Teach Me About Wool Socks, Etc

[TruthWalleyes]

What type of a 2 layer sock system should i look at to keep feet warm and dry?

First layer should wick moisture, and 2nd layer should absorb that moisture and still retain warmth...

When i look at the sock racks i really don't understand which blends are the best, or if they provide what i'm looking for.

Thanks,

[jeffreyd]

i wear a pair of think liner socks that wick away moisture, then a heavy pair of wool socks then my boots. now i live in az and wear this combo every single day whether it is summer or winter. my feet use to hurt so bad now they rarely do. Best combo i have found for steel toe boots too. there is a pretty good HSOforum from westco boots, i think the link is called the big black boot. they lay out why to wear this setup vs cotton. also the best wool sock i have found have been the fox river brand. good luck

[BobT]

Actually, what I've read recommends wearing a pair of nylon stockings (yes, like the ladies wear) with a 100% wool sock over them. The nylon will act like a screen to allow the moisture to wick away into the wool keeping your feet dry but then the nylon also creates a barrier of dead air space to insulate. Haven't tried it myself but that's what I've read.

I have found out in the last couple years that wearing only my wool socks has been better than wearing cotton sock with wool over the top. Maybe it leaves more room in my boot by not filling it too much with all the layers but my feet seem to stay warmer that way.

[TooTallTom]

JeffreyD has it petty much taken care of. I like Fox River as well, I usually find them at FF. I know lots of people that swear by SmartWool (I own a pair, and they are nice.) but I think they're somewhat over-priced.

As far as blends go, the more wool the better. Polypropylene is also a good moisture-wicking material, it is synthetic if that's an issue for you. I have heard people that swear by silk as a liner material, but I've never tried it myself. I honestly just wear one pair of wool (blend) socks about 90% of the time, and that is usually good for my feet.

Whenever I have a new pair, I try to wear them for something that will let me change out of them if they don't work for me (not warm enough, or too warm--it has happened). If I'm out hunting, or going to be away from some place to change, I want to be in a sock (or system) that I know will work for me because I've already tested it out.

Tom.

[TooTallTom]

Hi BobT,

You actually had a good lesson in the fact that cotton does not pass moisture through, and also does not insulate when wet (wool does). Basically, your feet were getting cold with the cotton socks underneath because they were perspiring a little bit, the cotton was absorbing that moisture and keeping it close to your skin, and then ceasing to insulate your feet.

You also hinted at having more room in your boot. From a warmth standpoint, it's really important that your foot has room to move around inside the boot. I wear a size 10.5 dress shoe, an 11 street shoe, and a 12 winter boot. My packs fit pretty sloppy and my feet are pretty much always warm.

I'm a pretty big fan of wool, and look for merino wool (less itchy than regular wool) long underwear on sale when I can find it.

[TruthWalleyes]

My feet staying warm isn't really the problem, its having wet socks around my feet all day long. I've got a few pairs of socks that do a better job than others, but honestly couldn't tell you what blend or brand they are anymore. Most of my warm socks have been christmas gifts over the last few years.

Looking through FF's sock rack last week they had two different kinds of very thin "wicking" socks.

Do you guys just suggest going with a pair of these and then a wool blend on top?

Really just trying to keep moisture off my feet, Feet have been staying warm reguardless. I wear steel toes all day, then hop into my winter boots with new socks and by the end of the night, i've been in wet socks for over 15hrs...no fun.

I also see wool socks blended with lots of different materials...which should i stay away from?

[jwmiller33]

smartwool

[Finns]

If your feet sweat/get damp might try spraying anti-perspirant (not deodorant) on them to help keep them dry. Helps mine.

[TooTallTom]

Maybe buy one pair of each of the two kinds of wicking socks, and see if either works/ works better for keeping your feet dry.

You might also try just wearing a sock with less insulation value, like a light hiking sock. That might help keep your feet from sweating.

As far as blends go, I like the most wool I can get. But, any sock in any material can only absorb so much mositure and it might be you just put out too much sweat for your socks to handle? Maybe wool is a bad choice for you because it insulates too much?

You might also try going to a good shoe store (like a Redwing store, or a running shoe place) tell them what problem you're trying to solve, and ask them what they suggest.

[harvey lee]

I have a pair of smartwool socks that go over a pair of stretchy thin socks, no idea what the brand is.

I also have a 2 sock system that has a light sock that goes on first and then a pair of wool blend. They are exactly the same as a militery type sock and they are great. Issue with these socks is they take up alot of room and one does not want the boots to tight.

I believe the first sock I put on is a polypropylene type Liner.

[TruthWalleyes]

Quick trip through FF and a couple $$ later...

2 pairs Fox River Outdoor performance "hiking"

85% wool.

1 pair Fox River "Trekking"

35% wool

31% Hollofil

2 pairs Fox River "Wick and Dry"

33% merino wool

33% polypropylene

31% nylon

That was a quick $50.

I'll try these out and see how they work, let you know next week. If i'm still wet, then i may just sweat too much and have to get lighter socks, or anti-perspirent.

Seems to me the polyproplene must be the "wicking" material.

[TooTallTom]

Now you got me all excited! I love a good experiment. Just be sure to wear your lab coat and safety goggles.

[jeffreyd]

I have a bunch of the smart wool socks but dont really care for them. They are too tight on my feet. I bought some socks, 70% melino wool from costco which i wear the heck out of. They are thick and provide not only the warmth but the cushion.

[FishLocker]

I use a pair of polyproplene downhill skiing sox under my wool. The ski sox are very thin and do not hold moisture allowing my feet to stay dry, so are perfect for under the wool. They are also the "over the calf and up to the knee" type so my wool sox don't compete for space at the top of my boot.

[TruthWalleyes]

Good thing its going to be fairly warm this weekend otherwise i'm not sure my lab coat would fit over my winter gear

[fivebucks]

I also do the thin poly sock first and then the wool blends. Been doing it that way for years and have not seen any reason to change it up.

[TooTallTom]

Well, don't freeze. Scientist-cicles are notoriously poor at reporting data and findings...

[Jim Almquist]

I get mine from Evil_Bay from a seller that goes by the name of musocks. They are no-name Smartwool and usually sell for $14.00 for six pair. These are light/medium weight and what I wear every day. Unless it is really cold out these work fine for ice fishing and if I want more warmth I will put on a pair of wool socks over these.

I refuse to wear cotton sock anymore just because of how good my feet feel and how dry they stay.

[Esox_Magnum]

Boss got us Patagonia socks for the last 2 Christmas gifts, spendy but man are they warm, I quit wearing my liners with these.

[Iceboy]

Every fall Costco gets in 3-packs of Merino wool for $10 that are identical to Smart Wools (I'd always bought Smart Wools previous to these). They are awesome and you can't beat the price!

And once you try Merino wool you will want more. I also highly recommend Minus 33 Merino wool long underwear from Hanks clothing - it's fantastic for underneath my Arctic Armor bibs & great for hunting season, too! It's my favorite purchase of 2010.

dan

[TooTallTom]

TruthWalleyes, what'd you figure out about socks? Anything to report?

[Dry_Fly]

Patagonia socks are the way to go I use them now also well worth the extra bucks IMO. A must if you have cold feet problems.

[Swimmer]

I'm not a big fan of Smartwool. They are overpriced and seem kind of thin. I use them because I have them, but prefer other cheaper brands that I find have more wool (thicker). The ultimate system is a silk sock first layer and a thick anybrand merino wool sock over that. Caviat: I recently bought a pair of NEOS overshoes that are a high tech version (including ice cleats) of the old overshoes. I throw these in the truck and can put them on over dress shoes, tennis shoes, or light insulated boots. With these boots it doesn't really matter what socks you wear, your feet stay warm.

[curt quesnell]

I wear Smart Wools every day. Weights vary from season to season. I love em. The guy that said they fit too snug has a point but it is not a big deal for me. They do a great job in even the coldest weather but what I really like is I have had neither foot odor or athletes foot even

once in the 5 years I have been wearing SWs. Before that I had an

abundance of both.

I have seen the lower cost Morino wool socks but have not tried them.

I dont wear anything else (sock wise) under or over them and I never

wear the real heavy sock. As far as boots I have been wearing only the

neoprene Muck brand boot with the high tops in even the coldest weather. Sweet

[Ed Carlson]

I have a pair of smartwool socks that go over a pair of stretchy thin socks, no idea what the brand is.

I also have a 2 sock system that has a light sock that goes on first and then a pair of wool blend. They are exactly the same as a militery type sock and they are great. Issue with these socks is they take up alot of room and one does not want the boots to tight.

I believe the first sock I put on is a polypropylene type Liner.

Liner or base layer socks are key. I often only use them in my Trans Alaskan III boots as that is all I need and they never pile up at the toes like bulky socks tend to do.

Smart Wool socks are designed to fit precisely at each point of pressure on the foot. This may often feel tighter than most socks. You can go larger to offset that feeling if it really bugs a guy. The tight fit keeps the heals from wearing out and that dreaded toe jam pile when the sock slips into the tip of your pack boot...I hate that feeling.

That is a great point with the liner sock tip Harvey.

[TruthWalleyes]

Well, don't freeze. Scientist-cicles are notoriously poor at reporting data and findings...

Here's the deal...Experiment didn't go so well since wearing two pairs of socks made things just a tad too tight for comfort in my Irish Setters... They fit perfect (extra room for movement) with just one pair.

Of the socks that i got, the fox river Hiking - 85% wool have been the best. But my problem was getting feet too hot i think, so lately i have been just wearing a cheap ankle socks.

The HoloFil socks i though were worthless, the retain moisture and keep your feet wet, but sure are comfortable when they are dry.

And the 'wick and dry' socks work fine as well because they are light, and don't provide too much heat to get my feet sweating.

Next step - Might have to look into some anti-perspirent