Spent $12 (on sale) for some Thorlos socks at Academy. They’re wonderful, but so pricey! Any other recommendations? Going to glacier national park this summer and need some good cushion!
Smart wool are my favorite socks ever. There are a great variety of cushy ones out there, but for real hiking I would go with a thin inner layer and thicker outer. The thin adheres to your feet, and the rub is between the two layers of sock, rather than sock and skin.
Another vote for Smartwool. Sierra Trading Post sometimes has them on sale. I prefer them over Thorlo.
Smartwool here these days, too. But they are also pricey.
For hiking, I bought several pairs of Wigwam socks and really, really like them. Granted the most miles we’ve done in one day was about 11, but absolutely nothing hurt on my feet afterwards. When I can do that many miles and say that, then I know I have the right socks as well as hiking boots.
By the way, I only really needed 3-4 pair total for a trip that was over a week as they are easy to wash out and they dry almost overnight.
I only wear Thorlo–sometimes it goes on sale–buy 3 and get 1 pair free with free shipping. My favs!
Sometimes they don’t dry overnight. When we went to New Zealand, I remember using the hairdryer to get my socks to dry.
Regardless, you don’t need more than three or four pairs.
I prefer Smart Wool hiking socks. I find that the Thorlo are too thick and don’t fit me as well. Completely agree with GLMom in post #1–layer!! You don’t want blisters.
Smartwool here too. I think I wear medium thickness, and only one pair. I have thorlos, but they are a little too padded for me.
My daughter swears by Injinji socks. She took two pairs and swapped them out each day (and washed the other pair or at least rinsed them if possible) when she was hiking the PCT through Washington last summer.
No help for OP on finding cheaper Thorlos, but for me the long hike socks are left/right foot fitted. Makes a huge difference in little toe fit. I get Keen although I prefer Salmon… they are hard to find though.
Thorlos are great socks to wear with my trail runners. I’ve hiked many rocky trails with this combination without ever getting a blister.
Smartwool are also great socks. I wear mine with a more traditional hiking boot (although I usually wear my trail runners these days).
It’s a personal preference. Test out the combination of shoes, socks and maybe inserts (I like Smartfeet) before you go.
For summer, Coolmax socks are more comfortable than the wool-blend socks. I buy REI brand because they are local and have great customer service. Drier feet means fewer blisters.
When I first read the title, I thought it was “Hiking sucks.” I was going to post, “I know.”
I’m a daily hiker and have tried many varieties. For winter, I like the medium or lightweight Cresta socks from LLBean.
But I was having trouble finding lighter weight but durable socks for summer hikes. My son introduced me to Balega, primarily known for running, but there are some higher (fitting) hiking socks that I absolutely love. Sold at our local specialty running store.
Balega is also a socially conscious company, which Iike. (For that matter, I am also a big LLBean fan in general).
For me, I wool and wool blends cause me to itch. When I wear Thorlos, I inly need them – no layering and no blisters. To avoid blisters, I feel Thorlos are a bargain and usually last me several years.
Sierra trading post will usually have hiking socks on sale. Another good place is 6pm. If you have a Nordstrom Rack, they often have smartwool socks there at good prices.
I like smartwool and Balega also. I have thorlo socks but am not as big a fan.
Another thumb (or should that be “big toe”? 
) up for Injinji. A tip from a runner: any minor loose threads inside your socks might be fine for a short hike. However, when you are walking miles and miles in them, this minor rubbing will be amplified and will compound to a problem. I usually turn my socks inside out, inspect for loose threads, and cut them off. It helps.