Perfect Pair: The Glass Slippers of the Sock World
Updated: Mar 30
Thirty freaking dollars for a pair of SOCKS?!
As I picked my jaw up off the floor, grumbled, and paid for these supposedly magical hiking socks, I wondered who in their right mind would drop this kind of money for them?
Me, apparently… But I would soon learn these socks were some of the more important items I’ve ever bought for hiking.
Having proper hiking socks can really make or break your adventure, but there are quite a few different options out there and it can be hard to know which socks to pick. To choose the type of hiking sock that's right for you, it’s important to understand a few key pieces of information first.
Consider the material your socks are made of
Pros and cons of these materials
The ways we use them
Yes, that last point might be a little confusing. To use socks don’t you simply put them on? Of course, but that’s the beauty of technical gear— It has fancy secrets that make your adventures more awesome!
Let’s talk about how you can find “sock-ccess” with your socks!... Sorry, not sorry for the pun.
Technical Sock Materials
The two most common materials used in technical socks are wool and synthetics. These are usually blended with other materials to improve durability and fit.
Wool
Wool is considered to be one of the best materials for hiking socks you can get. Outdoor stores typically carry different varieties of wool socks; some of the most popular brands on the market include Icebreaker, Smartwool and Darn Tough.
The popularity of wool socks isn't overspun. They are popular among outdoor enthusiasts for several reasons:
Pros:
It will keep you warmer even when it is wet
Naturally fire resistant, as well as antimicrobial
Great ability to thermoregulate
Cons:
Expensive
People may be allergic to wool
Can be hot in the summer
In general, merino wool is the fabric of choice for many hiking clothes because it's way less itchy than traditional wool. If you want to get into the technical details, this is because of smaller “spurs” on the wool fibers. Additionally, the antimicrobial qualities also help keep unwanted odors at bay.
Let me tell you... Your tentmates will thank you for choosing those socks when it comes time to share a tiny tent after a long, smelly day of hiking. Phew…
Despite this, some people do not feel this material suits their needs. So, if wool isn’t your thing, fear not— There's also the option of synthetic materials to hike in!
Synthetic
There are many different blends of synthetics for hiking socks. Some are made with a special polyester material that allows it to dry 5 times faster than cotton, which helps to minimize the chance of blisters.
Pros:
They will not trigger wool allergies
They tend to be a bit more durable
Might feel cooler in hot conditions
Cons:
Synthetics get SMELLY
May not be as warm when wet
Unfortunately, I cannot say that synthetic socks are always less expensive, but if you look after them, good quality hiking socks will always be a smart investment. That first pair of socks I grumbled about earlier is still going strong after 7 years of hard, four season use!
Considerations
If you’re like me, you might be eyeballing your drawer full of cotton athletic socks after experiencing the sticker shock for the woollies— I get it.
Cotton is not usually considered a great choice for hiking, especially when it comes to socks because it absorbs moisture and tends to stay wet for a long time. If you are wearing damp cotton socks on a long hike, this causes friction between your skin and the material.
This is definitely a recipe for some seriously nasty blisters.
As a beginner hiker, I had the misfortune of experiencing a toonie-sized blister under the ball of my foot because I chose cotton athletic socks for my first major hike. That experience taught me a lot about blister prevention though:
If you don't want to pay for the cost of discomfort, then it's worth paying the cost for happy feet.
I vowed I would never go through such a harrowing experience again! So how do we prevent blisters?
Using Socks for Comfort and Blister Prevention
As it turns out, putting on your socks is just one part of using your socks effectively! You can use a few different strategies to help prevent those dreaded blisters, increase your comfort on trail, and enjoy a more pleasant experience overall.
Sock paired with a liner
Combining your regular hiking sock with a thinner liner sock will help prevent blisters by making the two socks rub together, instead of your skin rubbing against the sock. Liners come in a few different materials, including synthetic, wool, or silk.
Socks lined with Blist-Wool
Blist-Wool is a fantastic Canadian product that is super easy to use! Simply pull a piece of Blist-Wool off and either weave it loosely between your toes, or stick a piece inside your wool sock in areas you know are prone to rubbing.
Wool sticks to itself, so you shouldn’t need to tape it down. Pull on your socks, and you’re good to go! When you’re done your hike, remove the wool from your socks and add to your compost bin.
I like to combine the Blist-Wool with my liner socks for the highest level of hot spot protection I can get!
This is my tried and true method and it even works on those +30 Celsius days in my (very unbreathable) leather backpacking boots.
Spare Socks
As amazing as sock materials have gotten over the years with great moisture-wicking capabilities, there's no guarantee they can't get wet— Accidents happen. You'll also sweat more on hot days.
Packing a spare set of socks can make a really big difference in your comfort level. If your feet are feeling a little damp, why not stop and have a little break?
Air out your feet for a few minutes and let them dry, then put on your dry socks. Bonus points if you are nearby a cold stream and can soak your feet for a few minutes first! I don’t think I need to tell you how heavenly that cool, icy water feels on your hot, sore feet...
Other Methods of Blister Prevention
A quick mention for other blister prevention methods.
Some people like to use anti-chafing creams or lotions such as Vaseline, Body Glide etc. Moleskin is also a popular method, as is placing Duct Tape.
These do not necessarily work with your socks, but they are options that are worth exploring.
These methods work best when placed before a blister has formed. If you do end up with a blister, then you’ll have to address it with your first aid kit.
Shopping for Your Socks
There are many brands you can find in dedicated outdoor stores, including Smartwool, Icebreaker, and Darn Tough, to name a few.
These are all excellent brands, and I would recommend any of them to a beginner hiker! They come in varying heights, thicknesses, and colors so you can pick up the style that you feel best suits your needs and matches your hiking color scheme!
Because color matched gear in the backcountry is just the cherry on top, and if you’re going to drop 30 bucks on them, they might as well be in a color you love!
Next time, we'll discuss hiking footwear!
Until then, happy hiking!
~ Meg
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