Hikers-Got Bridgedale?

[jhansman]

These are among the (if not the) best hiking socks available, and STP has 'em for over 40% off their retail. These socks normally go for around $15 or more, and are still available the Olive/Natural color in S, M, & L (other colors as well, but limited size selection). Get 'em while you can.

Linky

 

[BigBadMunky]

Thanks..I've really been needing to get some hiking socks. These look like a great deal, however $6 shipping hurts a bit. Tack on all the other items on sale and you can make up for it. Also, you can get 4pct off using your favorite cashback site.

 

[mikeford]

Now is a good time to buy hikers since many places are clearancing the winter stuff.

I just bought 5 pairs of socks at socks.com trying out some wigwam, wrightsocks, and I think a Thorlo. Not sure which we like the best, but nice socks are nice.

Socks are subjective, which is why I bought half a dozen different pairs to try out.

 

[probzy]

Nice post OP!

 

[KF]

Pardon me, hikers. I'm not a professional. I just walk. (like all day sometimes.) What advantage do special hiking socks confer on the wearer? I buy white athletic socks for like $5 a dozen pair. They seem to suffice. It is hard to believe other socks could be much different.

I don't mean to crap. But I do walk a lot, and I don't get it.

 

[chiggachu]

I think the appeal of hiking socks is as follows:

1) They have good cushioning
2) They hold their loft or cushion after many uses/washes
3) They keep your feet warmer
4) They are made of wool or wool blends, so they stay drier
5) They are less ugly (depending on your opinion)
6) They don't make your feet sweat and stink

I love hiking socks in the colder months for everyday use, as well as for active outdoors stuff.

 

[jhansman]

Originally posted by: KF
What advantage do special hiking socks confer on the wearer? I buy white athletic socks for like $5 a dozen pair. They seem to suffice. It is hard to believe other socks could be much different.

As an avid hiker, I'd have to say the difference is in the materials used in these socks. A combo of Merino wool and synthetics, and special weaves not found in everyday socks make these particularly comfortable on the trail. Keep in mind, you're probably wearing special shoes or boots, carrying weight, and walking surfaces unlike your usual trek. I too wear your typical athletic crew sock in tennies most days, but for trail wear you need something a bit more dedicated. Honestly, I have tried dozens of brands, and none have given me the comfort of Bridgedales. Those Irish know socks!

 

[Anami]

Originally posted by: KF
What advantage do special hiking socks confer on the wearer? I buy white athletic socks for like $5 a dozen pair. They seem to suffice.

Good answers from chiggachu and jhansman. For me, it has to do with the duty rating of the socks and the environment in which you find yourself out on the trail. For walking, you're over and done in a couple of hours, and you can easily get to the house. For trail use, you may be carrying something like 50 pounds of weight, be subjected to rain, snow, stream crossing, very hot or very cold temps. And you can't take the chance that your socks might give you blisters, freeze your feet, or rub you raw when you're 50 miles from the trailhead. You won't buy a VW Bug off the lot to run the Dakar Road Rally, right? It's about assuring yourself that you're prepared for mostly anything, when you can't just pull into Starbucks and call the wife. Non-cotton socks (merino wool, CoolMax, etc) wick moisture away from the foot and capture it in the outer layers, thus keeping your foot dry in summer so it doesn't chafe and dry in winter so the moisture doesn't freeze when you stop moving. If you have ever used polypro long underwear in the outdoors, you'll know how valuable that is. Hope that helps!

 

[mikeford]

Good socks also have seams that are perfectly smooth, effectively seamless, so they don't bunch up or bind or rub on toes etc.

Feet take a LOT of abuse, and you only get one pair per lifetime, be nice to them.

Wigwam and Wright socks make "dual layer" socks, silky smooth inside, merino wool outside, and until you try a pair you just don't know how nice socks can feel.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: KF
Pardon me, hikers. I'm not a professional. I just walk. (like all day sometimes.) What advantage do special hiking socks confer on the wearer? I buy white athletic socks for like $5 a dozen pair. They seem to suffice. It is hard to believe other socks could be much different.

I don't mean to crap. But I do walk a lot, and I don't get it.

When you have a good footwear system going (proper socks and boots), you can tromp right through the slush and muck and not really have to worry about foot conditions slowing you down or being a pain in the arse. Good boots will keep the water out while also allowing some breathability (some technology such as Gore-Tex). But you also need good socks to match; a good blend of materials (mostly synthetic) in the sock can keep your foot warm even when its completely wet (such as polyester and wool). They can also help the wicking action where they draw the moisture away from the foot keeping it relatively dry and not frothing in the juices.

Good footwear in general will keep your feet as fresh and healthy as possible, preventing injuries and ailments such as blistering and infections. Cotton is nice and comfortable (only when it is dry), cheap too, however it simply doesn?t cut it over extended uses and tougher conditions. A week long backpacking trip you can get by with 2 pair of synthetic socks (1 if you?re slightly nuts, it is always good to have a backup just in case), you simply can?t do that with cotton and remain comfortable.

 

[gbuskirk]

Interesting thread; I'm just a casual Saturday hiker. But it occurs to me that the military might have developed a decent boot/hiking sock. Is there a decent military surplus option at a fair price?

 

[KF]

Thanks, all, for the info. I hardly expected the wealth of response. I never imagined that the Anantech computer-nerd forums had a passle of avid hikers on board. And people look puzzled when I tell them I walk places, instead of drive (sometimes.) It is amazing, and fun, to see what you never really notice driving in the suburbs. In some ways its a no-mans land for pedestrians, having to get across limited access roads (somehow), no sidewalks, the local creeks, few traffic lights (for pedestrians), and oover traffic bridges with no pedestrian provisions. And more.

I can see you would need some rugged socks to go where you hikers do.

 

[jhansman]

One last thought: I was in my local outdoor shop the other day. This is a place that carries it all: gear of every stripe, firearms, sporting goods, clothing, you name it. By far and away the one item they had the greatest variety of was (you guessed it) socks. An entire wall with at least 6 brands and every fiber and weave combo you could imagine. If you think about it, anything that close to that important of a place on your body must be pretty important too. Hope you all can get in on that sale.

 

[mikeford]

Check out the Wigwam at work uniform sock, $4 a pair. Also look at socks that are approved by the USPS.

 

[imported_hoodoo]

Wigwam wool blend socks have always been good to me....I have a pair of wool blend wigwams that have lasted nearly 20 years....now that's good value and a hot deal! No pair of cheap white "athletic" socks have made it more than about 2 years.