Hunting Socks

Page Updated: Sept 2023

The importance of good quality, well-fitting hunting socks cannot be over-emphasized for an Africa safari. Your feet will take a lot of punishment on a hunt so choose your socks carefully. There are many types of 'performance' socks for different activities available which can be confusing. In addition you may have a foot condition, such as bunions, high arches or athlete's foot, to take into consideration which may affect your choice on sock fabric and support.

Choosing Good Hunting Socks

If you are buying new hunting boots or shoes to hunt in Africa, take into account the type of socks you will be wearing.
Light to middle-weight hiking-style socks should offer the right thickness (not too warm in the heat) and good support for most types of African hunting.
Comfortable for many hours of wear - get the right foot size and calf size - remembering your feet and/or ankles might swell in the heat or during your long-haul flight.
A good toe and heel fit is essential. Too long it will slip down your ankle and bunch-up on the top of your foot and round your toes. Too short, the sock will slip down into your shoe under your heel.
Provide your feet with stability with good boot/shoe contact.
Keep your feet dry by wicking moisture away.
Constructed with strategically placed support panels which prevent blisters and injuries by absorbing friction and reducing strain.
Lightweight and cushioning.
Merino wool is a good choice of fabric because it keeps your feet from becoming over-heated and it absorbs a lot of moisture.
Built-in synthetic support panels may give a good, comfortable fit but may make your feet too hot.
Pure cotton socks are not recommended as they absorb a lot of sweat and remain wet, so increasing the risk of blisters.
Consider wearing thin liner socks under your main socks. This will further wick moisture away into the over sock where it will evaporate.
Colour and the height of sock don't really matter, though if you are wearing high boots, the sock should extend past the boot top.

It is advisable to bring a selection of socks of different thickness. It is not unknown for feet to swell in the heat, making your footwear tighter than normal and a thick sock will compound the problem, which can lead to blisters. You may want to try wearing 2 pairs of thin socks over each other to reduce friction.

A worn-out sock with thin areas and holes are very likely to produce blisters.

Do not wear untested or brand new, unwashed socks.

When walking long distances, it is always a good idea to carry a spare pair. Change them regularly if your feet become sweaty or wet. A good tip is to dust your feet with talcum powder before you put on a clean, dry pair.

Hunting Socks For Men

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These 1000 Mile Blister-Free walking socks are essentially a sock within a sock. They feature a fully padded Achilles tendon protection working towards preventing injuries for the wearer and giving the sock a real cushioned feel. Support is also given from the arched bracing on the sock. Tactel inner layer wicks away perspiration as it aims to keep the foot dry and cool. Meanwhile a double-layered construction eliminates friction between the sock and the wearers shoe, therefore reducing the overall wear of the inner shoe and sock, preventing blisters. Buy Now

These Darn Tough men's Merino wool cushioned hiking socks have unsurpassed durability and come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. They will not slip, bunch or cause blisters with an undetectable seam fusion for an ultrasmooth fit. Fine Gauge Knitting: Unprecedented durability and our unique "put it on, forget it's on" feel. Buy Now

***NEW*** The heels and toes of these crew socks were designed extra strength and durability. They are made of the finest merino wool blended with nylon and lycra for softness, moisture management and odour control. Buy Now

These merino wool socks are naturally moisture wicking, temperature regulating and odour resistant. There is extra cushioning at the heel and toe, where you need it most. Buy Now

***NEW*** These midweight Merrell's hiking socks have Coolmax moisture wicking for faster drying. They come with extended cushioning where you need it most for heel-to-toe, blister-free comfort. Buy Now

These Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew socks are made of Merino wool which is soft, itch-free, odour and bacteria resistant, cool in the summer and warm in winter. The knitting technique creates a totally flat connection in the toe box, reducing bulk and eliminating blister friction. Buy Now

These socks are made with Insect Shield repellent in the fabric which lasts up 70 washes. They also come with cushioned footbed and ankles for comfort. Buy Now

These durable Bridgedale socks are made with soft Coolmax microfibres that wick away moisture and perspiration. The over the calf fit without bulky cushioning allows for the perfect fit in any boot. They are ideal for any warm weather activity where moisture is an issue. Buy Now

These Bridgedale lightweight Coolmax boot socks were designed for all day walking in warm climates. They have outstanding moisture wicking, resilient underfoot padding and durability. The boot length allows moisture to wick out of the footwear and evaporate from around the leg and cuff. Buy Now

These Darn Tough merino wool with Coolmax are engineered to move moisture away from your skin, to be fast drying and to enhance comfort. The construction and performance fit insures that the socks stay put and in place all day. No slipping. No bunching. No blisters. No hot spots. Cushioning on the foot base provides comfort and fit with the perfect bounce. Buy Now

These travel compression socks make long flights and travel days more comfortable offering graduated compression with a seamless toe box to prevent blisters and soft foot padding to absorb impact. Buy Now