The great sock debate 2024

[Agross]

It's just select items. Most of which appear to be sold out in all Large size . Even going into their normal stock of OTC of mid-calf crew it hard to find any multi packs or deals in Large. Why all the hate for us with hobbit feet?

 

[WhoGarrDen]

View attachment 687860

You are right, my apologies. Will edit my post not to confuse others. I followed my Google link that went straight to the "socks" Page, which didn't display that banner/ad, and only a select few socks were listed as 50% off for clearance. Thanks for posting this!

 

[Beendare]

It seems a lot of these Merino wool sock companies are using a lot of nylon in them no doubt to increase the durability.
Darn tough is 65%-70% Merino and about 30% nylon

A lot of the “Wool” socks are a large % nylon.

Makes sense…but it begs the question; Do the higher % Merino perform better even though they won’t last as long?

My 80% merino Smart Wool socks are great..but they do not wear as long as the Darn Tough.

 

[AndrewMT34]

I use Farm to Feet mid weight Damascus socks for both work and hiking/hunting. I love them, usually on sale at my local outdoor store for $10–15 a pair around Thanksgiving and I stock up every other year.

 

[Ron.C]

another smart wool user here, mostly the cusioned hikers. Used them for years now in hot/warm/cold/wet weather from daily wear, hikes, day hunts, backpack hunts.

Have had no reason to try anything else

 

[ni7ne]

I do love wool socks. Lately, though, I've been testing out uncushioned fully synthetic nylon/spandex socks.
Feetures elite ultra-light.
Apples and oranges comparison with wool, but they have been working for me in warm weather and light trail footwear.

 

[Bama67]

I thought it was just me that disliked DarnTough. They strangle my midfoot when they are fresh out of the dryer.
And they also seem to make my feet stay sweatier than anything else I've worn.

 

[lefthandedasian]

I've been using these Alpaca wool socks for the last 3 years. Sure they're "hip and trendy" but I work in construction and own a small farm and the same 3 pack set I bought 3 years ago is still in use. Only one sock has a small hole in the heel but the rest are in great shape. I'll wear the same set for a couple days and I can't smell any "funk" when I swap them out. When compared to merino wool, alpaca is softer, stronger, warmer, and retains less water.

 

[Laelkhunter]

The sock system that works best for me is the Kenetrek ultimate liner sock under the Kenetrek Alaska heavy wool sock.

 

[bz_711]

I bought 4 pair of Cabelas Merino wool hunting/hiking socks (100% guaranteed for life) in 2010...I've worn them every season since (granted only 1 week hunt) and train with them a couple months in the summer...I've yet to replace one of the pairs.
Super impressed!

 

[timbernomad]

I use and love thorlo socks - I have multiple weights but prefer the lightweight ones for just about everything. I don't use a liner. They are durable and comfortable.

 

[TheBootBowhunting]

You can cover anything with the Darn Tough 2011 and 2012. I wear the 2011 until later season then switch to the 2012.

If its overly hot, the Darn Tough Spur or F2F Damascus Light.

If you dont like the Darn Tough, the Smartwool Hunt PHD Light is equivalent to the DT 2011, and the Mid is the 2012. These are less durable than the DT though.

 

[COJoe]

I use the Smart Wool silk liners under Darn Tough 2011 merino blend Hunting Socks. I find using a liner sock saves my feet from blisters or hotspots. Used to do a lot of hiking years ago and used liners under hiking socks. I wear the same combo all year long for backpack training hikes with temps 90-100 and my feet do well with minimal sweat as to be expected. I wash them every couple weeks and have found very little odor and I hang them to dry. These socks have a couple hundred miles on them over the past couple years and are holding up really well in my Crispi boots.
My hunting buddy used synthetic socks two years ago and about made me throw up when he took his socks off after getting back to the truck on a pack out. He wore them for four days straight and the smell drifted through the cab and hit me hard, lol.

 

[JRS3]

I enjoy the Buffalo Wool various socks, especially the Pro Gear Boot Socks.


I have had the casual crew socks for a few years and they get softer over time and with multiple washes.

Pro Gear Boot Socks

Seriously warm. Surprisingly soft. Our Pro-Gear Technical Bison and Silk Boot Socks have all the special features to fit your boot needs. We created a sock from Bison down and silk that will keep your feet warm and dry all winter long. This sock has a terry loop cushioned footbed, vented and...

thebuffalowoolco.com

 

[Bluumoon]

As far back as I can remember starting with high school football 60 years ago, the only socks that I've ever worn are white cotton like the ones Walmart sells for 6 pr for $10.

That includes 10 years as a full time ski instructor and ski patrolman in Steamboat in -30 F temperatures, almost 50 years of hunting all of Montana's big game species, includiing multiple hunts for Big horn sheep and Mountain goats, and other multiple hunts in Africa, Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, and Azerbaijan.

Never had a problem with wet feet, cold feet, or blisters.

You sure you don’t have diabetic neuropathy? Tougher than me

 

[Muskykris]

Another alpaca guy here… I’ve been wearing frog creek

 

[tpicou]

Love buffalo wool co socks. They are expensive and I’m not positive they hold up as long as some of the others but tbh I don’t really care. They rock. I’d pay $45/pair and throw them away every year if I had to (they last multiple years/a long time fyi).

 

[PNWhunter541]

SG Merino socks are all I wear. No complaints except they get lost sometimes!

 

[JB426]

The Kenetrek socks have been great and durable. One of the few I've found that blend in Polypropylene. I have the Canada Midweight and the Utimate liner and no complaints. They seem to handle moisture well.

 

[joeharold]

Smart wool silk liners are $ well spent. I am using Darn tough over them and not unhappy.