The right pair(s) of socks?

[Rollo]

Hi Guys,
I have a pair of Berghaus Explorer Ridge Gore-Tex boots and have been researching what pair or pairs of socks would best suit this type of boot in Hot Summer and Freezing Winter conditions.

Many people in outdoor shops have suggested something to the effect of "Spend lots on 1 pair and they will last you for a long time" other say "Have 1 thick pair over 1 thin pair to stop blisters from friction". Are they talking sense or simply trying to get a sale from me?

I have searched the internet and these message boards for an answer but have found nothing that directly answers my question. I am pretty new to the bushcraft scene but a quick learner and thought I would ask people with experience.

So the question is: What is the best pair(s) of socks for a Hot Summer and a Freezing Winter?

[Shewie]

Welcome to the forum Rollo :)

Personally I'm a fan of the 1000 Mile socks, if you've not seen them it's basically a thin sock with a thicker outer sock. They come in a variety of thicknesses and weights for the seasons, but when it gets really cold I change boots and I double up with a nice thick pair of 400g Woolpowers too.

http://www.1000mile.co.uk/1000milesocks.htm

http://www.woolpower.se/en/asp/produkter_3.asp

Not saying it's the right way but it works for me okay.

[TallMikeM]

for summer use I tend to use a sock high in coolmax. I bought a load once of (I think, bridgedale) when I saw them cheap, and they're the best I've ever worn. Had 'em for ages, and still going strong (bearing in mind I wear 'em practically everyday over the warm months). I also wear them if I'm wearing my chainsaw boots in the winter, as I find anything warmer is too warm in those things.
For winter use the best I've found are hirsch socks. 100% wool and uber warm. Not cheap at £11 a pair, but worth it (I tried the army's arctic sock when I was in, and don't rate them one bit).
So, in answer to you question, there is no one sock out there.

[Melonfish]

Everyones idea of a good sock is different!
however the thin sock/thick sock thing is a common held belief and if your shoes fit well that should in theory stop you blistering too badly.
personally i run with these things:
http://www.yeomansoutdoors.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=3822
i get em in Green and they're double knitted on the sole for cusioning, comfy and get me where i need to go easy to dry too.
as i say each to their own :)

[Rollo]

Thanks for the info so far guys. Up to now, I will be buying 2 pairs, a thick and thin pair. So now the only thing I need to sort out is what features each pair should have.

Thanks for the Websites aswel, those 1000 Miles socks seem like a really good well wearing sock and I may buy a pair for more vigirous outdoor things I do.

[Opal]

Hiya Rollo, my lad's mate is called Rollo http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif do you own American bulldogs by any chance, if not sorry for going off topic and welcome to the site.

[John Fenna]

My current favourite are SmartWool Phd socks....merino and very high tech construction with great ventilation and comfort panels.
I always swore by a thin pair of lambswool under loopstitch outers in the past and that proved very good too, especially in the cold.

[redandshane]

British army green socks. Work for me double up with a pair of wool hiking socks if needed or goretex liners for wet
I think its actually a very personal thing and you have to find what works best for you in different conditions

[BorderReiver]

I'm currently trying out Icebreaker Merino wool socks.

So far I'm impressed.:)

[Lasse]

In summer I'm wearing Bridgedale trekking socks and in winter some nice knee-high Woolpower socks. Both contain merino wool.
A mate of mine used to wear non-wool socks in summer but when he tried out a pair of Bridgedales with merino he was amazed that his feet didn't smell! He practically wanted to go buy merino socks for every day of the year ;)
So if you're planning longer trips, I'd say get something with wool, even for summer use.

[John Fenna]

[QUOTE=Lasse2;613035]IHe practically wanted to go buy merino socks for every day of the year ;)
QUOTE]

Works for me!

[Rollo]

Hiya Rollo, my lad's mate is called Rollo http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif do you own American bulldogs by any chance, if not sorry for going off topic and welcome to the site.

Hehe, No I don't have any American Bulldogs unfortunatly :D

Also in reply to a few of the other comments, I have been told about Merino a few times by other people. I climbed Snowdon yesterday and didn't have the right socks on :( Although after 5 hours of walking, my Boots pulled through and I didn't have any blisters or cold feet! A lucky escape on my part but next time I will be prepared :bigok:

[Trojan]

My favourite are 5.11 Tactical Level I (Summer) and Level II (Winter) socks.

Or

I have lots of Karrimor socks 3 pairs for £5.00 from Asda!

[Rollo]

Ahhhhh, that's another thing! Karrimor... Good or Bad?

I'm 50/50 at the moment with their products.

[fergus77]

i use one pair of Swanndri wool socks in the summer and 2 pairs of the same thickness in the winter. The practise of a thin pair under a thick layer does help to prevent blisters, but even when i've had 2 thick pairs on i've had no problems.

I always try to wear wool or a wool mix, helps your feet breath and has natural wicking properties as well. Plus, if they get soaked they still keep you warm. Tried and tested in the New Forest at -6

I've had 2 karrimior packs if thats what you mean. The sabre 45 and Sabre 75. Both of them excellant packs capable of carrying everything you need depending on the season. I did find that the 45L with the rocket pouches snagged on trees, bush etc when walking through the woods, but that was about it.

Expensive now though and thats were you have to weigh up what you want from a pack before buying
I've just got a waxed canvas and leather pack which looks like it'll serve my purpose very well

[Mastino]

Rohner socks here. Virtually indistructable and never had blisters etc. The best trick I know for the freezing cold is to isolate the inner sock with a plastic bag. This seems odd but it prevents the build-up of moisture in the outer sock (yes, I wear a thin and a thick sock!), moisture that will inevitably freeze inside the shoe. Okay, you'll get some sweaty feet, but the external sock will maintain it's insulating properties.

[topknot]

Wool mix hopefully with out the nasty seam around the toe area.

[rik_uk3]

http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co. uk/ishop/1069/shopscr67.html £1 a pair, I bought a lifetime supply.

[kINGPIN]

I'm also a big fan of the 1000 mile socks, never had a blister in them, and they are comfortable in summer and winter. The first pair I have had have lasted 5 years. I bought them before my 15 week firefighter recruit course and they were used practically every day in seriously tough conditions- that pair is still going strong.

[mart]

I have British army green wool socks for work and they are ok, my fav socks however are Thorlo.
Thorlo hiking socks, long or short version if its not too cold. Thorlo mountain socks for when its cold.

[Left Turn]

I blister easily and it took me several tries to find a sock that helped.
In my experience I blister more easily than nearly everyone I've met. Hopefully you won't have such problems!

Out here in California, I worry more about heat than cold, so I have more experience keeping my feet cool and dry than warm and dry.

The theory of one thin, one thick sock is that any rubbing of layers from the action of walking will happen between sock and sock rather than sock and skin.

My feet get hot and sweaty very easily (even in our "winter" (water rarely freezes)). Sweat = damp skin = more blisters (at least for me).
I wear one pair of coolmax socks rather than doubling my socks and I've gone to injinji socks (http://www.injinji.com/) that have separate toes built right in. I don't know how widely they are available outside the US, but they are the best solution for me so far.

I also tape my feet with sports tape on the places where I blister - sock rubs on tape rather than my feet. I learned to tape my feet from a book called Fixing your Feet (http://www.fixingyourfeet.com/).

Happy walking!

[beamdune]

The most walking I have ever done was on a school trip to the lake district about 20 years ago. On my feet, leather walking boots from millets that cost around £25 and 2 pairs of cheap ribbed woollen socks.

I now have the biggest sock drawer in the world, filled with a small fortune's worth of overpriced technical hiking socks. Anyone know where to buy 'traditional' looking thick wool socks? (not the army ones, they look too long for my liking).

[Cael Nu Mara]

Anyone know where to buy 'traditional' looking thick wool socks? (not the army ones, they look too long for my liking).

Loch Broom Hardware, Ullapool ;)




Sam

[John Fenna]

Ah - fond memories of Ullapool, where I bought my first real walking boots, learned to drink Whisky, fell in love for the first time and found out about life in the slow lane!

I must go back some day.....