Sock Opinions

“any good suggestions on some socks?

looking for some well padded wicking. I use wig warm but its time for a change.”

“I love my Thorlo midweight hikers!!”

“Love my Rohners. Real cheap from Sierra Trading Post.”

“In these uncertain times, just buy the blue chips, and hold...think long term.”

“Red Sox are supposed to have a good season this year..”

“I have switched to Smartwool socks - they are the best I have ever used. I used to think people were crazy to wear wool socks in the hot summer- but somehow they are warm and dry in the winter and cool and dry in the summer. They also dry out pretty fast if you do get them soaked.”

“SmartWools. I'm trying a pair of Dahlgren alpaca/wool-blend light hikers after hearing good things, but they already show pilling on the heels after just a couple wearings. They are very, very comfortable though.

My various SmartWools show hardly any wear after getting used a lot. The SmartWool liner socks are great with dress shoes in winter. I also have one pair of WigWam merino wool socks that are performing very well too.”

“i like the bridgedale gtx trekkers. at first you can't move your toes around cause they're so thick but once you get a little sweat going they feel great. 20 bucks a pair though.”

“Smartwool or Thorlo Expedition Socks. Very cushy, mid calf socks.”

“After years of spending big bucks on all the high-tech hiking socks I finally find some that are comfortable all day, warm, absorbant, wicking, and durable.

No-name polypros from WalMart for about a buck a pair.”

“I love smartwool socks with thorlo summer weight padded liners.”

“Seems the best combination for me over the last few years. Ordered some Smartwool athletic socks, which I wear to work in sneakers or trail shoes. They're great. Feet never get that clammy feeling common if you're on your feet all day in cotton or synthetics. They still have 'em for $6.93/pr. at REIoutlet.com”

“Bridgedale Hikers here - I like them and they last a long time”

“I've been using the same combo for years on the trail, silk inner socks, and thin to medium thick wool outside. I know folks might think you get too hot this way, but I do change the outer every few hours and pin the damp ones to the outside of the pack to dry, then switch,, blister proof every time. I did get some Sealskinz this last year( couldn't pass up the $3 price, scooped up after a dot com failure!) but I have only tried them on shorter day hikes,, so far working okay though, so I may switch to them all the time, I like the waterproof idea.”

“A few years ago I got a bunch of merino wool socks from Sierra Trading Post. They all are just as comfortable as Smartwool socks and half the price.

I hate wearing my old kind of socks now!”

“My Thorlos have lasted 8 years now.”

“Those blue polypro liners and presently either Smartwools or Thorlos. I don't know the style names but I look for padding and high wool percentage and mid-calf fit when buying. Have y'all every studied to see if the piling last longer in socks that have a greater or lesser amount of wool or synthetic?

Hey what do you people do with your worn out socks?
You know the ones that begin to wear in the heel and behind the toes. I have a few pairs that are beginning to show some severe wearing and I'm thinking of trying to make some house slippers out of them, because I have a habit of wear hiking socks and other woolies as slippers most of the time.

Maybe those iron on patches or sew some suede patches to the bottom or even cut the top off and use that 'gaiter like' to keep scree and debris out. Any ideas?”

“I tried some thorlos at the advice of a good friend. Very cushy and wicky. Also the threads at the toes are such that I no longer get blisters on the side of my big toe.

Slasher is using my old EMS socks, which really wick well, but they don't give her blisters.

We are both very happy with our respective choices. Just represents that what works for one, won't always work for another.

Happy Trails”

“Briar Rabbit - I've been using the tops of old socks for years as summer gaiters to keep crap out of my boots. Work great and the price is right. I use the toes for little stuff sacks, like when I take a candle lantern and lighter, or my Princeton Tec and its various lens inserts.”

“Ive always used thick cotton socks when packing. I like the feel, except when they get soaked of course.

Ill be exoerimenting with other socks.

Anyone have old used socks that are still usable that they would like to get rid of. Just for some various types bfore I go and buy a bunch.”

“If anyone ever gets to East Tenn, there is a Crescent Hosiery Discount store in Sweetwater Tn, that sells seconds. There mill is down the road in Niota Tn. I was up there on a business trip and discovered the store. They sell Cool-Max, Smartwool, LL Bean and lots of other brands. Seems this mill makes alot of these socks and then puts whatever brand name on them. I bought some Smartwool hiker socks for $ 5.00 ea, low cut cool-max socks for my sneakers 6 pr for $ 6.00 and my son who has a big foot (size 16) some Cool-Max over the calf socks 6 pr for $ 9.99. It is a good place to check out if you are in the area.”

“Smartwool socks don't last as long as the Thorlo socks for me. I think they have the same old problem wool always had. It weakens when it gets wet. The cushioning just seems to disappear too fast.”

“I went from wearing thorlo's and a so-so pair of boots and being plauged by blisters...the thorlos were bad about slipping and bunching. I now have been using Smartwools and a new pair of REI boots and haven't had a blister since...and i've put some of the hardest miles on this combintation.
of course i've always used liners...Smartwool is my choice now...i use the thorlos to sleep in when it gets cold or an emergency hiking sock”

“richb nailed it.

smartwools are for the l.l.bean crowd. they're fluffy little booties that are only good for keeping the toes warm, while lounging around. they don't stand up to hiking worth a #&%!$.

thorlos have staying power. they're tough and they last.”

“OK Rad, I thought it someone else would notice this too.”

“Polypro liners and capilene liner socks. I like thin socks. I use them for snowboarding and backpacking/hiking. They don't show signs of wear yet, and some are at least 5 yrs old. The older polypro liners have holes where the big toenail rubs.”

“Try the stick-on bathtub anti-slip thingies. That's what I put on the bottoms of the house slippers that I knit for the fam. They work pretty well for that.”

“I still have yet to have a pair of Smartwool socks fart out on me, and I wear mine for everyday use, not just for hiking. Prolly cause my boots fit like a glove and there's no rubbing or hot spots. My Thorlo's make my feet feel more sweatier and wet than any other socks, and they bring out the foot odor more than any other sock I own.”

“Awwww, stuff a sock in it!”

“I found some Ducks Unlimited merino blend socks at Wally World for $3.75/pr. I tried them out this weekend with wicking liners and I loved them. I don't know how well they'll hold up to wear and tear yet but at that price, I'm going back for more!”

“They are identical in every way to the Thorlos G00SE uses except for the little DU embroidered logo at the top.”

“Sock it to me!”

“I use two pair for hiking and in my ski boots.

Inner is a light silk/nylon-wicking with the outer being a Bridgdale Hiker. Have had the Bridgedale for over 5 yrs now. Still in great shape.”

“It'll knock your socks off!”

“I love Rei's heavy backpacking socks they are great.”