What socks do you recommend????

[recurvericky]

What socks do you recommend for long days of walking, while elk hunting out west?

[awbowman]

SmartWool

[YORNOC]

I like lightweight merino

[Mike Vines]

I have yet to go elk hunting, but I'm on my feet all day everyday, and I wear Bass Pro's marino wool socks that come with a lifetime warranty.  I wear either Irish Setter boots or Red Wing Boots with them 6-7 days a week, and 10 hrs a day.

With cotton socks, my feet get drenched with sweat, and rubbed raw.  with my wool socks, my feet have never been happier.  Take today for instance, it was 94 degrees out and I never once thought my feet were miserable in heavy wool socks, and thick leather boots.

[ksbowman]

A couple years ago when getting ready for an elk hunt I was carrying a weighted pack and walking as fast as I can walk before breaking into a jog. I was wearing cotton socks as it was August. After 4 miles my feet were getting hot spots. I changed to Under Armour merino wool socks. Immediately the hot spots went away. The wool wicks so well it was like flippng on a light switch. I now have changed to Browning merino wool socks. I always try to get the highest wool content I can. The only reason I changed from UA socks is they quit making the particular type I was buying.

[jhg]

Lightweight merino.

And an extra pair in the pack.

I do not like the thick "hiker" versions at all. Too bulky for my taste.

I also have a very thin pair of liners. but only  use them when its cold.

[Green Mountain Boy]

I like smartwool too, but I have big feet (13) and their size extra large doesnt quite fit leading to the socks wearing out sooner than they should. A company here in VT started a few years ago will give any proformance sock a run for it's money. They are called Darn Tough and they come with a lifetime warranty, though I've never needed to explore what that means, because none of my many pairs have worn out.

[CoilSpring]

OK guys, Now you got me wondering, too, if I may?

Are these 100% marino or a certain minimum __% blend with other non-wool fibers you prefer?

My cousin raises sheep, shears them, and sells the wool for a sockmaker?  They're a thicker sock, but like Mike Vines' experience, work great in leather boots even in the summer's upper 90*s.

But I don't know what % wool they are - I need to ask, but absolutely NO foot problems using them in several leather work boots - John Deere, Wolverine, etc.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Smart wool all the way. They are kinda pricy, but well worth it, IMO. Costco sells merino wool socks that are close, but a lot less money. I like those, too.

[Ringneck]

Merino wool in the thickness that fits your boots. I also like merino liners underneath. Smart wool sells nice liners also.

[oldbohntr]

I love merino wool, and when the thickness is right for the boots, it is also my choice.  But, I've got bad feet(flat arches, hammertoes, weakened tendons, that all will require surgury some year soon....when I can't stand walking on them any longer!)  I have a devil of a time finding boots that fit BOTH of my feet comfortably.  For me, sock VOLUME is the key to getting through a long day in the high country.  Some boots require a thick wool sock, sometimes a poly liner or thin wool inside another wool sock.  I have a lot of wool sox in various thicknesses and use different insoles and othotics to make my feet feel right in the boots that I have.  

All mountain game spend their days walking around on vertical slopes. You will too, and with lots of sidehills. You may think your boots fit great and are broken in well.  But if your feet can move around inside them too much, you could be miserable and almost hobbled by the third day. I want my feet to fit snugly inside the correct boot, and -for me-a major factor is adjusting sock volume to the boot.  Note: I also use several pairs of boots on most hunts and switch them every day or so.....so, more sock changes to adjust.(I know, if you're horse- or back-packing, one pair of boots is the rule....then, you just have to live with whatever you've got.)

Good luck and good hunting.

[babs]

smartwool is expensive but its the best I found

[Breakfast Boy]

I love my Smartwool socks.  I have 3 pairs that I bought in 2003 and they are just now wearing thin in the heel area.  I only wear them hunting, but I wear them no matter if it's 80 degrees on October 1st or 14 degrees January 3rd.  Either way they are comfy.  Of course, I switch from my non-insulated Meindl boots to my insulated Schnee Pac boots, but the socks are the same all of hunting season.

[Breakfast Boy]

Green Mountain Boy, I just checked out those Darn Tough socks.  Definitely might be worth trying!  Thanks for the info.

[m midd]

I have 4 pair of smartwool.  They are the only socks i wear during hunting season.

[Ray_G]

I wear wool socks year round out here.  When I hunt, go roving and shooting or scouting, I use a thin polypropylene sock inside wool socks.  This will prevent hot spots and blistering while you are doing up hill / down hill walking.  Like olbohntr stated, you will need to fit the socks to your boots to limit movement.  I carry a spare pair of polypropylene liner socks in my pack as a minimum for changes if sweaty and in the really cold will usually have extra wool socks with me.  Being hobbled because of poor fit, blisters or hot spot irritation or sweat because of steep terrain will keep a miserable man in camp instead of hunting.  Good hunting!  

[ALwoodsman]

I have been wearing Wigwam socks for years.  They are not a expensive as Smartwool.  I do own some Smartwool and it is nice too.  I also wear Wigwam liners too.  I wear these socks and liners all year long, no matter what I am doing.

[Lost Arra]

Darn Tough

Boot socks: cushion or full cushion depending on how your boots fit.

American made socks made of merino wool. I also like their cool max versions in the summer.

[lone hunter]

Thorlo wool socks.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I wear smartwool all year long there are two brands I wear Thorlos and Foxriver. I get mine from the The Sock Company.