It’s no secret that the best hunting socks will keep your feet warm no matter how cold it gets outside.

Bear in mind that the best hunting socks in Texas for a deer hunt aren’t going to work the same way for a moose hunt in Maine; different conditions require different socks! 

Here is one of our top picks, the JHMYAR Heated socks. This sock is the best all around from the ones we tested, thanks to the intelligent heating control element and high-quality fabric that keep your feet feeling toasty throughout a hunt! 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best hunting socks out there.

Top Hunting Socks

Because hunting conditions vary so much, we are breaking out these best hunting socks into three temperature categories. We realize temperatures are relative to what you are used to, so we use cool, cold and below freezing and explain as follows.

• Freezing: This is when the temperature is anything below zero Fahrenheit, which eliminates much of the Deep South and Hawaii. Think hunting musk ox above the Arctic Circle.
• Cold: This is when the temperature is around 32 degrees Fahrenheit and is possible anywhere in the US except South Florida and maybe Hawaii.
• Cool: This is when the temperature is no lower than 33 degrees Fahrenheit and is possible anywhere in the US.

Freezing Weather

Freezing weather socks will stand up to the lowest temperatures. They will keep frostbite away. Wool is the best, but some modern materials, especially with battery power, run neck and neck with wool.

1. JHMYAR Heated socks – Best for Freezing Weather

JHMYAR Heated Socks will keep your extremities warm thanks to the rechargeable battery pack, and you can set the temperature from 95-167 degrees Fahrenheit. This is our top pick for freezing-weather socks.

You get infinite control within the temperature range and can even go up 1/10th of a degree if you want to. Since an app controls these socks, you do not have to bend over and fiddle with the controls.

Unplug the battery packs and keep them dry if you need to wade through water.

Specifications

• There are four layers of fabric with the heating element wires sandwiched between layers. 
• They come in two sizes. 
• They are machine washable after removing the battery pack. 
• These are made from cotton, so they do not work as well as wool. 
• They only come in black.

Pros

• You control the temperature through an app. 
• You also program how long the socks heat, which lets you avoid problems like low-temp burns and blisters. 
• You can set the heating cycle to your preference.

Cons

• The batteries run down. 
• If you run out of power in the middle of a hunt, you are just wearing socks. 
• Since these are cotton, wading through cold to freezing water is not advised.

2. Busy Socks Winter Warm Thermal Socks – Best Insulating Socks

When hunting, wearing layers is a good idea because they act as an insulator and trap air.  These hunting socks by Busy Socks help keep your feet feeling warm. 

You may need to go up a half size in footwear to accommodate these socks. If you use these as a layering sock, outer or inner layer, you may go up a full boot size.

Specifications

• They have 5 color options, black, dark grey, grey and two different striped patterns. 
• Medium fits men 6-9.5 and women 7-9.5. Large fits men 9-12 and women 10-13.
• These socks are not battery-powered, but they are quite thick.

Pros

• These socks are incredibly warm. 
• The fluffed inside is also quite comfortable. 
• Since these have no wool, you can wash them and dry on medium heat.

Cons

• These socks are quite thick, which means your current footwear may not be big enough. 

Cold Weather

In cold weather, you need socks that provide a buffer between the skin of your feet and whatever footwear you have on.

They also keep your feet at a reasonable temperature. Moisture wicking is important here.

3. Darn Tough Micro Cushion – Most Long-lasting Hunting Socks

When your feet need the best, then the Darn Tough Micro Cushion socks are for you. These socks go up to a size 17, which puts them at the top of our cold-weather sock list. The smallest size fits a 5.5 foot.

Specifications

• These come in boot length down to a ¼ sock for those times when you don’t want something reaching up your calf. 
• The fabric blend changes depending on the sock you choose.
• The least warm sock is a micro crew length consisting of 54% Nylon, 43% Merino Wool, and 3% Lycra Spandex blend. 
• The warmest is a boot length consisting of 66% Merino Wool, 32% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex blend. 
• The Merino wool gives you the moisture wicking and temp control you want from wool without the itchiness that comes from other wools. It also keeps it shape (less shrinking) than other wools.

Pros

• You get a lifetime guarantee for these socks; this guarantee includes getting pairs replaced. 
• This version has a wide variety of sizes and cuts.

Cons

• These socks only come in two colors.

4. Alvada Merino Wool Hiking Socks – Best Ventilated Socks

When the temperatures plummet to cold weather, the Alvada Merino Wool socks rise to the occasion.

They have a high wool content and maintain their insulating effects even if they get wet. If you need to cross a creek, you needn’t worry about your feet getting soaked. 

The generous sizes means if your foot is size 12 or smaller, you can double up if needed. The size limit is what puts this as the second choice in this category.

The merino wool has less of an itch factor than other wools. The nylon blend also works to keep the itchiness down.

Specifications 

• These socks consist of 80% Merino Wool, 15% Polyester, 4% Nylon, 1% Spandex. 
• They come in sizes 5 to 9.5 and 9.5 to 14.  
• These socks fit men and women.
• Comes in black or grey.

Pros

• They are comfortable and good for hiking because of reinforced areas and padding. 
• They have high wool content.

Cons

• You will need an extra pair for freezing weather.

5. Fox River Men’s Wick Dry Maximum – Best Socks for Layering

Fox River’s Men’s wick dry maximum is a top pick because of the material used to make the socks.

The high polypropylene (PP)) blend gives these socks a good insulation factor without the bulk of wool. PP is commonly used as insulation on electrical wires.

These are great socks to use as the second outer layer if you need to double up for freezing weather.

Specifications 

• This is a blend of 70% polypropylene, 28% nylon, 2% spandex. 
• It comes in coyote brown. 
• The socks are mid-calf length in sizes medium, large, and extra-large. The XL should fit feet up to size 15.

Pros

• These socks go over the calf.

Cons

• They come in only one color and one leg length. 

6. Under Armor Cold Gear

Coming in fourth place on the cold weather socks are the Under Armor Cold Gear socks, which are perfect for cold weather.

It’s worth noting that the fabric blend is not good enough to push these into the freezing weather category.

The over-the-calf length is a good choice if you are walking the woods where disease-carrying ticks are found. You can spray the socks with your choice of bug repellent.

Specifications

• The material varies with the socks you get. 
• The sizes are medium men 4-8 and women 6-9 and large men 8-12 and women 9-12.
• The sizes are mid-crew, crew and over-the-calf. 
• These socks come in several solid colors.

Pros

• A variety of material blends and sizes means you can find one to fit your needs.

Cons

• If your foot is bigger than a size 12, you are out of luck. 
• This also means if you foot is bigger than a size 10, you likely cannot use these socks as the outer layer of a double sock.

7. Darn Tough Vermont Women’s Cushion

The Darn Tough Vermont Women’s cushion socks are machine-washable and come with a strong wool lining.

These socks come in six different colors, and we highly recommend layering two pairs of them when hunting in freezing conditions. 

They are boot length or mid-length, which the company calls micro-crew.

Specifications

• These are a blend of 67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra Spandex. 
• The Spandex and nylon help hold the socks up. 
• These are machine washable.

Pros

• You can get boot-length socks and put a mid-length over that if you need to double up.

Cons

• These sock sizes are small, so they may not fit people with larger feet.

Cool Weather

Cool weather socks need to keep your feet comfortable. You do not need insulation, and you do not need something thick.

Mostly what you are looking for here is a liner between your feet and whatever footwear you have on.

It’s important to note that good socks will prevent blisters.

8. Dickies Men’s Dri-tech Moisture Control Crew Socks

Dickies already has a solid reputation for outwear. Their socks adhere to the same quality standards you expect from their other clothing lines. Dickies cool weather socks are available for both men and women. 

It’s worth noting women get a wider color choice. On the other hand, the men have a mostly cotton blend and the ladies are mostly polyester.

If you like cotton, get the men’s socks. If you prefer polyester or want more color, get the women’s socks.

Specifications

• The men’s blend consists of 71% Cotton, 27% Polyester and 2% Spandex.
• On the other hand, the women’s blend is 96% Polyester, 2% Spandex, and 2% Nylon.

Pros

• With this range of socks, it is easy to find a sock that fits your foot size.

Cons

• The socks are only one length, up on the calf. If you want shorter socks, you have to go elsewhere.

9. Fiedeer Women’s Hiking Socks

The Fiedeer women’s hiking socks rounds out our list of outdoor socks and the cool weather in particular.

These are meant to be long distance socks, so if you are headed out west to chase speed goats, these are a good addition to your traveling case.

If I did not have Dickies, these are the socks I would pack for fair weather hunting.

Specifications

• These are listed as women’s socks, so the sizes will run about a size and half smaller than men’s sizes. Order accordingly.
• The weave is cotton 78%, polyester 20% and spandex2%. These are OK to wash and toss in the dryer.
• The color selection is huge.

Pros

• These socks are made from cotton, which makes them comfortable and provides an excellent buffer between skin and footwear to prevent blisters.

Cons

• Because these are listed as ladies’ socks, if you wear much over a size 10.5 or 11 mens, these will not fit your foot. 
• The high cotton blend means if the weather takes a turn for the worse, they are not as good as wool.

10. Danish Endurance

The Danish Endurance socks are excellent for hunting and hiking in cool weather. The moisture wicking ability is something you will appreciate if temps get warmer than you expected.

They have a mesh side for increased breathability. The heel has extra cushioning, important for avoiding blisters when you are walking for hours. If you are not walking long distances, enjoy the cushion anyway.

You are limited to solid colors except for one three-pack that offers one pair of yellow & blue, one pair or gray and one pair of medium green and dark green. I have yet to hunt anything that cared what color my socks are.

Specifications 

• These socks are a nearly balanced natural and manmade material weave. 
• They are 30% Merino Wool, 36% Nylon, 33% Acrylic and 1% Elastane. Elastane and spandex are the same thing.

Pros

• The lower wool count is enough for comfort without overheating. If you sit in a blind, be sure to keep your feet out of direct sun to avoid overheating.

Cons

• These socks cannot be put in a dryer after washing them.

Buying Guide

Before you go out and buy winter hunting socks, you need to know a few things. If you buy the wrong socks, it can make your hunting trip miserable.

The right socks, especially when considering hunting gifts, let you forget about your feet and concentrate on the hunting experience.

Here are the points you need to keep in mind.

1. Size

Make sure you get socks to fit your feet. Make sure the measurements are appropriate to your country. US measurements are not the same as UK measurements.

2. Length. 

Make sure your socks are longer than your boots or shoes. You can roll the tops of your socks down over your boots and hold them in place with a string or rubber band. Too short means the boot is going to rub your skin.

3. Thickness. 

If you get thick socks, for freezing weather, you may need to increase your boots by a half size or a size. If your double the socks, you may need to increase your boot size. The time to learn about that is long before you pack to go hunting.

4. Terrain.

If you hunt mountains or rough country, padded socks are a good idea to help cushion your feet. If you plan to hunt where you need to wade or cross creeks, then get wool socks because they retain their insulating ability even when wet.

5. Days of the hunt. 

You can reuse your socks for multiple hunting days, if you can stand the smell of them. Washing them may not be an issue, but hanging them to dry in cold weather will be. Get a few extra pairs.

FAQs 

Conclusion

In this article, I walked you through a list of the best hunting socks. I strongly suspect that if you go out hunting and your feet get really cold, you are going to concentrate on the pain in your feet instead of the hunt.

This is why I make sure my socks match my expected hunting temps.
From this list, my top choice is Darn Tough Micro Cushion. They are comfortable and come in sizes that fit wide feet. They also come in various lengths.