The Best Warm Socks of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Darn Tough lives up to its name with this pair. After wearing them for full days at home, on long neighborhood walks, and a couple of quicker uphill climbs, we noticed how reliably they stayed in place—no slipping into the heel, no bunching under the arch, and no shifting inside boots or sneakers. They hug the foot without squeezing it, lying flat and smooth, making them equally suitable for hiking boots or casual shoes. Inside, the merino wool feels soft and insulated with none of the itch people sometimes associate with wool, and the fabric stretches naturally with movement.

They also walk the line (pun intended) between warm and breathable better than most socks in this category. Our feet stayed comfortable during eight-hour indoor days and in roughly 50-degree Fahrenheit outdoor temps, never crossing into sweaty territory. After several washes, the socks retained their shape and elasticity with no pilling. While they aren’t heavy-duty enough for true winter sports, their versatility, comfort, and build quality justify the higher price.

The Details: S-XL | Wool, nylon, lycra

Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure senior editor, reached for these socks in all kinds of weather—from laid-back days at home to cool evenings in Iceland—and kept coming back to how “stretchy and fit comfortably” they were. Taller socks often squeeze her calves, but these didn’t; she could wear them pulled up or slouched, and they still “weren’t bunching up or sliding around in my boots either, which is the worst.” The merino wool–cashmere blend feels, as she put it, like “a chunky sweater for my feet,” warm without the heaviness or heat-trapping of thicker knits.

Cucco also appreciated the full-foot padding, seamless toe, and slightly thicker arch, which added comfort without feeling too restrictive. After washing, the socks bounced back to their original shape and stretch; however, she did notice pilling at the heel and sole. Still, for softness, warmth, and everyday wearability, they’re an excellent option.

The Details: S-L | Wool, cashmere, nylon, polyester, elastane

The first thing we noticed about these socks was how confidently they stay put. The tall over-the-calf design, paired with targeted compression at the calf, ankle, and arch, creates a supported, locked-in feel. We would have no problem wearing these for long hikes or as ski socks on the slopes. The wide top band keeps everything in place without pinching, and the interior features a soft, cushiony texture that feels warm without adding bulk. The technical knit, including fibers made from recycled coffee grounds, also helps manage moisture and odor.

Overall, the socks handled cool, damp mornings exceptionally well, keeping feet warm and comfortable while still breathing enough to avoid that swampy feeling. They run too hot in warmer weather, but for cold conditions or winter sports, the insulation is reliable and steady.

The Details: S, M | Carbon coffee recycled fiber, nylon, polyester, spandex

These thermal socks make an immediate case for themselves: they’re thick, cozy, and surprisingly soft inside, all while coming in at just $20 for a two-pack. We found them ultra-plush from the moment we pulled them on, and the brushed interior feels great against bare skin. The uniform thickness creates a cushioned, cozy feel that’s best suited for low-movement cold-weather days—think lounging at home, working at a desk, quick dog walks, or even sleeping. After several washes, they kept their shape without pilling or fraying, and while they’re clearly designed for softness over long-term durability, the comfort and warmth they deliver make these a steal.

The Details: 6-12.5 | Acrylic, polyester, cashmere

When it comes to truly waterproof socks, these Sealskinz socks stand out, handling water exactly as promised: We tested them on rainy walks, through wet grass, and even by standing in shallow water, and our feet stayed completely dry. The knit has a slightly structured, rubbery feel at first, but once on, the socks are comfortable and flexible enough for walking or light activity. Plus, their relatively thin profile also makes them easy to wear inside everyday shoes or boots, unlike many bulky waterproof designs.

While they’re clearly meant for warm or mild temperatures (as opposed to freezing-cold winter days), they excel in the conditions they’re built for. Camping, rainy errands, and wet outdoor work all felt more manageable thanks to their comfort and unexpected breathability.

The Details: S-XL | Nylon, bamboo rayon, elastane

Crafted with two types of wool—most notably, salvaged bison wool—these socks have the heft of a well-made sweater, but despite the dense knit, T+L writer Anne Taylor was “surprised at how comfortable they are.” The texture is slightly rougher than typical cozy socks, yet never itchy, and the elastic cuffs are “fairly tight,” keeping them from sliding without feeling restrictive.

Despite the substantial thickness, Taylor described them as “very breathable” and comfortable enough to wear around the house all day or on 45-minute dog walks without overheating. After washing, they kept their structure but developed a slightly “lived-in” look as the wool fibers relaxed. And while the price tag is higher than standard merino options, she believes the unique bison blend, solid construction, and the brand’s sustainability efforts made them “worth the money.”

The Details: S/M, M/L | Wool, nylon, spandex

These alpaca-blend socks quickly became a cold-weather staple during testing. T+L associate editor Anna Popp wore them just about everywhere—from chilly AC-blasting days at home to dog walks in Brooklyn and a 12-plus hour day running around Manhattan in heeled boots—and found them “really comfortable.” The medium size fit her true to size and stayed up without sliding or bunching. While she pointed out that the knit is “really thick,” the added volume functioned like extra cushioning inside boots, making long days on her feet feel easier.

She also noted that they stayed breathable and handled sweat well, keeping her feet dry throughout the day. After thousands of steps, they held their shape, resisted odor, and didn’t shrink in the wash.

The Details: S-XL | Wool, acrylic, nylon, lurex, spandex

Popp turns to these Smartwool Hike Crew Socks whenever she needs serious underfoot comfort on the trail. She loved the “dense layer of wool cushioning,” which felt noticeably warmer and more supportive than her usual hiking socks on longer treks. Even with that extra padding, the fit stayed smooth, with no slipping in boots, even on steeper terrain, and the lighter upper kept her feet moving comfortably without bulk. The upper portion is thinner and less cushioned than the footbed, so hikers who want full, all-around padding may find it a bit minimal up top.

Popp was also pleasantly surprised by how well they held up, noting there was no pilling—something she can’t say for many of the other hiking socks in her rotation—and that they’ve kept their shape wash after wash.

The Details: S-XL | Wool, nylon, elastane

Cold feet didn’t stand a chance in these heated socks from Gerbing. They warmed up within a couple of minutes, and the heat spread evenly along both the top and bottom of the foot—no hot spots or flickering warmth. Also, the merino wool blend is naturally insulating and stays warm even before the heat kicks in, while also solidly wicking away moisture. On low and medium settings, the warmth stayed steady, and battery life matched expectations—after a three-hour test on low, there was still charge left.

You can feel the heating elements underfoot, and they’re too bulky for snug shoes, but for outdoor lounging, cold-weather spectating, or any situation where your toes tend to freeze, they deliver dependable, full-foot warmth and solid comfort.

The Details: S/M, L/XL, XXL | Wool, nylon, elastane

These socks made an immediate impression on T+L writer Jasmine Gomez, who described them as “so cozy against bare skin.” Instead of a compressive structure, they have a relaxed, easy fit with a cuff that holds them in place without squeezing. Even when she slipped them into slightly loose loafers, they didn’t slide or bunch, and they worked just as well in boots and sneakers.

What surprised her most, though, was how breathable they are for something so warm. The knit has tiny openings that let air move through, keeping her feet dry whether she was lounging in pajamas, running errands, or commuting. They’re warm enough for all-day wear but never stifling, making them an ideal pick for slow, cozy days well spent lounging.

The Details: XS/S, M/L | Polyester, bamboo viscose, elastane