Every year about this time guys are getting ready to head west for their first mountain hunt and they ask for advice on boots, binos, broadheads, packs, camo and raingear all valid and useful information, but in my opinion the most underated bit of gear NEVER gets asked about SOCKS. I still grimace at all the years I suffered with bad or at best mediocre socks. I finally broke down about 20 years ago and bought four pairs of Thorlo hikers and never knew my feet could feel that good, they were probably three times what I had paid for any pair of socks up to that time, but looking back now, they were the best investment I ever made, I still have all four pairs and they have been worn a LOT a conservative estimate would be that I have worn each of those pairs 600 times and NONE of them have ever gotten a hole in them, they are getting thin in a couple places, but no holes and all of the the Thorlos I have bought since then are also holeless. I usually wear the "Trekkers" for most of the mountain hunting, unless I know it will be very warm and then wear the "hikers" that aren't quite as warm. They are expensive and almost never go on sale, but I just found them on sale for 25% off at REI until labor day and bought me six more pairs(I don't have to do laundry in camp as often that way!)
Rick, Can you tell me which ones exactly. They have several.
Thanks
Excellent point Rick, the dogs take a beatin' goin up AND down them hills. I always wore a thin poly wickin sock under a medium weight wool. Lots of cusion and keep the feet dry!
Eric
Richie, the bit heavier ones with a fair amount of wool in them are the "Trekking" with the "exclusive" wool/thorlon blend. The model number for mens large is TKX-13. The ones I usually wear for training, hiking and warmer weather are the "hiking" model without wool, model KX-13. They also have at least two other "hiking" versions, a "light hiker" with coolmax for very warm weather and a "hiking" that has some wool in it, I don't have the numbers for those. I don't know how many different socks Thorlo makes, but it seems they make a sock designed especially for every outdoor activity.
Eric, I use the liner socks also, I just got some really nice ones made by Wigwam, they are the "professional" model.
Here's one REALLY good tip, if you are out for the full day, carry and extra pair of socks dusted with cornstarch(foot powder)in a ziplock bag. When you stop for lunch take your boots off and let them cool and your feet air out, after lunch, put on the clean dry socks and you will feel like a new man!
Wow, six more pairs? You will be an old man by the time you buy six pairs after the first four pairs, LOL! (Did you follow that?)
You'll die of old age way before those six new pairs wear out at that rate!
Great advice!
Ray ;)
Speaking of socks, the ones (not sure if Thorlo does this) that have silver threads in them really work for reducing the stench for us non-day hunters.
Stevo, I'm already an old man, I'll be possitively ancient and suspect I can leave these to someone in my will, BUT if you will carefully read my post above you will notice, I bought these to reduce the number of laundry days.
Oh one thing I forgot to mention Thorlo, MADE IN AMERICA, they even have a little flag on the package!
Very good advice, Thanks.Jerry
Good tip Rick. Many of the recommended socks at REI are out of stock and back order won't help much for fast approaching western elk hunts. I think I'll check the local sport shops and fork over full price. I like the extra pair in the day pack idea, thanks.
Socks are on of those things you learn about in the Marines as well. Very, very important because you'll "never" kill an elk sitting in camp because your feet were to blistered to grind it out.
I'd also recommend smartwool socks. Just as good as thorlos, it's just comparing Chevy to a Ford type of thing...
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by elk ninja:
Socks are on of those things you learn about in the Marines as well.
Yes! I used to add a layer of dress socks and never had a problem with blisters.
Good post. I like Thorlos as well as Ultimax socks which are a little less expensive, but work very well.
I've never tried the smartwool socks, but I know a lot of guys like them and the price is about the same. It is so seldom that a product actually exceeds my expectations and is made in the USA and in the case of Thorlos, I always watch for them to be on sale, but this is the first time I can actually remember it happening. I think about it a couple more days, I may go pick up a couple more pairs as it could be another 20 years, before they go on sale again!
Rick is right about Thorlo. :bigsmyl:
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve H.:
Speaking of socks, the ones (not sure if Thorlo does this) that have silver threads in them really work for reducing the stench for us non-day hunters.
I agree. I bought two pairs of liner socks with the X-scent silver thread from REI a couple of years ago and they are one of the best investments I've ever made. I wore those two pairs of socks in rubber boots the entire deer season last year without washing them and they never stunk. My rubber boots are 3 years old and still smell like brand new on the inside. I think the silver fiber clothing is very underated. I have X-scent long underwear that also never stinks no matter how much I sweat in it.
Stevo will love that! "I wore those two pairs of socks in rubber boots the entire deer season last year without washing them and they never stunk." I'm sorry, but smell or no, once my socks can stand up by themselves, its time to wash!
Been preaching that for years also Ric.....and have folks come to the same 'revelation' as you did.
Make sure you carry some TP. Don't want to have to wipe with one of THOSE socks.
'Course, if you're fortunate to hunt with Rick, sounds like he'll have enough spares. :biglaugh:
Amen brother. If you ever need an exceptional tube sock I highly recommend socks from Red Wing.
When SteveH and I hunted Hawaii, he actually did wear the same pair of socks for six straight days. Every day we would wake up and he would go, "hey, smell these, they still don't smell!"
Lol, I had to take his word for it.
Matt, he must not have been wearing them in Mongolia, I woke up in that little two man tent, thinking, "what the he!! is that SMELL?" I quickly figured out it was Stevos used socks in the gear loft about 12" above my face.
Joey, don't even joke about trying to borrow my socks, I've got some Fruit of the Looms you can have though!
Lies, all of them lies! LOL.
And here I just came on here to tell RicMic that he should consider purchasing some new undies to go with his new socks in case he gets into an alligator-accident!
No doubt about it! Good quality socks do make a big difference! Thanks...
Something No one has mentioned here yet that I do Which works AMAZINGLY is that I wear NEOPRENE socks, they insulate and get close to your foot. u dont notice your foot slide in the boot at all .. Alot of the time I can feel the fibers in the stitching of the sock. Walking up hill is killer on the heels and Balls of the feet Neoprene works just great and I HIGHLY recommend it..
Never tried the Thorlos, but I second the praise for Smartwools. NO STINK.
For you guys that have tried both, how do the Thorlos with silver stuff compare to smartwool in the stink department?
Thanks,
Charlie
There are just three kinds of socks in my drawers -- Thorlo in various guises, Smartwool in liners and dress socks, and Wigwam UltiMax liners. Nothing else has gotten past the front door for the last four years.
I'm pretty sure I've never worn out a Thorlo before I lost it.
I have two out of those three and even Tholo boot socks for Saturday night at the cowboy bar, yeehaw!
I always wear wool or merino wool or alpaca socks, even in Ga summer. I have some Fox River than they don't make anymore that I would love to get my hands on. I usually buy the Smart wools or Bridgedales. I'll never be caugt in a pair of cotton socks again. The lightweight merino wool is cooler in the summer than cotton. :thumbsup:
I bought two pairs of SmartWool hiking socks from a local outdoor store. I have to say they are the best socks I have worn. I wore the same pair for three twelve hour shifts and they did not stink and my feet did not sweat like they do when I wear cotton socks. The socks were $17 a piece but they are well worth the money.
I was in charge of testing gear at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center and second Smartwool and Thorlos as the best you can go with.
We used Danner's in those days and a tip to help packing out or long downhill: take a pair of dress shoe laces-the flat kind. Lace up the first three or so holes oveer the regular laces. When you start downhill sit down, slam your foot back on the heel cup and tighten up those flat laces. if done correctly, the added laces prevent your foot from bunching the toes. The laces should tie about the widest part of your foot. Agree the only thing you kill in most camps is time. They also make some various kinds of toughskin that i recommend on the edges of the foot. If not get your feet wet and stand in some salt for a few minutes every night. There is nothing as bad a sore feet in the mountains.
Quoteat the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center
Near Bridgeport, CA.? Sonora Junction?
I grew up there.
Yes Mike, Brodgeport, Ca. Beautiful country. Awesome trout fishing too.
Agree with all on the socks. The Corp taught us that once you lose your feet, your DONE. The dress socks are an inexpensive liner to wick away moisture. They need to be the nylon ones not cotton. I bought 6-new pair for my elk hunt in 12 days. Pretty expensive but will keep me hunting. Good idea to carry an extra pair in the pack. Walk about 5 miles with wet socks and you will see why.Later.
Mike
I agree with the socks. I have several pair of the Thorlo warm weather knee high socks that I wear with my snake boots for ealy season or turkey season. Keeps my feet dry, even in hot weather.
The synthetic dress socks do the same function as the liner socks, wicking the moisture away from your skin and allowing most of the rubbing that goes on,to be between the layers of socks and not the socks and your skin. I prefer the all synthetics for warm weather myself, definately cooler and they just won't hold any sweat.
I get my Smartwools from LL Bean- they occasionally have them on sale and I stock up. They're great in the Maine Hunting Shoe with poly liners.
Good ol' Danners and some SmartWool or Thorlos = Happy feet!
I alwys give that advice in my Bowhunter Ed. courses here in Ct.. I usually get some snickers or puzzled looks when I say that nothing puts a new perspective on the rest of the day than pulling off the boots, cooling the feet and putting on new socks. But, I've had guys come into the shop and say "ya know, that advice on the socks was right on the money." I became aware of Thorlo socks through my law enforcement catalog also. I think they're great with a pair of liners. Great advice Rick. (nut)
Another vote for silver-lined/X-Scent/X-Static gear! --removes the stench before it even starts. However, my all-time favorite socks are ones that I bought 4 pair for 10.95 from Cost-Co: Kirkland merino wool/nylon blend socks. I think "Head" also makes the same socks, and I've yet to find more durable/comfortable socks. Never too warm nor cold.
huh, I just finally read this post and got another great idea from Mr. McGowan. I never thought to carry an extra pair of sock and some foot powder. This site is just full of little useful tidbits... Thanks Rick!
Agreed! Ask any military guy. They'll tell you to keep your feet clean and dry.
Smartwool hikers are the best sox I've ever worn!