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Filed under: Hiking Socks
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Depends on the type but if they’re anything like the ones I went through the himalayas with you will definetly need something to soften them up. I’d suggest the low ankle trainer socks as a good choice to stop rubbing. You can get enough blisters as it is!
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I always found a second thin pair under your hill-walking socks prevented blisters. This was for Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Scotland, Wales.
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I personally don’t like to wear sock liners, as they are called. If your boots are well broken in and fit properly then there isn’t any reason why you should get blisters.
It could also be the type of "hiking" sock you are wearing. Some people wear regular cotton tube socks, others where synthetics or wool. I prefer a light merino wool sock because it still provides a good amount of cushioning but isn’t too hot. Also, the wool wicks moisture from your feel and doesn’t smell.
I know people who wear only the liners and use them as their only sock. Others I know, instead of paying a lot for liners from a outdoor store they by regular nylon dress socks, like you would wear with slacks, they`re slick and prevent blisters and cost a 1/4 the price of actual liners.
References :
NY Backpacking Guide
Eagle Scout
That was more true back in the day when loose ragg wool socks were the norm. Nowadays it isn’t such a big deal. I wear a Smartwool liner sock under my heavyweight hiking socks only when I wear my heavy duty backpacking and mountaineering boots. A good fitting wool/synthetic blend hiking sock (Smartwool, Wigwam, Thorlo, Teko, etc.) is usually all you need with lightweight hiking boots and trail shoes. Sock tech has come a long way.
Hiking is part of my job. I get a lot of demo socks from various companies. Very few of them require a liner sock to be worn. A good fitting boot or hiking shoe will prevent blisters more so than your socks, but a good fitting wool/synthetic sock does help a lot.
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It doesn’t hurt to wear more than one layer of socks when you’re hiking. Many hikers prefer to wear a thin polyester sock underneath an outer sock. This keeps the moisture away from the body while trapping the heat.
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http://campingbreak.com/dress-for-hiking