Smartwool
Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend
The Smartwool Classic Hiking Second Cut socks are mid-calf knit hiking socks made in a merino wool and nylon blend using circular Second Cut yarn from recycled fibers, canister waste, and virgin merino wool. They have padding around and under the foot, a flat-knit Virtually Seamless toe seam, and a knit construction intended to wick moisture and control odor during hiking. The pair shown is heather light grey with a charcoal heather ribbed cuff and a darker vertical panel on the instep, and is made in the U.S.
- Material
- Merino wool and nylon blend with Second Cut™ yarn from recycled fibers, canister waste, and virgin merino wool
- Style
- activewear, performance, technical
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Underwear & Socks > Socks
Specifications
Classic hiking socks in a moisture-wicking merino wool and nylon blend with padded footbed and seamless toe construction.
Padded footbed, moisture-wicking merino wool/nylon blend, odor control, Virtually Seamless™ toe, and Second Cut™ yarn made with recycled fibers and canister waste.
- Material
- Merino wool and nylon blend with Second Cut™ yarn from recycled fibers, canister waste, and virgin merino wool
- Secondary
- nylon, recycled-materials
- Style
- activewear, performance, technical
- Occasion
- hiking
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Underwear & Socks > Socks
Additional Attributes
- Padded cushioning around and under the foot
- Designed for hiking
- Merino wool and nylon blend
- Moisture-wicking
- Odour-controlling
- Made with circular Second Cut™ yarn from recycled fibers and canister waste
- Contains virgin merino wool
- Virtually Seamless™ toe technology
- Flat knit toe seam for added comfort
- Made in the U.S.
Product Insights
Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend MEDIUM covers women's US 7–9.5 and LARGE covers women's US 10–12.5; Smartwool rates the fit true to size based on total foot length. Full-foot medium cushioning pads around and under the foot, including heel and forefoot, rather than targeted arch or ball zones. 38% merino wool, 38% other fibers, 23% nylon, 1% spandex. Second Cut™ yarn is 50% recycled fibers (sock take-back and canister waste) and 50% virgin merino, landing the merino share around 38–41% — lower than standard Classic Hike's roughly two-thirds merino. Full cushioning adds volume and warmth inside the boot; thicker is not automatically better — a sock too thick can squeeze the foot and create pressure points.
Verified claims
- fit
- Built on Smartwool's unisex last; the 'women's' label reflects merchandising, not women-specific shaping.
- sizing
- MEDIUM covers women's US 7–9.5 and LARGE covers women's US 10–12.5; Smartwool rates the fit true to size based on total foot length.
- fit_guidance
- A hiking sock should match foot length; too big bunches and folds into ridges, too small pulls the heel pocket down and squeezes toes.
- cushioning
- Full-foot medium cushioning pads around and under the foot, including heel and forefoot, rather than targeted arch or ball zones.
- toe_seam
- Virtually Seamless™ flat-knit toe seam is designed to reduce rubbing and chafing across the toes.
- material
- 38% merino wool, 38% other fibers, 23% nylon, 1% spandex.
- recycled_content
- Second Cut™ yarn is 50% recycled fibers (sock take-back and canister waste) and 50% virgin merino, landing the merino share around 38–41% — lower than standard Classic Hike's roughly two-thirds merino.
- moisture_management
- Merino wool absorbs and buffers moisture vapor, but nylon is not a strong wicker; damp skin has roughly double the friction, so moisture management is also blister prevention.
- odor_control
- Merino wool helps control odor and supports multiple wears between washes.
- care
- Machine wash gentle in warm or cool water (one source specifies warm, inside out), tumble dry low; do not bleach, iron, dry clean, or professionally clean.
- durability
- A published gear review described this model as less plush and more rugged than classic merino socks, staying in place and holding up through long days.
- replacement
- Replace socks when the cushioning flattens or the heel and toes wear thin; thin spots are a common blister source.
- styling
- Mid-calf crew with a marled heather knit, darker ribbed cuff and vertical panel, small embroidered logo, in Black or Grey.
- uses
- Medium full-cushion build is a common choice for day hikes and backpacking in boots; it can run warmer and take more boot volume than a light cushion.
- tradeoffs
- Full cushioning adds volume and warmth inside the boot; thicker is not automatically better — a sock too thick can squeeze the foot and create pressure points.
- value
- At 31 CAD, LARGE costs the same as MEDIUM, so sizing up for a longer foot or roomier fit carries no premium.
- construction
- Circular Second Cut™ yarn from recycled fibers, canister waste, and virgin merino; flat-knit toe seam; full-foot padding; made in the U.S.
- recycling
- Worn-out socks can be recycled through Smartwool's Second Cut Take Back Bag, a prepaid mailer that accepts used socks of any brand, color, or material.
- comparison
- Compared with standard Classic Hike socks, Second Cut has lower merino content and a less plush, more rugged feel.
- blister_prevention
- Stop at the first hot spot: remove boot and sock, dry skin, check for grit or a folded sock or pressing seam, cover with friction-reducing tape, moleskin or a blister bandage, then adjust lacing.
Product record
- Title
- Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend
- Brand
- Smartwool
- Price
- 31 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 10 sourcesUses
Trail days that demand a durable sock
Built for hiking with padding around and under the foot, these merino blend socks wick moisture and control odour on long days on the trail. A flat knit Virtually Seamless™ toe is designed for extra comfort, while the blend of merino wool and nylon stays breathable as you move.[1,2]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend: Choose this if you want hiking socks padded around and under the foot, made in the U.S. from Smartwool's 2nd Cut™ yarn—a mix of recycled fibers, canister waste, and 50% virgin merino wool—that the retailer says wicks moisture and controls odour. One reviewer found they stay in place, breathe well, and hold up to long days on your feet, describing them as more rugged than cozy. Note they are not quite as plush as Smartwool's classic merino socks, so prioritize them for durability over softness.[1,2,3] | Otter Hiking Socks: Choose this if you want merino wool crew socks made for hiking: they're padded under the foot, designed to help protect against blisters, and the wool-nylon blend wicks moisture and controls odor. Indestructawool technology knitted into high-impact zones and a Virtually Seamless toe add durability and comfort for long days on the trail, with mesh zones in the 4 Degree Elite Fit system promoting breathability. Note the listed composition varies by source—one lists 54% merino wool, 44% nylon and 2% spandex, another 55% merino wool, 43% recycled nylon and 2% elastane—and the shown variant is size medium in blue with an otter motif.[4,5,6] | Brown Bear Hiking Socks: Choose these for hiking if you want padding under the foot with blister protection in a merino wool and nylon blend (53% nylon, 44% merino wool, 3% elastane) that wicks moisture and controls odour. These mid-calf crew socks feature Indestructawool technology knit into high-impact wear zones for extra durability, a 4 Degree Elite Fit with stretch and mesh zones to promote breathability, a Virtually Seamless toe, and Shred Shield technology that reduces wear at the toes; Smartwool describes the cushioning as comfort without the bulk. Available in medium and large, they have a striped cream-and-brown design with a seated bear graphic at the cuff and are made in the U.S.[7,8,9,10] |
Image Analysis
1 images- 01
Product
A folded pair of mid-calf knit hiking socks shown flat with a ribbed darker cuff, marled knit body, visible toe seam, and a small white embroidered logo near the left cuff.
- General layoutTwo socks laid flat and overlapped so the right sock is slightly on top of the left sock, showing the full foot and leg sections of both.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.04 · w 0.90 · h 0.92 (high) - Cuff constructionWide ribbed cuff at the top of each sock with a tighter vertical rib knit and a darker marled color than the foot section.
1 region
x 0.15 · y 0.03 · w 0.70 · h 0.18 (high) - Knit textureDense marled knit throughout the leg and foot, showing a two-tone heather appearance with visible yarn flecks and vertical knit ribs on the instep.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.18 · w 0.88 · h 0.75 (high) - Toe seamVisible horizontal seam across the rounded toe of each sock where the toe is closed.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.74 · w 0.46 · h 0.18 (high) - Vertical darker panelA darker, more charcoal-toned vertical band runs along the top of the foot and up the instep on the right sock.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.28 · w 0.35 · h 0.60 (high) - Embroidered logoSmall white embroidered logo or symbol located near the outer side of the left sock cuff; only a portion is visible.Partial
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.09 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot on a light neutral background with soft top lighting and a slight shadow below left of the socks; image is centered and cropped closely to the product.
- BackgroundUniform light grey background with no visible props.
- Lighting and shadowSoft even lighting from above with a faint diffuse shadow cast beneath and slightly to the lower-left of the socks.
- Shot compositionTop-down flat-lay view with the socks rotated slightly so toes point toward the lower-right corner.
Colors
heather light grey· main bodycharcoal heather· cuff and vertical panelwhite· embroidered logo- General layoutTwo socks laid flat and overlapped so the right sock is slightly on top of the left sock, showing the full foot and leg sections of both.
Variants
4 SKUs| SKU | Title | Price | Avail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4637860 | Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend - Black - Medium | CA$31.00 | Yes |
| 4637861 | Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend - Black - Large | CA$31.00 | Yes |
| 4637863 | Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend - Grey - Medium | CA$31.00 | Yes |
| 4637864 | Classic Hiking Second Cut™ Socks In A Merino Blend - Grey - Large | CA$31.00 | Yes |