Hiking Socks: Everything To Consider When Buying Socks For Hiking And Backpacking

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00:00 Hey y'all
00:32 Sock Height
00:53 No-Show
01:18 Ankle
02:00 Crew
02:50 Knee High
03:31 Fabric
03:38 Wool
04:25 Synthetic (Polyester and Nylon)
04:38 Silk
04:56 Spandex
05:02 Not Cotton
06:01 Cushion
07:22 Fit
08:15 Blister Prevention
10:21 Cold Weather
10:31 Waterproof Socks
11:19 Neoprene Booties
12:14 Down Booties
13:02 Electric Heated Socks
13:47 My Favorite Brands
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Пікірлер: 453

@OldPackMule 3 жыл бұрын

Who knew that there could be an interesting 15 minute conversation on socks. Well done!

@HomemadeWanderlust 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@unicorntrainer226 3 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait for the release of: “SOCK: the movie”

@johngrossbohlin7582 3 жыл бұрын

I was surprised it was only 15 minutes... like with shoe and boot construction there is a lot to consider if you are serious about it!

@trakyboy5128 3 жыл бұрын

So true that women get better color ops !!!!! I've bought women's for that but also cuz I'm the guy w short legs .... 29" inseam.... And I find alot of pant gear for men run longer than I want. I always ( so far ) buy women's rain pants. Best sock talk I've ever seen/heard on the Tube !!!! 👍🏽👍🏽☺️ Excellent job Miss Dixie 😀☺️. Ps.... I DO like Sealskinz for the wet stuff. They've improved from many years ago. But, not if fully submerged for long periods of time like is in canyoneering. But there are some tricks to help prolong that dryness 🧐🤗. Yes I like Darn tuff socks 2 !!! They run on the warm side cuz they are knitted so well and tightly !!

@papajeff5486 3 жыл бұрын

I was in the US Army Infantry. We were taught to take especially good care of our feet. We wore wool socks even in the summer. Some guys wore women’s thin nylon hose-like sock on their skin, then pulled on the issued wool boot sock, no blisters. I just wore one pair of wools in summer and two in winter, no blisters. Keeping the feet clean and changing socks helps a lot. Texas

@PacemakerandButtons Жыл бұрын

Ranger that!!

@monamoon3256 3 жыл бұрын

European hiker here, I've had great luck with Falke socks (german brand). And I really enjoyed the video, nobody ever wants to talk about socks with me :D

@HomemadeWanderlust 3 жыл бұрын

Yayy! Thank you for your input 😀

@bramhartveld 2 жыл бұрын

Falke socks are indeed fantastic.

@albundy8139 3 жыл бұрын

A tip from my military friends for blister prone people instead of sock liners, use a thin dress sock or silk sock under your normal socks, works great for me!

@artbyashley6613 3 жыл бұрын

Love Injinji socks, not only do they keep my tootsies happy but the colours work magic, having a real trudge through rough terrain, just look down & they never cease to make me smile. Socks are really the only thing I will make weight sacrifices for, I carry enough to ensure I always have a clean pair each day & a spare pair. Small amount of method laundry liquid means I can wash them out on trail and hang them to dry from clips on the back of my pack. Night socks.. Alpaca/cashmere/bamboo blend which I hand spin & knit myself, there truly is nothing warmer & 0 bulk so your feet don't feel like they've been encased in a 15 tog duvet attached with duct tape, these keep my feet warm but not sweaty like down booties. Really sensitive skin on my feet too so my foot care routine is pretty thorough. If you keep your feet tip top the rest of you tends to get along better.

@kimkremer8915 3 жыл бұрын

Mom is an avid knitter. I always bring a pair of Mom socks to sleep in. They're probably a little heavier than a commercial brand, and I cannot hike in them (too 'nubby' for my feet), but I feel a little warmer because they were made with love & I know Mom appreciates going along with me on every hike.

@BackcountryPilgrim 3 жыл бұрын

Injinji toe socks rule, love Darn Tough as well!

@wetwriterrr 3 жыл бұрын

You really gave a college level lecture on socks.

@DB-xo6xh 3 жыл бұрын

Hiking Socks 101: Comprehensive Seminar!

@annconley9520 3 жыл бұрын

We used bread bags between our socks when kids. It made a difference in keeping our feet dryer.

@kellys1458 3 жыл бұрын

I just commented the same thing! Kept my feet dry (and therefore warmer!) Super cheap & lightweight option

@d.g.n9392 3 жыл бұрын

We were kids, wore plastic bags on our feet when we played in the snow.

@caseybrewer8950 3 жыл бұрын

Your suggestion of "lock laces" in past videos has helped my son and I tremendously.

@DrewBoswell 3 жыл бұрын

A couple of your suggestions are spot on: bread bags and down booties. Bread bags are lighter than camp shoes. If my socks and shoes are soaked when I get to camp, I can put on dry socks, put my bread bags on over those dry socks, and then put my wet shoes back on. No need for camp shoes. And booties for sleeping in cold weather are a superb use of a few ounces. I've got a homemade pair, ugly as hell but warm and weighing less than 4 ounces for the pair. They're insulated with climashield, not down, but they pack down well and are within the sewing capabilities of most anybody who owns a sewing machine (if you practice a bit first). Speaking of which - when are you going to make a video on DIY gear? hint hint hint

@jacybrazil816 3 жыл бұрын

Omg! I can totally relate to the scratchy wool! My papa used to always wear this long wool coat and it would always scratch my face when I would hug him! That brought back a lot of memories!!!

@gogerwi 3 жыл бұрын

I went through thin socks, thick socks, medium thick socks, liners, no liners, usually with Salomon trail runners and always got blisters. After switching to Darn Tough socks and Altra shoes haven't had a blister in 2 years. I think the Altras helped the most but the socks are fantastic and haven't warn a pair out yet. I learned all that from KZfaqrs like you. Thanks

@jkgkjgkijk 3 жыл бұрын

Salomons run narrow. I blame them for morton's neuroma in my right foot.

@jkgkjgkijk 3 жыл бұрын

@@Hiker_45 Yes, I just picked up a pair. Zero drop, wide toe box. I don't recall the style, off hand. They breathe very poorly though. I have zero drop Vasque trail shoes too. Much better shoe and it breathes very well. I'm not a fan of gore tex, I think it's junk science. I miss thinsulate.

@MargueretteLorah 9 ай бұрын

@@jkgkjgkijk Really? I have wide feet and my gtx3 have plenty of space. I tried the new 4’s and my feet floated in them. Maybe different models?

@jkgkjgkijk 9 ай бұрын

@@MargueretteLorah maybe you think you have wide feet? All an interested party has to do is look down at the toe box--readilly apparent the box is narrow. Gore tex is crap and it amazes me that it dominates the industry. I'm not alone in my assessment --im confident your remark is ignorance.

@MargueretteLorah 9 ай бұрын

@@jkgkjgkijk someone’s salty. Yeah dude, I’m sure you were there as I was getting my feet measured and tried 6 pairs on that were too tight until I found the Salomon’s. I’m happy with them. You’re not. Who cares. Lose the attitude child

@cindylopez4883 3 жыл бұрын

Down booties are expensive. I bought a childrens name brand down coat at a recycle shop. I then used the sleeves to make down booties. Love them! My boys wore REI wool socks . they are as good as any other, and are usually on sale in May.

@DannyB-cs9vx 3 жыл бұрын

Great idea. I get a lot of my clothes at second hand shops. I am thinking a child's jacket might make good shoe gaiters or shin warmers.

@Galiuros 3 жыл бұрын

We call them bown dooties. (It's a long story.)

@hikerJohn 3 жыл бұрын

One of the biggest causes of blisters is having a sock that's even slightly to large that causes the sock to rub on your food instead of the sock rubbing on the shoe. If your foot is between sized then go with a smaller size that fits tight so it wont move against your skin. The point of having two socks is so the rubbing happens between the socks but with good socks that fit, that wont happen so you don't need two socks. Elect socks for car/truck camping would be worth a try in cold weather :o)

@craigcampbell6961 2 жыл бұрын

Consider, checking out better filter pairs with left and right socks.

@tommckinney1489 3 жыл бұрын

Darn tough all the way! I even wear them in my "regular" life. Darn tough? Darn right !!

@upcycle.outdoorsman9629 3 жыл бұрын

I used to send them back to Vermont when they got threadbare, now I can exchange them at a local outfitter who is a bulk retailer of them. They are a superior sock, and the only thing I hike in.

@sonipitts 3 жыл бұрын

I literally have no other socks in my closet anymore, aside from a few pair of almost-never-worn dress socks for occasions when more formal dress (and thus dress shoes) are required, and two pair of super-thick Wigwams for wearing as house-slippers to prolong the life of my DTs. Darn Tough all the way, indeed.

@robster7530 3 жыл бұрын

I wear darn tough every day, just wear the all black with dress shoes. Upfront a little more but haven’t had to buy socks in years

@cetyl2626 3 жыл бұрын

Me to, never going back

@reecee2941 3 жыл бұрын

They’re too tight for my feet and ankles, to the point of being uncomfortable. I wish they had larger sizes. I loved them otherwise.

@julianneschwerdtfeger978 3 жыл бұрын

I love my Damascus farm to feet socks! Great lighter weight sock with excellent cushioning, the only socks I wear when backpacking

@oldmenhikingjeffgandee 3 жыл бұрын

You were the first person I ever heard mention Darn Toughs, a few years ago in one of your videos, and now I swear by them. Thank you!

@Wondering_Fireball 3 жыл бұрын

Dixie, great break down on socks to wear. To me their the second most important part of my gear next to shoes. If your feet aren’t comfortable your hike will be miserable.

@mglittle37 3 жыл бұрын

Talk about perfect timing! I'm just staring doing dayhikes to work towards section hikes, and just now trying to tackle socks. Thanks!

@dallasbryan9959 3 жыл бұрын

Dixie, once again a great vid. Good info for newbies and experienced hikers. Nice to hear about new things on the market. Thanks

@jetcityjoe8347 3 жыл бұрын

Love the labeled red timeline for the video! Really helpful. Thank you Dixie!

@mikaelica 3 жыл бұрын

Totally love your vids! Cheers from Sweden 🇸🇪

@leeparm45 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you again, Dixie, for yet another informative video. I have been using the Wrightsock Escape Crew socks almost exclusively because they are two socks sewn together, a soft inner lining and a more durable outer sock. Very comfortable and doesn't get too hot, even in summer.

@onealjones9039 3 жыл бұрын

Darn tuff on my feet! Thanks to your KZfaq channel. Altras lp4 mids and darn tuff socks have relieved my bad arch and toe nail difficulties. The mids help with toe nails on down hills for me. Thanks for helping my feet!

@jacquelineho8623 3 жыл бұрын

Great video!! This was a very thorough video. Thank you

@raymondspagnuolo8222 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation. Thank you!

@alpin11950a 3 жыл бұрын

I have used Injinji and Darn Tough in the past, but now I'm into Balegas. Started testing their running socks and love them, well cushioned and perfect fit for my feet. Thanks for the incredibly informative videos!

@inthecouchproductions8103 3 жыл бұрын

Been wanting to do the AT for several years and your videos are inspiring and are helping me get a realistic expectation of what I'm facing. Grew up in Virginia and love whenever I see a clip of you in Shenandoah.

@TK-qu1ht 3 жыл бұрын

Great info! Thanx Dixie!!

@Legionnaire7777 Жыл бұрын

Bridgedale socks are excellent too 👍🏻

@jimmyjenkins9240 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dixie! We are going north for the holidays. That means my day hikes will be in cold weather with rain, sleet and snow! This is timely info for me.

@brianfackrell4139 3 жыл бұрын

I told my parents and my wife's parents that all I want for Christmas is a $20.00 pair of socks. That year I got a bag of tube socks from each of them.

@BlaBla-pf8mf 3 жыл бұрын

Festive monkey's paw.

@HomemadeWanderlust 3 жыл бұрын

Ohhh no! Lol. It’s the thought that counts ♥️

@MightyMidgey 3 жыл бұрын

I love Darn Tough socks! About a year ago, I picked up some irregular/defect Farm to Feet Damascus socks for crazy cheap at a local shop and have fallen in LOVE with them. So far they've held up as well as the Darn Tough socks that I've had for years and I love how well they hug my feet.

@jasonporeda9303 3 жыл бұрын

Smartwool PhD socks are awesome. I used the same two pairs for my entire 2018 AT thru-hike.

@michaelclark9286 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Dixie! I'm relatively new to backpacking, I've been going out when I can for the last 4 to 5 years. Starting out I needed to be on a budget, but since I live in Washington state I needed good enough gear to stand up to the weather. My go to sock while trying to stay cheap were wigwam brand socks, I still have my original pair that have seen many miles and use them to this day. I've been spending more on my gear and I'm constantly upgrading, but those wigwam socks still take great care if my feet!

@robertcooper6910 3 жыл бұрын

Last spring the last day of our hike was in a downpour. We walked about 30kms through creeks, massive puddles and rivers. We were so wet we didn't even bother trying to get around the water, just went right through it. I expected my feet to be a mess but my Darn Tough socks were great. I'm completely sold on them (I have zero affiliation with the company). When asked about my favourite piece of gear, I tell people it's my socks. Who knew? I love your videos btw. You're a great inspiration!

@craigcampbell6961 2 жыл бұрын

One item already mentioned are Wright socks, which are two layers essentially providing that friction reducing function of the sock liner. They have been my go-to sock for run, hike, ski for 25 years and hardly a blister. While plastic/bread bags can work, nylon vapour barrier socks re also sold. Warmlite was probably the first 40 years ago. Best winter system seems to be liner sock, vapour barrier, regular sock - creates an "insulated boot". An additional big added advantage is the inside of your boots don't get wet from sweat so don't freeze up overnite. Of course you really should give consideration to putting boots in a dry bag (inside-out if you use it for other things) in the bottom of your sleeping bag overnite, so you have warm morning boots. Getting out of a warm sleeping bag is hard enough. Alternately if you have the water bottles and fuel, put a hot water bottle in each boot, plus one in the bottom of your sleeping bag for your feet.

@sonipitts 3 жыл бұрын

Dimethicone-based 'dry/powder lotion' anti-chafing gels are also excellent for reducing toe-on-toe violence, if toe socks aren't your thing. I use the Chafing Relief Powder Gel from Monistat (aka 'anti-chub-rub'), but any similar product should work just as well. It's fairly cheap, doesn't weight much, works super well, hangs around for most of the day with one application, and you only need the tiniest amount for each contact point, so it lasts forever. I just keep it in my pack for touchups (or if I forget to put it on before I leave), and I'm golden.

@ursulaanne 3 жыл бұрын

Recently switched to injinji toe socks. They relieved almost all of my foot pain!

@DucRider-qw9hn 3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate the advice. I haven’t tried Darn Tough nor Smart Wool brands yet. However, I bought 3 pairs of Icebreaker medium cushion crew length socks. I did a 13 mi day hike in them a few weeks ago and found them delightfully comfy and supportive. I bought them through REI for less than $20 a pair. I wear La Sportiva boots and have gotten hot spots on my feet from lesser socks. I would recommend these socks as a slightly less expensive alternative. Lifetime warranty.

@BristanKellerUSAF 2 жыл бұрын

As an Alaskan veteran, foot care is something I know about especially in the winter months. With waterproof socks, another thin layer is required to keep the sweat from being trapped inside the sock. I use gold toe dress socks and it does a good job of preventing this. Keeping that in mind, it’s important to try on boots that feel comfortable with all three socks on, but it may be a dedicated winter boot depending on the person. Order I put on is below. 1. Gold Toe 2. Sealskin Sock 3. Wool Sock

@PacemakerandButtons Жыл бұрын

Definitely Agree. Just bought another pair of Sealskinz the other days. going to be wearing them with a pair of Ingingi liners.

@NickandRachel 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips!

@reallyrhonda7222 3 жыл бұрын

Great info! Darn Tough are my favorite. I would like to try the Wright brand. ❤️⛺️🎒

@pitstop_calvin 3 жыл бұрын

I threw away all my regular socks and made the investment in Darn Tough! They’re the only socks I wear now, hiking and every day use! Their customer service is second to none! Made in the USA!

@kimkremer8915 3 жыл бұрын

I really like their hiking socks, so I bought a couple of pairs of their running socks just to check them out. Yep, I'm sold! But what do I do with that drawer full of socks I no longer need?

@jimshrader7848 3 жыл бұрын

Swiftwick socks are my favorite. Best socks I've evrr worn.

@ruthrudd1 3 жыл бұрын

Just got stocked up on Darn toughs and injinjis for my big hike in the spring

@heronwheels 3 жыл бұрын

Thought I’d mention another high end wool sock brand that I rarely see talked about in hiking groups/forums. They are probably not as durable as the Darn Tough, but I have a number of pairs that are 5 years old and get worn often (I’m not a thru hiker so take that into consideration). I pretty much always have a pair of Fits Socks Light Hikers on my feet. I also like their mini crews. They don’t have a lifetime guarantee but will replace socks for two years after purchase.

@yokehuatgoh 3 жыл бұрын

you are my favorite go-to for hiking how-to/gear advice! thanks! kekeke. you should totally start your own sports store and/or guided hiking tour company. i'd follow you.

@BrianBarry34 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I just did a ton of research on this over the last month, wish I had this vid before all of that haha.

@MrRickroll23 3 жыл бұрын

I found farm to feet to be a middle ground between darn tough and smartwool and they also have a lifetime warranty

@papajeff5486 3 жыл бұрын

MrRickroll23 I found the , Farm to Foot, socks in Maine. I’ve worn them for about a year now. They are fine, with little wear and no shrinkage. I’d buy another pair. Texas

@charliejg 3 жыл бұрын

I started wearing SmartWool socks back in the early 90s when I was doing a lot of mountain biking. They were super comfortable and wicked really well. I still have some of the pairs I bought way back then! More recently I also started with the Darn Tough socks for hiking. I prefer a crew length because I usually wear a boot style shoe. I was considering doing the liner with sock over top just to see how I liked that for the wicking. I'd also like to try out a toe sock sometime just to see how it feels. Have a good one!! Love the Halloween bands!

@elliesmith9572 3 жыл бұрын

Hello! I work in the outdoor outfitting industry and I have some thoughts on the "life-time guarantee" tid-bit that was mentioned. Warranties with socks like Smartwool or Darn Tough typically pertain to the life of the product - not the person who is wearing it. So if you are a hiker who is really putting their gear to the test, I encourage you to take that into consideration when noticing the wear-and-tear of a product. Just like footwear, socks also have a certain amount of miles to give before they begin wearing out - naturally all products do. While I cannot speak directly for the brands that were mentioned, I do outfit a lot of thru-hikers who unfortunately abuse this return/exchange policy, so I think it's important to educate others on how this warranty is intended to function. Of course, if you discover snagging or genuine failure of a product, these brands are very reliable and stand by their products! Thank you Dixie for all of your great educational content - I'm always learning so much from your videos! Cheers!

@TheGruffness 3 жыл бұрын

Super helpful thanx!

@backpacker3421 3 жыл бұрын

The REI brand socks are pretty good. I still have some I use for day hiking now and again and just for daily use in cold weather. My most recent ones are a few years old, but based on them, I'd say they are a small step down from Darn Tough or Smartwool.

@TheePIB 3 жыл бұрын

Fox River makes some excellent socks; although I was not aware of them when I was on active duty, I learned about them from some buddies who had stayed in the service and really preferred them over the issue socks. I have several pairs of their copper thread socks as well as an older pair of silver thread socks. I can't speak about how well they work for thru-hikes, but I really like them for day hikes.

@hillshepardson9537 3 жыл бұрын

Always nice to see your videos..When are you going to update us on your recent choices of footwear?..Thanks

@Don-kr5tp 3 жыл бұрын

Howdy Dixie, thanks for the tips. Will be in the western NC mountains soon.

@exploringfloridatrails1834 3 жыл бұрын

Was just there and they're still beautiful 👍✌🇺🇸

@justinclark6053 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for another great video with valuable information!!!

@go_outdoor_recreation 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Again for sharing your tips 😜

@ChelleBee166 3 жыл бұрын

Darn Tough's are great for people that work in jobs like the post office/delivery! My husband is a mail carrier in Minnesota and I got him a pair of Darn Tough's last year because his shoes kept shredding his socks/ankles. They very quickly became his favorite socks!

@johneason6540 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Dixie 👋 Footwear is certainly most important to me. Shoes and socks are worth the extra money for the comfort in hiking. Alltra trail runners and smart wool socks,bc, the are softer is my only combo anymore. Three years of success, no foot problems. Thanks for your video

@bkuker 3 жыл бұрын

Heck yeah, darn tough! You should do the Long Trail in VT (I know you've done the AT part at least). It might not be the longest long distance trail, but it's the oldest.

@mountaingoater2989 3 жыл бұрын

Great advice as always Dixie! Socks are so critical on a backpacking trip!

@michaelmcgowan9518 3 жыл бұрын

I have had great results with darn tough, and also the REI brand. Thanks again Dixie

@newgardenguy8537 3 жыл бұрын

I wear Darn Tough every day, backpacking or the job. They are the best socks ever. I used to wear Smartwool.

@davidbaloga1549 3 жыл бұрын

Dixie, when you mentioned about using grocery bags to help waterproof one's feet, it reminded me of when I was growing up in Northeastern Ohio and we used plastic Wonder Bread bags over our socks in the winter to keep them waterproof against the snow.

@mafp22w 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve been using 2-3 pairs of Darn Toughs for at least two years now. I’m not though hiking in them. I wear one pair and wash and rinse the other each day. I no longer need a drawer full of socks. I love them. I would not have known about them unless you had told me about them.

@BackpackDad 3 жыл бұрын

Love the brace bands. Keepin it real Dixie. Awesome video. Darn tough 4 life 👌

@juliebright1542 3 жыл бұрын

Every hike - whether it is a short distance or camp/hike for a few days - Injinji Liners and my Wigwams! Might have to look at those heated socks for winter!!

@ScottKent 3 жыл бұрын

Farm to Feet...pretty much like Darn Tough but on sale more often. I use a lot of Cool Max socks here in Florida, but lite wool works too. I can't find the Mizuno Breathe Thermo anymore, but they were a synthetic that felt warmer when you were active and sweated in them.

@FreeRangeMiller 3 жыл бұрын

Darn Tough socks crunched my feet and I developed some tendinitis on the bottom of my feet. I switched to Under Armour Heatgear Tech Crew Socks and couldn't be happier. If you are wearing trail shoes, Drymax socks are also great. 2Skin anti-chafing gel is my favorite brand for blister prevention. Trail toes is another great brand.

@LibertyDIY 3 жыл бұрын

+1 for Darn Tough. I like "Farm to Feet" merino wool socks also. Sometimes you can find merino wool socks at Marshalls/Ross/TJ Maxx at a discount

@tom_olofsson 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Very well done.

@MrHerks 3 жыл бұрын

I was hiking in regular And1 ankle socks and walmart hiking shoes. I didn't have a whole lot of problems but my feet would get wicked funky and hurt at night after a day of hiking in Rockselvania. I reluctantly bought a pair of Darn Tough, did a 13 mile hike with them, came home and ordered 4 more pair, same cheap shoes but no funk and no foot pain. I work in a warehouse 10 hours a day and wear Darn Tough's 2-3 days and still no funk. Love them!

@TheKiltedAdventurer 3 жыл бұрын

Footwear is so important, especially socks! Thanks for the informative videos!

@Pepino969 3 жыл бұрын

Darn Tough forever! Another good informative video. Thanks.

@bossalou 3 жыл бұрын

I wear the Darn Tough socks for curling. They are so comfortable and quite a bit softer than my other wool socks. My feet get cold very easily. The Darn Tough socks with the hot hands toe warmers in my shoes is a winning combination. They down side to toe warmers is that they only last so many hours and you have to throw them away. Otherwise they would be great for winter hiking.

@MariMiniattL 3 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid. My mom would make me wear bread bags inside my boots. Fit better than the grocery bags.

@CraigAPennington 3 жыл бұрын

Also stronger than grocery bags! Came here for this-I still occasionally use bread bags when I don't have proper gear. (They also make much better dog poop bags than anything other than proper dog poop bags.)

@amysthe-wise-one8493 3 жыл бұрын

I also like Farm to Feet, which are like Darn Tough. The spouse loves his Thor-lo's (he's a day hiker at most) and loves the extra cushion in them (and the taller crew lengths.) For non-hiking, I love Smartwool ones.

@thraelen 3 жыл бұрын

So timely! I have been giving my dad a backpacking 101 recently because I want to take him on his first trip and socks are his main focus right now. I actually really like the REI brand Merino wool socks, so I use those and Smartwool for hiking and running. I am going to try sock liners and hydrcolloid strips on my next trip (in a few days) because I really struggle with blisters. I also recently lost a toenail (this morning) and have a few more threatening to come off, so I have new boots and am going to try putting dancers wool in my toe box for extra cushioning. We’ll see how it goes!

@amysthe-wise-one8493 3 жыл бұрын

If you're losing toenails (and that many!) it sounds like your shoes are too small by at least 1/2 a size, if not a full one. Only times I've lost toenails were when my boots (switched after that to trail runners) were too small for hiking and kicking things at home. Now, though? About to size up again since I put so much mileage in during fall/winter/spring hiking seasons.

@thraelen 3 жыл бұрын

Amys The-Wise-One For sure that was the issue. The old ones fit great for day hikes, but not multi-day, so my new boots are a half size up and Altras with the big toe box.

@EatCarbs 3 жыл бұрын

I only wear the REI wool socks.. all year around. I have seven pairs and I just wash and dry them with the rest of my cloths. They last a really long time and my feet feel better since I made the switch. Thanks for the video

@grh8183 3 жыл бұрын

i"ve been planning to get some Darn Tough but haven't gotten around to yet but I will. I have some REI socks and I like them very much.

@dkeener13 3 жыл бұрын

I'm obsessed with socks and very picky, and have tried everything. I've found that high quality synthetics are better than Merino wool when it comes to cushioning, comfort, moisture and temperature control, and durability. The only real advantage wool has is odor control, but that can be a real big one on longer backpacking trips. My go-to favorite socks for hiking and just life in general are the Thorlo light hikers and ultralight hikers. They are really outstanding, and I've had pairs last me 10 years getting worn and thrown in the wash every week. I have a couple pairs of Darn Toughs, and when I go backpacking I like to take one pair of each (DTs and Thorlos).

@ToolFan1 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! My favorite socks are Omni-Wool Socks, I get them at Sam’s Club. It’s going to be 92 degrees in South Jersey this week and I wear this heavyweight wool socks without getting hot. They’re not very expensive either.

@jonallenoutside 3 жыл бұрын

Darn Tough socks for the win! Great video!

@bluestormcloud791 3 жыл бұрын

I have a pair of socks that I bought about 3 years ago that have outlasted all of my other socks. I wanted to buy more but the one part of the sock that wore out was the brand name that went across the toes. Only a few of the letters were legible but after doing a good bit of searching brands I finally figured it out. "Farm To Feet". I got five more pairs a few weeks ago and they seem to have the exact same firm weave and durable feel as my first pair. Not cheap but if they last as long as my first pair I will end up saving money in the long run by not needing to replace my socks so often. They are also American made which makes me feel good about supporting.

@TheTravelingGilberts 3 жыл бұрын

I like the ankle socks and sometimes crew socks We wear gaiters and I just like the way the gaiters are on the sock and not my leg. Cool info Dixie!!

@danjones1608 3 жыл бұрын

Regarding cold weather, sock fit in the boot itself makes a big difference. Learning the hard way skiing, and trying to cram on mountaineering socks in my fit-for-thin-sock boots on a pre-dawn hike to 18000 ft, either cut your losses and go with a thinner sock that fits despite the cold, or gradually tighten your boots as your feet adjust.

@alansenecal5548 3 жыл бұрын

Been hiking, back packing, climbing, snowshoeing, etc. since I was very young. I'm 72 now. Used to live just a couple of miles off the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail. I was always kind of a gear nut but socks and boots were most important. Recently I found socks at WalMart, 68% Merino wool by Realtree for around $10.00. I love them! They also make a lighter weight sock with less wool. Don't get me wrong, I love Smartwool and Darn Tough but these are pretty good socks for $10.00.

@davidcolinstillman5585 3 жыл бұрын

AWESOME VIDEO ! THANK YOU ! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE YEAR ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED ! WILL HAVE TO CHECK THEM OUT !

@davidprather9079 3 жыл бұрын

Totally satisfied with Darn Toughs for hiking, trail running, etc. Usually sleep in Filson Heavy Weight Merinos. Soft and the warmest socks I’ve ever worn.

@FlyboyGWN 3 жыл бұрын

Injinji & smartwool all the way! I also pack a pair of cheapo "waterproof breathable" (sort of) socks for light use when cold/wet, and they've held up ...

@iannicely1 3 жыл бұрын

Sock liners saved my butt more than once with my leg braces while hiking!!!

@sMheoKipley 3 жыл бұрын

I replaced all my socks with Darn Tough four years ago. Still wearing them!

@Aliessil 3 жыл бұрын

I’m allergic to wool generally, but I’m fine with merino. I tried some merino SmartWool socks about 18mths ago and they were awesome, they’ve become my day-to-day socks from Sept-May - easily the most comfortable I’ve ever worn!

@adriennefarrellbriggs4010 3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t done a lot of cold weather backpacking but when I do I put the hand warmers in my smart Wool Socks at night. It works perfectly and the packages are light weight.

@Dezzls 3 жыл бұрын

I just completed my first 'big' hike a week ago. Over the 200km, I tried a few combinations and found that the Injinji coolmax liner sock and a merino light hiker over top was the best combo for me. Next time I won't need to take extras, ok, maybe one extra...

@Jeminiw1969 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Dixie - would you please do a video or a FB post on gear hacks, modifications and customizations? l would enjoy hearing what everyone else is doing to make their gear work better for them.

@murf6997 3 жыл бұрын

I like knee length compression socks. They are thin and can be used as a liner under hiking socks. Really helps my calves stay warm and seems to reduce recovery time for my lower legs after a long day.

@mjbuhr64 3 жыл бұрын

Used both Darn Tough and Farm to Feet and like them both. Discovered Ventury socks by Silverlight on Indiegogo and that’s all I’ve used since for hiking. Use the DT for sleeping with warm feet.