View Full Version : Attaching socks to pack to dry?
rjhouser
12-22-2011, 18:10
What's the best (also thinking lightest) way to attach your socks to the outside of your pack to hang-dry? I have a Golite Quest pack and it is pretty minimal on the features. Some kind of clip? Safety pin? A strong clothes pin? I just don't want to lose them if they fall off.
I use a blanket pin so secure mine. It is like a big safety pin.
garlic08
12-22-2011, 21:12
I always carry a few large safety pins. I also use them for first aid (blister care, splinter removal) and temporary gear repair. Don't leave home without them.
rjhouser
12-22-2011, 21:15
just picked up a pack at wally world!
The lightest way is to hang them from the shock cord or straps already on your pack. Unfortunately it's not the most secure way to hang socks, and I've lost a couple socks this way. Safety pins probably work better, but I haven't tried that out yet.
Safety pins will work, and they're good for attaching a bandanna to the back of a baseball cap in sunny weather to minimize red neck. I'm sure that they have other uses, too. They aren't stainless (unless you're willing to pay much more for them), so be aware that they can stain fabrics if they get rusty.
I never had much luck drying socks on the outside of my pack, but I have to try anyhow. After a rain, even if the sun comes out, the foliage is still wet for most of a day, and I always manage to keep the socks nice and damp by brushing them against the wet leaves. :rolleyes:
The best way is whatever ad hoc way seems to work at the time, though carrying a couple of large safety pins is IMO a good idea that costs very very little weight. Sometimes I've pinned things (socks, underwear, whatever), sometimes just trusted the shock cord on the back of the pack, sometimes held things down with the top strap on my pack. I've never lost anything this way, and I've dried clothes quite often along the trail, but I expect my number will come up at some point.
daddytwosticks
12-23-2011, 08:12
Safety pins. Next to a bandana, I think these are some of the most versitile things to have with your while hiking. :)
I have heard diaper pins work great. It is not very easy finding them any more, though. I wish I would have kept them from when my son was a baby.
Rain Man
12-23-2011, 10:54
I have heard diaper pins work great. It is not very easy finding them any more, though.
Then you don't know any quilters! LOL Go to any fabric store or sewing section and ask for quilting pins. They are even better than diaper pins, because they are bent and easier to put through flat fabric.
Rain:sunMan
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i use safety pins like others have said...
Bags4266
12-23-2011, 12:50
I drape my items to dry over my side compression straps. Cinch the straps up and they stay secure. Half way thru my day I move them around a little.
WingedMonkey
12-23-2011, 13:12
I use a blanket pin so secure mine. It is like a big safety pin.
One of the most unknown little gadgets out there. I think I observed them the first time in a CCC exhibit in a state park. You will find them on Campmore.
I've seen some use aligator clips.
JustADude
12-23-2011, 15:52
What's the best (also thinking lightest) way to attach your socks to the outside of your pack to hang-dry? I have a Golite Quest pack and it is pretty minimal on the features. Some kind of clip? Safety pin? A strong clothes pin? I just don't want to lose them if they fall off.
Love this question and have a personal interest in the outcome of the informal poll, as I lost a LLBean Hiking sock someplace on the Iron Mountain section.
Obviously my technique of just tying them in a knot was unsuccessful and should be avoided.
I will be interested to see what wins out. Personally I switched over to a tiny bungee (~4" loop). Probably an overkill, but better than listening to wife give me a dig for loosing one of the $15 socks.
quilteresq
12-23-2011, 17:13
Rainman, you must be married to a quilter! Of course we have pins. For quilting, they're called basting pins.
I have heard diaper pins work great. It is not very easy finding them any more, though. I wish I would have kept them from when my son was a baby.
I have two diaper pins from when my oldest daughter was a baby( she is now 44). The clasp part is a pink bunny rabbit. Now I have a good use for them..thanks Renee.
I also just use a compression strap already on the pack and pull it tight around the mid point of the sock; depending on the pack, I've used side straps or one that went over the top. Never lost a sock that way even on a thruhike. Frameless packs carry better if they are full so even many lightweight packs have at least 2 somewhere that can be used. If you own one of the very few UL packs that don't have a strap that can be used, I guess a large safety pin would be the best.
If you really want to dry your socks fast, don't use those really thick heavy hiking socks. Also consider using ankle high socks instead of crew socks. The less material, the less time.
rjhouser
12-23-2011, 18:49
Rainman, you must be married to a quilter! Of course we have pins. For quilting, they're called basting pins.
I can confirm this, my wal-mart had the large safety pins and they were labeled "Basting Pins"
Rain Man
12-23-2011, 20:03
Rain Man, you must be married to a quilter!
Guilty quilty wife, as charged! Trail name is Stitch. :)
Rain Man
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ShoelessWanderer
12-23-2011, 20:16
Like the rest, safety pins. Light weight and cheap. I just leave them attached to my pack so I always have them.
sandylwes
12-23-2011, 23:50
Yes, love the safety pin, but also one of my favorite trail items is rubber bands. Weigh nothing, but so useful. I keep platys rolled up with them, lid on cook pot (no stuff sack), around zip lock bags to compress them more, tons of uses.
CaptainNemo
12-24-2011, 00:10
2 pairs of hiking socks are for wearers of pretty white dresses. 1 pair are for haters like me.
topshelf
12-24-2011, 00:24
I tied mine in a knot and had the exact opposite problem. It tried and I couldn't get the knot undone after it tried and stiffened.
topshelf
12-24-2011, 00:24
dried************
ChinMusic
12-24-2011, 00:49
I've seen some use aligator clips.
Dual use, I'm sure...............
Dual use, I'm sure...............
Uh, as heat sinks for soldering electronics?
Ditto on the diaper pins, learned that here on WB .................. have used them for years, works great for drying socks!!
nitewalker
12-24-2011, 10:20
melt a small hole about 1 inch down from the top of the socks. you thread a small peice of shockcord or some type of string, twine etc thru it.. make sure there are no loose threads around the hole or the sock may fray. melt it till its smooth.....i never tried this but it sounds good. i just thought it up. its gotta work. 1/8 in hole will accept shockcord..
I have two safety pins sown onto the upper half of my pack,
I use binder clips. In areas that I might pull the socks out I will push one of the wire clips through the socks as extra security. I have lost a couple socks using just the clips on overgrown trails but never with the clip going through the socks.
Uh, as heat sinks for soldering electronics?
No, one use is to pin your bandanna onto the back of your baseball cap if you don't have one of those hideous sun hats. (I do :o).
I bought some BRASS safety pins at Wally-World. No rusty that way.
No, one use is to pin your bandanna onto the back of your baseball cap if you don't have one of those hideous sun hats. (I do :o).
Sure, what other use could alligator clips have on the trail besides this and hanging socks to dry?
I bought some BRASS safety pins at Wally-World. No rusty that way.
Just verdigris
also.............besides drying WET socks, after each mid-day sock break, airing them out vs putting them into a sealed bag is great, keeps the stink at bay, large diaper or whatever pins works great.
SunnyWalker
02-29-2012, 20:56
I like the old fashioned woodeen clothes pins. They are cheap and hang on real good. I never lost anything yet. Then when I do put up a clothesline in camp it is a little easier to hang clothes. Although you can hang clothes on a clothes line without the pins.
kayak karl
02-29-2012, 21:25
I bought some BRASS safety pins at Wally-World. No rusty that way.
i use the same, they will still rust but slower. they are only coated.