Buy The Right Socks For Hiking

Quality Socks: A Must for Hikers

For many casual hikers investing in proper socks is often overlooked. However, socks are as crucial to comfort and injury prevention as your boots.
Quality socks cushion your feet and wick moisture from your skin, reducing friction that can lead to blisters. This is an introduction to sock weight, material and style that will help you choose the right sock for your hiking needs. The first step in choosing socks is matching a sock weight to the type of hiking you will be doing. Will you be gone for the afternoon or a weeklong hike? Will the terrain be flat or steep? Will you be carrying a heavy pack? The answers to these questions will affect the sock weight you choose. Many manufactures produce socks in light, medium and heavyweight categorizes. Increasing sock weight translates into more cushioning, thickness and wool material. I like light hiker socks for day hikes and urban trekking. They provide excellent cushioning and comfort with minimum bulk. If you intend on backpacking or hiking uneven terrain consider medium to heavyweight socks for extra cushioning. The next step is to select a style of sock. Manufacturers produce different designs to accommodate various activities, cushioning needs and fit preferences. Knowing a little about your biomechanics can make a big difference in fit and comfort. For example, I have a heavy heel strike. My heel hits the ground hard, absorbing most of the shock of landing. When buying socks, I look for extra padding in the heel, ball and toe. Reflecting on where your feet get sore when hiking or where your socks wear out are areas that may need extra padding. Personal choice is another factor. You may like the padded feel of bulky socks, or you may be a minimalist. When day hiking, I prefer light socks with a snug fit, so beyond required cushioning I look for minimum bulk in the arch and the instep.

Try Liner Socks

Some socks are designed to be worn with another sock. The rationale of this system is that the thin, liner socks wick moisture from the skin to the outer socks that provides cushioning and insulation. In addition, movement between the two socks decreases friction on your foot, reducing blisters. My experience is that this system works for some, but its effectiveness is influenced by one's biomechanics, footwear, hiking conditions and intensity. Test this system before lengthy hikes to see if two socks are right for you.
You also will want to check the materials used in hiking socks. Quality hiking socks are often a blend of natural and synthetic materials that cushion and insulate, while wicking moisture away from the feet. Make sure your hiking socks do not contain cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture and excessive moisture leads to cold feet in cold weather. It also increases friction to your skin leading to hot spots and blisters. If concerned about losing cotton's comfort, you will find solace in the many hiking socks containing Merino wool. Merino is soft and comfortable with the cushioning and insulating characteristics of regular wool, but without the itch. Although often assumed to be an accessory instead of a piece of equipment, socks are crucial to comfortable hikes. Make sure you take the time to try new socks on short walks and hikes to ensure they provide enough cushioning and are fit snug in your boots. Once on the trails, take breaks during long hikes to air out your boots and feet, and check for blisters. It also is a good habit to carry extra socks and put on a fresh pair after resting. They feel great and provide better cushioning than worn socks. Quality socks reduce sore feet allowing you to forget blister paranoia and enjoy the experience of a great hike. Invest the effort into finding the right socks for your hikes -- your feet will thank you!
As importantas proper fitting boots, quality socks increase comfort and provide cushioning during hikes.

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Buy The Right Socks For Hiking