5 best socks for winter camping: tried & tested for 2023
Our round up of the best socks for winter camping
Winter camping can be an amazing experience but it does come with some challenges.
One of the most important things to have is the right socks.
Wearing wool socks is often your best choice because they keep your feet warm and dry, even when walking through snow or slush.
Wool socks are high quality, durable, comfortable and affordable so now you no longer have an excuse for not wearing them on your next winter camping trip!
In a hurry? Here’s our top 3 picks for best socks for winter camping.
Best natural socks for winter camping
- 100% wool
- machine washable
- fight odor
DG Hill Thermal Acrylic Socks 2-Pack
Best budget socks for winter camping
- 93% acrylic, 6% polyester and 1% spandex
- fleece-lined interior
- cushioned footbed
- 2-pack
Snow Deer Rechargeable Electric Heated Socks
Best battery heated socks for winter camping
- 75% polyester, 15% elastane and 10% nylon
- replaceable battery packs
- three heat settings
5 best socks for winter camping
1. Smartwool PhD Hunt Socks
A merino wool performance sock made for extreme weather conditions
Smartwool offers some of the warmest and most comfortable socks on the market today.
Designed for campers, hikers, and skiers, their main aim on top of warmth is to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
The PhD Hunt socks feature mesh ventilation zones for moisture management and breathability while the 4-degree elite fit system absorbs impact on rough and rocky terrain.
Made from a blend of merino wool, nylon, and elastane, they provide durability, perfect stretch, and medium cushioning for those long likes through extreme weather conditions or to just keep you cozy while you sleep.
2. Snow Deer Rechargeable Electric Heated Socks
Most highly rated heated socks for maximum warmth on a winter camping trip
The Snow Deer rechargeable electric heated socks are the most highly rated heated socks on Amazon.
The battery packs fit snuggly in the top of the sock to ensure maximum comfort on your feet.
While obviously heavier than your standard sock, they can be worn on light hikes, but are much more suited for when you are sitting still whether that be around the campfire or inside your tent.
The socks use far-reaching infrared heating elements at the toes which stimulate your blood circulation to make the whole of your foot warmer.
The polyester, nylon, elastane blend ensures the socks remain absorbent, breathable, and quick-drying.
The heel and toe areas are padded for extra reinforcement and shock absorption on rocky terrain.
The socks feature three heat settings so you can find the perfect temperature for your feet, and each battery pack (spares are available on Amazon here) can last anywhere between 2.5-6 hours depending on the heat setting you choose.
3. Carhartt Extremes Boot Socks
100% wool sock for maximum warmth and odor control
The Carhartt Extremes boot socks were designed for extremely cold temperatures.
Made from 100% they are super warm and perfect for wicking away any moisture, but can still be machined washed like a normal sock.
Another major plus for a fully natural material sock is odor control.
Wool naturally fights odor and will become smelly a lot slower than a synthetic sock will, meaning if you are trying to pack light, they are your best option.
They’re cushioned for ultimate comfort on long hikes or pottering around your tent like you’re wearing a slipper.
The ankle features vents to reduce bulk and allow breathability.
4. DG Hill Thermal Acrylic Socks 2-Pack
100% synthetic thermal sock for a budget price
The DG Hill thermal acyrlic socks are the perfect option if wool or natural fibers make you itch, you don’t want to use animal products, or you’re looking for a budget option.
Designed specifically for extreme temperatures they’re 7X warmer than 100% cotton socks.
The interior of the sock features brushed fleece lining for a super comfortable and soft fit whether you’re lounging or hiking.
The footbed is cushion-lined for hours of comfort despite the natural compression of standing on your feet.
The ribbed top of the sock allows you to fold the top over your boots so they stay up in even the most vigorous of adventures such as skiing or snowshoeing.
5. Danish Endurance Merino Wool Socks 3-Pack
A great mid-range pick to keep your feet warm and comfortable in cold temperatures
Danish Endurance designed their merino wool socks with Danish mountaineer Rasmus Kragh.
While the Merino wool content is a little on the low side for our liking, the price of them for a 3-pack makes them one of the best quality/price options on this list.
They obviously won’t be as warm as socks with higher merino wool content but will still provide plenty of warmth in very cold temperatures.
The Danish Endurance socks feature ventilation mesh lanes to wick away sweat and moisture while increasing breathability for exceptional odor control.
The targeted cushioning also makes them perfect for long hikes through less than ideal terrain.
They also come in a multitude of sizes suitable for kids, women and men.
Depending on whether you want natural or synthetic or straight up battery heated socks, we hope you’ve found something that suits your needs on this list.
Tried and tested by our hardcore winter campers, they’ll all keep your feet toasty warm in the coldest of weather.
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