One activity that is rapidly growing in popularity is hiking. While hiking is a great deal of fun is also has the potential to be a little taxing on the body. That is why special hiking boots are worn as they protect the feet and ankles from injury and provide needed traction. Now, while most people understand the need for a reliable pair of hiking boots they make the errant mistake of not putting much thought into the type of hiking socks to wear. This is unfortunate as hiking socks provide a host of benefits that allow a person to maintain both comfort and safety.If you are going hiking "any old sock" simply won't do as you will need a sock that is most appropriate for the activity. Hiking socks normally are designed to match the particular design of the hiking boot you intend to wear as well as the activity level of the hike. That is, there are light, medium and heavy socks that are intended to match the weight of the boot as well as how much exertion will be performed. If you are going on a long and arduous hike heavier socks may be required in order to hold up to the rigors of the hike.But if there was one rule in regards to selecting a hiking sock it would be to avoid socks that are made of cotton. The reason for this is that when you sweat (and your feet will sweat while hiking) cotton absorbs the moisture. While this may seem like a positive attribute on the surface it is anything but as moisture retention can lead to blisters and chaffing. Plus, cotton is not exactly a great material for keeping your feet warm which brings us to the next point.One such area that is of critical importance is the weather temperature when you are going hiking. If the weather is cold then you will need socks that are thick and padded enough to help keep your feet warm. Conversely, there are a number of lighter weight hiking socks that would be more appropriate for warm weather. An additional benefit with hiking socks is their ability to reduce the pressure that walking on rough terrain may cause. Yes, hiking is a fun activity but then you are hiking for extended distances significant pressure is placed on the balls of the feet and on the heel which can later lead to discomfort and pain. Where hiking socks become beneficial is by providing padding to those areas of the foot which will reduce pressure and, of course, any potential pain and discomfort.