The last thing you want whilst you're out hiking and exploring is to get blisters or uncomfortable, wet feet. If you choose the wrong kind of walking socks, that can become a real possibility. However, if you have the right style of sock then you won't even realise that they're there. And that's the point! You've got so many other things to be focusing on whilst you're out, that sore feet are very much on the bottom of the list.

This guide is going to go through all the different materials, features, lengths etc that you will need to think about when purchasing your next pair of walking socks.

When you're hiking, your feet can take upto 1.5 times your body weight with every step. Then add in difficult terrains and they're really got a job to deal with. As we mentioned above, if you do wear the wrong style of socks, it can cause irritation, blisters and they can even reduce your circulation. If you do end up damaging your feet, it can really impact your hike and it may even mean that it has to be ended early.

Knowing how important your feet are, here's what you need to look out for when purchasing hiking socks.

When it comes to hiking socks, there are four main materials: the majority of the sock would be made from either merino wool or synthetic fibres, with a mix of nylon and elastane or waterproof membranes to add extra benefits.

Merino wool (as the name states) is a natural wool material. It feels incredibly soft, handles any temperature changes will and stays fresh for a long time. However, since it's a natural material, it's the more expensive of the two. Synthetic hiking socks have similar properties to merino wool however at a lower cost. They work well to wick sweat away from the skin, so would be a good choice if you're walking in warmer climates or tend to have sweatier feet.

When walking sock have added nylon and elastane, this is to help with the durability and stretch. It means your socks won't go baggy, and you'll get a good amount of wear from them.

Ensuring that your socks have the right fit and enough cushioning makes sure that your walk feels comfortable the entire way through and you're not constantly stopping to pull or re-arrange. You can tell the socks fit correctly as they should fit snug without being too tight or leaving any marks on the skin. When you walk around in them, you shouldn't feel like they're moving, riding up or down or irritating the skin in any way.

There's three different levels of cushioning, light, medium and heavy. Light cushioning creates a cooler, lighter sock. Ideal for short walks, warmer weather or if you don't want to feel like you have too much on your feet. Medium cushioning is the good all rounder. It has a nice amount of padding without feeling too thick, so works well for everyday. Heavy cushioned hiking socks are created to be worn on longer walks. Anywhere that has more difficult terrain or any environment were you may need that extra padded feeling.

Another feature you'll need to take into account when looking at socks is the length of them. Different lengths work better for different styles of shoes. Starting from the shortest, there's no show/low cut socks which work the best with trainer or lighter shoes. Then there's ankle socks which would be the go to for everyday walks and warmer weather. Crew socks are the length that work the best with walking boots, then the longest would be knee high socks which offer the more coverage and warmth.

When it comes to choosing your hiking socks, you need to think about your environment, the weather, the type of hiking shoes you'll be wearing etc. Take all of these into account then you can find the right hiking socks for your next adventure.