric like merino wool on your feet will make a huge difference. This is why merino compression socks are also preferred by skiers, whose feet stay warm in heavy boots, but can sweat a lot through the effort.

One big mistake that winter hikers make is layering up too many socks or wearing thick, but loose-fitting socks to stay warm. This can lead to bunching and folding, which will make your boots feel tighter and can end up hurting your feet or lower legs. Moreover, if your socks roll down because they’re too loose, they are more likely to let snow or rain in - making you cold and wet!

Instead, look for socks that hug the lower legs and stay put all day. Vim & Vigr compression socks are designed to stay in place, with a comfortable wide band underneath the knee and graduated compression material that not only applies pressure to the legs, but also stimulates healthy blood flow to help you feel energized.

Graduated compression socks are tighter at the ankles and slowly decrease pressure as they climb to just below the knee. This helps stimulate circulation in the lower limbs, which is great for keeping your feet and legs warm in cold temperatures. Moreover, a boost in blood flow from compression socks reduces the risk of swelling and pain during long days out. And you’ll even feel extra stability and support through the joints and for the calf muscles when wearing compression socks for winter hikes.

With all that pulling and readjusting, some winter hiking socks end up having a relatively short life. This is disappointing and unsustainable, not to mention a sting on your wallet. Vim & Vigr compression socks are made with high-quality, durable fabrics such as merino wool or moisture-wicking nylon, designed to withstand changing temperatures, humidity levels, and levels of activity. By putting them on carefully and looking after them according to our instructions, you’ll guarantee a long life for your socks, reaping the benefits of compression and staying warm and comfortable on all your winter hikes.

At Vim & Vigr, we believe in stylish, functional compression, but we know that not everyone has the same muscles and lower leg morphology. This is why we’ve created different sizing options, starting with a clear guide available on all product pages. This lets you map your calf circumference to your shoe size to come up with the right fit for you. And, if you have wider calves, we have a whole collection that will fit you.

Finally, conditions can vary a lot in winter. You might find yourself hiking through pouring rain or on a dry day with crispy, hard snow underfoot. It’s important that you adapt your socks to the weather to feel comfortable in all conditions.

Vim & Vigr compression socks allow you to do just that. Cotton compression socks can be worn in pretty much any conditions but will be less moisture-wicking than their merino wool counterparts. We recommend nylon socks for athletic activities, which can include fast hikes, but may end up a little cold in the depth of winter. For optimal temperature regulation, merino wool is ideal. Or, if you’re heading out in not-so-cold conditions but still want to ensure your feet stay dry, opt for moisture-wicking nylon. There’s a fabric for pretty much any need!

Compression socks can be great partners for backpacking and hiking, no matter the season. They help support your joints when walking long distances and boost circulation so that your feet are less likely to get cold. They are also a great recovery accessory.

When you’re out hiking in any weather, your lower leg veins must fight against gravity. This places pressure on your circulatory system in the same way as when you spend long periods of time standing or sitting at work.

Graduated compression socks are designed to stimulate the blood flow upwards, reducing the risk of it pooling at the extremities. As a result, hikers benefit from ongoing healthy circulation, avoiding swelling, discomfort, and blood clots. Moreover, better blood flow prevents the cold from setting in, to an extent.

Stimulating blood flow and supporting the lower leg muscles both lead to a lesser feeling of fatigue when you’re hiking in the cold. The best socks for winter hiking also keep you energized, thanks to the therapeutic pressure from compression and to the added warmth and support from high-quality temperature-regulating materials.

If you’re hiking in the cold, your muscles may feel stiff and a little slow to “warm up.” Wearing a pair of Vim & Vigr graduated compression socks helps boost blood flow, which means you can warm up the calf muscles before you start walking and give them a helpful wake-up massage. Additionally, quality fabrics like merino wool are thermoregulating and will keep you warm while letting your feet breathe and stay dry.

While some benefits of wearing compression socks are disputed, a systematic review of studies on the topic found that some of the unequivocal positives included reduced muscle oscillations and increased skin temperature. Both lead to lower levels of perceived fatigue and cold - two essential reasons why compression garments may be the best socks for hiking in winter.

Curious which style fits your stride? Browse our collection and find your perfect pair.

So, you’re looking for a pair of the best socks for winter hiking among the Vim & Vigr collection. We have stylish, effective, and supportive socks in a range of fabrics to suit you as you hit the trails.

Key benefits of wearing merino wool socks in winter include keeping warm, allowing your feet to breathe and stay dry, quick drying if you get wet, and odor control. Merino wool fibers are hypoallergenic and antibacterial, so they’re great to wear if you have sensitive skin or are healing from cuts and grazes (but be careful: don’t put compression socks over open cuts!). The antibacterial properties mean that, even when you sweat, there is less chance that bacteria will develop and create an unpleasant odor. So, you can take off your hiking boots without any concern about how your feet will smell at the end of the day!

We also appreciate that faster, more performance focused hikers will be using lightweight hiking shoes and look for a more athletic feel. This is why we’ve created the Vim & Vigr moisture-wick nylon blend. These socks move seamlessly with you, support your muscles and joints, and keep your feet from sweating excessively as you hit the trails.

If you’re spending more of your winter hiking time at a lower intensity and want soft, breathable fabrics that you can also rely on for everyday wear, our cotton compression socks are a great choice. Wear them before or after hikes, during apres-ski hangouts with friends, or even as you go out for a moderate winter walk. They are just not as effective at moisture-wicking as the other types, so we wouldn’t advise wearing them for long hikes.

Depending on your plans, here’s what we recommend:

• Merino wool hiking compression socks for long hikes and days in the mountains, in cold weather or when there’s a risk of getting your feet wet (e.g., hiking in the snow).
• Moisture-wicking nylon compression socks for faster hikes, worn with hiking trainers or trail running shoes, but still keeping your feet dry and sweat-free.
• Cotton compression socks for soft recovery and everyday wear and for short hikes with lower chance of getting wet.

Still not sure how to choose the best socks for winter hiking? We’ve got the answers to some common issues to get you all set for the cold season.

Cold-weather adventures demand socks that work with your body, not against it. Hikers with wide calves often struggle with socks that dig in or roll down, both of which can cut into circulation. Vim & Vigr’s wide-calf options solve this by offering the same graduated compression with a more generous, stay-put fit.

Open-toe styles can be a smart choice if you need toe mobility or use toe warmers. Use them when you’re recovering indoors from your big hike.

Finally, always try your socks on with your boots or shoes before you head out on your hike. Thicker socks may take up more room than you expect and suddenly, your comfortable boots are too tight. That’s why we recommend switching between merino wool and moisture-wick nylon, depending on how tight your footwear is.

Compression is one of the most effective ways to stop the sock annoyances that ruin a winter hike. A properly fitted pair hugs your lower legs, reducing the friction that causes heel rub, bunching under the arch, or midday slippage. The key here is to wear socks that fit correctly, so always refer to the sizing guide on our Vim & Vigr socks’ product pages before you buy.

Our quality knit construction ensures you benefit from graduated pressure, smooth fabric against the skin, and fewer hot spots. That means a lower risk of getting blisters, even when you’re slogging through snow or wearing big heavy boots.

Winter hikers have different needs depending on terrain, temperature, and how long they’ll be on their feet. At Vim & Vigr, we offer different levels of compression to support these needs and adapt to what your body will most benefit from.

Lower compression (15–20 mmHg) suits casual cold-weather walks or shorter day hikes, offering support without feeling overly snug. For long, sustained climbs or multi-day trips, a firmer level (20–30 mmHg) helps fight swelling and maintain circulation as temperatures drop. Tailor your comfort by trying both and seeing how you respond. For some people, sticking with the lower compression is better as they get used to the feeling of therapeutic pressure.

Ready to hike in comfort and confidence? Discover compression socks designed for the trail.

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Charles, T., Mackintosh, D., Healy, B., Perrin, K., Weatherall, M., & Beasley, R. (2011). Merino wool graduated compression stocking increases lower limb venous blood flow: a randomized controlled trial. Advances in therapy, 28(3), 227–237. Read it here.

Ivankovic, T., Rajic, A., Ercegovic Razic, S., Rolland du Roscoat, S., & Skenderi, Z. (2022). Antibacterial Properties of Non-Modified Wool, Determined and Discussed in Relation to ISO 20645:2004 Standard. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(6), 1876. Read it here.

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Utah State Parks. (2022). Winter Hiking Tips for Beginners. Read it here.

Weakley, J., Broatch, J., O'Riordan, S., Morrison, M., Maniar, N., & Halson, S. L. (2022). Putting the Squeeze on Compression Garments: Current Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research: A Systematic Scoping Review. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52(5), 1141–1160. Read it here.