A good sock will feel comfortable, provide cushioning to high impact areas, wick moisture away from your skin and help to maintain a consistent and comfortable foot temperature. They’re not complex to buy but we’ve listed out a few things to consider when you do…
Thickness

Activity

For example, you wouldn’t wear a running sock whilst out mountaineering because the level of cushioning and warmth would not be adequate enough for what is required. In the same respect you wouldn’t wear a mountaineering sock whilst out running as the warmth and cushioning would far exceed the level needed and make for a very uncomfortable sweaty run.
Footwear

Fabric

Cotton socks are a very popular casual choice but they’re not appropriate for strenuous activities such as hill walking, as they will absorb the moisture from your foot and keep it next to your skin for the rest of the day, making a perfect home for foot fungi that can be tricky to get rid of. They’re also coarser than other fabrics often leading to sore spots and blisters where alternative socks would not and they have zero insulation capabilities when they’re wet.
Layering

Water

Top Tips

2) Good technical socks can be expensive and always perform better when clean, save a little cash when going on a long trip by hand washing them at the end of the day and leave them to dry overnight if the conditions allow.