View Full Version : What kind of socks do you use and how many pair do you wear?
Plodderman
07-09-2009, 14:29
Over the past few years with some long distance hiking under my belt, I have yet to come up with a solution to socks. I have tried two pair and one pair of low and hi and still seem to struggle to find a good fitting socks that can help prevent blisters and wear well.
Merino wool. One pair.
Liners wrinkle up, causing hot spots for me, and don't wick nearly as well as good quality merino wool.
Merino wool liners with light merino wool socks works great for me, no blisters.
panama snail
07-09-2009, 15:28
I used Tilleys socks on my thur hike last year and never had a blister the entire trip.
They are not available in outfitters you'll have to go online. They are expensive $18
a pair but well worth it
Merino wool. One pair's good for me for a week of section hiking.
LockJaww
07-09-2009, 15:40
One pair...I was first introduced to the idea of using a light pair as a " liner " way back when I was in the Infantry. I never liked it. I think it causes more trouble then it corrects. Therlo Treking socks have been good to me for lots of miles. Lately Ive become a big fan of 5.11's Level Two socks. Very comfortable.
reddenbacher
07-09-2009, 15:43
darn toughs,they did great
One pair of Smartwool "Light Hikers".
I used Tilleys socks on my thur hike last year and never had a blister the entire trip.
They are not available in outfitters you'll have to go online. They are expensive $18
a pair but well worth it
Hey Panama Snail....hello from Green Mountain House!!!!!
Nightwalker
07-09-2009, 15:48
Bridgedale Trekkers. I've tried 'em all, and they're my absolute favorite.
fiddlehead
07-09-2009, 15:56
thin nylon socks in the summer.
Fleece any other season.
The Solemates
07-09-2009, 16:16
8 pairs of fleece over 2 pairs of wool and one liner works wonders for me.
i guess my opinion is tainted because i've never had problems, but seriously...they are socks.
Jester2000
07-09-2009, 16:27
darn toughs,they did great
I second this. Wore Darn Tough socks last year on a PCT thru. Merino wool, and the most comfortable, longest-lasting socks I've worn. Small Vermont Company that will probably eventually sell out to a big corporation that will ruin their product. But for now, they're awesome.
Over the past few years with some long distance hiking under my belt, I have yet to come up with a solution to socks. I have tried two pair and one pair of low and hi and still seem to struggle to find a good fitting socks that can help prevent blisters and wear well.With what kind of shoe/boot? If you're wearing heavy high-top leather boots, blisters will find you. If you're talking trail runners, then a good fitting shoe and one good pair of wicking socks should work, or if you prefer, go with a thin liner.
Lone Wolf
07-09-2009, 16:35
Small Vermont Company that will probably eventually sell out to a big corporation that will ruin their product. But for now, they're awesome.
yeah just like ben& jerry's overpriced ice cream. i too wear darn Tough socks
johnnybgood
07-09-2009, 17:48
I usually slap on a pair of smartwool socks and I wear Keen hiking boots.
Smartwool Adrenaline's or PhD's for me. One UL low cut pair in summer and one crew length medium or expedition weight in winter.
bigcranky
07-09-2009, 18:09
Smartwool Adrenaline Ultralight, either low cut in summer or calf-height in cold weather. One pair. In trail runners.
Just got a pair of the Darn Tough. I like them, but don't have much trail time with them yet.
I buy the thickest hiking socks I can find and wear sockliners underneath. One pair of each on my feet and one pair of each in my pack. I hike in trail runners and buy the widest width they come in.
1 pair smart wool at a time, I carry 2 pair.
I too have tried everything sock wise to prevent blisters, the only thing that regularly works is: Treat (cover) with mole skin when you feel a "hot spot" on your feet. Keep your feet as clean as possible. Keep your socks as clean as possible. Take Pack Off Boots Off Breaks (POBOBs) often to let your feet dry out. Keep your feet dry: wet skin is soft skin, soft skin is fragile skin.
Another long distance hiker for Merino wool. I wear them, sometimes with polypropylene sock liners, under almost all thru-hiking conditions. If you are having problems with blisters after having tried on many different sock brands, models, and construction materials the socks may not be "the" cause of your blisters.
Smartwool Aderenaline, PHDs, or original ankle length hiking socks(shorties) in their various wts. are what treat my toes right!
mweinstone
07-09-2009, 20:56
ask most gung ho light fast young hikers and we will tell you to toughen your feet to the point where any sock works the exact same. its a fact . the body can do it. you can do it. and sox can do it. but you have tenderfoot. and an hardened attitude. lol. but really, get new feet. hear me well padwan.
mweinstone
07-09-2009, 20:58
i salute your endevor. i carry one pair of any old hikeing sox. one and only one. you see the new crap can last and be rung dry and gives us the option to carry bacon.
Lone Wolf
07-09-2009, 20:59
actually plain old ragg wool socks are the best. too much hi-tec, high dollar stuff on the market just for walkin'
mweinstone
07-09-2009, 21:04
i mean whatever the word is for loveing only wool sox. monogomas. thats it. so your admiting this?
mweinstone
07-09-2009, 21:06
you all know im the only one that can do thgat and stay on soktopic. sox rule!
Have hiked in Bridgedale light-weights, usually with a polpor liner, for years, and no blister problems (mostly weekend hikes, a few 4 - 7 day hikes). Brought 2 pair of Bridgedale for my 40 mile hike with my son last month, and a pair of Smartwools to sleep in. Wore the Bridgedales on the first 3 days, and no blisters. Decided on the last day to wear the Smartwools since they were clean (had only slept in them). Had a blood blister on the arch of my foot within two hours. It's been a month, and it's still there...
Of course, I started wearing Bridgedales when I read Lone Wolf recommending them 4 or 5 years ago... Now he's recommending Darn Toughs - guess I'll have to check them out!
I've had the Bridgedales for 4 or 5 years, similar to these:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,1697P_Bridgedale-Leisure-Walking-Socks-For-Men.html?color=70&cm_sp=CC-_-1697P-_-70
8 pairs of fleece over 2 pairs of wool and one liner works wonders for me.
i guess my opinion is tainted because i've never had problems, but seriously...they are socks.
I imagine Seal-skinz liner, right?:-?
Nice answer. :D
below 50 degrees - a pair of smartwool sox.
above 50 degrees - two pair of penny's microfiber nylon sox.
cool/cold weather: smartwool
Warm weather: I like coolmax or ultimax, they seem less slippery and clammy
Cookerhiker
07-10-2009, 22:08
Smart Wool with thin wicking liners
Plodderman
07-12-2009, 20:12
Summit I am currently using Asics Gel Enduros which are low cut. I have about 100 miles in them and am trying different socks now. From my old basketball days we always used two pair of socks and now I am trying to find one pair that will work.
Cabin Fever
07-12-2009, 20:42
From my own personal experience:
Timberland Wool - Worked good, but wore out fast.
New Balance Wool - Great for winter, but too thick for summer
SmartWool Thin (model?) - Great in summer, don't need a liner
Bridgedale (model?) - Perfect! I bought several pair at TJMaxx at a bargain basement price.
Trailweaver
07-12-2009, 20:52
I use a liner sock (nylon, so it wicks), and Smartwool wool socks over that, worn with boots. I have never, ever had a blister or a "hot spot." I do, on long days, take a break and take my boots and socks off to air out and dry while I do lunch. I also elevate my feet a while during this break, and that helps with swollen feet.
Two pair smart wool. One for hiking in and one for wearing at camp. Wet ones on in the morning and dry ones on when I get to camp.
fredmugs
07-12-2009, 21:31
All hiking socks make my feet sweat too much. I buy the 6 pack socks from Wal Mart. No liners. Try to change socks once a day if it's hot. Rarely get a blister.
Downhill Trucker
07-13-2009, 06:02
Darn tough socks rock. I use them with a polypro liner.
Calloused feet prevent blisters. Thats the best solution, but Darn toughs are ooohhh so comfy!
Furlough
07-13-2009, 07:33
Smart wool. 1 pair, no liners. Can get them cheap at Costco.
Darn Tough are the best - no liners needed
Smart wool. 1 pair, no liners. Can get them cheap at Costco.
2nds? Please define cheap.:)