Hiking Socks

BetsyEllen

Hey all

I need to purchase some decent hiking socks, I've recently invested in new boots which I'm slowly wearing in. Need good socks now to complete the set!

Any recommendations?
Price doesn't really matter.
I previously underestimated the importance of good socks and have paid the awful price of limping through agonising hikes as a result!

Thanks

Alun

Either Bridgedale or Smartwool would be my choice, both are excellent.

Neady83

+1 for Bridgedale. I bought a few pairs of a variety of thicknesses a few years back and they've stood the test of time. A liner sock inside them can also help to avoid blisters. I haven't tried Smartwool but I've heard good things about them too. They're pricey but well worth it.

Alun

Yes, they do different styles of socks for different purposes with differing thicknesses and degrees of cushioning etc. IIRC my Bridgedal socks are called "Trekker" which are about right for normal hiking. I also have a pair of Smartwool ones which are called "Hike Medium".

BetsyEllen

Neady83 wrote: »

+1 for Bridgedale. I bought a few pairs of a variety of thicknesses a few years back and they've stood the test of time. A liner sock inside them can also help to avoid blisters. I haven't tried Smartwool but I've heard good things about them too. They're pricey but well worth it.

A liner sock - do you just mean wear a normal sock underneath?
Or is a liner sock something specific that I buy?
Sorry for the silly questions, this is new territory to me

Alun

They're specific liner socks. Not everyone needs them, I don't, but if you're prone to blisters they can help.

e.g. http://www.bridgedale.com/coolmax-liner-womens

Neady83

BetsyEllen wrote: »

A liner sock - do you just mean wear a normal sock underneath?
Or is a liner sock something specific that I buy?
Sorry for the silly questions, this is new territory to me

No such thing as a silly question

I got these Bridgedale ones when I was buying in bulk a few years back http://www.bridgedale.com/coolmax-liner-womens. There's the option of a thermal one also which will provide even more heat.

As Alun mentioned, there's differing styles and thickness depending on what you want them for.

BetsyEllen

Excellent info here guys, thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

I'll definitely get the Liner Socks as well as I am severely prone to blisters.

Thanks again!

blackvalley

BetsyEllen wrote: »

I'll definitely get the Liner Socks as well as I am severely prone to blisters.

Hi.
Are you new to walking or is it that you are an experienced walker who has bought new boots.?
The reason I ask is that in my experience blisters are generally caused by incorrectly sized / fitted footwear. If you haven't done so already I suggest you visit a specialist walking / hiking shop and get properly fitted.
Best of luck

Halloween Jack

My favourite pair are a thick, heavy padded sock made by teko, purchased in great outdoors. Bridgedale are excellent but the teko sock feels better to me....

my3cents

Depends on your boots? I have always got boots that are two big and worn two pairs of socks and sometimes even three.

When I wore breaches (knee length) I would wear a pair of thin but well elasticated cotton socks, a thick pair of wool knee length socks and a thickish pair of well elasticated socks over the long wool socks to stop the wool socks slumping down into my boots.

For me the worst thing is to have socks move around and slump into gathered up lumps under my feet hence I use Dunnes type working socks which have loads of elastic in them over the top of the wool socks to keep them in place.