Hywell sent me three pairs of their merino wool socks to test: the no-show, the ankle and the crew. Worth being upfront about two things. First, these were sent to me, but the opinion below is my own and based on real wear rather than a spec sheet. Second, Hywell market these primarily as work socks, aimed at people on their feet all day in work boots, not as dedicated hiking socks. So the question I set out to answer is the honest one: how do they actually perform for a hiker, and where do they fit alongside proper hiking kit?
The verdict up front
These are a soft, well-fitting, breathable everyday merino sock that shine in warm, humid weather, and they are genuinely good at that job. Where they fall short is thickness and cushioning: they are thinner than I expected and thinner than the heavier hiking socks I trust in the cold. So my honest take is that they are an excellent everyday and warm-weather sock, a fair spare to throw in the bag on a hot hike, but not a replacement for a dedicated, cushioned hiking sock when the temperature drops.
One note on the score. This is an early verdict, based on fit, comfort and warm-weather performance after real but relatively short use. I have not yet put enough miles on them to judge long-term durability, which is where a sock really earns or loses its money, so I will come back and update this review on how they hold up once they have had a proper amount of wear.
The range: three heights, one sock
The three socks I tested are the same sock in three cuts. All of them are the same 53% merino wool, 38% nylon and 9% spandex blend, with the same Maxicushion underfoot padding, the same breathable forefoot panel and the same nylon reinforcement in the high-wear zones. They differ only in height:
- No-show (2.8 inches), which sits below the shoe line for trainers and low-cut shoes
- Ankle (5.9 inches), a standard everyday height
- Crew (8.7 inches), the tallest and most protective, designed to clear a boot cuff
The wool is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard, which is a genuine ethical tick, and Hywell back the socks with a 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
First impressions: thinner than I expected
My first reaction, before I had even picked them up, was that they looked thin. Thinner than both my Bridgedale and my Darn Tough socks. Some of that is not a fair fight: the Bridgedales are the thickest I own and the Darn Toughs are a heavier winter weight, both bought specifically for a warmer foot in the cold. But even accounting for that, these were thinner than I had expected, and they feel thin in the hand too.
What they are is very soft, which is exactly what you want from a merino blend and what you would hope for at this price. This is not a scratchy, cheap-feeling sock. It is a fine, soft, lightweight one.
The fit: the best thing about them
The fit is where Hywell impressed me most. There is a light compression through the sock, most noticeable across the ball of the foot and over the top rather than underneath, and I really liked it. It holds the sock to your foot without squeezing, and it gives me confidence that these will stay in place rather than needing hoiking up every mile. For a sock, that snug, locked-in feel is a bigger deal than it sounds, and it is the thing I would point to first if someone asked why they are worth a look.
Breathability and the no-sweat test
The single best thing about wearing them has been the lack of that clammy, sweaty dampness you get from a cotton sock. I have been testing them through the current run of hot, humid UK weather, exactly the conditions that leave your feet swimming in the wrong socks, and the Hywells have stayed noticeably drier and more comfortable. There is a breathable mesh panel across the forefoot, in the same area as that compression, and between that and the merino's natural moisture management, they do the job you buy merino for. On a warm day this is a real, felt benefit, not a marketing line.
Cushioning: lighter than the marketing suggests
Hywell brand the underfoot padding as Maxicushion, and I would temper expectations there. There is clearly some cushioning present, but less than I thought there would be given the name and the work-boot positioning. If you are picturing a plush, heavily padded boot sock, these are not that. The cushioning is light. For everyday wear and warm-weather walking that is fine, arguably preferable, but it is part of why I would not reach for them on a long, hard, cold day where underfoot comfort and warmth matter most.
Which height to buy
Match the height to the shoe and the use:
Hywell No-Show. For trainers and low-cut shoes where you do not want the sock to show. Everyday and warm-weather use.
Buy the Hywell No-Show at HywellHywell Ankle. The everyday all-rounder. A standard height for trainers, approach shoes and general wear.
Buy the Hywell Ankle at HywellHywell Crew. The tallest and most protective, and the one to pick if you want a sock that clears a boot cuff and protects the lower shin. This is the height I would take as a warm-weather hiking spare.
Buy the Hywell Crew at HywellPricing and the bulk discounts
At £18 a pair the Hywells sit in sensible mid-tier merino territory, and the pricing gets more interesting in bulk. Buy three pairs and you get 10% off plus free shipping, which brings them to £16.20 each, and that feels like the reasonable sweet spot. Five pairs takes 20% off at £14.40 each, which I can genuinely see someone doing if these become their everyday work and lifestyle sock. Ten pairs unlocks 30% off at £12.60 each, but that is £126 in socks, and honestly I cannot see why most people would need ten pairs. Buy three, maybe five if you love them, and skip the ten-pack unless you are truly living in them.
How they compare to my Darn Toughs
This is the comparison that matters for a hiker, and I will be straight: the Hywells will not be taking the place of my Darn Toughs. My Darn Tough hiking socks are a heavier, more cushioned, warmer sock built for the trail, and they carry a lifetime guarantee against Hywell's 10-year one. For a proper hike, especially a cold one, the Darn Toughs win on cushioning and warmth.
What the Hywells earn is a different slot. I would happily take a pair as a spare on a warmer hike, and for everyday wear, walking the dog, standing on the touchline watching my son play football, or travelling light, I would reach for them without a second thought. They are an everyday sock that copes on a warm walk, where I reserve the Darn Toughs for the hikes themselves.
Specs
- Material
- 53% merino wool, 38% nylon, 9% spandex
- Heights
- No-show (2.8in), ankle (5.9in), crew (8.7in)
- Cushioning
- Maxicushion underfoot padding (light in practice)
- Forefoot
- Breathable mesh panel with light compression fit
- Wool standard
- Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified
- Sizing
- US sizing: M (US 7 to 9.5), L (US 10 to 11.5), XL (US 12 to 14). Roughly UK 6 to 8.5, 9 to 10.5 and 11 to 13
- Colours
- Black
- Warranty
- 10 years against manufacturing defects
- Price
- £18 per pair, from £16.20 in a three-pack with free shipping
Pros
- Excellent, secure fit with a light compression that keeps them in place
- Very soft merino blend, no scratch
- Genuinely sweat-free and comfortable in hot, humid weather
- Sensible pricing, especially the three-pack at £16.20 with free shipping
- RWS-certified wool and a 10-year warranty
Cons
- Thinner than expected and thinner than dedicated hiking socks
- Cushioning is lighter than the Maxicushion name suggests
- Not warm enough to trust on a cold hiking day
- US sizing and black only, so check the size chart before buying
Verdict
The Hywell merino socks are a very good everyday and warm-weather sock let down, for hiking purposes, only by their thinness. The fit is genuinely excellent, the merino keeps your feet dry and fresh in the heat, and the pricing is fair, especially in a three-pack. If you want a soft, breathable everyday sock for work, dog walks and warm days, and a spare to slip in the bag on a hot hike, they are an easy recommendation. If you want the sock you lace your boots over for a long or cold day on the hill, a heavier dedicated hiking sock like a Darn Tough is still the one to buy.
Rating: 4.2 / 5 as an everyday and warm-weather merino sock, an early verdict that I will revisit once I have tested them for long-term durability.
Buy the Hywell Crew at HywellHywell Merino Socks FAQ
Are Hywell merino socks good for hiking?
Are Hywell socks warm enough for winter?
How do Hywell socks fit and what is the sizing?
What are Hywell socks made of?
Are Hywell merino socks worth the money?
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