For most walking days in Snowdonia, buy the Bridgedale Merino Comfort Boot Socks, in a men’s fit or a women’s fit.
The merino blend and zonal padding make it the main pair for most walking days.
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Bridgedale Men's Merino Comfort Boot Socks
You want one cushioned pair for most walking days, in a men's fit
Bridgedale Men's Merino Comfort Boot Socks Boot height, zonal paddingMerino blend, flat toe seam Read the full specification on Amazon Bridgedale lists a boot-length sock with a zonal padding system. That means padding placed in set areas of the foot.
It also lists a flat toe seam to reduce seam bulk in the toe box. The merino blend and the padding make it the main pair.
It is made for long days in the hills.
Bridgedale Women's Merino Comfort Boot Socks
You want the cushioned main pair in a women's listing
Bridgedale Women's Merino Comfort Boot Socks Boot height, zonal paddingMerino wool, flat toe seam Read the full specification on Amazon This is Bridgedale’s women’s listing in the Merino Comfort range. Bridgedale lists zonal padding, a flat toe seam and merino wool.
Read the size chart on this listing before you order. Choose it if you want the cushioned main pair in the women’s listing.
Smartwool Women's Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks
You want lighter cushioning and a heel shaped for a women's foot
Smartwool Women's Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks Light cushioning, merino blendNarrower women's heel, flat-knit toe seam Read the full specification on Amazon Smartwool lists cushioning along the bottom of the foot and calls it light cushion. It also lists a merino wool blend, a flat-knit toe seam and a narrower women’s heel.
A lighter sock is the one to try if a cushioned pair feels tight in your boots. The narrower heel is the difference to look for.
FALKE Men's TK5 Hiking Socks
Your walks are easy and you want a lighter wool blend sock
FALKE Men's TK5 Hiking Socks Light cushioning, wool blendMid-calf length Read the full specification on Amazon FALKE describes the TK5 collection as light cushioning with a merino wool mix, for city trips and leisure walks. The Amazon listing gives a mid-calf length.
That makes it the lighter-cushioned pick for easy walks.
SEALSKINZ Raynham Waterproof Mid Length Sock
You want a second pair for boggy or very wet days
SEALSKINZ Raynham Waterproof Mid Length Sock Waterproof membrane, merino wool blend innerMid length Read the full specification on AmazonSealskinz lists three layers: a hard-wearing outer, a waterproof membrane and a merino wool blend inner. It is mid length with an open cuff, so water can still come in over the top.
Choose it as a second pair if you want a waterproof option for wet days.
Sealskinz advises sizing up if your size is at the upper end of the size band, because the sock is thicker than a normal one. Try it inside your boot before a wet day.
Main pair and waterproof option
Wear the cushioned pair most days. The waterproof sock is for wet ground, and water can still get in over its open cuff.
| Pair | When you wear it |
|---|---|
| Main pair: Bridgedale, or a lighter Smartwool or FALKE | Most walking days |
| Waterproof option: SEALSKINZ Raynham | Boggy or very wet ground |
A spare pair of dry socks stays dry in your bag, ready for a change after wet walking.
Cushioning, merino blend and fit
No sock can guarantee to solve blister or cold-foot problems. The choices you control are cushioning, material and fit.
- Cushioning: Bridgedale pads set areas of the foot. Smartwool and FALKE have light cushioning. Check how much padding fits your boots.
- Merino blend means merino wool mixed with synthetic fibres. The men’s Bridgedale sock includes polyester, nylon and elastane alongside the merino.
- Fit: order by the maker’s size chart, then try the sock inside your boot.
A flat toe seam reduces seam bulk in the toe box, as on the Bridgedale and Smartwool socks.
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Fitting the pair inside your boots
Put the socks on and lace the boots you will walk in. Padding takes up space that a thin sock does not, so check that the heel is held and the toes have room.
If the boots feel tight with a cushioned pair, check your walking boot fit before buying thicker socks. If you are still weighing boots or trainers, settle that first. The socks must fit inside whichever you wear.
For wet ground, gaiters are the other item to look at.
Pack the spare pair in a drybag. It does not need to be waterproof, and it gives you something dry to change into if the pair you wear gets wet.
