Composition: 65% polyester, 14% acrylic, 16% nylon, 5% elastic

Best for: A highly durable option for three-season tramping, warm weather and wet trips.

Overview

The Light Hiking Crew eschews the properties of wool for Thorlo’s proprietary polyester fibre Thor-Wick Cool, which wicks moisture for foot comfort and blister protection. This snug sock is lightly padded in the ball and heel and has ventilation channels on the sides and arch of the foot. The high-volume terry loops of the fibre blend are designed to provide extra padding, dissipate friction, resist collapse from sweat or water and increase durability.

Trail test

This sock came into its own on hot days and during tramping with water crossings, where its wicking, low water retention and faster drying times were noted. Although it doesn’t have the foot-caressing plushness of a thicker sock, in hot or wet conditions it is ultimately more comfortable and lives up to Thorlo’s lofty comfort claims. The downside to its fully synthetic fibre combination is that it tends to be more odorous when worn for back-to-back days. But with that fibre selection comes durability: the polyester, nylon and acrylic combo will outlast wool-blend socks.