Overall

Rating: 9.6/10

Merino wool socks are an essential purchase for any serious hiker. I’ve bought dozens of pairs over the years from a number of brands, including Smartwool, Darn Tough, and countless others. These socks outperform other brands in almost every category and will probably be my top choice for Merino socks in the future.

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Methods

I received a pair of Wildly Goods about a year ago in a giveaway box, and I’ve been using them heavily for hiking and bumming around the house. I’ve taken them an estimated 400 miles, primarily with a pair of Fox River liners, and washed them at least 15-20 times. Recently, Wildly Good sent Max and I another pair of Campfires and Midnights in return for some feedback, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to write a review.

Features

Rating: 10/10

True to their word, Wildly Goods are soft, airy, and have never caused me blisters.

Tip: Nobody likes blisters. Find out how to prevent them.

The band keeps them firmly in place without constricting blood flow to my feet. They really do deter odors, and you can get a few wears out of them before having to wash them.

Durability

Rating: 10/10

My year-old socks are still in great shape and show no signs of breaking down. They have actually become more comfortable over time. There is some pilling visible on the outside of the sock, but I don’t think there is any sock on Earth that won’t pill after dozens of washes. One of the best features is that they don’t shrink in the wash. I’ve had a pair of Darn Toughs shrink so bad that they look like baby socks!

Comfort

Rating: 10/10

These socks are wonderfully soft. They add a ton of cushion while still maintaining breathability. I find them to be more comfortable than any other merino wool socks I’ve worn. I wear a women’s 8.5 and the “one size” works well for me. Max wears size men’s 10.5 and the “large” fit him well. Sadly, if your feet are over size 14, you’re out of luck.

Style

Rating: 10/10

There are six color variations to choose from, most featuring horizontal grey heathering. While there aren’t any fancy patterns to choose from, I find the overall look to be cozy and classic.

Value

Rating: 8/10

This is the only category where Wildly Good underperforms compared to Darn Tough and Smartwool. While priced lower than their competitors, Wildly Good socks only have a one year warranty. Smartwool socks feature a two year warranty, and each Darn Tough pair is guaranteed for life.

Max recently put this warranty to the test by sending in a pair of Darn Toughs with a hole in the toe. The socks were discovered to be a counterfeit pair, and Darn Tough still sent a replacement! You just can’t beat that commitment to quality.

Still not sure which hiking socks to buy? We’ve tested a lot of different ones. Read about our favorites and learn why we chose them.