Longer days and higher mileage increase the demands of your running socks, with a premium on sustained comfort—from thermoregulation, moisture-wicking and low friction—as well as durability, to meet the challenges of ultra-long days on the trail. The following socks are all great options for keeping your feet cool and comfortable while building up the training miles.
FITS Light Hiker Crew
Fabric composition: 65% merino wool, 27% nylon, 6% polyester, 2% Lycra spandex
FITS is a company that makes 100% of its products in the USA, with an innovative approach to sock construction, including deeper heel sockets and wider forefoot profiles than other running socks, to accommodate a variety of foot shapes. They also have a wider range of sizes than most companies, with options from S to XXL. Their running-specific models are all low cut or no-show, but their hiking collection includes a number of different height options as well as multiple trail-friendly designs, and we have found them equally capable of handling ultra-distance training days. They include a high percentage of fine gauge merino wool (the highest merino percentage in this test group) with cushion zones in the heel, arch and forefoot. Nylon and polyester aid in moisture-wicking, and are also crafted to provide light, tapered upward compression to aid circulation and muscle support.