Warmer weather usually means that it’s time to put your boots in storage. While this may be true for most people, others don’t feel the same way. Regardless if you are hiking or working, there are cases where you need to wear boots even in summer.
A common misconception is that your feet need a good boot, completely disregarding the socks. It is true, but only to a certain point. In reality, the boots and the socks need to be an excellent match to provide you with comfort and protection while you’re wearing them.
To aid you in your search, I made a list of the best boot socks for hot weather, and I’ve outlined them in no particular order. As a bonus, I included an additional section that will help you decide which ones are the best for your needs.
Table of Contents
1. Thorlos Unisex ULHX Hiking Lite Cushion Crew
Thorlos decided to go in a slightly different direction with this model. With that, they managed to slim down these crew socks and make some improvements in the drying performance.
The light cushion means that you will be sacrificing thickness and supportiveness. In return, you are getting a relatively lightweight sock that can be used for everyday wearing.
75% of the material is a modified polyester that helps them dry faster, ensuring dry feet at all times.
- Light and comfortable
- Excellent drying performance
- There is some reinforcement on the toe and heel
- Toe seem has a low profile
- The padding is on the lighter side
2. Wrightsock Escape Crew Unisex
Another versatile pair of socks that you should consider is the Escape Crew from Wrightsock. Like the previous socks, these also have a light cushioning, but unlike them, these have two layers. As a result, you have more comfort.
You may find a slight downside is that as you wear them, the layers may start to buckle.
To reduce sliding between the two layers, Wrightsock designed Stabilizer Zones that keep both layers intertwined. Since these socks are made entirely of synthetic fabrics, it means that you get a speedy drying performance.
- Versatile use cases
- Quick-dry thanks to the synthesis materials
- Comfortable
- The top of the socks is made with mesh panels to improve breathing
- Dual layers may start to buckle over time
3. Darn Tough COOLMAX Micro Crew Cushion
If you’re looking for socks that can manage moisture in harsher conditions, the Darn Tough is a good choice. To achieve that, they are made from 34% Coolmax polyester.
The special knitting provides excellent comfort without sacrificing durability and performance. In addition to that, the toe seam is almost undetectable, removing any unpleasant feel during strenuous tasks.
Despite having medium cushioning, the Darn Tough are still very comfortable, regardless of how long you wear them.
- Excellent performance in various weather conditions
- Snug fit without circulation restrictions
- Durable and long-lasting
- Excellent cushioning provides better comfort
- You may feel more odor when compared to others
4. Smartwool Hiking Light Crew
Moving away from the synthetics, you have Smartwool’s Hiking Light socks. With over two-thirds of wool means that you avoid the negative sides of synthetics, like odor with prolonged wear.
Another positive aspect of having wool socks is that there are still very comfortable even though the cushion is light.
Things are not all positive, though, as wool socks tend to be a snugger fit than synthetic ones. Also, in extremely warm temperatures, your feet may end up soaking wet.
- Over two-thirds of the material is wool
- Odor-less experience even after several days of wear
- Comfortable to wear
- Long-lasting
- Not the best option for extremely high temperatures
Related Article: Smartwool vs Darn Tough: Which is Best?
5. GermaPro Hiking Boot Sock
GermaPro’s hiking socks are designed to provide excellent comfort, but you get some compromises with that.
On a positive note, the germanium-infused polyester is antibacterial, along with Coolmax fabric that helps your feet breathe. The downside is that due to the technology, you may struggle in higher temperatures.
There is some slight reinforcement on the toe and heel section, providing comfort. The active protection also helps eliminate frictions thanks to the reduced seam at the toe.
- Applicable for multiple applications
- Antibacterial
- Coolmax fabric that helps the feet breathe
- Reduced friction thanks to the active technology
- Not ideal for higher temperature
6. Cloudline Hiking Light Cushion Unisex
Another model of wool-based socks is the Cloudline’s Hiking Light Cushion set. They are made from 63% of ultra-soft wool, which gives them comfortable and antibacterial properties.
Despite the light cushion rating, the wool’s inclusion improves that and makes these socks very soft on your feet. There is some added reinforcement on the bottom that helps with durability.
The combination of materials makes these less than ideal in conditions with higher temperatures.
- The wool content provides comfort and antibacterial properties
- Odor-free even after several days of use
- Versatile in a wide range of temperatures
- Soft and comfortable
- Despite the light cushion, they are not the lightest on the feet
7. Wrightsock Coolmesh II Crew
The second Wrightsock model on this list is the Coolmesh II crew height socks. Like the previous one, the two layers help keep the durability while providing excellent breathing capabilities.
Both layers have over two-thirds of Dri-Wright II polyester that is very effective at removing moisture.
The lightweight design provides decent comfort, making these excellent even for daily use. A slight downside is that they may not be as long-lasting as some other models due to the mesh panel.
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Mesh design for improved breathability
- Dri-Wright II polyester helps reduce moisture
- Synthetic material makes enables quick dry
- Durability is only average
8. Wigwam Cool Lite Hiker Crew
People that want crew socks with better cushioning should look at the Wingman Cool Lite Hiker. The combination of syntenic materials and design provides a quick-drying performance while enabling your feet to breathe.
The Cool Lit Hiker has unique Ultimax moisture extraction properties that additionally help keep your feet dry.
Considering that you get socks with medium cushioning, you should expect to have slightly more comfort than most of the others. You also get additional support at the arch for an even better grip on your feet.
- Comfortable with medium cushioning
- Mesh design enables your feet to breathe
- Materials help dry the socks quickly
- Perfect for multiple conditions
- Not as pleasant on the skin as wool socks
9. Farm to Feet Damascus Light Targeted Cushion
The Farm to Feet Damascus Light Targeted has an excellent combination of wool and synthetic, trying to bring the best of both worlds.
On the wool side of things, these socks are comfortable on your feet and provide an odor-less experience.
For comfort, the wool acts as one cushioning system, while the padding does the rest. On most of the bottom, there is additional padding that makes them comfortable and helps with durability.
- Comfortable
- Additional padding provides durability
- Wool helps things cool and odor-free
- No seam on the toe for improved comfort
- One of the most expensive socks on the market
Related Article: Farm to Feet vs Darn Tough: Which Socks are Best?
10. Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion
The last socks I’ll mention on this list are the Darn Tough Hiker, which has something the others don’t – a lifetime warranty.
Like the previous model, these also have a high amount of wool, which is great for keeping your feet’ temperature under control. As medium cushioned socks, the wool helps with the softness and comfort.
Even though there isn’t as much synthetic as some of the other models, you could still dry them reasonably quickly.
- Lifetime warranty
- Wool keeps your feet at normal temperature
- Almost no seams
- Lightweight
- Not ideal for hotter climate
Things to consider when buying new boot socks for hot weather
All of the 10 socks models I mentioned in this list are good for hot weather, but there are unique in their own way. As they have a different set of features, it is essential to choose the ones that suit you the best. You should also keep in mind that there are tons of other options available as well.
To help you decide which ones to choose, I’ve outlined a few key factors.
Material
Looking at the list today, I outlined mainly two options: wool-based and synthetic socks. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
Wool is a common option for people that are looking for a longer wearing experience with limited drawbacks. These kinds of socks are usually comfortable to wear and softer than synthetic socks.
Another advantage they offer is with foot odor after wearing them for longer. Wool generally helps reduce the odor, so popular with workers or hikers who spend a lot of time with boots.
The biggest downside is that even though wool socks provide excellent temperature regulation, drying can be a problem. If you reach a point where your feet are sweaty, it will take a bit longer to dry.
Synthetic socks a basically the opposite of wool. They provide decent breathability meaning that your feet can stay dry a bit longer. On the subject of drying, once they get wet, you will be able to get them dry much sooner than wool socks.
A slight downside is that after prolonged wear, foot odor will appear, meaning that you’ll need to replace them. Since the socks are touching your skin, synthetic ones are a little less comfortable. People with sensitive skin should avoid them as they are prone to cause skin irritations.
Another downside is in the comfort department. Synthetic socks with light cushioning are less soft than wool socks. You may be okay with regular everyday use, but in some extreme conditions, you may experience discomfort.
There is a third material commonly used for socks, and it’s the one that you should try to avoid – cotton socks.
The lower-tiered brand has some cotton socks, which have only one advantage, but plenty of disadvantages.
The only positive side to cotton socks is the price, as they are the cheapest ones on the market.
As for the negative sides, there are plenty, but I’ll just mention the major ones. Cotton is a material that doesn’t allow your feet to breathe, resulting in sweat and soaking. The material is known for soaking liquids, meaning that the socks will absorb that as your feet get wet. Moist and the lack of any antibacterial properties means that infections can be expected, especially for boots in extreme conditions.
Height
A common mistake that some people make when buying socks is the height. They tend to focus mainly on the materials and features and disregard the height of the socks.
The general rule is to wear socks that are higher than your boots. This means that your skin will be protected from the inside of the boot. In some everyday situations, that may not be a problem, but for hiking or work, you’ll want that protection.
Going for lower socks often leads to skin irritations.
Comfort features
Ideally, you’ll want to have the most comfortable experience while wearing boots. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and in some instances, it may be overkill.
Weight is something that is often disregarded as irrelevant. Socks don’t weigh a ton, but for hiking or if you’re on the move constantly, you’ll want to keep the weight low. The problem with this is that the lighter the socks, the less padding you’ll have, meaning that softness and comfort may be compromised.
For comfort, it’s the same rule, and you’ll need to make some sacrifices. If you go for the most comfortable socks with the best cushioning, you should expect heavier socks.
When you spend your entire day in boots, you want to have socks that are capable of breathing. The better the circulation, the less sweaty your feet will be, resulting in a dry sock-wearing experience.
Size is another aspect you should consider when buying a new pair of socks for your boots. Every pair of socks is designed to be optimal for the correct size. Getting bigger socks than needed will result in buckling and discomfort when wearing them. Smaller socks will be a tighter squeeze, but the padding on the bottom will not cover the entire foot.
In both cases, the main zones designed for the most comfort will not be aligned with the correct locations on your feet.
Durability
Last but not least is durability. No one wants to have their brand-new socks see them go away in a few days. Less durable socks will lose their cushioning, comfort, or even structural strength quicker.
The primary consideration is that thicker socks are generally more durable and could last longer. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid thinner socks, but you should see if they would have enough elastane to keep their shape as you wear them.
There is no rule about this, and my suggestion is to check other people’s reviews or try to base your decision based on your previous experience.
Conclusion
Socks are the barrier between the skin on your feet and the inside of your boots. For everyday wear, some people may be fine with some lighter and cheaper options. On the other hand, for hiking or working with boots, getting the right pair of boots is crucial.
People who don’t know where to start buying a new pair of socks will find my list very helpful. On top of that, I’ve also included a section with considerations for purchasing new socks. It will help you make a good choice if the ones on my list don’t work for you.
