We're going to let you in on a secret: the recipe for a great winter hike! What are the ingredients to make this cold weather walk a magical moment? We suggest: a mountain draped in white, clear skies, a pretty path, a panoramic view from the summit, magnificent scenery, peaceful silence and possibly a gourmet restaurant to promise you comfort after all that effort...
However, this recipe is missing a key ingredient, our secret: a good hiking sock. So why is it so crucial to choose the right pair of thermal socks for trekking? If you don't, blisters, rubbing, muscular pain, pressure points, frozen toes and black nails will turn this walk that was supposed to be magical into a real struggle.
At Therm-ic, we've been experts in thermoregulation and comfort in the mountains for nearly 30 years. This know-how has enabled us to develop the best hiking socks for winter: warm, breathable, comfortable, technical socks that dry quickly and limit odours.
What are Thermal Socks? And How Can You Choose the Right Hiking Socks for Winter?
Thermal socks are technical socks that will keep your feet warm, even when it's cold or very cold.
A good thermal sock has a number of characteristics. In other words, a hiking sock must meet several criteria before it can be considered a good winter hiking sock.
1. Comfort:
- This involves protection in the most strategic places, i.e. insulating and cushioning pads that act as reinforcements in the most sensitive areas of the foot, after several hours' walking: the heel, Achilles tendon, ankle bone and toes.
- Comfort is also determined by the softness of the sock and that pleasant feeling you get when you put it on. It is particularly for this incomparable comfort that we incorporate merino wool into the composition of all our hiking socks dedicated to cold weather.
2. Breathability:
This means that the sock must allow optimal wicking of the moisture generated by perspiration or the external conditions. Why? Moisture is the worst enemy of an active foot: it opens the door to frozen toes and rubbing that quickly turns into blisters.
3. Fineness:
Your trekking sock should not be too thick, otherwise it risks taking up too much space in an already narrow walking boot. The thinness of the material enhances its imperceptibility and will limit rubbing.
4. Ideally Natural Composition:
Because this makes your sock a product that is kinder not only to your feet but also the planet. We'll go into more detail later in this article, but our winter hiking socks are largely made from bio-based fibres and responsible technological innovations.
5. Quick Drying:
If you want to be able to complete day after day or hour after hour of walking without problems or pain, your socks must have time to dry, even if your night in the refuge is short or your lunch break at the hostel brief.
6. Anti-Odour Aspect:
Because this feature covers the antibacterial dimension along with the well-being of your neighbours 😊
What Are the Best Hiking Socks for Winter? Which Hiking Socks Should You Choose in Cold Weather?
There is no one and only 'best winter hiking sock' but rather a design perfectly tailored to your needs.
'TREKKING WARM CREW' Winter Hiking Sock:
A high, warm winter hiking sock, reaching mid-calf, perfectly suited to temperatures between -10°C and +5°C.
- 'Moisture Vent' technology, an innovative ventilation system
- Pure-ic® composition, high-performance bio-based fibres
'TREKKING TEMPERATE CREW' Winter Hiking Sock:
A high, warm and lightweight hiking sock with a double skin that is perfect for mid-season trekking in outdoor temperatures between -5°C and +10°C.
'TREKKING TEMPERATE CUSHION CREW' Winter Hiking Sock:
A high, warm and soft hiking sock reserved for walkers looking for comfort and planning a trek in cold or temperate weather, from -5°C to +10°C.
What Are the Ideal Socks for Autumn & Mid-Season?
The answer is virtually the same as the response that we gave for winter socks: we recommend ‘Trekking Temperate Cushion Crew’ and ‘Trekking Temperate Crew’ socks!
Can Hiking Socks Be Designed to Be Both High-Performance and Responsible?
Yes, it's possible! It's both a deep conviction and a goal that we've set ourselves, with the aim of committing to concrete actions and developments that move away from 'greenwashing'.
On the one hand, making strong, durable and reliable winter hiking socks. The more durable our product, the less quickly it wears out and the lower its environmental impact.
On the other hand, moving towards innovative natural fibre-based compositions including:
- Pure-ic®, bio-based high-tech yarns made solely from plants.
- Coolmax Ecomade®, a 100% eco-friendly breathable and refreshing fibre created from textile waste.
- Naturetexx Plasma®, a process that involves working merino wool in a more responsible way than the traditional process.
- Tencel®, a 100% ecological yarn derived from eucalyptus pulp.
How Can You Avoid Blisters in Your Hiking Socks?
This isn't a mere question, it's a real public dilemma given how common blisters are among hikers! Indeed, there are few trekking enthusiasts who don't end their walk with hot spots, chafing or, worse, blisters.
There is an array of solutions that are very simple to solve this issue:
- Choose breathable socks.
- Opt for a hiking sock with a double-skin structure.
- Use anti-chafing cream before putting on your hiking socks.
Optimisation of the ventilation system that you can particularly find incorporated into our hiking socks designed for cold weather: ‘Trekking Temperate Cushion Crew’ and ‘Trekking Temperate Crew’.
