SmartWool Trekking Heavy Crew Sock

I’ll preface this review with my cut and paste statement that I work as a backcountry backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park. Nearly all of the products I take the time to review have seen at least a half a season, if not more, of use... and I’m committed to not bothering to write a review until I feel like I’ve really gotten to know a product. I never thought I’d bother to write reviews, but I’ve recently decided that since I’ve spent so much time over these last many years reading reviews, and finding a tremendous amount of value in articulate and well-informed opinions, that I wanted to give back to the community. So, with that being said, here we go...

After trying myriad combinations of different socks, and different sock liner combinations... I finally came back to these. No liners. Granted... feet, socks, liners, boots... its so subjective. So, here's a little info. I have a very narrow, low-volume foot... about a 11.5 B or C. I wear Zamberlan Steeps, and was at first horribly concerned with filling such a high volume boot. I picked up some Ed Viesturs insoles (the greatest aftermarket insoles ever made), and those along with these socks are a match made in heaven. On very rare occasions I might use a Smartwool liner along with these, particularly if I'm going to be doing some grueling uphills where I might get some heel rub due to not being able to keep my heel seated in the heel cup all the time.

I really wanted to love the PhD version of these, which are incredible comfortable, bu there's one very serious issue with them - the way they are padded and stitched will create pressure points on one's foot. I wore them on a trip once and after one day I came back to these. These are so well designed, so durable, and so incredibly comfortable that I'm beginning to stock up on them.

These truly are the best backpacking socks I've ever used. Out of all my gear they are in the top three or four for most important to me.

PS. As for odor, I've worn one pair on a nine day trip and had absolutely zero funk. I had a backup pair that saw one day of use while I washed these and let them dry.

PPS. I'm very warm-blooded, and I wear these while backpacking in the Sierras in summer. On very rare occasions I'll find them a bit warm, but never so much so that they're troublesome.

If I'm doing big miles in cold weather or with a lot of weight on my back ... these are what I pack. I use liners with these as they're very thick and have a tendency to move around a little bit more than the mid weight hiker. Still, I love them ... they give me an added feeling of security when I'm shlepping 50 plus pounds over steep and technical terrain. As with all other Smartwool products, they're durable and maintain their shape and compression through many washes.

I've used Thorlos and other brand socks and after just one season of use had the elastic wear out in them. The only way you would have to buy another pair of SmartWools is to lose them! That has been my only problem, my dryer seems to eat them and I somehow have random singles left! This is a serious sock that other sock's wish they could be like when they grow up! Like others have said; Look past the price this is an investment that won't disapoint you!

If I could afford it I would get rid of every cotton sock I owned and buy only SmartWool socks! They rule in every category, including the elusive style (ok, maybe you don't look that hip with sandals and fluffy earthy green wool socks! But you bought them because these socks DO WORK!) Don't deny the gravitational pull you have to hit the 'Ad to Cart' button. They call to you, young grasshopper, and you must answer!

Comfortable, plush, and warm. I am pretty sure everyone has a good idea of Smartwool's quality, especially the socks.

These are my favorite cold weather hiking socks. They do a good job of keeping my feet dry and making sure blisters don't pop up. My feet stay nice and warm even on chill inducing ice climbs. I wash them with normal loads, but always line dry. They still look new after 8 months of use.

The Trekking Heavy Crew is a perfect blend of warmth and fit. They stay in place very well and don't pack out as quickly as other brands during use. I find them very durable and easy to care for. This sock will last for years: wear, wash with wool wash, hang dry. Awesome sock!

The most comfy hiking socks I've ever owned. They're soft, plush and durable. Highly recommended for long hikes, including treks up and back down big mountains like what we have here in Colorado.

I've had a pair of these trekkers for years & the only thing I've noticed is part of the Smart Wool name on the soles are warn away. Very comfortable & temperature adjustable, meaning they'll keep your your tired dogs warm when necessary & not overheat them on the other hand. They dry quickly & being wool, insulate when wet. Good long term investment.

These things hold up and made my feet really happy. I wore just one pair for 14 days of hiking (and changed into camp socks at night) with river crossings, mud, weird moss that would suck you in like quick sand, 80 degree temps down to freezing... My feet didn't have a single blister. With that being said, they aren't magical by any means. They were nasty after that amount of time in use. My expedition tent mates aptly named them "leeches".

The padding is really good, the quality of the wool is good, I would recommend these to anyone who enjoys happy feet.

If you are reading this review. BUY THEM! you will not be sorry.

Great cold weathers socks, wore them with a thin liner to climb mt. washington
(january: with temps as low as -14f) and never had cold feet.
and theyre sooooooooo squishy comfy!

Of all the hiking socks I've tried, these are the best. They are comfortable, they don't stretch out or sag, and soles are nicely cushioned. I bought one pair just to try them out, but ended up buying a couple more for an upcoming backpacking trip. They are definitely worth a try if you're looking for a nice wool hiking sock.

Sweet Socks! I wear them around town where it's pretty cool in the winter. When I'm on the mountain snowshoeing or snowboarding I put a thin layer underneath. I do wear a size 6 1/2 womens and they're slightly loose. I won't buy another pair for that reason. I am looking for a children's equivalent!

During the winter months -- and parts of spring and fall, too -- I simply live in these socks. They are just perfect. plus, like all Smartwool socks, there's never a hint of any scratchiness. Comfortable, warm, yet breathable -- great for snowshoeing or just hanging out at home.

I have three pairs of these and wear them in cool weather around town and in the woods. For hiking/camping, they are my go-to socks when the mercury gets below 40F, but it's not so cold out to require full-on over-the-calf winter socks (SmartWool Mountaineering).

In two years of use, they have lost some of the interior padding due to normal wear and tear, but the padding is still there and the socks have not fossilized like a cotton sock or low-quality wool sock does.

If I had to change one thing, I would make the padding a little less on the top of the foot to encourage ventilation.

I hiked Alaska’s arctic tundra for more than two weeks over a blanket of snow. Temperatures were never above freezing. My two pairs of SmartWool Heavy Crew socks kept my feet warm and dry. My only regret was that I did not purchase four pairs. The cold, damp environment would prevented my boots from drying through the night. Thankfully, the wool fiber absorbed the moisture trapped in the boot to protect my feet.

thickest sock i own and very warm. fits to size and very comfortable. not itchy at all

Very comfortable sock. But I would put this sock in the medium weight class, not heavy weight.

I have other brand merino wool socks from which I make the comparison. Woolpower socks are my serious expedition socks I use in the backcountry.

I'm a believer in purchasing high quality gear, and that's exactly what these socks are. Sliding these on your feet for the first time is like a little piece of heaven. I work outside a lot and the warmth of these socks makes it much more comfortable. Totally worth the money!

My better half in an arborist and a certified sock and boot destroyer. He plays in trees and ASV's daily, so his clothes have to truly function. These socks are amazing. If I buy him anything else, they are promptly returned or used as cleaning mits in the garage. As always, a safe bet and a wonderful investment. They never, ever get holes in them and they always come out of the dryer looking new.

These socks are comfy and durable, keep my feet warm and dry, and are what ALL socks should be.

I'm a senior citizen who had an ankle fusion when I was in my 20s.
I got a hold of the Smartwool Trekking (heavy cushion) socks and believe me...if you want comfort, they have it!!
I need a lot of softness under my foot and finally I have it with the Trekking sock.
Now I only wish there were other colors besides gray to choose from for people like me!

Pricey, but we got what we paid for. My wife's feet are usually cold when hiking and XC-skiing. Her feet were warm for both, with these SmartWools.

Comfortable and warm! I wear these when snowshoeing and playing in the snow and they keep my feet nice and warm. Easy to care for too. SmartWool makes nice products I also have their mid-weight socks and a neck gaiter. All very nice products.

He's a forest service fire fighter and these are the only socks he'll wear.

I wore these socks on a hike in 20 degree weather and my feet stayed warm and toasty. I was afraid that they'd be too thick for my hiking boots but my boots felt fine over the socks. I've found that you can't go wrong with SmartWool.

I forget how many pairs of Smartwools I have now of varying thicknesses because they are so comfortable. Even after years of use the inside of the sock resists piling and stays soft and smooth, unlike every cotton sock I've ever worn. And it's true what they say about wet wool still being warm. After a day of hiking in knee to waist high snow (which was beginning to melt in March) in Colorado I took my Smartwools off at the end of the day and was amazed that my feet had been warm given how wet the socks (and boots) were. Fantastic socks. Cotton = bad. Smartwool = good.

Im a guy with a allergy to wool, it always made me at least itch, and some times get rash even with a t shirt and or another layer between.
But, over last few years Iv read about how great this merino and smart wool items are, so I decided to try it. ITs Great! I gave mine the test, I just did not hike in them on a balmy 99 F day here in Oklahoma, I mowed my yard and have worn them while working in a blazing hot kitchen etc. My feet did not itch and in fact my feet were more comfortable than when Im wearing my fav pair of cotton outdoor socks.

Im looking forward to fall/winter to try out other clothing made from this material.

I just backpacked (with 40 lbs.) to Keet Seel (Anasazi Indian Ruins) at the Navajo National Monument near Kayenta, Arizona. Anyone who has hiked to Keet Seel know the 17 mile round trip trek through Keet Seel Canyon is 50% in water up to your ankles. Having said all of this the SmartWool Heavy Trekking Crew Socks preformed magnificently. No blisters, feet never felt waterlogged, and after washing twice looked brand new. SmartWool in my backpack from now on!!

I always had a problem skating with cotton socks where my skates would rub in certain spots, and my toes would freeze. Then I bought these socks, and it did the trick. Keeps my feet warm, while providing great cushioning against my skates. I also used them on some cold weather hikes, or simply wearing them in the house when the floors are cold. My boots are insulated, so they are a little too warm for the general hike.

These socks are the best. I've been using them for several years in orienteering races and adventure races. They provide outstanding cushion and I have never had more than a pea sized blister using them, even after 14-15hrs of continuous trekking on trails and off camber bushwhacking. They dry quickly enough (the key is also wearing shoes that dry quickly - no waterproof shoes!). I wear a size 15 shoe so these socks go a long way in helping make the very limited selection of trail shoes more comfortable to use.

These are really comfortable and seem to hold up well. I wasn't sure how I would like the wool socks but they are great.

...in every way.

-JS

I bought these socks as a stocking stuffer for my sister who now loves them. This is a lot coming from someone who refuses to wear wool on account of it being too itchy - which is certainly not these case with these. Since I can convert her, these socks deserve a 6-star rating.

My feet didn't get any blisters, and after 5 days of wearing these socks they didn't even smell that bad. Sweet!