Socks

[Ridgetop]

Since socks are at least as important as the boots we wear I thought a thread was warranted. A guy can be wearing 300+ dollar boots and 40 dollar insoles but if he's got on cheap cotton socks that keep his feet wet all the time he's gonna have foot problems on a backpack hunt. So what kind of socks is everyone wearing? My current favorites are Smartwool PHD ski socks in medium or light weight, they have all the features I like in a sock, merino blend, arch and ankle bands, thin but warm, over the calf length, and extra padding on the shin.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Smartwool hikers. Love 'em.

 

[Ridgetop]

Anybody have any experience with Drymax socks? One of my buddies wore them on his 100 mile endurance run and during the training for it and he swears by them.

 

[miller1]

smartwool hikers and i got some redwing socks and they seem as good as smartwool and they were $10 a pair, i wore a pair for 3 days in a row just to see how bad they would stink and there was very little smell, i day with cotton and the smell pretty bad.

 

[bowinhand]

REI merino wool socks they have a higher wool-nylon % than smartwool I haven't noticed any difference in quality or durability either.

I like heavy socks with a lot cushion seems that after a few days the thinner ones compress too much.

 

[Becca]

I like DarnTough socks. Use the Hike/trek boot sock model in Cool max merino in full cushion,http://darntough.com/hike-trek-1441.html . I have two pairs on every trip, one pair to wear in my boots in the daytime (this pair sometimes gets wet either from sweat or if I go over my boots on a creek crossing) and one "always dry" pair at the tent to wear at night. I have been successful getting the wet pair to dry overnight thrown in my sleeping bag.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I have used Drymax, Coolmax, Darn Tough, Smartwool, Cabelas Cold Weather, Under Armour, and Merino wool. All did well, but honestly I'm not that picky with socks, and didn't really notice a huge difference between any of them.

 

[Gman]

Darn tough - full cushion coolmax mostly and same style in merino when the weather turns.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Darn Tough

 

[Big Sky]

Any thing with coolmax gets my vote. Best socks I have ever worn.

 

[BMB]

I wear Injinji 90% of the time unless it's going to be super cold then I'll wear some smart wool over the Injinji liner socks.

 

[Evan Williams]

I have been running the SmartWool Hikers since 2000 for EVERYTHING!! I know they work for me so I haven't felt the need to shop around.

 

[hunting1]

Best kept secret out there, Costco Merino wool socks! They are the same as Smartwool medium hikers. Difference is 1% wool content at a 3rd of the price. I too wear them daily.

 

[aggieland]

Very interesting on the Costco socks.. I wish we could all come together here and decide what the top three choices are for socks.. I use cotton socks at work and they suck suck suck.. I have told the wife i'm going to make the switch to nothing but some kind of wool..

 

[les welch]

Smartwool for me also.

 

[dotman]

Darntough and lorpen, both seem to be very similar and great!

 

[Juan_ID]

Best kept secret out there, Costco Merino wool socks! They are the same as Smartwool medium hikers. Difference is 1% wool content at a 3rd of the price. I too wear them daily.

X2 on the Costco merino socks, they are great I wear them daily as well! Just wish I had bought a smaller size to try as the larges stretch a bit too much for me. I'll have to wait til late spring/ early fall to try n find them again.

 

[rpoutside]

Smartwool was my choice for years, but recently noticed a big decline in quality; shrinkage and durability.

Two years ago I started wearing Darn Tough and I will never buy any other brand. The comfort level, breathability and durability are second to none. Plus, they have a lifetime warranty for those who feel that socks should last more than 3 years.

 

[cmeier117]

I use costco too. A three pack for 11 bucks I think. I bought these liner socks. http://www.kenetrek.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BR-539
They are still on sale if you need any.

 

[CritterGetter]

Darn Tough!