Neoprene socks?

imported
#1

has anyone out there used (to any measurable extent) ‘neoprene socks’? (say, for stream crossings in the sierra?)…we used neoprene gloves on the AT in '03, but quickly gave them up, mostly because of the fact that they REALLY began to smell AWFUL! (even more than the normal thru-hiker AWFUL!..and even after washing!)…i have a pair on this morning with the shoes i’ll be wearing in the sierra and they feel amazingly more warm and comfortable than i remember…but do i chance actually hiking in them today (and more importantly, on the PCT?)…hmmmmmm…

maw-ee

#2

I didn’t meet anyone using water socks / neoprene socks this year, although I’ve heard of it. Everyone used regular wool or synthetic socks in the Sierra and was fine.

I’d say neoprene socks might be nice, but I really don’t see the point. Your feet will be wet, your shoes will be wet. Everything below your knees will be wet. Might as well embrace it. It makes northern california that much better because you can look back and say, “Well, at least our feet are dry.”

Best I can do, since I admit to having no experience with any kind of sock besides toe socks, thin wool socks or super-thin liner socks. :stuck_out_tongue:

Joker

#3

I’ve used them for years since I hike in sandals. They are great for insulation purposes, but of course this depends on the thickness of the actual sock. (I use wet suit booties for heavy snow)

Ideally they should fit snugly on the foot so that they don’t balloon up with water during and after river fords.

They work great in snow too!

happy trails!

freebird

#4

I hike year round in mesh runners and use seal skins for wet snow they do quikly smell very foul and end up wet in and out but stay warm and dry out reasonable. for wet foot crossings I take off the socks and walk a ways past without them to pump out the water so the socks stay half dry when put back on

George

#5

there are various types of neoprene socks - the ones with lots of tiny holes are somewhat ventilated and therefore they don’t smell as much as the ‘waterproof’ type.

I have found the SealSkin brand socks very warm (too warm for most thru-hiker situations) and heavy. I use them with my trail runners in mid winter here in Vermont. I no longer carry them on thru-hikes because of the weight, limited use (just in heavy snow), and the fact that they can fill up like a waterbag in heavy rain without gaitors.

freebird

#6

maybe i’ll just stick with my thin wool socks…(with a pair of quick drying nylon just in case)…i’m also still wondering about which socks in the desert, as well…(maybe this should be a new thread), but have any of you worn wool socks that first 700 miles?..(i guess i better be deciding soon since we leave in 3 weeks! YIKES!)

maw-ee

#7

I’ve worn nothing but Smartwool light hikers for the last three seasons–desert, snow, water, everything. Nice and simple and it works. I’m sure there are better specific socks for specific conditions, but life doesn’t have to be that complicated.

Garlic