No show, ankle high, or regular length hiking socks? And what brand?

[BP219]

I'll be buying a few pairs of merino hiking socks and was wondering what brand & style do you wear? I was thinking about getting the reg. length kind of socks because I figured when I'm wearing shorts, (and when they're sprayed with permetherin earlier) they'll help keep the ticks away. What style and brand do you get?

[cneill13]

Smart Wool socks in all 4 seasons with thickness depending on the weather. I go with regular length except in really hot weather than I go with ankle length. I also wear old running shoes instead of boots. In many years of hiking, I have never once had a blister wearing smart wool socks and running shoes. 100 percent success is tough to beat.

[Wyoming]

I'm with cneill13 on the socks as that is exactly what I do. Though you could not ever again get me to wear running shoes hiking again. Damn near destroy my feet forever. Walking shoes for me.

I just spray the repellent like deet or Off on my lower legs - and anywhere else I think I need it. I figure the layer of dirt and sweat protects me ha ha. If I were 20 like you I might care, but it is too late for me to have those kind of worries. My only worry is that when I get Alzheimers I'll forget to wander off into the wilderness to die and end up trapped in some nursing home.

[Venchka]

Darn Tough. I own 2 pair each of the following. I use them interchangeably for hiking & biking.

http://darntough.com/men/mens-hike-trek/light-hiker-micro-crew-light-cushion

http://darntough.com/men/mens-bike/1-4-sock-light-cushion

My Smart Wool socks have been retired.

Wayne

[NightCreature0]

I have a pair of smart wool and darn tough, both 1/4 length. I think the smart wool might be a touch more comfortable but the darn tough warranty makes is pretty hard to pass up.

[Harrison Bergeron]

I've really partial to Gander Mountain "Mini-crew Hiking" socks in 3/4 length for my thick hiking socks. They're merino wool and thick in the right places, and tall enough to cushion the tops of my boots. I use full-length Wig-wam liners with them and roll them down over my boots if it's hot.

[Another Kevin]

Darn Tough mid-weight hikers are my sock of choice in four seasons. In winter I add thin nylon or polyester dress socks as liners and then doubled newspaper bags as a vapor barrier.

[Tuckahoe]

I have been wearing Smartwool outdoor light sport socks that I have been buying from Sierra Trading Post -- http://www.sierratradingpost.com/smartwool-outdoor-sport-light-socks-merino-wool-ankle-for-men~p~8926n/

I wait till a 40-45% off coupon coupled with free or $0.99 shipping hits the junk email box then buy a few more pairs.

[Etoryn]

+1 for Darn Tough socks. I perfer the boot cushion, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XG34G8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

[Odd Man Out]

Darn Tough.

I have a whole drawer full of socks that I haven't worn in years. I only ever wear my 4 pairs of DT socks. I can wear one pair for a week or more before the go to the washing machine. Even then, they still don't stink. When one wears out, I get the free replacement. But I feel a bit guilty getting free socks over and over so I usually only replace them once before paying for another. I did have one develop a hole in the ankle due to stitching flaw - tried to fix it myself but that didn't work so I didn't feel bad about getting those replaced.

I have two of their AT edition micro crew cushion for hiking and every day use.

http://darntough.com/men/mens-hike-trek/atc-sock-micro-crew-cushion

and two more dressy less cushioned socks for less casual looks.

http://darntough.com/men/men-s-work/standard-issue-crew-light

[MuddyWaters]

Ive got smartwool low cut pHD, REI low cut wool hikers, Darn tough 1/4 mesh, 1/4 Defeet Wooleator.

I wear the Darn tough 1/4 mesh socks and the defeet wooleators hiking, and leave the others for the gym

When hiking I prefer NO padding. The sock has a tighter weave, and less friction in the shoe and against foot.

Any sock that covers the ankle will do, I dont like my ankles bones naked, it exposes them to scrapes and scratches. Lots of low socks will cover the ankle just barely.
the no-show kind dont. The difference is negligible weight.

[BirdBrain]

Darn Tough crew. I just wish they would die so I could send them in for new ones. Had 3 pair. Lost one sock. They have lasted through 3 pair of trail runners and are still going strong. Same thing with my green superfeet and dirty girl gaiters. The only thing that gets replaced are the shoes. The rest of the setup keeps on going.

[CarlZ993]

My personal preference is ankle-high wool socks that I use w/ trail runners. I've used REI, Smartwool, & Darn Tough socks that fit that criteria. The REI & Smarwool socks seem to have a softer feel to them. The Darn Tough seem to last longer (& cost more). The REI brand socks seem to give me the most bang for my buck.

[Gry]

Darn tough is my go to. Wear them daily

[Malto]

Sitting in a shopping cart right now are 8 pairs of Wrightsocks Coolmax socks. I have been wearing lowquarter but I am switching after five years to 1/4 height. I have had the lower height slip down into the shoe and hopefully the higher sock will lesson this. I would go as low as possible, lighter weight and faster drying.

Here re is a link to the line. http://www.sockgeek.com/m-21-wrightsock.aspx

[lonehiker]

Darn Tough used to last me about 1,000 miles. Would wear out in the Achilles tendon area. Never returned them for warrantee as it didn't seem right to me.

[Walkintom]

Darn Tough all the way.

I usually wear micro crew cushion in mild weather and OTC cushion in cold weather. I've been known to zip off pant legs and hike in snow with the OTC if the snow is shallow and the wind isn't too bad. Good merino regulates temperature pretty well.

[rdljr]

Another vote for the Darn tough..... just can not wear the things out, 3 sets of boots but still on the same old socks.

[Elder]

Wrightsocks! Especially if you have any blister problems. Guaranteed blister free, but no mileage warranty.
Wear out your sock, not your foot. www.wrightsocks.com