Summer trekking socks for marches and hikes

Summer trekking socks for service and long treks

Summer trekking socks are for anyone who spends long hours in closed footwear in the heat: on a march, during training, in the field or on a hike. In summer your feet sweat more, and damp skin chafes the fastest. That is why summer tactical socks are made lighter, with ventilation zones and reinforcement where the foot rubs against the footwear. Prices range from 150 to 350 UAH, and models for other seasons are in the tactical socks category.

Which height to choose

No-show socks such as the Pentagon Invisible and short Pentagon Low Cut hide inside sneakers or low boots and barely add any warmth. Their downside is that in high footwear the edge of the cuff will rub the ankle directly, and a no-show sock may slip down from the heel during long walking.

The high versions of the "Gloria" and "Basic" socks cover the leg above the top of the boot: the fabric takes the friction instead of the skin, and less grass and dust gets to the foot. The low variants of the same lines are a compromise for light boots and lightweight footwear.

What to look for in the composition and construction

Summer socks mostly combine cotton with polyamide and elastane. Cotton feels pleasant on the skin but dries slowly, polyamide adds durability, and elastane keeps the shape. The "Gloria" is listed as 70% cotton, 25% polyamide and 5% elastane, and the "Basic" as 78% cotton, 17% polyamide and 5% elastane, so the "Gloria" has more synthetic content.

Check whether there are reinforced heel and toe areas, ventilation mesh on the instep and over the toes, a flat seam, and an arch band that holds the sock in place on the foot. A rough seam over the toes or fabric that bunches into folds will give you a blister after a day's march even in broken-in footwear.

Frequently asked questions

How many pairs of trekking socks should I take on a trip?

Have at least one spare pair for each day out. Cotton socks absorb sweat and dry slowly, and wet fabric chafes the foot. Put on a dry pair at the rest stop and dry the damp one on your backpack.

How do I choose the size?

Choose a range where your size falls not at the very edge. A sock that is too big bunches into folds under the heel, while one that is too tight presses on the toes and wears through faster. Size charts differ between models, so check them on the page of the specific pair.