In general, waterproof hiking socks are made up of three layers: an outer layer which resembles a normal pair of cotton socks. An inner membrane that keeps water from going in but still lets moisture out of your feet. And an inner highly breathable knit layer which gives some cushioning and keeps water away from the skin. It’s important that the inner layer is very breathable, because if it’s too wet, it won’t help much with keeping your feet dry.
There are some differences between regular hiking socks and waterproof hiking socks. The first difference is in how they work. Regular hiking socks can easily get damp, soggy and sticky because they’re used so often. This means that moisture and sweat can build up quickly – especially during long hikes. And when you get to your destination, you need to dry off very quickly because your feet have accumulated a lot of water. When you use waterproof hiking socks, you can actually leave them in your sleeping bag for a couple of days without washing them.
Another key feature is how they fit. With regular hiking boots, your feet tend to rub constantly against the sides and bottoms of your boots. And if you get really sweaty, you can end up with blisters all over your feet. With waterproof hiking socks, this never happens because the socks are designed to fit your foot perfectly, and your feet dry off naturally.