Hiking sock manufacturers usually don’t display the sock weight in grams or ounces. If you’re an ultralight hiker like me, it’s important to know the weight of each item, even your clothing, so that you can plan ahead and improve your base weight over time.
That’s why I gathered data about 66 popular hiking socks to understand how much hiking socks weigh on average. Down below, I’ll share the results of my findings, give you some other tips to consider when shopping for ultralight hiking socks, and share some of the best ultralight hiking sock models.
How Much Do Hiking Socks Weigh On Average
Hiking socks weigh between 40-130 grams (1.5 – 4.5 oz), with the average weight of a mid-height crew hiking sock being 74 grams (2.6 oz).
When compared by each brand, the lightest hiking socks are usually made by Farm to Feet, Bridgedale, and Darn Tough, and the heaviest by Smartwool and Sealskinz. If you’re deciding between SmartWool and Darn Tough, then Darn Tough will be the better choice if weight is important to you.
Most lightweight hiking socks weigh between 40-60 grams (1.4 – 2.1 oz), so by going ultralight, realistically, you can save only a few grams. However, you have to understand that the additional weight put on your legs is much worse than on your backpack. They say that each kilogram you put on your feet is like adding 10 kilograms to your back because you have to move this additional weight with every step you take.
But on the other hand, it’s also worth remembering that thicker socks will often result in fewer blisters and better insulation properties in the winter.
I wouldn’t say that it’s worth stressing over each gram individually, and instead, you should find a good balance between comfort and weight. I would say that socks in the 50-80 gram (1.8 – 2.8 oz) range are ideal choices for thru-hiking.
Understanding The Differences Between Ultra-Lightweight, Lightweight, Midweight, And Heavyweight Hiking Socks
When manufacturers describe a hiking sock as ultra-lightweight, they aren’t really describing the real weight of the sock. Instead, they talk about the weight of each yarn used in the fabric, which affects the sock’s thickness.
Ultra-lightweight socks will be made from a very thin and breathable fabric, and they’re meant to be used mostly for trail running in the summer.
Lightweight socks will have a bit more padding around the ankle and the heel, and the fabric will be a bit thicker. Generally, lightweight socks can be used for late spring, summer, and early autumn hiking, depending on the temperature. If you’re looking for a good thru-hiking sock that isn’t heavy, look for models marked as “lightweight”.
Midweight hiking socks will have more padding and they’ll be made from a thicker fabric. Generally, they can also be used in the winter, as long as the temperature isn’t too low. Midweight socks can also be used in the summer, but some people consider them to be too warm for summer hiking.
Heavyweight socks are the thickest hiking socks with the best insulation properties, and they’re usually used for skiing, mountaineering, or hiking in extra-cold temperatures.
Which Sock Height To Choose – No Show, Ankle, Crew, Or Knee-High
Another important factor to consider is the sock height because it will directly affect how heavy it is. For context, from all the data that we gathered, on average, ankle socks weigh 54 grams (1.9 oz) and crew socks 74 grams (2.6 oz), so by going with shorter socks, you’ll be saving some weight.
Generally, your hiking socks should be just a bit over your hiking shoe, so if you’re hiking with trail runners or hiking shoes, most no-show or ankle socks will be fine. With mid-weight hiking boots, you’ll need longer ankle socks or normal crew socks, and with long winter hiking boots – knee-high socks.
I personally like to have a combination of different height socks when thru-hiking. When doing my last thru-hike, I used a pair of Silverlight ankle socks and a pair of crew ones. Most of the time, I was hiking with ankle socks, but whenever it was raining or I was hiking through tougher trails, I switched to my crew socks. Longer socks are also beneficial to have for sleeping.
What Materials Should Hiking Socks Be Made Of
When talking about sock weight, another important thing to consider is its fabric composition. Most hiking socks should be made from merino wool, nylon, and elastane, which will result in good blister, odor, and water resistance, and great durability.
Merino wool is the lightest material with the best properties, but it isn’t too durable, so it has to be mixed with nylon or polyester, which is a bit heavier, but also more water-resistant. For optimal performance and weight, choose a sock with 40-70% merino wool, 20-50% synthetics, and 1-5% elastance.
Avoid hiking with cotton socks, because they’re heavy, soak up a lot of moisture, and cause blisters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best lightweight hiking socks?
There are several ultra-lightweight hiking socks that provide good enough blister protection and comfort. The best ones that I’ve found so far are the following:
– Bridgedale T2 Performance crew ultra-lightweight hiking socks (44g / 1.5 oz)
– Farm to Feet Patch Light ankle lightweight hiking socks (46 g / 1.6 oz)
– Farm to Feet Patch Light crew lightweight hiking socks (56 g / 2 oz)
– Darn Tough Bolt Micro crew ultra-lightweight hiking socks (56 g / 2 oz)
How much do Darn Tough socks weigh?
On average, Darn Tough hiking socks (crew height, medium size) weigh 63 grams (2.2 oz). Darn Tough makes some of the lightest hiking socks out there because they use ultra-fine, top-quality merino wool.
However, not all of their hiking socks are lightweight. Here’s how much some of their most popular hiking sock models weigh:
– Darn Tough Solid crew ultra-lightweight hiking socks (46g / 1.6 oz )
– Darn Tough Bolt Micro crew ultra-lightweight hiking socks (56 g / 2 oz)
– Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 ankle lightweight hiking socks (65 g / 2.3 oz)
– Darn Tough Micro crew midweight hiking socks (72 g / 2.5 oz)
– Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock crew midweight hiking socks (98 g / 3.4 oz)
Are thick hiking socks better than thin ones?
Thick hiking socks aren’t always better than thin ones. That’s because too thick of a sock can cause excessive sweating of your feet, and also extensive blister formation due to rubbing caused by too much cushioning.
Generally, you should use super thin hiking socks for trail running or short hikes in the summer (ultra-lightweight), thin socks with cushioning (lightweight) for spring, summer, and autumn thru-hiking, and very cushioned, thick ones (midweight) for winter hiking. Extra-cushioned socks (heavyweight) should only be used for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking in very low, freezing temperatures. (below -5 C / 23 F).