Four Things To Consider In Your Next Pair Of Hiking Socks
One of the most important choices a new hiker can make is which pair of hiking socks to wear on their next adventure. The comfort of your feet can make or break your outing. Our feet take a pounding on the trail which is why it is vital that we provide them with the proper tools to keep them performing at their best.
Materials
There are many different choices of materials for socks on the marketplace today. Some materials are better than others for hiking. Hiking is very demanding on our feet. Our feet take a pounding, they sweat, and they can make us miserable if they are uncomfortable. In short, if we don’t take care of our feet, they can derail our hike in a heartbeat. The socks we choose are a major component in our arsenal against blisters and foot discomfort on the trail. Choosing the right sock could be the difference between a great hike and a nightmare…
Cotton – A Big No-No
You’ve probably got plenty of these at home but you really want to avoid them for hiking purposes. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds onto it for long periods of time which means your feet are going to stay wet longer, which consequently leads to a greater chance of blistering. Therefore, please, leave those cotton socks at home. Don’t bring them on your day hikes.
Wool – A Natural Wonder
Wool has some really great qualities. This natural fiber is great at temperature regulation. Firstly, these socks can be comfortably worn in hot environments and in cold environments, as well. Secondly, they are also very good at moisture-wicking and helping to keep your feet dry and free from blisters. Thirdly, they are also amazingly good at resisting odor. After a long day on the trail or even after multiple days on a backpacking trip, you don’t really notice the smell nearly as quickly as you do with some other materials. However, the main drawback is that they don’t tend to hold up as well as the synthetic options.
Synthetics – The Durable Wicker
Synthetic materials include all of your man-made fabrics. These include the categories of polyesters, nylons, spandex, for example. Synthetic socks are typically more durable than 100% wool socks. They resist snags and tears and often outlast the competition. Many synthetic blends perform at the top of the class at moisture-wicking, this is vital in the battle against blisters.
Blends (wool) – A Match Made in Heaven
The third category is really a mix of the previous two. Blends, specifically wool blends, offer you the best of both worlds. Most importantly, they can incorporate the durability and the moisture-wicking of the synthetics with the temperature regulation and the odor resistance of the wool. Many of the most popular selling brands of hiking and backpacking socks come from this category.
Cushioning
Hiking socks come in different levels of cushioning. Cushioning can reduce the stress on your feet, but it can also affect the overall breathability of the product.
Lightweight Cushion
The lightweight cushioned sock is great for day hikes and shorter outings. They are often thinner and more breathable and therefore better performers in hotter environments.
Midweight Cushion
The midweight cushioned sock is a good all-around performer. It has greater cushioning than the lightweight sock which makes it better for longer hikes and multiday hikes. It still has fairly decent breathability and also a bit more warmth. This category can be used from cooler temperatures to very warm environments.
Heavyweight Cushion
This category is best for longer hikes and cooler to colder temperatures. It also provides the most warmth and protection from impacts, while being the least breathable of the three.
Sock Length
Boot Length
This category has mid-calf to knee length options. It is designed to be paired with hiking boots of all sizes. These socks are longer to provide protection from the upper boot rubbing against your skin as well as providing the best protection from brush and poison ivy and other trail irritants
Crew Length
This can include the micro crew as well as the crew-length socks. Crew socks are typically above the ankle to the lower calf. They are all-around good performers that can work great with boots and similarly with hiking shoes and trail runners. This is the best-selling segment of the marketplace today.
1/4 Length
The 1/4 length socks come right up and over the ankle bone. They are lighter weight than their longer peers in the boot and crew categories, which subsequently makes them more attractive to the ultralight community. This category works well with just hiking shoes and trail runners, but they are too short to provide enough coverage with boots.
No Show Length
No-show socks are the shortest and lightest of the sock lengths, but they also provide the least amount of coverage.
Fit
The fit is more than just getting the correct size. the heel of the sock should line up in the correct position without leaving extra material around the toes or the heel. Extra material can bunch up and lead to friction. Socks that are too tight can restrict blood flow or slide down as you hike along.
Other Things To Consider
Seams
Inspect the seams of potential socks and look for seamless or flat seam socks. Rounded seams can be another source of friction.
Liners
Sock liners can be a great way to add a thin moisture-wicking layer under your thicker socks while also adding a friction barrier. This allows the outer sock to rub against your inner sock rather than against your foot.
Toe Socks
Toe Socks have an individual sleeve for each of your toes to fit into. They can reduce the rubbing that often occurs between your toes.
Recommended Hiking Socks To Consider
via Gear Report at https://gear-report.com
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