From hiking hater to fan. How hiking socks changed my life.

Hey! This is Inga! Well, for several years now you can meet me in Traveller, where I work as a salesperson - consultant and at the same time I travel quite a lot and go hiking. My colleagues and I always try to educate our customers and recommend the most suitable equipment for hiking, because we know how important it is to feel comfortable and safe in order to go on adventures with full force!

Purpose of the article.

The most purchased product in the store is hiking shoes, so we came up with the idea to post the information that we usually tell our customers several times a day in the endless information spaces of the web.

Also so that we don't have to repeat basic stuff so often. 😊 And just in case, when you came to the store, there were many customers and we simply didn't have time to tell everyone.

Most customers who come to us after their first pair of serious trekking shoes have already heard how good waterproof Goretex hiking shoes are. But 99.9999% of them do not know that suitable hiking socks are equally important !

My story

At the moment, my everyday life is 100% in the outdoor life. I often travel, I create a Traveler's Advice column on social networks, I share my experiences with store customers, and one of my favorite activities is hiking. But it has not always been so. I started to love hiking only after I understood the importance of the right equipment and, above all, the comfort of my feet .

I remember hating hiking since childhood! I always had blisters and sore feet! Even a walk along Sigulda's tourist trails turned into torture for me! Now I know that the shoes were too small and the socks were inappropriate. Then it was hard for me to imagine that I could enjoy the hike! And yet the love of nature and the desire to travel made me not give up and try again and again! Because it is precisely in places that cannot be accessed by car that my soul's battery is charged!

How a miser pays with blisters

I bought my first proper pair of trekking shoes directly at the Traveller. The plan included a trip to Norway with hiking in the mountains. From the information on the web, it was clear that proper waterproof Goretex trekking shoes were needed.

I ran around all the stores in Riga that sell something with Goretex. Being the picky girl that I am, I was devastated because there was so little on offer for women! Every store had at least one pair of trekking boots in my size!

Finally, I came to the Traveller, where the choice was the largest. The words of Linda, an employee of the Traveler (already a colleague), are vividly imprinted in my memory when I asked her what equipment to buy for a hike in the mountains of Norway: "The main thing is to have good boots!"

Linda mentioned something else about hiking socks, but I won't hide it - I looked at the price and was, to put it mildly, surprised. And since the budget was already thoroughly spent on boots, tents, and sleeping bags, I bought socks for 11.99 euros for two pairs in a cheaper store.

Needless to say, that was my biggest mistake. :D Yes, I felt like I was in a tank in Mammut Goretex trekking shoes ! I was shocked that I could wade through all the puddles, mud, streams and my feet didn't slip and were dry ! After seeing some of my fellow hikers struggling with wet Timberlands and slipping in cheap shoes, I realized that the boots were the best investment .

Unfortunately, boots alone did not save me from blisters. After less than 10 kilometers I had to stop regularly, take off my boots, air out my sweaty feet and make failed attempts to shift the sock seam that was rubbing my little toe! Complete torture! At that moment I realized that those socks were...you know what! I won't say it!

Searching for socks

In subsequent hikes, my most scrupulous attention was devoted to such a seemingly trivial piece of equipment – ​​socks! And needless to say, money was no longer a pity for them! Now I know - it's better to spend money on socks than on blister patches and ointments!

I even took several pairs of socks with me on hikes - of different manufacturers, materials, thickness. As soon as I felt that my feet didn't like something, I stood up and pulled on another pair of socks. And finally I enjoyed hiking without blisters !

Now I have found my favorite type and manufacturer of socks. Almost before every longer trip, I replenish my collection of hiking socks with new ones, because I have noticed that the socks wear out, as if their flesh is collapsing, so the stock of socks needs to be replenished regularly .

What makes hiking socks so special?

Needless to say, when I started investing in quality hiking socks, my feet were grateful . So then. So what really makes hiking socks different from regular cotton socks or low-quality socks? Let's take a look:

1. Material : Hiking socks are made from materials such as merino wool, combinations of various synthetic materials (polyester, nylon, elastane, lycra, etc.) and silk. These materials provide excellent moisture wicking, quick drying, breathability and chafing, all that a regular cotton sock cannot.
2. Cushioning : Hiking socks have extra cushioning, thicker padding in the places where the foot has to bear the greatest load - the heel and the front part of the foot. These cushioning parts not only provide extra comfort , but also help prevent blisters.
3. Good fit : Hiking socks should fit the foot snugly. Slipping causes chafing and blisters . Similarly, in the production of high-quality hiking socks, seams have been thought of. They are designed so as not to rub.
4. Breathable : It is important that the feet do not sweat excessively and do not overheat .
5. Durable : Quality hiking socks are built to withstand long-term use on even the roughest trails. They have reinforcements in places that are exposed to the greatest load.
6. Thermoregulating : Hiking socks are thicker than normal socks , but that doesn't mean they keep you warm . The heating or cooling properties of socks are determined by the materials they are made of, not their thickness. If it is indicated that the sock is intended for cold weather, then it should not be used in hot weather and vice versa. But in general, hiking socks are quite versatile and adapt to a wide range of temperatures. After all, we also regulate the final temperature with the shoe itself.
7. Antibacterial : high-quality hiking socks can be worn for several days in a row without washing, because antibacterial fibers are embedded in their material. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial.
8. Quick-drying : If you do need to wash your socks, you won't have to wait long for them to dry! Good hiking socks are designed to dry very quickly . This is especially important for multi-day hikes and expeditions.
9. Compression : Some hiking socks are designed with compression, which helps improve blood circulation and can reduce fatigue and leg pain, as well as providing extra stability for the ankles and feet.

Table:

Comparison of different materials.

1. Cotton : Despite being soft and comfortable, cotton dries very slowly , making it the worst choice for hiking socks. Cotton socks will keep your feet wet, increasing the chance of blisters.
2. Wool : Wool, especially merino wool, is a great material for hiking socks. It is moisture wicking, breathable and thermoregulating. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial, so it prevents the formation of unpleasant aromas, and is also especially practical in cold weather, as it retains warmth even when wet .
3. Synthetics : Materials such as polyester, nylon, elastane are also great materials for socks. It wicks away moisture, dries quickly, breathes well . Durability and comfort, as well as breathability, can vary depending on the specific mix of materials, so you should choose socks from recognized manufacturers who have conducted research in the development of materials.
4. Silk : Silk is usually used in combination with other materials , as it alone cannot provide the durability and moisture wicking ability required for hiking socks. Socks made of silk are especially comfortable and soft !

In summary

Many good quality hiking socks use a combination of materials . This allows you to make the most of the best properties of each material and compensate for its shortcomings, thus making the feet feel as comfortable as possible. All you have to do is choose the most suitable one depending on the hiking conditions, the type of shoes and the temperature and, of course, your taste.

Hopefully, after reading this article, I have convinced you how important hiking socks are and that it is worth investing in them, because socks can completely change the hiking experience from one where every step is torture to one where you don't have to think about your feet, but only about the beautiful ones let's look around!

Share this article with your friends so everyone knows how important good socks are!

Share your worst hiking experience! Or do you have a big sock drawer with socks for every hike like me? Perhaps you are interested in which manufacturer's socks are my favorite? Other questions? Feel free to ask in the comments!