I heard that synethetic material socks are better - or are cotton socks good enough?
What about 2 cotton socks (on each foot) to offset any blistering?
Cotton is not preffered. Cotton gets wet from sweat and rubs giving blisters. You are better off with hiking socks that are designed to wick away moisture.
However if you are on doing recreational hiking here and there regular socks are ok.
I am going on a long day hike in the el yunque rainforest in August and would like to find a hiking sock that is breathable, but supportive enough to be comfortable. Does anyone have any experience with a particular brand which works well in very high humidity?
winter or summer, I wear merino wool socks with polyester liner sock underneath
they keep my feet more comfortable than anything else I've ever tried
cotton is definitely NOT the way to go
Smartwool, Fox River, and L.L. Bean are the brands I prefer
I know wearing wool socks in hot, humid conditions sounds weird but my feet like it
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=38194&sc1=Search&feat=sr
http://www.rei.com/product/604587?vcat=REI_SEARCH
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39301939&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1
Get yourself a few pairs of Merino wool WigWam socks. WigWam socks are made for comfort on the trail. They are also customized to different sports and jobs. These are the socks for you. I'm not sure if they have their own website, but I know they're available at www.mec.com (Mountain Equipment Co-op).
Happy Trails!
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___19872
Smartwool Outdoor Classic Series Merino Wool Socks - Hiker
Blisters happen when your foot moves in the boot. This is a sign the boots do not fit you correctly. They are either too large, too loose or the wrong shape for your foot. Get athletic foot beds custom fit for your foot to wear in your boots. This is much the same problem we have with ski boots. Custom Boot service in Seattle does a wonderful job. You must get to a top boot fitter to do the job correctly. The foot bed/ orthotic is great for making your feet happy when you are on them 6-10 hours a day. I wear them in my work boots and a different type in my ski boots.
Take your boots to a top boot shop and have them checked against your foot size and shape. The pain from blisters is not worth putting up with.
Some people have fought many years of their lives to preserve the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy. That dedication and effort have been rewarded by fantastic hiking opportunities in our local, state, and national parks systems. In honor of their efforts, let's break out of our winter hibernation and venture into the crisp, clean outdoor air and hit some of those dirt trails.
Here are 4 steps to an enjoyable hike, no matter where your feet decide to take you.
1. Know the area you will be going into. Although many states, like California, Colorado, or Wyoming have exceptional hiking hot spots, even your local park will have some kind of useful information. Whether it's a website with information and trail details, or a map at the park office, trailhead, or visitor center, always check before you head out on your hike so you know what to expect.
2. Know the conditions you will be facing, wherever you go. Nothing is worse than traveling to a hiking destination only to miss the hike, because it was raining or freezing and you weren't prepared. If the trail is flooded out, or snowy conditions have shut it down for an extended period, you should be able to find this out as well. It is also good to know if there are any plants or animals to watch out for at your hiking location. Wiping with poison ivy won't feel good in the morning.
3. Wear clothing that works and fits the terrain and hike conditions. There are many options in your clothing arsenal, to keep yourself comfortable, here are a couple of pointers:
- Try and stay away from cotton. Instead, look for synthetic and natural fibers that pull moisture away from your body, or at least stay warm when wet. - Also, go for layers to keep yourself warm, versus carrying around a huge parka, in case you are hit by a freak snowstorm. - The two most important pieces of clothing for any hiker, are good socks and good shoes. Don't underestimate the pain a hike can cause with uncomfortable shoes and socks. Finally, a hat in cold weather is a great addition, since your body loses over half its heat through your head.
Smartwool Kids Hiking Light Sock 10-191
4. In addition to knowing the weather conditions, you will need to be prepared with a first aid kit that matches the hiking you will be doing. In most cases a simple kit will do. You can pick up a simple first aid kit at a local department or sporting goods store. Or you can build you own, which should include these basics: - Different sizes and shapes of bandages and gauzes. - Various types of tape for wounds or fixing tools. - Suntan lotion. - A light emergency blanket (preferably with some kind of water resistance). - Aspirin, allergy, laxative, and anti-diuretic medications. - Small multi-use tool with a knife, scissors, and a needle and thread. - A cell phone can come in very handy in emergencies. It is recommended that you pack all of this in a waterproof bag or container.
These tips should ensure a comfortable, short hiking adventure.
Mountaineer socks are manufactured specifically to provide coverage and protection for longer treks in rougher conditions. The very best ones are cushioned and provide greater ankle support then normal socks. These features help to ward against blisters that are often caused by mountaineering boots which tend to be stiff and a bit unforgiving. They will also help protect your feet from shock, blisters and abrasions. Climbing mountains isn't for the faint of heart and it is also not for the unprepared. If you are looking to climb or hike mountains, you must make sure that your feet stay warm, dry and protected. If you don't take careful considerations on the type of socks that you wear, you will find your trip cut short due to terrible discomfort. If the conditions are bad enough, not wearing the proper socks can be very hazardous to your health.
When choosing a mountaineer sock, here are some things to keep in mind. Look for socks that have good, wool construction. This will ensure that your feet stay warm and your socks sturdy. The right socks will be important to your success. Therefore, you want to choose ones that will be able to be up for the task. Look for mountaineer socks that have a flat knit. This will help to prevent chafing and will also help to maximize ventilation and reduce the compression that will occur from your mountaineering boots. You also want to be sure that you purchase socks that reach up to your upper calf, this will provide you with the adequate protection that you need.
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Smartwool Light Cushion Hiking Socks |  |
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US $9.95 | 15d 12h 5m |
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SMARTWOOL Womens Rose Mint Tulip Socks | |
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US $13.96 | 26d 4h 42m |
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MERINO WOOL SOCKS COMPARABLE TO SMARTWOOL BEIGE GREEN LARGE 3 PAIRS | |
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US $27.00 | 19h 10m |
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MERINO WOOL SOCKS COMPARABLE TO SMARTWOOL GRAY XLG 3 PAIRS | |
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US $27.00 | 19h 12m |
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MERINO WOOL SOCKS COMPARABLE TO SMARTWOOL GRAY RED LARGE 3 PAIRS | |
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US $27.00 | 19h 16m |
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SMARTWOOL 100 Superfine Wool Ws PhD Cushioned Ski Sock M NEW w Tag $1995 NICE | |
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US $16.95 | 1d 11h 50m |
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SMARTWOOL Womens Snowflake Pop Socks BLACK | |
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US $14.66 | 25d 14h 52m |
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NEW Smartwool Messenger Socks Socks Medium Run Bike Hike CX Jog | |
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US $19.99 | 1d 17h 12m |
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SMARTWOOL Mens Ultra Comfy Trio Performance Socks Charcoal | |
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US $34.96 | 26d 5h 27m |
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SMARTWOOL MERINO WOOL Light Hiking Crew Socks Size MEDIUM Lavender Pink VIOLETÂ | |
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US $15.00 | 20d 7h 5m |
Mountaineer socks typically have a price range of between $16-$22. Some of the very most popular brands with hikers and mountaineers, are:
1. SmartWool: This may be the most popular and highly regarded brand of all the mountaineering socks on the market.
2. Patagonia: Patagonia socks are also pretty well respected.
3. CoolMax: Coolmax socks are good for both mountaineering and hiking
4. Integral Designs: This brand tends to be a little bit more expensive then the others
5. Wigwam: Wigwam sells socks for all occasions. If you like to hike or run, you may want to check out this brand.
You can find mountaineer socks at your local sporting or outdoorsman store. You can also find some great deals on the internet. Simply perform a search on Google and you will find tons of websites selling name brand mountaineer socks. Remember, you are not looking for style, but warmth, protection and sturdiness to protect your feet under harsh conditions. You are looking for function not flash.
By Helen Kosanovic
Want to find out more on how top quality mountaineer wool socks? Visit our site where we review the best Merino socks such as Smartwool mountaineer socks and other Smartwool socks. Find out how to buy them online on a discount.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Kosanovic
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Choose-the-Right-Mountaineer-Socks&id=932522
As both an outdoor enthusiast and someone who spends a fair amount of time working outside I can tell you that there are few things worse than having cold feet. If your feet don't stay warm you not only compromise your level of comfort but also your ability to "stick it out". The last thing you want to have happen after hiking 45 minutes in to your favorite spot is for numb, aching toes to drive you out of your tree stand and back to your truck before you even see a shot.
Fortunately, modern innovations in boot construction and sock materials make suffering with cold, wet feet a thing of the past, at least for those of us willing to carefully consider our options.
Sure, there was a time when I wouldn't have been caught dead wearing anything that wasn't leather on my feet. Of course back then I also wore cotton tube socks year-round, and as any novice outdoorsman will tell you cotton is a very poor choice of fabric, especially in cold weather or survival situations.
Nowadays, my sock of choice for winter wear is made of smart wool. This synthetic composite fabric has the warmth and insulating characteristics of wool and the moisture wicking properties of polypropylene. I actually have several different thicknesses/weights of these socks and have learned to gauge which ones work best for different temperatures and levels of activity. Any of the major outfitters like Cabela's, L.L.Bean, and Carhart make these socks or something similar and I have tried many of them with equal success.
As for boots my choice has evolved with the years as well. Although leather is a very durable material I have found it to be inferior in performance compared to the newer man-made materials. Once again wet, cold weather applications seem to underscore this. Almost all boot manufacturers now offer boots made of waterproof, breathable materials like gore-tex. Most are available with varying levels of Thinsulate insulation ranging from as little as 400 grams to as much as 1000 or even 1200 grams depending on your anticipated activity level and the temperature range you will be wearing them in. Many are also available with a moisture wicking bootie inside to further enhance the performance of your socks.
Any of the above mentioned outfitters offer a wide range of quality boots, some of which can be quite pricey, but you do not have to spend a lot of money to be comfortable. I actually have a pair of Herman Survivors which I purchased at Wal-Mart that I wear almost daily. They are waterproof and breathable, have a moisture wicking liner and removable insoles and are some of the lightest boots I have ever owned. They came in mossy oak pattern and have a scent-lock coating. At a mere $65 they seemed like they would be great everyday work boots and they are. I have not yet worn them while stalking the woods but I would not hesitate to.
So the next time you head out looking for that 10-pointer or that 40 lb. Tom take a minute to think about what you're putting on your feet. Will they still be warm 90 minutes from now? There's no reason they shouldn't be!
By Scott Peters
Scott Peters is an outdoor enthusiast and sportsman. Please see Leupold CQ/T for details on some of his favorite hunting and shooting equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Peters
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Having-Warm-Feet-in-the-Woods&id=1873619
Maybe you enjoy the comfort of wearing a pair of cotton tube socks especially when playing basketball. You liked it most because it feels very comfortable on the feet while wearing your rubber shoes. Now put them on and use a pair of hiking boots, try to hike even a short trail for an hour or equal to the time that you consume in playing a basketball game. Note your observations. You have just made your own hiking socks review but using a pair of cotton socks.
Usually the cotton socks that you use in other activities won't work best on a hike, especially hiking extra long trails. Hiking requires the use of a good pair of socks that is especially designed for use in hiking. Good hiking socks must be comfortable, tough, and able to keep moisture away from your feet. There are several brands of hiking socks that claim to have these features and claiming to be the best socks for hiking and trekking. Trying these socks can be costly because of their prices that are higher than the casual or ordinary sports socks. So for you to save better check some hiking socks reviews from people that have used these products.
You might have read the hiking socks reviews that reviewed the Smartwool, Thorlos, Fox River, The North Face, Dahlgren, and Wigwam. These are the most common hiking socks that best work for short and long hiking and backpacking trips. Other socks that work better than these socks are designed for extra long trekking and longer expeditions. If you haven't read those reviews just read on for the summary and excerpts of that review.
These hiking socks reviews came from the results of the field tests done by the crew of the GearReview.com. According to their tests, the Smartwool claiming to have used only the Merino wools of the highest grade to achieve comfort had done their choice right. The Smartwool Light Hiker was proven to give extra comfort in using with the hiking boots and even casual shoes. According to them the Smartwool is comfortable to wear, well fitting, and doesn't retain sweat at all.
Another hiking sock reviewed is the Thorlos Light Hiking sock. The Thorlo was found to be the most durable socks among the socks that they have reviewed and tried. Its extra padding gives extra comfort and longer life of the socks. Because of its thickness the Thorlo advises the customers to bring their hiking boots when fitting with the Thorlo socks to have the right fit. The same crew also reviewed the Fox River Outdoor. This thinner hiking sock has a breathable material making it comfortable for use in hiking and casual shoes. The North Face Trekking Socks and the Dahlegren Hiking also gave the same positive results in offering comfort in hiking. The Wigwam was the only hiking sock reviewed that failed to give affirmative results. Though well fitting and comfortable at first use, the Wigwam tends to make your feet sweat and get wet.
By Veronica Valentine
Veronica Valentine is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about hiking sock reviews please visit Hiking and Camping Today for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Veronica_Valentine
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hiking-Socks-Reviews-For-and-by-the-Hikers&id=1434071
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