Best wool socks for hunting?

Joined
May 6, 2012
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991
I like smart wool ankle socks. Yes, I wear ankle socks regardless of boots or weather. When I finally figured out a good thin pair of wool socks with no loner would keep my feet much warmer than thick bulky socks, I felt like a fool. An Native Indian dude explained how your socks and your boots are no different than a double pain window. You need air between in your boot to keep your feet warm. works great !!
 
Joined
May 6, 2012
Messages
991
I've had bad luck with a number of brands' "hunting" lines of socks not being built for high activity and bunching up. The biggest offender in my memory being smartwool. Maybe the darn tough hunting socks are a looser fit as well?

I have a bunch, I like first lite and Filson merino quite a bit but best for me have been darn tough hiking and mountaineering socks. Depending on your needs for warmth and volume, the hiking cushion (thinner on top of foot), full cushion (thick all around foot) work well, mountaineering are even thicker yet, I just wish they made them in a boot fit because those suckers are tall. The cushion is much appreciated in keeping my feet in good shape. The cool max lines work well too but are not as warm and get stinky pretty quick.

I can usually find what im looking for discounted on amazon.

exactly why i wear merino ankle socks. The hiker or running versions.
 
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
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I have used smartwool and liked them in the past. However, I bought a pair of the extra heavy over the calf socks for sitting in my deer stand this year and they stretch out and bunch up in the heal if I walk much at all.
My favorite socks for the last couple seasons have been the Minus33 merino day hiker (85% merino 13% stretch nylon 2% spandex) or the Minus33 expedition mountaineer socks (77% merino 20% stretch nylon 3% elastane)
 

TheCougar

WKR
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Jun 6, 2016
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Virginia
I just finished my hunt and used the kuiu socks I got for Christmas. I liked them and have no complaints. For my money though, nothing beats darn tough for value and quality.
 

GKPrice

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Sep 27, 2014
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I just finished my hunt and used the kuiu socks I got for Christmas. I liked them and have no complaints. For my money though, nothing beats darn tough for value and quality.

been wearing KUIU socks for about a year now, work and hunts, they are every bit as comfortable as any sock I've ever worn for sure - when I finally tried Darn Toughs I was blown away by the quality and comfort - Bottom Line though ? for comfort it's the sock vs. foot - for warmth it's the relationship between the boots and the sock, too tight and your feet will not be kept warm no matter how thick the socks are - "blood flow" is the only thing that REALLY matters for WARMTH
 

Elkfever

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Jan 20, 2014
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My go to, from September archery all the way through November, is merino sock liners by REI with the First Lite Crew Socks. I just change what boot I'm wearing to adjust to the weather and terrain that I'm in.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2013
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I am a Darn Tough Man as well ... Although I just bought a pair of merino wool socks called - Farm to Feet ... 100% American from farm & raw Wool to Manufacture .. Same lifetime warranty as Darn Tough and the same money.. Using them this winter hiking in to check my Bobcat traps..So far -So good ...
 
Joined
Dec 24, 2019
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I've been wearing Smartwool PhD Outdoor Light socks for several years. I love them. If your feet get very hot, these are maybe not for you -- get the ultra light version instead. For me, these are just right, all year. This version is also better than the previous two years. The design of the last two years looked a bit odd with shoes on because of the stripes around the heel. This one is finally much better. Anyway, fantastic socks. Buy them. You will be glad you did.
About the sizing, with other brands I often used to order socks a size smaller because I like them tight. With these, I suggest you order the size as listed even if your shoe size is at the low end of the sock size range listed.
 

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Shrek

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Jul 17, 2012
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Hilliard Florida
Darn Tough for all my socks now. I started with two pair of their Mountaineering socks and have now replaced everything I wear with Darn Tough socks. I have probably 20 sets now from ankle socks to the Mountaineering socks.
 

mtwarden

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Oct 18, 2016
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Montana
Darn Tough for all my socks now. I started with two pair of their Mountaineering socks and have now replaced everything I wear with Darn Tough socks. I have probably 20 sets now from ankle socks to the Mountaineering socks.

that’s me too, from trail running anklets to over the calf thick mountaineering one’s and everything in between

I haven’t used it often, but have sent a few pairs back (lifetime warranty) and have been replaced without question
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
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Lowcountry, SC
I run Darn Tough Westerner. Tried the thicker DT Hunter, but my feet stay more comfortable in the thinner socks. They also fit better and stay put. No liner for me. Hot Hands toe warmers if cold when stationary. Those things last all day.
 

np307

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Nov 28, 2019
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North Carolina
Guess I'll jump in on the thread resurrection. I like Bellview heavy weight wool socks that I get from the local surplus store. They're 80% wool and I wear them year round, even in the heat of summer in NC. I always couple them with Terramar silk liner socks and they do great. Best part is that they're $5.50 a pair.
 

JDMBEND

Lil-Rokslider
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Oct 20, 2019
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Long time Smartwool user. Recently switched to Darn Tough. Better quality, lifetime warranty, American made, and Family owned.
 

positivepete!

Lil-Rokslider
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Feb 16, 2018
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Northern Colorado
I like the darn tough and or farm to feet. Didn't like the firstlite compression socks or the scheels brand wool. I have heard good things about the kuiu ones too
 
Joined
Dec 16, 2014
Messages
593
Darn tough various ones, first lite mountain compression, they stay up and don't move around all day, feet stay warm even in cold temps. Some of the DT ones are such a tight weave that my feet start to sweat but they are tough and comfortable. I have some ski socks or maybe mountaineering ones, over the calf and thick, a pair called Paul Bunyan which are OTC, and some Hunter models. Have one pair of kuiu but they have no stretch and are tight, I think they shrunk when I washed them . I stopped wearing liners a few years ago and have less blister problems.
 
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