How do you choose your hiking socks ?

"Sports" socks are now fairly identifiable by their patterns that highlight which parts of the sock are reinforced, or another type of knit that allows for more comfort or more breathability on a specific part of the foot. 
Well, hiking socks don't look "the same" as mountaineering or Nordic walking socks simply because the foot is not used in the same way! 
The reinforced areas will therefore be different, and so will the type of mesh.

In Nordic walking, the foot motion is on relatively regular ground and the movement is very repetitive. 
The areas reinforced to avoid friction are mainly under the foot to cushion and support the rolling of the foot.
In mountaineering, the socks are reinforced at the shin, the instep and the toes. What's more, they are higher and systematically warm.

As far as running socks are concerned, although they generally wick away perspiration very well, they are designed to support the foot in movements that are very different from those of hiking! 
As you can see, we could go round all the sports and their respective socks... For every foot movement, there is a sock.

Here we are going to focus on hiking socks ;)

This is a question that can be applied to other sports as well. There are average differences between "men's" and "women's" feet. However, even though there are sometimes differences in width (and size or volume, but again these are averages), these are fairly well compensated for by the socks with the elasticity of the material or simply by the type of knit. In short, socks are generally unisex. There may be different colour schemes, or ranges from 35 to 42, while others may be from 39 to 46 (or beyond depending on the manufacturer).

Cotton, a natural material par excellence, has the advantage of being comfortable.
On the other hand, it does not wick away moisture and dries slowly, which can lead to blisters on a long trip. 
What's more, if you go on a trek and you haven't brought enough socks to "go around", you risk having to put on socks that haven't had time to dry completely.

Cotton is therefore recommended for short hikes or walks.

Synthetic materials are quite strong and durable.

They have the great advantage that they wick away perspiration well and dry quickly.
This means you can carry less with you and lighten your backpack.
They are a good compromise for longer hikes.

Elastane provides good support and conforms to the shape of the foot, which prevents creases from forming.

Cordura, which is included in the composition of some socks, is known for its resistance to tearing and abrasion.
If you want to shine at a social event, Cordura was first created in 1929 and then developed for the army during the World War II.
Cordura is ideal for a long walk or a trek, as this material produces very resistant socks with a good life cycle.

Merino wool is comfortable, has odour control properties and insulates well against the cold. 
What's more, as it is thermoregulating, it also insulates against heat. 
Merino wool is anti-bacterial, but it does not wick away perspiration very well. 
This is why it is often combined with synthetic materials in our socks.

Merino is appreciated by trekkers in cold weather for keeping warm with less sweaty odours than synthetic materials (if you share a tent, this can be an important criteria...). It’s therefore the sock material of choice for winter trekking.

You will sometimes find socks with a Merino wool inner and a synthetic outer. 
This kind of fusion of fabrics combines the benefits of both in one sock to give you the best of both materials. 
It also means you don't have to choose between a warm natural material such as Merino, and the durability that synthetic materials can offer (which will better resist the friction of the shoe against your foot, especially at the heel).

A second criteria not to be overlooked when choosing your pair of hiking socks is the technical nature of your terrain. If you hike on trails with little difference in altitude or on steep mountain paths, your feet will not be used in the same way, and your needs in terms of socks will therefore be different.

On flat trails in the lowlands or forests, for example, you will need comfortable socks with as few seams as possible. 
You can then choose the material and weave in which your foot is most comfortable.

On the other hand, if you are going to hike in the mountains on technical trails with uneven ground, you can choose socks that are reinforced in the heel and toe areas. After all, you don't walk the same way on scree as on a flat dirt road.

The heel and toes are under a lot of pressure when climbing or descending and continuous pressure on your toes or heel can be painful after a while if you don't have suitable socks.
Look for more technical socks that wick moisture well and reduce the risk of rubbing, especially in the heel and toes, in addition to shoes with a toe bumper.

In any case, no matter where you practice, it’s important to choose the right size of socks. A sock that is too small or too big can quickly cause blisters. 
- A sock that is too big has too much material around the foot and is more likely to wrinkle.
- If the sock is too small, the risk is that the sock will be pulled into the shoe.

But what can you do when sports socks are sold in multiple sizes such as 39/42? Fortunately, the elastane in which the socks are made means they are more or less elastic and adapt to your foot. Also, the more "technical" the sock, the more precise the sizing! These more technical socks also often offer a distinction between the left and right foot for an anatomical shape that is closer to your feet (with the famous R/L for "right" and "left", stated on the toe of each sock).

Who said hiking wasn't a sport? You will sometimes sweat or feel breathless (because of the view, or because of the slope you have just climbed... the two are still not easy to distinguish).
Depending on the intensity of your walk, and therefore the possible sweating and friction of your feet in your shoes, you will need to look at different sock models, even if your walk is not that long.

We are not all equal when it comes to perspiration (whether in total quantity or in more or less prolific "areas"...).
If you don't sweat much on your feet, breathability will be less important for you. If, on the other hand, you are prone to perspiration, even when the effort is not very intense and the outside temperature is not so high, then you will have to turn to breathable socks even for a short walk in the forest.
Indeed, if you sweat a lot, and your foot stays in a humid environment, you increase your chances (well, rather your risks) of getting blisters due to maceration.

At Decathlon, we offer you socks that encourage perspiration wicking thanks to the "Air-Conditioning Channel®".
The synthetic fibre that makes up the structure of the sock is fine and ventilated which provides better moisture wicking! Indeed, beyond the material, it’s above all the way in which the mesh is made that will bring other advantages (including breathability) to a fabric.

If you are curious, you should know that the breathability of a fabric can be measured! 
From its little name "Thermal Evaporative Resistance" (or "R.E.T." to friends), this measurement means we can compare different materials according to their resistance to moisture wicking. Like in golf, the lower the R.E.T. Score, the better it is! This means that the fabric provides very little resistance to moisture wicking and is therefore breathable. To find out more, we've put together a short article on material breathability. Indeed, breathability affects other hiking clothes such as T-shirts, jumpers or even jackets!