I’m a cotton sock fan, especially when on my feet a lot. As such, I like a good, thick WigWam (seems like the last package or two has been a bit thinner lately though). Had a coworker talking about some mix-fabric that he loved and thought was better than 100% cotton socks. But he didn’t know what the brand was.
Anybody with sock recommendations for when you’re on your feet a lot (assuming good shoes/boots)?
jt8
“Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.”
— Hal Borland
Replies
For at least the last 10 years and maybe as long as 15 I've been wearing nothing but Thorlos. I couldn't imagine wearing anything else.
There was a TV commercial a while back for Thorlo where a marathon runner lost his shoe early in a race and kicked off the other one and ran the race in just just his Thorlos. That is an authentic representation of just how cushioned and durable they are.
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For at least the last 10 years and maybe as long as 15 I've been wearing nothing but Thorlos. I couldn't imagine wearing anything else.
Looking at them on the Cabelas site. They look pretty substantial, they aren't hot, are they?
I usually wear a ventilated boot/shoe, otherwise my feet are swimming. (and I'm also one of those people who don't start wearing a coat until it gets down below freezing... unless I'm going to be out in it all day)jt8
"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."-- Hal Borland
JohnT8 - "They look pretty substantial, they aren't hot, are they?"
Nah I don't think so at all. I'm a big hot sweaty guy (and like you I don't wear a jacket until it freezing outside) and I find them extremely comfortable. And when my feet do get wet they do a good job of wicking keeping them comfortable.
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A second for the Thorlos. I don't have the best back, and when I switched to the Thorlos I immediately felt the difference.
3rd vote for Thorlo - there are found at hiking/outdoor stores. The lighter blends are mostly poly and great in boots all summer. They mix more wool in and they are better for winter. Really last a long time too.
Thanx for the Link.Used some 'cool-max' socks this summer with sneakers....feet were always wet when I get home.
If it were easy....a caveman could do it.
Ahhh...Thorlos. They are admittedly nice.If you REALLY want to have comfortable socks, switch to SMARTWOOL.They are a merino wool blend that feel great, don't stretch, don't get wet from sweat. They are about $9-12 per pair, but they last.
I hear 'wool' and I think 'hot'. Are the smartwool socks hot socks? Would you wear them in summer with a full leather, steel toe boot?jt8
"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."-- Hal Borland
I think if you get the thinner ones, like the light hiker, you should like them pretty well. The uppers are thin but the soles are substantially thicker.
Dustin
I had the same experience with Duluth's "Cool-Max" socks - wet feet at the end of the day, winter or summer. I can't wait to try some thorlo's and smahtwools...
Edited 9/10/2005 8:57 am ET by Demon
I've heard twice now folks posting that the coolmax are sweaty. I wear the type that are liners and under thorlos or merino wool, and no sweat. I've liked the LL Bean merino socks too. If they are the same type (very thin) maybe they are liners... The liners are great hiking or running long distances (~50 miles w/no blisters) as long as they are under something else. All in all, I think paying $$ to take care of your feet is a good investment.
Used some 'cool-max' socks this summer with sneakers....feet were always wet when I get home.
I'm a big sweaty-foot type myself. What's worse, my feet get to itching like crazy when they sweat, especially when I have boots on. (Winter is hell on me).
What I do, besides the socks you mention, is spray my feet w/ Right Guard. Works pretty damn good, and keeps the distraction to a minimum.
Jason
I'll check the brand name, but they fit tight on my foot and I'm only an 8 1/2.
They're thick ones, not liners.
If it were easy....a caveman could do it.
I have not worn cotton socks in years. They are not good for your feet. they hold sweat and if they get wet, forget about it. I have smartwool socks and love em. Have not tried the thorlos but after some rave reviews i may try a pair out for winter. I use coolmax during the summer and smartwool during the winter moonths. try any good sock with a poly merino wool blend your feet will thank you.
Mostly grey cotton socks I get in by bags of a dozen at Wally World. About $.75 a pair. When the heel blows out they make good rags.
When it gets cold, below 35F or so, I put a pair of Thermax liner socks under them. Also good when I know I'm going to get my feet wet working in the rain or swamps. When it gets colder I substitute a GI surplus nylon/wool blends sock for the cotton.
Speaking of cotton socks, and they do have their place, the absolute best and most durable cotton socks are made by Red Wing Shoes. They will definitely cost more, but they are worth every cent.
Thorlos are nice but so are the socks from smartwool, I've also used a merino wool sock from rei also. All socks lose volume [thickness?] and thorlos wear fast at the heel,for me at least. I try to half #### keep track of the worn ones and toss them when the heels get thin. As the weather gets colder I'll change socks during the day and I work with a guy who puts mitchum deoderant on his feet then a thin synthetic sock and then a neoprene sock when its below freezing...
All the wicked cool kids wear smartwools. Up here in Maine I like to call them smahtwools. Seriously though, super comfortable, tons of different lengths, thicknesses, and colors. My drawer is full of them. My poor relatives would hate me if they knew what I did with their non smartwool holiday gift socks! I love the hikers for average winter days, on the real cold ones I get out the trekkers. Try them, they are awesome.
Dustin
I've been most happy with Bridgedale. They can be difficult to find but well worth the effort. I still have a pair I wore backpacking across Alaska in 1999 (stand back!) but they still have their cushion and elasticity. As someone else mentioned, I've found that Thorlos wear quickly for me.
DeFeet coolmax in the summer, work awesome but I only wear low top shoes. They are usually on sale at performancebike.com
Love the Smartwools in the winter. Wool that doesn't itch!
Anyone know where to get a good deal on Smartwools?
DCS Inc.
"He who xxxxs nuns will later join the church." -The Clash
sierratradingpost.com or LL Bean's factory outlet stores for deals on Smartwools.
Dustin
Do panty hose count?
Re: "Do panty hose count?"Depends of what sort of skirt and high-heels you wear with them. A kicky, or is it kinky, Catholic schoolgirl plaid skirt with pleats always goes over well and something tasteful, like a black patent leather pumps with a bit of heel to lengthen the legs, for footwear.Helps if you have the legs for it. As I understand it, from fellas who are into that sort of thing, shaving, and having a 'nice wiggle' helps.You might post a few photos here and we can help with the look. That's what community is all about.
since I have this http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/dept_id.L2~157/qx/prod_list_display.htm
might as well dump it here
Smartwools are great!
My wife has knitted my socks, out of pure wool, and though they lack the features of many of the socks mentioned here, I have been able to wear them almost year round.
Sweetie used different weights of yarn for each pair , and after they are worn out ,she repairs them , felts them, and I then have slippers
Cotton may not be the best choice in socks because it stays damp, but is odor retention a problem with the synthetics in hi-tech socks? I have some polypropelene (sp?) long underwear which is great at wicking away moisture and staying dry, but is also great at retaining odor, unlike cotton.
If you look in the right places you can fin special detergents that will help remove the odor.It's Never Too Late To Become
What You Might Have Been
[email protected]
Regular old cotton. I'm not reading the rest of this thread. It'll get my head all messed up thinking I need something else or my feet will fall off.
I did buy a pair of space age light weight socks for hiking. Pretty nice. But at the price I'm only bringing them out for special occasions. Like when the alpine rescue team is heli lifting me off a mountain cause I got lost and forgot how to build a fire using my three sources in my pack. LOL
Always trust your cape.
http://www.hay98.com/
Edited 9/11/2005 10:19 am ET by Gunner
Regular old cotton. I'm not reading the rest of this thread. It'll get my head all messed up thinking I need something else or my feet will fall off.
If yer feet aren't sore, then don't worry about it. As I said at the top of the thread, cotton has been a fav of mine for quite a while. Socks, sheets, shirts, etc. Hard to beat it.
The WigWams were a situation where I was 'splurging'. Buy the big pack and it comes out to about $1-ish/per pair. I liked them because they outlasted the average WalMart sock. Although... the last pack of them I bought (last Spring) seemed to be a lot thinner sock. Don't know if it was a 'summer' version, or if they've just gotten cheaper.
I did buy a pair of space age light weight socks for hiking. Pretty nice. But at the price I'm only bringing them out for special occasions.
yeah, I see their price and think, "that's a case of beer!" Might still try a pair or two of them just to see what all the hoohaw is about (survive on cheap beer for a week or two... after all, its a scientific experiment).
Like when the alpine rescue team is heli lifting me off a mountain cause I got lost and forgot how to build a fire using my three sources in my pack. LOL
"Don't you DARE cut that sock off! It cost me $15!" ;)jt8
"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."-- Hal Borland
"Don't you DARE cut that sock off! It cost me $15!"
LOL Got a cousin who used to race BMX that was his thing. He had it written on his kevlar chest guard. DO NOT CUT THIS!
Always trust your cape./
Over the last few years I suddenly started having a lot of foot problems, even went to a foot doc.
But the best advice I got came from an REI sales person, who said I should try "Super Feet" insoles, and Smart Wool socks. I did, and it made all the difference.
But let me tell you, it was really tough to pony up $15.95 for a single pair of socks; and my feet sweat a lot, and it seemed insane to buy wool socks for hot summer wear inside a pair of Red Wing boots.
But I wore the "Light hiker" from Smart Wool all summer, and my feet felt less tired and beat up after a day -- and never wet and soggy.
So now I am a big believer.
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
When I was in the service, I used someting called Foot-Lube, I smeared it on the soles of my GI socks and it did keep the blisters away .
I can't find it anymore, but there is something called Hydropel
I just found this and thought it would be of interest.http://www.genesispharm.com/consumer/hydropel.html"
I hate cotton socks. They rub my feet raw when my feet sweat, which is most of the time. My current favorite for 3-season socks are the Head Trekkers (from the ski folks) which are a medium weight, cushion sole, 72% merino wool sock. They had them at Costco last fall for around $10 for a three pack. I like them better than the similar Woolrich socks that sell for about twice the price or more. If they have them again this fall I will load up again.
For summer, I like something called "The World's Softest Sock" which is an Acrylic/Nylon blend. They are sold at a chain of sock stores. There used to be one at The Factory Stores in Troutdale (just outside Portland, Or) but it is no longer there. I got my last pairs at one of their stores in Vacaville, CA, in the shopping center at Nut Tree Parkway. I think they are up to about $4 per pair now.