Top 10 Military Sock Reviews

Check out the reviews and videos for these military socks and you be the judge which ones are best for your feet.

Whether you are training in the military or going out for your next GORUCK event – you will need a good pair of socks to protect your feet.

We have reviewed and personally tested these socks in the field during hiking, mountain biking, manual labor and garage gym workouts.

VERMONT DARN TOUGH

These are by far the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever owned. They don’t hold moisture or cause blisters like cotton, don’t overheat in warmer weather, and stay perfectly warm in cooler weather, even when wet or dirty.

The fit for the Darn Tough Merino Wool Sock is excellent (how many socks are available in 5 distinct sizes?), and so far they have never bunched up or slid down my calf while hiking.

After trekking in the same pair for several days (allowing them to air out overnight) they don’t seem to hold any odor and stay soft — not at all “crusty” in the morning. These have been up and down Mt. Adams with me and on numerous shorter hikes, with seemingly no change in fit or quality after many washes. I’m not sure if it’s really necessary, but I’ve always allowed them to air dry.

511 TACTICAL LEVEL 1

These socks are my go to if I am on a long hike or long distance mountain biking race. I will be the very first person to say that they are little expensive, BUT, they have to be the most comfortable and helpful socks I have ever worn.

My calves get swollen after biking all day in an endurance event. These 5.11 Tactical Level I socks helped keep my feet and legs from swelling as badly and were very comfortable all day.

I got my very first pair for free, by buying a pair of 5-11 tac. boots; and have washed and worn the original pair on numerous occasions. They seem to be holding up well and are still doing the job!

I have used the same pair for over 5 years now (rotating socks) and other than a few small holes they are good to go.

Question: Coach; What can I put on my toes to help prevent blisters when I am hiking?

My big toe keeps rubbing and I am trying to prevent that issue next time.

Answer: We have several athletes using Trail Toes: Phenomenal Ultra-Extreme, Anti-Friction Foot and Body Cream on their toes to prevent blisters. Just smear it on your feet – pull on your socks and your ready to go.

FOX RIVER MILITARY SOCK:
Simply put, one of the best boot kneesocks ever made. I rotated 5 pair during a 1 year tour in Iraq while I was in the US Army. They held up fine for the year during long patrols, even when wet.

The Fox River Military Boot Sock are well made and comfortable with “no blister” toe seams. If you need the best sock to wear with your combat boots, you can be sure these socks will serve you well. I am ready to buy several more packs of them.

SMARTWOOL

These socks are made with non-itch Merino wool and recycled nylon which will help you to extend your outdoor activities. These fabrics help to reduce friction and blisters which can derail any long hike.

This product has recently had eco-friendly makeover so look for more organic and renewal products in construction and sourcing. This sock has an elasticized arch brace for a secure fit and a flat-knit toe seam for additional comfort

SmartWool socks wick moisture and resist odor, keeping your feet dry and happy; designed for year-round wear, our comfortable socks keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s not

Smartwool socks are great on the hiking trails, ski slopes, running paths or doing everyday activities. SmartWool socks seem to fit better, and no foot rubbing or chafe, no blisters .

On a recent trip up into the mountains of North Carolina I got them wet while stepping into a stream. I hung them on a branch to dry and by mid morning the next day the socks were dried over night. With the wool there is no there is no odor even after 2 days of wear, 3 maybe if it is not too hot.

The Smartwool Trekking Sock last and last a long time. They are also great for wearing at home in cold climates also.

281-Z

These socks have a great look out of the box. They are made from natural products 70% Organic Cotton, 25% Nylon, 5% Elastane.

The toe and heel are reinforced by highly durable polyamide thread. The 281-Z boot sock has a comfortable fit and has bands on the foot and the cuff to prevent the sock from slipping down your ankle. The bands also provide a commpression effect which can enhance bloodflow during long endurance events or hours spent on your feet. Light cushioning softens the stepping, improves airflow and prevents sweating of the foot, which provide maximum wearing comfort of 281Z socks.

ODOR CONTROL. Structure and composition of the socks’ material help to avoid an unpleasant odor even with prolonged wearing. The socks’ fiber composition and specially designed airflow channels maintain high level of breathability and thermoregulation, so your feet won’t sweat, and if they do – the moisture will be quickly absorbed and removed and the odor will be ventilated from the foot.

These socks are machine washable and eco-friendly. The materials meet the “STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX”. Absence of banned colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, nickel, and other harmful components.

These socks are versatile and are designed to be used with summer military boots, mountaineering boots, hiking boots, working footwear and another types of professional footwear. Made from finest combed cotton. Combed cotton means that shorter fibres from the yarn are separated and remowed, making it stronger and softer to the skin.

DANNER
I love these socks. They have a snug comfortable fit and stay up on your leg and down bunch up. I have an issue with socks being to big or moving around a lot. The Danner TFX Hot Weather Drymax Socks form to your feet and are awesome! I have already recommended these to other guys in my platoon and am getting ready to buy 2 more pairs as backups. These are better than under armor socks that I had before.

FITS SOCKS

Since discovering FITS socks (made by a small Tennessee company) locally, I have been wearing them just about all the time. They are plush, soft and fit perfectly almost like shoes. Heel and the toe area feel like they are pre-formed or something. Your feet slides in and stays there.

The Fits Socks do not bind underneath your feet and the top does not slip down to your ankle. After a full day of hiking, they pretty much hold their shape and position. If you are a regular hiker, you already know how important and even critical this can be. I’ve given these socks to several friends and they love it as well.

WIGWAM

I bought two pair of these socks from Amazon.com a few years ago, one gray heather and one dark khaki. They were so comfortable that I bought two backup pairs, in case they became unavailable later. The backups are still in the original packages, because the first two pairs refuse to wear out. They’ve been worn and washed countless times, and they still show almost no wear.
They don’t pill, either. I use the Wigwam Hiking Pro Socks mostly as casual socks and for 2-4 mile outdoor walks; for hiking and serious outdoor activity that requires a hiking boot, I prefer a slightly thicker sock with a wicking liner. However, I’ve hiked in these socks, and they’re fine. I wear the socks without shoes around the house, which is usually a death sentence for the sole, but not with these Ultimax socks.

The socks wick well, and the inner loops provide a very comfortable cushion. These socks are a superior product and well worth the price.

PROSOK

I really like this sock for a long endurance event. I have a drawer full of Darn Tough, Smartwool, REI and Pearl Izumi socks and these are my #1 pick if I am going to a long distance endurance event.

I wore them at a recent GORUCK event and they performed great with no problems.

The PROSOK V2 Sock are worth their weight and dollar for dollar a good value. You cannot go wrong as these socks keep their shape, dry out quickly and don’t bunch down on your ankle.

THORLO COMBAT SOCKS
As a Marine I am constantly wearing boots. I have been stationed in some extremely cold areas of the world the past few years and it seems that no matter how much you bundle up your feet seem to get cold first. The Thorlo line of boot socks are some of the best boot socks I have ever worn.

The Thorlo Combat Boot sock are thick and very padded and they provide an ample amount of warmth for your feet even in the coldest of conditions. They are even great in warmer weather because they wick away the sweat from your feet and provide a cooler feel. They are by no means cheap socks, but if you are in boots as much as I am, they are worth every penny!

Love these socks. I wore this pair in Afghanistan and kept my feet from getting blistered on our long rucks.