Bombas' hiking socks are engineered for the outdoor adventurer, but they're comfortable enough to wear every day

When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

• Bombas is a startup that thrives on reinvention — from spending two years on redesigning the perfect gym sock to re-conceptualizing the ski sock. Now, we're taking a look at its hiking socks.
• Especially for outdoor gear, the devil is in the details — and that's one place Bombas characteristically shines.

When you make an effort to "get back to the basics" by spending more time out in nature, it's the basics of what you're bringing into the experience that ultimately make or break it.

Consider this: generally, you don't bring a lot on a hike. No matter the allure of 'glamping', I don't know many people who would do a cost-benefit analysis and still wind up lugging a portable pop-up shower 10-miles inland to a campsite. You take only the essentials, and in a place that is decidedly at the mercy of the elements, the quality and level of performance that those essentials are capable of are of exaggerated importance. Things like wet or too-thin socks on a hike can be pretty miserable. If you're just getting into the outdoors, it might not inspire you to head back anytime soon.

It's always nice to practice "better things, not more things" when shopping, but outdoor gear is the best example of value being king. In the instance of socks, it's immeasurably better out on the trail to have bought two pairs of really great hiking socks than eight that don't protect against blisters or provide adequate cushioning.

Bombas is sock startup that first appeared in 2013 and spent two years bringing the gym sock into the 21st century, addressing every annoying problem you can think of having with your pairs in the past. The socks are really great, and for that reason, Bombas is a favorite of the shopping team and of our readers. You can read more about them on their site or read our review here, but the most important thing to know are that Bombas socks typically have upgrades like blister tabs on the heel, extra cushioning in the footbeds, honeycomb stitching around the middle to fit arches, and special cotton that wicks away moisture and lets your feet breath throughout the day. On top of that, they also donate a pair of socks to a homeless shelter every time you buy a pair (and socks are the most asked-for and least-donated clothing item).

We like Bombas. Our readers like Bombas. So when they released hiking socks, I was excited to test them against my loyalty to traditional hiking socks, like Smartwool. I'm not overly brand-loyal in most aspects of my closet, but I am disproportionately so for outdoor gear. The companies that "get it" tend to have the experience and resources to keep making products that similarly "get it." So I figured that since Bombas already makes great gym socks, the hiking socks would likely follow suit.

Bombas sent over some pairs, and a majority of the team had a chance to try them out in real life.

You can read our thoughts and about individual experiences below if you'd like some added input before buying:

About Bombas' hiking socks:

Bombas' hiking socks show the same attention to detail as their gym socks. They're engineered with a full-cushioned leg and foot, temperature-regulating vents, a reinforced Achilles guard, and make use of Hex Tech engineering (more temperature control and moisture-wicking). Like other Bombas socks, they feature their iconic Honeycomb arch support system and Y-Stitched heel for extra comfort.

The men's hiking socks come in five neutral colors: navy, brown, black, black white, and mixed 4 which encompasses the four previous colors. The women's options come in eight color options: navy, black, brown, pink white, black and navy, and tree combinations of mixed 4. I actually appreciated the fun pink colors and the marled appearance, and wore them around the house and in everyday life as a result.

They retail at $16 which is on par with competitors you can find on REI. With Bombas, you can save 5% by grabbing a pack ($60.80 for four, bringing each pair down to $15.20).

Choosing a hiking sock:

When choosing hiking socks, there are a lot of things to consider: sock height, cushioning, fabric, and fit. The goal is not to have feet that are distractingly hot or uncomfortably cold and to end the day without sweat or blisters.

I prefer crew-height hiking socks (which Bombas' are) because they're longer than my footwear and prevent blisters, and they're tall enough to protect my calves from bugs and the elements. There's no odd gap between my pants and my socks.

Bombas' hiking socks have what I would say is medium cushioning, but with good ventilation. The heel and ball of the foot are cushioned enough to counteract blisters or abrasions, and to lock in warmth for cooler hikes, but the ventilation means that I wasn't uncomfortable in them even when I fell asleep with them on under the covers or stuffed them into winter boots.

Fabrics and fits to consider:

Fabric-wise, Bombas' are made from mostly cotton and polyester (62% Cotton, 31% Polyester, 3% Nylon, 3% Rubber, and 1% Spandex). You might find yourself erring towards wool socks since cotton can be slow to dry, but that wasn't a problem I experienced with these in the slush of our recent nor'easter. If your feet are going to be exposed to lots of snow, though, I would opt for Smartwool to be safe. However, Bombas' pairs aren't 100% cotton, and Polyester wicks away moisture quickly — the combination of the two and the careful percentages of each (62% and 31%) could be why Bombas' socks are soft (from the cotton) but feel well-ventilated and never sweaty (from the polyester).

In terms of fit, you're looking for a snug but not super tight feel. I had luck with Bombas', and thought they fit nicely without being restrictive (and therefore eventually irritating). They were cushioned without being repressive or clumsy.

Read our thoughts on and personal experiences with the hiking socks below:

Check out the full Bombas Hiking Socks collection here >>

Brandt Ranj, former assistant editor: Bombas designed its latest compression socks for hikers, and as someone who wore them to the gym, I think they really nailed it. While the pair I tried felt tight (these are called compression socks, after all) it was comfortable to wear nonetheless. The socks never slid or fell while I lunged, squatted, ran, planked, or worked on core exercises when I can't say for the normal pairs I'd wear. Instead, they stayed put and didn't feel gross after an hour-long workout, despite being sweaty. Whether you're taking a hike, or spending half an hour on the elliptical, Bombas' new socks are definitely worth it.

Mara Leighton, senior reporter: I am picky when it comes to comfort-focused or temperature-regulating clothes, especially when it's paired with physical activity. I run cold but overheat easily, so I typically prioritize breathability and air ventilation when I buy. After wearing Bombas' hiking socks, I can say they've earned their spot alongside my many Smartwool pairs. The fun colors and everyday comfort and versatility are a plus (though that cushioning means they don't fit in all my shoes), but what I most appreciated was their breathability. In terms of everyday life, I fell asleep in them under many covers, wore them in winter boots on the hot subway, cold outdoors, and in the office, and didn't find them sweaty at the end of the day. The cushioning isn't overkill so you won't get blisters but also doesn't make you feel like a mummy. I love that I can wear them hiking and around the city. They also wicked moisture away well during New York City's latest nor'easter, though I can't say how they'd hold up to being drenched.

David Slotnick, senior transportation reporter (formerly Reviews): I was happy to see that Bombas — an Insider Picks favorite — was coming out with a new line of hiking socks. There are a ton of different hiking and boot socks out there, but one consistent issue is that they're usually only good for cold or warm weather, not both. Bombas tries to make an all-weather alternative, and I think it does it well. A blend of materials including cotton, polyester, nylon, and rubber leads to a breathable, comfortable, temperature-regulated sock. They feature a great cushioned and supportive design which makes standing and walking a breeze, and they're equally at home in your winter Bean boots or your summer hikers. Best of all, at $16, the price is right — most competitors cost at least a few dollars more. The company shared a sample pair that I tested out for this review, but I'm planning to order three more pairs.

Connie Chen, senior reporter: I knew these hiking socks were here to stay when I wore them all day with a pair of boots that don't always give me quite the support I need. Usually, my feet hurt a little by the end of the day, but because I had the cushion of the slightly thicker-than-average hiking socks to soften the blow, I was much more comfortable. The socks were tight, but not restrictively so. Socks that slip and slide turn into more than a minor annoyance when they start to affect your performance, whether you're hiking up a sharp incline or trudging through mud. In these instances, the last thing you want to think about is your socks. Thankfully, the only time I thought of my Bombas socks was at the end of the day, when I took them off with the surprising realization that my feet weren't uncomfortable or gasping for air.

Malarie Gokey, deputy editor: The first time I pulled Bombas' socks on, I was impressed by how well cushioned they were. My feet felt almost as if they were being massaged while I walked. Obviously, these socks are meant for hiking, and I wasn't able to try them out on any mountainous terrain, but they were breathable and supportive during long walks around the city. I can easily imagine them being the socks I bring with me on my next trip to the wilds of Maine and Upstate New York. In the meantime, they're great socks for everyday wear, though they are thick and don't fit in all of my shoes.

Sally Kaplan, senior editor: I wore the Bombas hiking socks around Manhattan during a snowstorm to see how they hold up to moisture and cold. They definitely passed with flying colors, keeping my feet warm all day and preventing blisters from my boots (which weren't the most comfortable). I can't speak to how they hold up when actually hiking, but I can say that they're great for wearing in terrible NYC weather.

Bombas also stands by a 100% happiness guarantee, so if you decide to grab a pair and love them less than we did, they'll solve the problem by sending you new pair or issuing a refund.