View Full Version : socks
speedstar
27-04-2006, 12:49
Hello All
I am on a misson to get some new socks over the next few days.
So what socks do you guys use?
I currently use hj commandos.
Thanks Rob
Socks? Welllllll......that depends.
If I'm wearing my jungle boots and I know I'll be walking through water, I wear one pair of thick woolen socks. Thick because jungle boots don't have much cushioning. And one pair because two pairs in jungle boots give me bad blisters.
For my mountaineering boots, I start with a pair of DuPont Coolmax liner socks or polypropylene liner socks. Over those go either a pair of medium weight synthetics, or if the weather is to be really cold, then I substitute the synthetics for a thick pair of terry cloth knit woolen "Canadian winter" socks.
Adam
Spacemonkey
27-04-2006, 20:33
Coolmax type liners really irritate my feet for some reason...
As I have size 12 feet, I have problems buying socks that fit comfortably without riding down my heels, so for every day use I buy Bridgedale hiking socks in various guises and they are dead comfy. I even wear them when walking too!!
beachlover
27-04-2006, 20:36
I go with Spacemonkey, Bridgedale socks are great and I wear them most days, walking or not.
Ogri the trog
27-04-2006, 21:11
Yup,
Me too, Bridgedales or Brashers, the "1000 mile" merinos are good too - I would never have thought that a different pair of socks could make such a difference to walking - but believe me it does.
ATB
Ogri the trog
bushtuckerman
27-04-2006, 21:15
cotton or tactel thousand mile socks will thick wool socks over the top. I'm tempted to buy those merino thousand mile socks now! :D
speedstar
27-04-2006, 21:17
Hi lads thanks for the help
I to have size 12 fet and have the same problem with the commandos so i turn them over the top of my boots I tend to wear very high cut boots. I will have to get a pair tomoz i work 4 on 4 off but working weekends sucks.
I will give some o the mentioned i try
Thanks Rob
Sorry about the sp.
Spacemonkey
28-04-2006, 18:18
Commando socks (the big thick green ones?) do come in 11-13 size, and fit me a treat. It's just that the toe seam rubs one of my toes like mad so I use them for motorbiking only nowadays. Bridgdales (in XL size) much better..
extremities mountain toasters without doubt my number one socks still using some that are a good 8 years old. failing that the Bridgedales.
Trouble is tracking them down everyone wants them and no one stocks them. Probably because they dont come with some fancy POS or other incentives.
i was told to turn the socks inside out to stop the seam rubbing,works for me.
issued arctic socks cant beat them, worn them round the UK and into North Africa with no problems plus being a really manky off white colour they dont show the dirt and.
lou
I like my Bridgedales, but I love the Smartwool socks.
I used to use the thousand mile socks but was told that the ptfe liner between the two layers can sometimes crease and split and cut into your foot??? Not sure if thats true but decided to give Smartwool socks a go and they're fantastic. If I could afford enough pairs I'd use em every day (oh and if they did them in black for work ;) ) They're very comfortable and when you first put them on they're like walking on a cushion.
GoatBoy666
29-04-2006, 14:41
Try the smartwool range,
imo they are by far the most reliable sock.
Pricey kit but worth the xtra.
They seem to last and last.
Wear them for a week and they hardly smell. Try that with most man-made fibres and your feet will be humming a tune after 1 day and by day 5 you will floating on the funk.
I tend to use a brasher BTS liner with them to.
bushtuckerman
29-04-2006, 17:22
Lithril, did you just say 1000 mile socks have a ptfe liner?!? I have a couple of pairs and i'm pretty sure they don't. Have they brought this in with newer designs or something? I don't have any problem with mine anyway. Are you thinking of Sealskinz, because they might have a ptfe lining?
I have some bridgedales, they're ok, not particularly hardy though, and I like high wool content socks and i can get a thick 80% wool pair at the market for a couple of quid, whereas the Explorers i have cost me 8 quid and are only 65% wool socks. the more 'technical' socks have the advantage of a decent fit over cheap socks but they're still overpriced, and i find that they lose their springiness pretty quick too (due to all that fine loop back knitting probably).
If I'm thinking about the same ones, the the thousand mile ones are the twin layer, with one moving against your foot and the other the boot? If they are I'm pretty sure there is a non slip lining between the two layers. Could be wrong though, either way smartwools winning my vote, just wish they weren't quite as expensive :p
bushtuckerman
29-04-2006, 17:32
well it would seem to make sense on the anti-friction side of things but my original 1000 mile socks definately don't! and ptfe would of course be waterproof...and less breathable if you're after normal socks. i better do some research!
Hi
I know this is a serious discussion about socks, but this is seriously what I do, however, on reading this I'm wondering if I'm off the mark. Having said that I've never had any problems whilst out and about in the UK.
My Gran know's I like 'being outside' so once or twice a year she buys me socks form her local market in County Durham. First off yes I'm 33 but I'm her first Grandchild so she loves me the most so what! Secondly I'm not proud I'll accept freebies.
Anyway when the package arrives, usually with a groan and moan of 'not more socks' I'll wear a pair around the house for a day like slippers, if they don't cause me any problems and withstand chasing kids and standing on broken toys I move to stage two of the test.
I where them to work. I work in an over hot office, again if my feet are ok from this I'll wear them on a tentative hike. If all is well then they are a keeper!!
So the up shot is apart from some old army socks I kept when I left, the rest of mine are market socks bought by my loving Gran and they have never let me down yet.
Pib, Sorry for the long post!
I used to think that tennis socks (cotton and cheap... :) ) were the ultimate in footwear...
Nowadays I use two pairs (liner and thicker...) on top of each other....I find the main thing to look for is;
1.) perfect fit
2.) absolutely no cotton
3.) synthetics and wool provide the best combination...wicking, warmth etc.
I wear hiking boots up to 330 days a year in varying conditions...from -40 to +30 degrees C in both dry and wet conditions. This is what works for me...
I don`t think I`ve ever even owned a pair of brand socks (other than what I`ve used in gear testing for various outdoor magazines..)...I just buy the cheapest and make do...
Marko
Pibbleb,
Don't be bashful about having a great Grandmother. Mine is 75 and absolutely loves me to pieces, as well as spoiling me rotton. And besides, one can never have enough socks!
Adam
bushtuckerman
30-04-2006, 16:18
right on the mark pibbleb. if it works it works. most expensive socks are a total con. the only ones which have been worth their price tag are the 1000 mile socks, when used as a liner. sometimes these discussions get a touch serious but most importantly they're open to anything, so no worries there. ahh yes, the standing on broken toy test, i know this well, it's like testing off road tyres. by the way your signature is very funny :D
ian
Try the smartwool range,
imo they are by far the most reliable sock.
Pricey kit but worth the xtra.
They seem to last and last.
Not for me they didn't. Fell apart much too quickly for my liking. The washing destructions said just bung 'em in your normal wash (40C) but I'm thinking that might not be best.
Either way I won't be buying anymore Smartwool gear, way too expensive for a product that disintegrates within months.
Not for me they didn't. Fell apart much too quickly for my liking. The washing destructions said just bung 'em in your normal wash (40C) but I'm thinking that might not be best.
Either way I won't be buying anymore Smartwool gear, way too expensive for a product that disintegrates within months.
i would contact Smartwool and see what they say, I've got about 4 sets and one pair has lasted over 2 years and with numerous mountain walks. Can't hurt to drop em an email.
Lurch,
I agree with Lithril, give smartwool a call. I wear the socks and have a couple of tops and have had no problems at all. On my primitive living coures I wore the same pair of socks for 5/6 days, they were great with no smell, I would normally change my socks every day but there was no need as long as I washed and powdered my feet daily. I wash the socks on a 40 and have had nothing go wrong with them.
Brian
TheGreenMan
02-05-2006, 18:52
Hello All
...So what socks do you guys use?...
Thanks Rob
Hello speedstar,
My only experience of 'performance' socks are a brand called Ullfrotté. The best I've ever owned. I recomend that if you wash them in a washing machine, wash them without washing powder, and turn them inside-out.
Quote:
200g/M² Golf/Multi-Sport/Running
400g/M² Skiing/Multi-Sport/Walking
600g/M² Protection/Treking/Climbing
800g/M² Survival/Insulation/Expedition
Best regards,
Paul.
I was never impressed with smartwool they seemed to be full o' oles in no time at all.
Have to admit they did feel luxurious when they were new, and if i had a more understanding bank manager id probably keep getting them.
TheGreenMan
02-05-2006, 19:01
I was never impressed with smartwool they seemed to be full o' oles in no time at all.
Have to admit they did feel luxurious when they were new, and if i had a more understanding bank manager id probably keep getting them.
OK :)
Best regards,
Paul.
Ditch Monkey
02-05-2006, 19:04
Smartwool all the way.
I have two pairs and they have seen me through the winter. They are so comfortable that I sometimes keep them in reserve favouring other socks for a few days, then when I'm really tired, cold and miserable I put them on and it is a complete luxury.
I love 'em.
TheGreenMan
02-05-2006, 19:13
Smartwool all the way.
I have two pairs and they have seen me through the winter. They are so comfortable that I sometimes keep them in reserve favouring other socks for a few days, then when I'm really tired, cold and miserable I put them on and it is a complete luxury.
I love 'em.
Hello Ditch Monkey,
Majorly comfy, a great moral booster (When you find yourself in a ditch<g>)!
Best regards,
Paul.
I was never impressed with smartwool they seemed to be full o' oles in no time at all.
Glad it wasn't just me that found that then.
How much are we talking about with these kinda socks?
Smartwool socks are great, £13 a pair is not a bad price to me, I have some that are four yours old this summer.
They have seen a lot of use, day to day walking the dog, hill walking including trips up Helvellyn, Snowdonia etc
Mine get bunged in with the general clothes wash and have no holes, perhaps you have an issue with the fit of your boots?
speedstar
02-05-2006, 21:17
sorry for the slow reply everyone i have had a hard 4 days at work. I hav got soem of the 1000 mile socks and some other to try. once thay have had some testing i will get back to every one. but i think it is going to get down to personal prefarance (sp).
Thanks everyone for the help..
And yes you all do :You_Rock_ :lmao:
Rob