Australian Hiker

Rating

Mens Coolmax® X-Static® Race Socks Review

There are so many socks on the market these days but so many of them are the same.  In my case I have a very specific requirements as far my hiking socks go. In this I’m a bit of a rarity as far a hikers when it comes to choosing socks as I prefer my socks to be on the lighter side. I also want a sock that has a reasonable degree of padding, but not to much, on the sole of the foot given I often do big mileage. I want all this without the excessive heat common in thicker socks.

For me my sock criteria includes:

• Medium cushioning underfoot
• Lightweight material on the front of the foot for breathability
• 1/4 height leg length(or slightly higher)

The key thing to remember is that when choosing socks you do so as part of a footwear system and ideally what you want is a sock that provides you with the right amount of padding underfoot, the right amount of warmth to keep your feet at your desired temperature, and the right amount of breathability so your feet don’t sweat. If your feet are sweating then you open yourself up to blisters. Even in mid winter in the snow I don’t wear as thick a set of socks than the average person does.

In the case of these particular socks Wilderness Wear call these a running sock rather than a hiking sock and while most running socks tend to be lightweight in construction these socks are on the slightly heavier side. In fact they pretty much meet my own set of requirements I’ve identified above. The only way I could improve these socks would be to add about 20mm in the leg length. Having said that thats not a deal breaker.

Colour wise these socks come in three colours blue-lime, blue-orange, and blue-royal. Appearance wise these socks are a modern in appearance and I chose the blue-lime option but my next pair is likely to be the blue-royal as its going to show the dirt and mud less than the lighter colours. These socks come in two sizes small and medium and I opted for the medium size which are supposed to suit up to size 12. I found that the mediums suit me fine as the owner of size 15 US feet. Like other Wilderness Wear socks. These socks are well made, snug fitting and comfortable. Like many of the other Wilderness Wear socks they also contain stretch sections that keep the socks in place, even when wet. They are also seamless which just increases the comfort and minimises and rub points that can potentially cause blisters.

These socks due to their construction also have anti-bacterial properties that help to reduce foot odour but having said that if you wear these for multiple days your feet are still going to smell.

I also like the price point on these socks at AUD $25.00 RRP, which for a high quality Australian made sock, is pretty good. Coming from an Australian manufacturer also means they are easy to source.

The Mens Coolmax® X-Static® Race Socks, even though its a running sock, ticks all the boxes for a hiking from my perspective and one that I am definitely happy to wear on any hike in all must the most frigid of conditions. If however you prefer a heavier sock Wilderness Wear produce a wide range of socks of v arduous thicknesses.

We Like

• Australian made as well as great value for money
• Light weight, particularly on the top of the foot which allows maximum breathability and moisture control
• Medium cushioning underfoot from heel to toe provides just the right amount of comfort
• Flat toe seams reduces bulk which can prevent blisters
• X-Static® Silver’s inherent anti-bacterial properties reduce foot odour

We Don't Like

• I’d like a slight longer sock as far as leg length goes

Best Uses

• Good all round outdoor sock and excellent for those wanting a supportive sock without the excessive heat

Wilderness Wear Mens Coolmax® X-Static® Race Socks Navy-Orange colour

Wilderness Wear Mens Coolmax® X-Static® Race Socks Navy-Royal colour

Buy One

You can purchase the Wilderness Wear Mens Coolmax® X-Static® Race Socks from Wilderness Wear

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

AUD $25.00 RRP

Other Versions

• Wilderness Wear produces a wide range of socks and garments for hiking and other outdoor activities. The range contains a sock to suit everyone

Disclaimer

This review was done with product purchased from Wilderness Wear

Last updated

23 November 2025

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