Waterproof Hiking Socks, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
Start here
The best non-toxic waterproof hiking socks, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Smartwool
Men's Mountaineer Classic Edition Maximum Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend (primary natural fiber)
Lower PFAS concern. Natural wool fiber with no waterproofing treatment flagged. No explicit PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Men's Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend (merino wool, nylon, elastane)
Lower PFAS concern. Natural fiber socks unlikely to need water-repellent coating. Smartwool's lack of disclosure leaves room for uncertainty.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Men's Hike Classic Edition Full Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend (primary fiber); no reported water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) or stain treatment disclosed
Lower PFAS concern. Plain wool socks with no disclosed treatments, but verify fiber content if it matters.
⚠Risky category by default
Darn Tough
Men's Spaced Out Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Socks
Merino wool blend, nylon, spandex
Lower PFAS concern for untreated wool socks.
⚠Risky category by default
Darn Tough
Men's Hiker Encounter 2-Pack
Merino wool blend, no water-repellent treatment applied
Lower PFAS concern. Wool hiking socks without water-repellent coating treatment are a safer choice.
⚠Risky category by default
Darn Tough
Men's Weird and Wild Hiking 2-Pack
merino wool blend, nylon
Lower concern. Natural-fiber hiking socks unlikely to require PFAS. No public disclosure from Darn Tough.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgedale
Lightweight Boot Socks
Merino wool blend, acrylic, polyamide
Lower concern. Natural fiber blend socks with no known water-repellent coating or performance coatings flagged.
⚠Risky category by default
Merrell
Moab Hiker Low Cut Sock
merino wool blend, synthetic fibers
Lower PFAS risk; standard sock with no waterproofing claims.
⚠Risky category by default
Merrell
Premium Wool Trail Low Cut Sock
Merino wool blend, no known water-repellent coating treatment disclosed
Lower risk but Merrell's silence on water-repellent coating treatment leaves uncertainty.
⚠Risky category by default
Merrell
Premium Wool Trail Crew Socks
Merino/premium wool blend, no water-resistant coating mentioned
Lower PFAS risk, wool socks without disclosed treatments carry minimal concern.
⚠Risky category by default
The North Face
Hiking Crew Socks
Merino wool blend / synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon)
Lower concern, standard socks aren't typical PFAS application areas, but no transparency from brand.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgedale
Men's StormSock Waterproof Heavyweight Boot Socks
Merino wool blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Degradation and microfiber shedding during washing
High concern
PFAS
Moderate concern
High PFAS risk. Waterproofing likely contains PFAS. No public disclosure or testing available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bridgedale
StormSock Midweight Knee
Wool blend with water-repellent coating finish
water-repellent coating degradation and leachables
Limited concern
Lower concern choice, but Bridgedale's water-repellent coating treatment remains undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Merrell
Moab Hiker Crew Hiking Socks
Merino wool/synthetic blend with water-repellent coating treatment
water-repellent coating chemistry (fluorinated or non-fluorinated, unspecified)
Limited concern
Contact dermatitis or sensitization from residual dyes or finishes
Limited concern
Lower concern for most wearers, but water-repellent coating treatment chemicals unspecified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Merrell
Moab Hiking Quarter Socks
merino wool blend with water-repellent coating treatment (likely fluorocarbon-based)
PFAS
Limited concern
Synthetic fiber shedding (microfibers)
Limited concern
Avoid until Merrell discloses whether water-repellent coating uses PFAS chemicals.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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