Best hiking socks on the planet? What’s the buzz?
Tyger
Best hiking socks?
system
#2
Well, I don’t know which are the best. There are many brands out there. All are good, until they get thread bare and worn out.
One thing. The synthetics like Ultramax stink much more when wet than a natual fiber sock like Smart wool. Myself, for what it’s worth, I have some Smart wool socks and Thorlo’s. I also have Ultramax that I will not buy again. I also find that around the house in socking feet, my feet get very cold at times while wearing Ultramax.
Peaks
system
#5
All I’ll wear when hiking are Wigwam Ultimax Liner socks. Very durable and breathable. Go great with running shoes. Smartwools are too thick and hot to wear when hiking. However, they are very warm around the house. I’ve got 'em on now, and my feet are toasty.
yogi
system
#6
I am a big fan of expedition weight capilene socks from Patagonia. I hiked with three pair from Maine to Georgia in 1999. I just retired them last year when the heels wore out. They have excellent padding for long days and are comfortable without socks liners. The mid-weight capilene socks are nice also but don’t last as long.
Darth Pacman
system
#7
Hobo Joe…thank you for sharing your “Less costly” idea. Besides being kind of necessary for me right now, I think it’s fun to figure out in my life, what things it’s smarter to buy “brand name” ($) & what things that I can get by with buying “Target/Kmart name”! :cheers
Neela
system
#8
Tell it like it is also likes cheap hiking solutions and one of my favorite ones are Wal-Mart socks. For about 800 miles or so I used 2 pairs of mens nylon/spandex dress socks from Wal-Mart. Just make sure they don’t have any cotton in them. They dry super-fast, are very breathable, you don’t get blisters, plus they’re sooooo cheap! They were also more durable than any smartwool socks I’ve ever had.
Tell it like it is
system
#11
Ultimax hiker low for 2-3 season. Or if you still out there on the triple crown up north. I’m a big fan of Neoprene socks. I used to wear only diver socks, I hated all socks. And the diving stores couldn’t figure out why I don’t want wool.
Now I see, Campmors got tons of Neoprene socks for now. Anyway, I only carry 1 pair neoprene. most of your socks you like, try compairing to hiking a few days in a pair of Bridgedale Summits. And I wear the fishing gloves made of neoprene to I think someone does make a pair now. After I made everyone sick with my 3 ounce neoprene fishing gloves that never get wet or cold or slip.
one ounce polypro liners are nice to. Right! I carry both.
Neoprene socks aren’t for everyone, but I love the warmth and I don’t need any more socks to carry even in the winter, and I don’t dry socks in the fog, at best somedays. So for this Holy diver, Neoprene socks and you might as well get the $9 neoprene fishing gloves for the freezing rain hiking.
Its not my falt.:evil
hikerdude
system
#13
I had two pairs of socks that lasted 2,172.6 miles. Yes that’s right, the same pair that i started with went the entire length of the AT.
Smartwool Treking Socks. THEY ROCK!!! :cheers
Boorah
system
#14
I had two pair of Smartwool and they lasted the entire length of the trail in '02. And I’m still using them. I wore my gaiters every day which kept trash out of my boots and my socks didn’t get the abrasive action of the debris. Happy trails.
Papa Smurf
system
#15
There is a brand that combines an outer sock with a liner sock all in one: WRIGHTSOCK Cool Mesh and they come in a variety of styles. The double sock innovation prevents blisters and the hassel of looking for the liner socks in the morning. “Bumpo” was the hiker who told me about them.
Sjylander