View Full Version : Question about socks/clothes.
How many pairs of socks do you usually bring with you? I plan on wearing one and bringing two spare pair. Should I ditch an extra spair. This will be for a week long hike.
Johnny Swank
06-03-2007, 11:32
Depending on the time of year, I carry/wear 2-4 pairs of socks. 90% of the time I wear 2 pairs of poly mens dress socks to hike in (black, for that florida tourist look), and keep one fleece pair to sleep in.
Tipi Walter
06-03-2007, 13:17
This is a good question and one I've paid some attention to as all of my backpacking trips are from 10 to 15 days duration. I'm hooked on Smartwool Mountaineer socks, the thickest I believe they make(though after a few days of hiking they don't seem all that thick). No matter what time of year, I always just carry two pair and I always keep one pair dry and clean for sleeping and basecamping. The other I walk in and allow it to get wet and dirty and always start the next day in it nomatter how wet or dirty it is. More than 2 pair and you end up with wet socks that take forever to dry(and the extra weight). Often on a long trip I'll wash out my hiking pair in a creek, etc.
How many pairs of socks do you usually bring with you? I plan on wearing one and bringing two spare pair. Should I ditch an extra spair. This will be for a week long hike.
2 pair...one on your feet...& 1 spare.
good luck:D
I agree with Jaybird. One pair for feet, one pair of spare.
Some folks like an extra spare pair, but I find that I just wear one pair for two days, then rinse them out and change to the second set. Usually the first set is dry even in rainy weather, but if not, they can be worn dry.
It is nice to have a dry pair of camp socks available tho. :-)
I tend to get blisters if I wear only one pair of socks at a time. I also tend to have hot feet. So, I always wear a thin synthetic liner under Wigwam Ultimax hikers. I carry an extra pair of both liner and outer socks in case the primary pair wears through or gets drenched in a cold downpour or stream crossing. I always wear the primary pair every day until a town stop and laundry. No matter what pair of socks you put on in the morning it will be sweaty and stinky at the end of the day. I use the dry extra socks for warmth in camp as needed.
I like to change socks mid day to eliminate / move any hot spots. I also carry a pair for night time / spare. I also use XL socks to allow good circulation and prevent cold feet at night. (winter hiking)
Rendezvous01
06-03-2007, 15:47
I tend to have more pairs of socks (5) than most, but my feet sweat an awful lot. For a week out on the trail I'd have three pairs for hiking. At lunches, I'd let the feet air out for awhile and switch between the first two pairs. The third is a small amount of extra weight to carry for the pleasure of pulling on a dry, clean pair after about four days of hiking. My preferred socks: Thorlo's heavier weight, although I like my Smartwools, too. Liner socks for hiking have never worked for me for hiking.
I do take a pair of liners, though, not for hiking but for night-time. For my 90 days of hiking on the AT a few years back I carried very lightweight long johns and liner socks for sleeping in. My down sleeping bag didn't develop the usual funky hiker stench, and I never had to wash it. For me it was worth the few extra ounces.
My fifth pair was a pair of wool Rohners, which I wore in town and around camp. I love these socks, but after about a decade of frequent use, they are finally starting to wear a little thin. Best pair of socks I've ever owned.
Ron
hammock engineer
06-03-2007, 16:07
I carry 3 pairs. 2 for hiking and 1 for sleeping.