The best gear advice ever!

[Rick McGowan]

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!)

[Richie Nell]

Rick, Can you tell me which ones exactly.  They have several.
Thanks

[WESTBROOK]

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

[Rick McGowan]

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!

[Steve H.]

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!

[BLACK WOLF]

Great advice!

Ray  

[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.

[Rick McGowan]

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!

[ChetterB]

Very good advice, Thanks.Jerry

[Shaun]

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.

[elk ninja]

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

[p1choco]

Originally 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.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Good post. I like Thorlos as well as Ultimax socks which are a little less expensive, but work very well.

[Rick McGowan]

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!

[Blackhawk]

Rick is right about Thorlo.  

[JSimon]

Originally 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.

[Rick McGowan]

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!

[Terry Green]

Been preaching that for years also Ric.....and have folks come to the same 'revelation' as you did.

[Joey Ward]

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.  

[Bill Tell]

Amen brother.  If you ever need an exceptional tube sock I highly recommend socks from Red Wing.