Material
Thermal socks that are durable and comfortable will have tight stitching and fit your foot snugly. Socks with a looser stick will not hold up to lots of wear and tear. If you can look through small holes in the sock the stitching is too loose. Socks that fit loosely tend to bunch; you end up walking on wadded balls of material. Most well made thermal socks are a blend of wool, cotton or other material. These blends allow the sock to breathe preventing the thermal sock from absorbing and holding sweat.
Comfort
Beyond function, the thermal sock must be comfortable. The best thermal socks created with comfort in mind, are made of a soft wool and are thick in key areas of the sock. The inside of the sock should not be scratchy or irritating, this will have you removing your socks almost as soon as the hike starts. A feature to look for is padded or extra thick material along the soles of the foot, heel and toes. The padded area of the sock gives cushioning during the hike and prevents blisters and sore feet.
Antibacterial
In this high tech world, even socks are not forgotten. Thermal socks with antimicrobial or antibacterial "technology" prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. This does help keep feet from smelling. The antimicrobial feature may also work to prevent blisters and other cuts from becoming infected and prevent the growth of athlete's foot.
Price
The best thermal socks are not an inexpensive purchase. The more features a thermal hiking sock has, the more expensive the sock tends to be. The best quality, material and durability also increase the cost of the sock. When comparing the features of various thermal socks to find the best one to meet your needs, consider the price of the sock as a minor point.
Article Written By Lynn Anders
Lynn Anders has more than 15 years of professional experience working as a zookeeper, wildlife/environmental/conservation educator and in nonprofit pet rescue. Writing since 2007, her work has appeared on various websites, covering pet-related, environmental, financial and parenting topics. Anders has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and biology from California State University, Sacramento.
