Socks

[Wyoming Hart]

Trying to start a topic here that I think gets a little overlooked and that is socks. I think they are almost as important as a good boot. I picked up a pair of smartwool merinos last Saturday along with a new pair of Danner Pronghorns and then on Sunday did a 7 mile hike through the mountains and can say that everything felt great the whole time. So what brand/type of material do you look for in a sock?

 

[Fink]

I love Smartwool socks for hiking and mountain hunting. Can't beat the Bass Pro lifetime socks for sitting in a deerstand all day.

 

[laxwyo]

I like tall over the calf socks to help protect shins. First Lite socks have been pretty good for me

 

[go_deep]

I like a minimum if 70% Merino wool, up by my knee length, and they have to fit tight all the way up. When it gets cold I wear a thicker pair. A cheap pair of socks will make a person miserable real quick.

 

[Matthoek21]

Smartwool all the way. Been wearing them for years.

 

[sneakypete]

I wear in my Kenetrek's a silk sock liner and a pair of REI expedition socks.

 

[Hoytfanatic]

Merino year round different thicknesses depending on which boot I decide to wear that day, 70% or more wool for me too! Smart wool is a definite with several other off market brands that do really well, sorry to say I don't even know what the are. If I see a cheap pair I buy them, if they suck I don't wear them, simple. However I haven't been to disappointed with many.

Biggest thing I look for, is size...a 6-12 size is not going to cut it, the smaller the increment between sizes the better.

 

[ivorytip]

Merino year round different thicknesses depending on which boot I decide to wear that day, 70% or more wool for me too! Smart wool is a definite with several other off market brands that do really well, sorry to say I don't even know what the are. If I see a cheap pair I buy them, if they suck I don't wear them, simple. However I haven't been to disappointed with many.

Biggest thing I look for, is size...a 6-12 size is not going to cut it, the smaller the increment between sizes the better.

very good advice. and liners are a must

 

[ssliger]

Usually pick up different brands of merino socks throughout the year on sale from different websites. I like the short socks for going to the gym, really like the tall over the calf for hunting season. Darn tough makes good socks too.

 

[LaHunter]

SmartWool socks all the way.
I like the lighter weight socks for active mountain hunting.

 

[RICMIC]

Merino wool, without a doubt. My feet are wet all day, all summer while I am canoe guiding, and nary a blister. Hiking out west with a heavy pack, and again no issues. I have had good luck with Fox River, and Smartwool. I have never needed liner socks, but a person with sweaty feet may.

 

[JMSZ]

I swear by Thorlos, full synthetic sock, I've never had problems with blisters with them and I've had pairs last me 4+ years.

Out hunting, I'll wear a pair of thin merino wool socks under them (I had thin polypro socks before) and that combination is generally good as long as I'm moving around and/or it's not too cold.

When it gets colder or I'm going to be sitting, I have some heavy wool/synthetic blend socks I got from U.S. Cavalry or Brigade Quartermaster years ago, they called them "Bosnia Toasters", they were supposedly popular with the Army guys in the Balkans at the time. I'll wear those with the thin socks underneath.

I wore that combination (with the thin polypro socks) during a cross-country in a helicopter in New York during the middle of winter. It was in the 20s during the day at ground level and we were several thousand feet up and my feet were never cold.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Injinji toe socks have been a revelation for me lately. Darn Tough are great traditional merino socks as well.

 

[Sawfish]

I swear by Thorlos, full synthetic sock, I've never had problems with blisters with them and I've had pairs last me 4+ years.

Out hunting, I'll wear a pair of thin merino wool socks under them (I had thin polypro socks before) and that combination is generally good as long as I'm moving around and/or it's not too cold.

When it gets colder or I'm going to be sitting, I have some heavy wool/synthetic blend socks I got from U.S. Cavalry or Brigade Quartermaster years ago, they called them "Bosnia Toasters", they were supposedly popular with the Army guys in the Balkans at the time. I'll wear those with the thin socks underneath.

I wore that combination (with the thin polypro socks) during a cross-country in a helicopter in New York during the middle of winter. It was in the 20s during the day at ground level and we were several thousand feet up and my feet were never cold.

I bought some of the heavy wool socks from Sportsman's Guide, which called them "Bosnia Warmers". Some of the best cold weather socks that I have ever used.

 

[badgerbob]

Trying to start a topic here that I think gets a little overlooked and that is socks. I think they are almost as important as a good boot. I picked up a pair of smartwool merinos last Saturday along with a new pair of Danner Pronghorns and then on Sunday did a 7 mile hike through the mountains and can say that everything felt great the whole time. So what brand/type of material do you look for in a sock?

I use the same combo. Danner Pronghorn and Smartwool. I do mainly warm weather hunts so do not get insulated boots. Love the Merino wool. The Pronghorns are an overlooked bargain in my opinion. I try to switch socks at mid day and dry out boots as often as possible.

 

[Wyoming Hart]

I use the same combo. Danner Pronghorn and Smartwool. I do mainly warm weather hunts so do not get insulated boots. Love the Merino wool. The Pronghorns are an overlooked bargain in my opinion. I try to switch socks at mid day and dry out boots as often as possible.

Yeah I decided on the 400 Gram insulated ones. I think that they will work out well in most situations. I agree the Pronghorn's are a bargain. My father uses them for work and he raves over them.

 

[tperry5]

My family loves smartwool socks, have a store close by that has 50% off sales every now and then and that's when I stock up. Heck even my 6 month old boy has smartwool socks!

 

[25contender]

Thorlos here and Darn Tough Socks. Both are great socks.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I like a minimum if 70% Merino wool, up by my knee length, and they have to fit tight all the way up. When it gets cold I wear a thicker pair. A cheap pair of socks will make a person miserable real quick.

Amen on the cheap socks ! A lesson I personally learned !

 

[limo526]

I wear Danner Pronghorn boots silk liners with Smartwool socks. Did 27 miles w/45# pack on 3 day hike in March no blisters. Feet were tired but in good shape. I changed socks daily.