Socks- why the merino?

[Erussell01]

Have you tried a lighter weight merino sock?


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Yeah sadly I have tried the lightest darn tough and smart wools with similar results. I think I sweat too dang much

 

[Erussell01]

Are you wearing a poly liner sock under them? As has been said, merino draws the moisture. With a liner sock my feet feel dry and comfortable all day even though my merino socks will be wet. I lay them out to dry overnight and they're good by morning, and then do it all over again.

No I haven't been. I wore them one year when I was using salewa boots and blistering like crazy but have not since.

 

[black dawg]

Hey gang.

I have a really goofy question


Why does everybody recommend merino socks for hunting in hot weather?

I understand the stink reduction. I understand the wide temp range merino works in.... however

I sweat like a politician in church and my feet are no exception. When I wear merino, they are comfortable but damp all day while hiking. And they don't seem to dry overnight for me. I end up bringing at least 1 extra pair in my pack.

Does anybody run synthetic or is there a better fiber for heavy sweaters? I like the Merino, but I feel damp and spongey in them.

Tried wool for years, just doesnt work for me. Wool does absorb moisture, but slowly, leaving my feet feeling damp all day. Found that I was better off with thick cotton socks or light ones doubled up, changing them when they felt wet. Anymore I wear a cheap syn sock, feet stay the most dry out of all combinations that I have tried.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Dang man. You might want to go see a dermatologist and ask them about recommendations for helping with hyperhidrosis. A guy I used to play hockey with had a special deodorant he had to put on his feet. He also drilled small holes in the bottom of his skates for the sweat to drain out.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

for me, the anti-microbrial properties of merino are essential for minimizing athletes foot and other weird stuff that happens to my skin in situations where I can't bathe for extended time periods.

 

[nobody]

Yeah sadly I have tried the lightest darn tough and smart wools with similar results. I think I sweat too dang much

Farm to Feet Damascus. I’m telling you, like I said in my previous post, I’m a mega foot sweater even in November. The Damascus socks flat work.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Switched to wool or bamboo socks for EDU
im in Texas so lightweight and sweat resistant in my priority
here are my favorite
paca alpaca
bomba merino
bamboo
willowace alpaca

I’m diabetic so clean and dry feet , wool or bamboo socks are mandatory
the above I use in 110*- 20* weather , then switch to a winter weight merino wool or alpaca

my buddy refuses to wear good socks and suffers from severe
fungus toenails & swamp foot working in the oilfield and Farm
I don’t have any of those problems even wearing work , snake & hiking boots every day

 

[maya]

What is Tom brown style?

Barefoot

 

[Erussell01]

Dang man. You might want to go see a dermatologist and ask them about recommendations for helping with hyperhidrosis. A guy I used to play hockey with had a special deodorant he had to put on his feet. He also drilled small holes in the bottom of his skates for the sweat to drain out.

I don't think I'm quite that bad, but some vent holes might be awesome!

 

[Rufus]

I’ve got a couple pairs of Cabelas coolmax wool blend socks. Not sure if they still make them. They work well for me. Think a higher percentage of synthetic to wool might be a good thing in Sox. Thanks. -Rufus

 

[BBob]

special deodorant

Antihydral aka Stump Cream perhaps?
This stuff kills perspiration. By all means be conservative at first if you try it. Use gloves to apply so you don’t risk severely drying out your fingers.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Antihydral aka Stump Cream perhaps?
This stuff kills perspiration. By all means be conservative at first if you try it. Use gloves to apply so you don’t risk severely drying out your fingers.
View attachment 591724

Don’t remember but his was on a mini roll on style stick.

 

[LoggerDan]

If your feet are bad smelly and bad sweaty, soak them in strong black teas a few times a week. Tannins in tea will fix it

 

[wytx]

Don’t remember but his was on a mini roll on style stick.

Drysol

 

[hikenhunt]

I switched to quality merino and haven't gotten a blister since, even when they got wet from either sweat or water. The low-stink property was secondary on my list, but also a great attribute.

 

[wgmac]

I wear Darn Tough merino wool socks exclusively. School, work, hiking, hunting, or Search and Rescue missions. We had a mission a month or so ago where we had to walk several miles through the creek bed because the vegetation on the banks was too thick to move through. I did change my socks when I got back to Command, but I had no blisters or immersion foot injuries even after walking miles in knee deep water in mountaineering boots. Even wet, merino wool is an incredible sock material.

 

[Dalbec0331]

I’ve been using the Darntough socks and have never had any issue


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[Mike Islander]

Wear what works for you, for reasons that matter to you. Tons of synthetics on through-hikers' feet.

 

[MightyMatt]

I don't remember if it was Gene or Barry Wensel (I'm a traditional archery guy), but they had the same issue and in one of their books they mentioned "tanning" their feet. He said using baking powder every day for a few months would eventually stop your feet from seating. I did it and my feet kept much warmer for a couple seasons after. It eventually needs to be done again but for the cost it was a very easy way to fix the problem. I imagine if you did it for a couple months before hunting season every year you would be good to go. I also wear merino wool socks, but it was a huge improvement for less than a $10 investment. If I remember correctly, the baking powder has the same active ingredient as antiperspirant that stops sweating for your armpits. I just dumped some in my socks and covered my foot every morning before going to work. It would be a really cheap route to try anyway.

 

[long hunter]

Take a look at the military wool cushion sole combat socks, 85% wool. 10% cotton and 5% spandex. The wool is a mix of sheep and Australian lamb. High calf coverage, good, padded foot sole, they wear very good and the last 5 pair I bought was 20 dollars, be sure to get the ones that says Military wool cushion sole combat socks. Been using them for years no complaints.