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Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 12:43 pm
by Nozmo King
How important are socks for keeping your feet comfortable? In other words, is it worth the money to buy more expensive backpacking socks? Any recommendations on brands & designs you really like?

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:23 pm
by fishmonger
Darn Tough - best sock I ever used. I ride my bike in them year round, I ski in them, I hike in them. First pair 2 years+ and still no need to get another. No stink merino, and, well, darn tough!

Not cheap, but well worth it. Actually, looks like they are on sale at Campmor right now (usually $25 or more)

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___01466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:15 pm
by maverick
http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... ock#p41051" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:28 pm
by The Other Tom
To paraphrase an old saying, if your feet ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Think about it. You travel on your feet. If they get hot and sweaty, or worse, blisters, you won't hike very far. Take care of your feet.
To echo fishmonger, I use darn tough socks. So much so that I wear them even when not hiking. They fit well and don't chafe which can cause blisters.

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:36 pm
by freestone
Tilley's (hats) travel sock. For me, the perfect thinness, moisture control, and elasticity.

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:05 pm
by dave54
I have found donning them correctly (rolling them on instead of pulling) and changing frequently was more important than the brand name or material.

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:57 am
by bluefish
On multi-day trips I carry a pair of Darn Toughs and a pair of SmartWool. The Smartwool have more cushioning and are a little warmer. I use them for sleep socks or when the terrain is nasty downhills.
Good socks are a must for me hiking. I have some pairs set aside for just that- I use everyday crew socks under my boots for my carpentry business.

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:23 pm
by GreenhornBackpacker
I used Thorlo running socks with my trail runners. Extra thick cushioning on the heel and toe.

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:17 pm
by Iriscaddis
Good topic. But what about sock liners? A marketing pitch or a real ‘thing’?

And agree on all the brands noted above. All good quality.

Re: Sock Recommendations?

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 3:27 pm
by Wandering Daisy
I think the theory on two pair of socks, be it two medium weight or heavier and one liner, is that the friction of rubbing happens mostly between the socks and not on your feet. Two pair of socks were standard in the old days with heavy leather boots. I now wear one pair only, smartwool medium weight, with "low cut hikers" and rarely get blisters. I do not get blisters if I hike in wet wool socks that are regularly wrung out. I suspect that wet cotton or synthetic socks might cause blisters. Proper fitting shoes are way more important than the particular socks. A liner sock is really light weight and if you want to try them out you can test their worth for yourself. Everyone's feet are different.

Because socks are so light weight, I always take 3 pair, wear one, pack two. Wash each night and rotate. Strap socks to my pack to dry. Sometimes I even take a thin 4th pair dedicated for sleeping bag only. I do not like to put stinky socks on my feet inside my bag. Often I will take a second pair of light weight insoles, particularly if I plan on having wet feet. Keep dry insole to wear in camp. Camp insoles just keep your feet dry- no need to be designed for walking. The cheap drugstore kind work fine. Dry feet = warm feet.

I like the medium (about 2 inches above ankle) height. I always wear gaiters which really keeps dirt and sand out of my shoes. This is a BIG help in reducing blisters. I believe the PCT hikers swear by "dirty girl" gaiters.