What kind of socks do you wear in the mountains?

[iccyman001]

Do you wear a special kind of sock in the mountains?

Wool?
Cotton?


Do you have a liner or do you just use one sock?

 

[Ucsdryder]

Merino. If I had to give up every piece of merino the last 2 to go would be my socks and underwear. Comfortable and no smell...what more could you want for socks?

 

[F M]

Just one pair at a time and they are the same socks I wear every day at work. Cotton that have a nice thicker bottom and thin breathable tops.

 

[Scot320]

Merino wool mid-weight hiker with a liner to prevent blisters and wick moisture.

 

[bowhunter]

Merino wool mid-weight hiker with a liner to prevent blisters and wick moisture.

Same here.

 

[bnsafe]

a lightweight liner sock, then either hunter specialty tek4 socks or scent lock socks. not for scent control, just cause i got them on sale cheap and they work well.

 

[cohunter14]

I either use basic cotton socks or wool socks, just depending on the temperature.

 

[elky McElkerson]

I either use basic cotton socks or wool socks, just depending on the temperature.

this..and if i am car camping plays a huge part.

i find cotton pretty awesome if you are near a huge pile of clean socks. if i am gonna wear the same pair often..then merino wool.

 

[Ol' Arky]

Some one turned me on to drymax socks a few years back... I tried some and wear them most of the time when hunting in cold, wet weather now... Use to thing Smartwool was the best but not anymore... The drymax I wear are HD Hiking over the calf... They make them in crew also...

Of course one of these 4 videos sold me on them...

You might be mildly surprised if you try them... :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[mtnmutt]

For years, only smartwool (merino wool) light hiker socks. Then, I did a 5 mile backpack in for an elk hunt and got a nasty blister that took weeks to heal. After that experience due to subpar hiking shoes, I hedge my bets and wear either a coolmax or silk sock liner followed by my smartwool light hiker socks.

I do not like excessive padding in my socks because my feet sweat easily. I can\'t stand my feet being sweaty and clammy. I wear light merino wool blend socks daily year round: in summer, ultra light micro/low socks; in winter, light mini-crews. All my cotton & polypro socks are long gone to Goodwill.

TIP: In mid to late May of each year, REI normally has smartwool socks at 20% off during their annual anniversary sale. Sierra Trading Post is another option for finding deals on smartwool socks and sometimes Darn Tough, Icebreaker & Defeet.

I have tried other merino wool sock brands: Darn Tough, Defeet, Icebreaker. Smartwool socks have worked the best for me. The lower nylon percentage in a merino wool sock, the better. Most merino wool socks have some percentage of nylon or other fabric. Read the label/specs before buying.

 

[Baby Huey]

No cotton for me. Always merino wool, and most of the time with a synthetic liner sock. I\'ve used a merino wool liner sock, but it didn\'t work for me as well as a synthetic liner. For liners I like the Bridgedale brand and Wrightsock (a bit more beefier liner). For merino wool I like the Darntough and I have some Cabela\'s merino that works well too. I\'ll have to give the Smartwool merino a shot, as I like their merino wool underwear and I have a pair of Smartwool snowboarding socks I used this year and they worked well.

 

[elky McElkerson]

I had a foot doc tell me white cotton socks was the best defense for fungus. Never asked why. Bleach?

Again. Cotton only if they are changeable. And it\'s nice to see ticks against the white.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

 

[Bowfreak]

I use darn tough socks. I believe I would sell my washer and dryer if all I wore was merino all the time. Lol. It truly is impressive that you can wear the same pair of socks for a week and they won\'t stink. I have 2 pairs normally that I swap out if I get a set wet from sweat.

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[dapper]

I wear merino socks as well. Usually no liner.

 

[F M]

I see lots of merino wool so far. I have no experience with them.

What makes them better than other socks? Have seen that they don\'t stick up as fast. Comfort?

I don\'t have problems with blisters I think because I wear heavy work boots year around at work so just cotton socks work for me.

Another question do they feel like wool clothing? The reason I ask is because I have never liked the feel of wool cloths.

 

[Ol' Arky]

The Smartwool hunting socks feel like cotton to me but that\'s just me... They are soft with a kind of pile lining...

 

[Scot320]

Here are some things from Wikipedia and what I remember from personal experience.

Merino is excellent at regulating body temperature, especially when worn against the skin. The wool provides some warmth, without overheating the wearer.

It draws moisture (sweat) away from the skin, a phenomenon known as wicking, which results in helping the wearer stay comfortable whether it be in warm or cold conditions.

Like cotton, wool absorbs water (up to 1/3 its weight), but, unlike cotton, wool retains warmth when wet.

Like most wools, merino contains lanolin, which has antibacterial properties, resulting in reduced human body odor. It is not uncommon for users to wear a garment for multiple days in a row.

Merino is one of the softest types of wool available, because of finer fibers.

Merino has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio compared to other wools, in part because the smaller fibers have microscopic cortices of dead air, trapping body heat similarly to the way a sleeping bag warms its occupant.

It is very soft Francis and feels nothing like normal wool.

 

[F M]

Good info Scot. Thanks :upthumb:

 

[mandrroofing]

Has anyone here tryed dexshell waterproof socks,mabey as a second layer?
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[Ol' Arky]

Has anyone here tryed dexshell waterproof socks,mabey as a second layer?
<!-- m --><a class=\"postlink\" href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JLKNFRU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1460078410&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=waterproof+socks\" onclick=\"window.open(this.href);return false;\">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JLKNFR ... roof+socks</a><!-- m -->

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I have not tried the dexshell socks but from all the \"waterproof\" socks I\'ve tried over the years, none are waterproof... But I expect a waterproof sock to be waterproof... That being just them on my feet in water that doesn\'t go over the top of them and my feet staying dry...

Maybe waterproof to some is not waterproof to me...