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Post by hikerjer on Apr 20, 2023 21:20:54 GMT -8
I’m sure this has come before but a recent discussion with a friend prompts me to bring it up again. For years I used two socks in each boot while hiking - a thin wool liner and a medium weight wool one over it. I finally came to realize, for me anyway, that wearing one or two socks made little difference. I now prefer one high quality medium weight wool sock with no liner while hiking.
Your thoughts and preferences.
Thanks.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Apr 21, 2023 5:01:21 GMT -8
I've always worn a single layer only, also wool. But I started getting blisters between my toes a few years ago and started wearing "toe" socks, also wool and single layer only, and that did the trick. I think my blisters were weight related -- I've slowly (but, unfortunately, steadily) gained weight and I think I crossed some threshold.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 21, 2023 5:07:02 GMT -8
For years I wore a thin synthetic liner sock because it was recommended, though I don't recall the source. Changing into fresh liner socks made sense for multiday hikes, as they were lighter than carrying multiple thick socks.
But I stopped wearing liner socks about ten years ago, and I don't miss them. No real reason, but I'm comfortable without them so they're kinda superfluous. I don't notice any bromodosis, though it's possible others might.
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 21, 2023 5:22:22 GMT -8
I've never worn liner socks. I thought the only reason to do that was blisters but maybe I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first time. However, I don't do wool either. I wear a single pair of thin synthetic socks, they dry so much faster than wool. I do take a pair of wool socks with me if I'm hiking in the fall or early spring but I only wear them to bed for warmth.
On my 7 day hike in March we ran into unexpected snow the first 2 days and high water levels and never had a day without wet feet. My hiking partner joked with me saying well at least he had wool socks on because as we "know" they keep your feet warm even when wet. Trust me, he was being very sarcastic.
I no longer see any advantage of wool socks unless you're winter camping.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 21, 2023 9:02:23 GMT -8
I have for a very long time worn wicking undersocks with rag wool socks. Right now I think they are both from Fox River. I have never had an issue with blisters but I do have tough feet. The system is warm in winter and comfortable in summer. The wool socks are very good at cushioning steps.
When I get to camp I tend to wear just the undersocks with my camp/water shoes. I hang the wool socks to dry (if they need it). The undersocks dry pretty quickly around camp with the heat of my feet but if you tend to have cold feet this might not be for you. A second dry pair of wicking socks doesn't weigh much. I have a summer mode and winter mode. See the pic below. In the summer mode I have the wicking sock sticking out and it seems to help get some moisture out of the boot with maybe some cooling. Winter is just buttoning up.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 21, 2023 9:14:27 GMT -8
I wore liner socks a couple times early in my backpacking life, but after finding boots that fit better, I just go with a single pair of heavy wool socks. I haven't had a blister from backpacking in eons.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 21, 2023 9:27:01 GMT -8
Back in the day I wore liners with rag wool socks. When sock technology began to improve I shifted to a single sock (first Thorlo, then Smartwool or similar) and never looked back. Smartwool and the shift to lighter boots pretty much put an end to blisters.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Apr 21, 2023 9:34:27 GMT -8
One sock is all that ever comes out of the dryer, so...
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 21, 2023 9:59:05 GMT -8
One sock is all that ever comes out of the dryer, so... Sounds like you have a gnome problem.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Apr 21, 2023 10:49:44 GMT -8
I've tried liners but never noticed any benefit.
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Post by downriver on Apr 23, 2023 12:48:48 GMT -8
I’ve never worn liners. I wear Balega socks these days. Love them! I also quit wearing boots about 4 years ago. I wear trail runners now. Love them, too…
Regards,
DR
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Post by thedude on Apr 24, 2023 11:44:52 GMT -8
I wear trail runners and one pair of Darn Tough socks. I have other brands like REI and Icebreaker that are bit thinner which work nicely for running, but I mostly roll with the Darn Tough socks while backpacking.
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Post by leadbelly on May 1, 2023 8:36:02 GMT -8
when i was using scratchy ragg wool socks years ago, i wore liners to limit blisters. when merino and merino blend socks became the norm, i stopped and haven't regretted it.
i sometimes use a very thin, tall wool liner under expedition-weight wool socks in the winter. the mountaineering boots can do a number on your feet, they're pretty unforgiving.
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on May 2, 2023 8:12:12 GMT -8
When I wore boots, I wore silk liner socks with wool out socks. Since I began using trail runners in 2005, I have given up on using liner socks. I currently use Injinji toe socks which I have found to give me day long comfort.
Rumi
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Post by bikehikefish on May 10, 2023 8:07:34 GMT -8
When I wore boots, I wore silk liner socks with wool out socks. Since I began using trail runners in 2005, I have given up on using liner socks. I currently use Injinji toe socks which I have found to give me day long comfort. Rumi Exactly this. I want my trail runners to dry fast, so one sock is better than two for me. And I don't blister since I switched from boots.
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