Smartwool
Smartwool merino wool socks for hiking, running and everyday wear. Shop Smartwool Hike socks in Light Cushion, Full Cushion and Targeted Cushion, in crew, ankle and low ankle heights, the Hike Classic Edition range including Second Cut styles, and Run Targeted Cushion socks, in men's, women's and unisex fits.
Find Smartwool socks in men's footwear and women's footwear.
Feel the difference in cushioning at our Grey Lynn concept store at 36 Pollen Street, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Smartwool
About Smartwool
Smartwool was founded in 1994 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, by ski instructors who were tired of cold, wet feet and went looking for a better sock. They found the answer in merino wool, and the brand has been built around merino socks ever since. Merino fibre is fine and soft against the skin, keeps feet warm when damp, wicks moisture and resists odour, which makes it ideal for long days on the trail.
Today Smartwool socks are a favourite with trampers, runners and travellers who want one pair of socks that can handle a full day, and then another, without becoming uncomfortable.
Choosing your cushioning
Smartwool's Hike socks come in three levels of cushioning. Light Cushion socks are thin and breathable, a good choice for warm days, trail running shoes and fast hiking. Full Cushion socks have padding through the whole foot for more comfort under a heavy pack and in stiffer tramping boots, and extra warmth in winter. Targeted Cushion socks put padding only where you need it, under the heel and forefoot, and keep the rest of the sock light.
Heights run from crew socks that sit above a boot collar to ankle and low ankle socks for trail shoes, so you can match the sock to your footwear.
Classic Edition, Run and Smartwool at Land & Sea
The Hike Classic Edition range brings back Smartwool's original patterns and fit, and its Second Cut styles are part of Smartwool's effort to reuse fibre from manufacturing offcuts. For running, Run Targeted Cushion socks are slimmer, with light padding where your foot strikes the ground.
At Land & Sea we stock men's, women's and unisex Smartwool socks across every cushion level. Pair them with the right tramping boots or trail shoes and your feet will thank you on long days in the hills. Our team can help you choose a height and cushioning that suits your footwear and how far you plan to walk.
Frequently asked questions about Smartwool
Which Smartwool cushion level should I choose?
Choose Light Cushion for warm weather, trail running shoes and fast hiking, where breathability matters most. Choose Full Cushion for long tramps with a heavy pack, stiffer boots and colder conditions, as it adds padding and warmth through the whole foot. Targeted Cushion sits in between, with padding under the heel and forefoot only. If you wear one pair of boots for everything, Targeted or Full Cushion is a safe all-round pick.
Are merino wool socks good for hiking?
Yes. Merino wool is soft, wicks moisture away from your skin, keeps feet warm even when it gets damp and naturally resists odour, so you can wear a pair for more than one day on a multi-day tramp. It also helps regulate temperature, so feet stay comfortable in both cool and warm weather. Good merino hiking socks like Smartwool's also reduce friction, which helps prevent blisters on long days.
Do Smartwool socks shrink in the wash?
Smartwool socks are designed to be machine washed, but heat is the main cause of shrinkage in any wool product. To keep them in shape, turn them inside out, wash them on a gentle or wool cycle in cool or warm water, avoid bleach and fabric softener, and lay them flat or hang them to dry rather than using a hot tumble dryer. Treated this way, a good pair of Smartwool socks will last for years.
What does Second Cut mean on Smartwool socks?
Second Cut styles are part of Smartwool's effort to reduce waste by reusing fibre left over from making its products, giving offcuts a second life in new socks. In the Hike Classic Edition range, Second Cut crew socks keep the classic Smartwool fit and cushioning while using that recycled fibre. They perform the same way on the trail, so you can choose them as a lower-waste option without giving anything up.
What sock height should I wear with hiking boots?
With hiking or tramping boots, choose a crew height sock that sits above the boot collar, so the boot cannot rub on bare skin around your ankle. Ankle and low ankle socks suit trail running shoes and low-cut hiking shoes. Smartwool Hike socks come in crew, ankle and low ankle heights, so match the sock to your footwear and choose the cushioning by how far you plan to walk and how heavy your pack will be.
Are Smartwool running socks different from hiking socks?
Yes. Smartwool Run socks are slimmer than Hike socks, with lighter, targeted cushioning where your foot lands and a closer fit inside a running shoe, so they do not bunch or overheat at speed. Hike socks carry more padding for comfort under a pack and inside boots. Both use merino wool for warmth, breathability and odour resistance, so the choice comes down to your footwear and the pace you move at.