Wool Socks vs Cotton Socks – TOP 10 Differences
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Pamper Your Feet With Smart Wool Socks
Wool socks are a smart selection for everyday use, no matter what the season. This may come as a surprise to people that think of them for winter use, as opposed to everyday use. The reason is fairly simple. Wool fibers are natural fibers that breathe, as opposed to synthetic fibers that aren't able to absorb moisture or cotton fibers, which absorb completely, instead of storing moisture inside the fiber and away from skin, the way that wool does.
If you want to pamper your feet, smart wool socks lets your feet remain dry, and the wool fibers absorb sweat and moisture, 40 times more than synthetic polyester socks and almost two times more than cotton socks. Because the sheep's curly fur produces curly fibers, wool can function as an insulating material that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Smart wool socks can be worn year round because the feet will be cool and dry in summer months and warm and dry in the winter. Because of the wool's insulating properties, your socks will keep your feet at your body's temperature, instead of the outside temperature. Many people think about this fact in the cold, winter months, but don't think about it during hot summer months, when your feet can get hot and sweaty.
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SMART BUY OMNI WOOL L SPORT SOCKS 9 12 3 PR Large |  |
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US $9.77 | 15d 17h 4m |
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SMART BUY OMNI WOOL CREW HIKER SOCKS 3 PR LARGE 9 12 L | |
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US $17.77 | 9h 44m |
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SMART BUY OMNI WOOL MERINO SOCKS GRAY 2 PR SET 9 12 L | |
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US $12.77 | 4d 12h 43m |
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HOT CHILLYS SMART MERINO WOOL WOMENS SOCKS M 6 9 NEW | |
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US $7.99 | 23d 16h 45m |
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2 PAIR SMART MERINO WOOL MENS HEAVY SOCKS XL 10 13 NEW | |
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US $15.99 | 23d 17h 8m |
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3 PAIRS WOMENS SMART WOOL COMFY SOCKS MEDIUM 7 95 | |
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US $59.99 | 23d 19h 20m |
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NEW 2 PAIRS WOMENS SMART WOOL ULTRA COMFY SOCKS MEDIUM | |
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US $34.99 | 27d 2h 18m |
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SMART BUY OMNI WOOL CREW HIKER SOCKS 3 PR M MEDIUM 6 9 | |
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US $17.77 | 4d 14h 39m |
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2 PAIR SMART MERINO WOOL WOMENS HEAVY SOCKS M 6 9 NEW | |
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US $10.99 | 10d 19h 46m |
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SMART BUY OMNI WOOL MULTI SPORT SOCKS 3 PR 6 9 WHITE M | |
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US $7.77 | 14h 53m |
They also have extra absorption and cushiony comfort, compared to thin polyester and cotton socks. This additional, cushiony softness makes your feet more comfortable and able to tolerate the absorption of motion from daily walking, which can cause sore feet.
Not only can you pamper your feet with smart wool socks, but they are more comfortable, keep moisture-caused fungus like athlete's foot at bay and can make your feet feel refreshed, instead of sore and blistered at the end of the day. Many people think of this when they are going hiking in the mountains or wearing winter snow boots, but don't think about pampering their feet with smart wool socks for everyday use.
Wool is also stain resistant, able to hold color better than other materials and has built-in antibacterial properties, which cuts down on foot odor. Because foot odor is caused by the organisms that grow in sweaty, moist conditions, smart wool socks cuts down on the moisture and sweat that causes these odor-causing bacteria to grow and cause smell, besides the fungus that can cause foot and toenail ailments.
Wool socks are the best thing for your feet, no matter what time of year, because of the benefits that many people consider in the winter, but not other times of the year. Understanding the importance of socks that breathe, absorb moisture, and provide temperature-regulated comfort help many people understand how smart wool socks can pamper your feet any time of year.
Of course, many horse owners may be aware that wool is still considered one of the most high tech materials, no matter what new developments come up in equine products. Wool blankets and saddle pads are the best for eliminating friction and blisters caused by heat build-up and because of the wool fiber's complex construction, it dissipates pressure points and keeps sweat and perspiration from building up. The same is true in smart wool socks for humans. It is a natural and affordable way to pamper your feet, year round.
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Are All Socks Created Equal?
The solution to your odoriferous feet is as close as your socks!
Yes, your socks can be part or the cause of your foot odor.
It comes down to what your socks are made of and how/if they take moisture away from your feet.
A common ingredient in the construction of most socks is polyester. Polyester is great at reducing wrinkles. It is not very good at moving moisture away from the skin.
There is a fiber which has superior moisture moving characteristics. This fiber is called Merino wool.
Merino wool is one of the softest forms of wool known to man.
This type of wool is not just for winter time. It is for anytime of year.
You will find it does a superior job at moving moisture away from the skin.
You will also find it does a great job at keeping your feet warm in the cold months and cool in the warm months.
Most people who are familiar with these socks made from Merino wool are hikers or other outdoor enthusiasts.
They are just recently coming out with socks and other gear for cyclists.
These socks will provide maximum comfort in the places you need it most.
You will notice these types of socks provide heat and moisture ventilation from your feet during riding.
There are many people who find these socks to an excellent addition to their exercising wardrobe.
You can wear these socks whenever you go riding as well as around the house. Or during any other activity you would wear socks for.
Your feet well thank you for covering them with merino wool socks during sock wearing activities!
By Daniel Lilly
For more information about Merino Wool socks and a particular recommendation go to: http://www.mycyclingsource.com/smartwool-cycling-light-crew-socks.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Lilly
http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-All-Socks-Created-Equal?&id=1401872
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Smartwool Socks for the Great Outdoors!
Backpacking - A Camping List
I highly recommend that backpackers work from a camping list as they plan their gear purchases and pack for their trip. There are two reasons for this. The first and most obvious reason is that if you forget something important, you can't hop in the car and run to the nearest Wal-Mart to buy a replacement like you can when you're car camping (I currently own 3 propane bottles due to this phenomenon). The second and less obvious reason is that it helps you limit what you bring, which is very important when you're carrying everything on your back.
Below I'll show you my list. Granted, I'm not a thru-hiker, nor have I done 4-season backpacking, but I have done a couple 11-day treks and many shorter trips, and this is what works for me:
Shelter
Most backpackers use tents of some type. I have a Coleman Cobra small two-man tent that I use when the weather is really cold (I had dreams of being chased by a Polar Bear jumping from iceburg to iceburg one night when I tried sleeping in my hammock on night then the temperature was hovering around zero). I've found, however, that when the terrain, the rules, and the conditions allow, I prefer using a hammock. I bring the tarp for shelter over my hammock, and it has served at quick shelter for a group of nine during an intense sudden storm that came up while we were on the trail. Obviously, if you're going to be camping in very rocky terrain, you'll want a free-standing tent. If you're going to be hiking in heavy snows, you'll want a four-season tent. Here's my shelter:
- Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 (I considered a 9' tarp, but to me the 9oz difference was worth it for storm protection. It's very roomy for one person. I've also shared my tarp on occasion. There are lots of tie-outs, so I have plenty of options for set-up.)
- 40"x96" polycryo groundcloth (very light and folds very small)
Sleeping
Ultralight fanatics would never be caught dead with anything but the absolute lightest down sleeping bags. More power to them. All of my bags are synthetic. I live in an extremely rainy area, and synthetic bags still provide loft and warmth when wet. Due to one unfortunate incident on a Scout trip, I spent a cold night in a bag after wringing it out and other than being a little clammy, was fine. Down, on the other hand, loses all loft when it's wet. Granted, there are lots of ways to keep your bag dry, but I'd rather prepare for the worst, so I suffer with a few extra ounces and a slightly bulkier bag.
- Homemade hammock (I can't always use it, but it's nice when I can)
- 3/4 length Thermarest Guidelite (I can use this on the ground or in the hammock for bottom insulation if needed. I also use it for a "chair" on occasion.)
- Sleeping Bag (I have several and bring the one that's suited to the weather)
- Sleepwear (ranges from underwear in warm weather to silk long underwear plus wool socks and a beanie in cold weather)
Pack
Some people prefer external frame packs, some prefer internal frame packs. Here are the key differences: an external frame pack is cooler on you back and you have options on how you attach gear to the outside of the pack, but it tends to ride a little further from your back than an internal; internal frame packs ride very close to your back which really reduces load swaying, but they're hotter on your back and there are fewer options on how to carry your gear. I prefer internal frame packs, simply because I haven't found an external frame that doesn't hit the back of my head as I look up. I have a couple of packs, but my current pack is very light, since this is a good place to really trim the pounds.
- Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight pack (I wouldn't recommend this if you are hard on gear, but I've found it to be fine for me.)
- Rain Cover
Water
I've heard of groups running out of water on the trail. I'll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen to me or a group I'm hiking with.
- Depending on the water supply in the area I'm hiking in, I will bring two Nalgenes, a four-liter Platypus water bag, and if needed, two empty one-liter club soda bottles. Note that if you're in bear country and your water bottles have ever held anything other than water (club soda is just carbonated water), they should go into the bear bag at night. The food smell permeates the plastic.
- Aquamira Water Treatment
Cooking/Eating
There are lots of options for lightweight high-tech stoves that are available today. I made the alcohol stove after reading an article online, and since it's pretty cool and tends to be a conversation starter (not to mention being very, very lightweight), it's what I use. Obviously if you're going into an area where you have to rely on available fuels, stick with one of the more common white gas stove or even a dual fuel stove that can also use unleaded gas.
- Homemade soda can stove + windscreen
- Small bottle of methanol for fuel
- Aluminum pot (grease pot)
- Titanium mug
- Lexan spork (gotta have a spork)
Safety
Skimp on your tent, and you get wet. Skimp on your sleeping bag, and you'll be cold. Skimp on your safety equipment, and you could die.
- Survival Kit (always in my pocket)
- First Aid Kit
- Lighter, "waterproof" matches, and a magnesium firestarter (there have been many cold, wet, windy nights where the magnesium turned frustration into fire)
- Headlamp
- Two Pulsar LED lights (one is always clipped to the outside of my pack)
- Topo map
- Compass (I don't need no stinkin' GPS - I will bring one, however, if there are any GeoCaches on the route I'm taking)
Accessories
Some people bring less, some bring more. I've found through experience that these are the items I use, and also those that I regret if I don't have.
- Trekking Poles (they REALLY help when you're loaded down with water in rugged terrain and they can be used to pitch the tarp on the ground)
- Journal + pen + 2 golf pencils (I lost my pen and my backup pencil once. The pencils are very light.)
- Bear Bag Cord
- Several homemade stuff sacks
- Camera (I've been bringing a small digital with lithium batteries. The lithium batteries last a LONG time.)
- Sunscreen
- Bug Repellant
- Bandanna
- Toilet Paper in a freezer ziplock
- Plastic trowel (sometimes the ground is just too hard to kick a hole with your boot)
- Crocs for camp shoes
- Bottle of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap
- Lightweight wide-brimmed hat
- Lip Balm
- Baking soda (for toothpaste)
- Compact toothbrush
- Small bottle of hand sanitizer
- Sunglasses with neck cord
- Watch
- Rain Jacket and Pants
- Trash Bag(s) (I normally bring two in case one gets punctured. I also compact my trash very well, so small bags work fine for me.)
- Duct Tape - a couple of yards wrapped around one of the Nalgenes is enough for me.
- Multi-tool (the pliers double as a pot lifter)
Food
Please keep your food and trash completely separate from the rest of your pack items. Gallon Ziplocks will work OK for this. You don't want your pack or gear to smell like food. Bears have excellent noses!
- Two hot meals a day - oatmeal for breakfasts and variety for dinners
- Cold trail-type food for lunches/snacks. (Make sure you plan for plenty of calories or you're really start feeling it in the middle of your trek.)
Clothing
I'm not going to list all of the clothing I bring, because it changes significantly season-to-season. However, I think it's important to list the clothing items I pack (i.e. duplicate items):
- One extra wicking t-shirt
- Two extra wicking underwear
- Two extra pairs of Smartwool socks (I know I wasn't going to get into clothing specifics, but I have to mention these. I've found the Smartwool Trekker socks to be the best for backpacking. I bring three total pairs so that I always (hopefully) have a dry pair to change into.)
Optional Items to Consider
You may think of other items you want to bring, but please remember that an ounce on your back is a pound on your feet!
- Sock liners (I hate them, but some people love them. With Smartwool socks, I have no need.)
- Gaiters (I've never used them, but I'm sure they help keep your socks dry in foul weather. They're on my "should try" list.)
- Extra Ziplock/trash bags
- Feminine Products (Backpacking can make your cycle go wacko, so be prepared)
- Reading Glasses, if needed (how else are you going to read your map?)
- A Sharpie marker
- Extra glasses, especially for contact lens wearers; extra contacts; contact solution
- Deodorant (not recommended in bear country - you really don't want to smell interesting to bears)
If you use the above camping list as a guideline as you prepare for your next backpacking trip, you can insure that you bring what you need without carrying a lot of stuff you'll never use.
Bill Weatherspoon is a long-time camper and general outdoorsman. He has been a Boy Scout volunteer, and enjoys hiking and backpacking as well as passing along some of his experiences to those who are just beginning ther camping and hiking.
If you're nervous about your first camping or backpacking trip, please check out the information on 12 Steps to Getting the Most Enjoyment out of Tent Camping.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Weatherspoon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Backpacking---A-Camping-List&id=744576
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Tips For Having Warm Feet in the Woods
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
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