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Some Thoughts About Purchasing Outdoor Socks

• What is the intended use? Modern sock manufacturers have made specialized socks for any activity you may wish to undertake. Check them out.
• Brands such as Darn Tough Vermont, Wigwam wool, SmartWools and X-socks offer cushion socks and winter socks made with a fine grade of Merino wool that render the socks more comfortable and durable than woolen socks from a generation ago.
• You can go to the links on this page and frequently find socks on sale. There is often a smart wool sale and smart wool socks can be found for up to 40% or more off retail.
• You can look for the coolmax sock or thermo socks, and find that they can be comfortable in a wide range of temperatures.
• For winter socks you will find fleece socks to be very cozy for casual wear.
• When trail running some will want to use a cushion sock to help absorb the shock of running over uneven terrain and others will choose a sock without padding so as to achieve a better fit with the shoe. Suit yourself.
• There are a multitude of hiking socks; lightweight socks, midweight socks and heavyweight socks that need to be tried on with the shoes or boots you intend to wear.
• Lightweight socks are often an advantage for folks with wide feet or a higher than average instep. If the fit needs to be modified, or if blisters are a concern, lightweight socks can be worn with liner socks.
• Midweight socks, with their additional bulk, are helpful to hikers and backpackers who have ‘lower volume’ feet. The midweight socks will help to make the hiking shoe or boot fit better. Again, it is always important to try the sock with the footwear. The heavier thickness also helps to protect the feet when carrying heavier loads, or taking longer, multi-day journeys, hence, a very good trekking sock.
• Heavy socks, sometimes referred to as mountaineering socks are built to enable the wearer to engage in rough terrain with the hardiest of footwear.
• Excellent liner socks are offered by Bridgedale, Icebreaker, Patagonia, REI, SealSkinz, SmartWool and Wigwam. Liner socks are typically thin, synthetic socks that wick moisture from the skin into the outer sock where it will evaporate. They are more widely used with boots than shoes due to the higher average volume of boots. They are more easily washed and dried in the wilderness than heavy socks. Liners also help to control abrasion on the foot.