Bushwalk Australia

Hi all, nice forum you have here.

I'm looking to upgrade my socks for bushwalking. Up until now I've worn fairly nondescript sports socks which wear out really quickly, or explorers which make my feet hot.

I've heard that socks can be a big issue. Does anyone have any suggestions for socks suited to reasonably warm weather but not too expensive? I wear Raichle Scouts.

Hi

Honestly I have tried most sorts and keep on coming back to either Possum ones or trusty generic wool inner with nylon re-inforced outer. Wilderness Equipment amongst others make them but as long as they are Aussie made I have not had a problem. I use a thin liner pair on longer walks and this means I can reuse the walking pair after letting them dry out. Inner ones of say Kathmandu, Snowgum just do not last so have gone with Wilderness Wear ones and they hang around considerably longer. I would shy away from the hi tech USA socks with a left and a right sock as they are very, very, extremely over priced and I have experienced no advantage with them. People are saying good things about the socks that fit the toes like gloves but never used them. Have a pair of Seal Skins that I am planning to try out but cheap they are not and few here have mentioned they do not last a long time. A fellow walker has commented that for a waterproof sock they breath very well.

Cheers Brett

hi jat

have read some great reviews on BPL for these socks - on the site check out the hike section

http://www.darntough.com/

let us know what you think and read roger caffins review on BPL for more info

nick

nickL wrote:hi jat

have read some great reviews on BPL for these socks - on the site check out the hike section

http://www.darntough.com/

let us know what you think and read roger caffins review on BPL for more info

nick

I have been using Darn tough socks for two years and they are awesome, (I used explorers for 20 years), if you suffer from hot feet I am not sure if I would recommend them for very hot weather, I suffer from hot feet and I use Nike cotton sport socks in hot weather.

Tony

Bridgedale FTW! They have some cool socks in the range but great padding etc. Best of all a 3 year guarantee so whilst they're not the cheapest, you get your money back in wear. Considering the cheapest 'hiking' socks are probably around $20 a pair, and the best from Wigwam (Ingenius) and Bridgedale are say $35/40, is it really worth compromising for $20? You have pretty good boots I'd imagine and spent time getting the fit right so I would be spending a good amount on the socks too.

Seem like excellent socks (Darntough) and yes lots of thought / money etc goes into boots but the importance of the inner layer is often overlooked. Any outlets in Aus?

Personally I find thick synthetic thorlos with a thin coolmax liner do the trick nicely, but I haven't experimented with many other setups (mainly because I'm happy with how this works.

I give my vote to Darn Tough, great socks. Worn the same pair for days , they work just as well wet.

Roger

Wigwam Ultimax (I think they may have changed the name in the current range) with thin coolmax liners (Bridgedale, Mund or Horizon). This has been my favourite setup for years and seems to work well for me in a wide range of temperatures, from extremely warm to quite cold. Comfortable and no blisters. I recently bought some Thorlos because they were half price and I know their reputation, but yet to try them out.

Smartwool are my socks of choice (had previously tried Explorer, Wigwam and Icebreaker - they don't come close to the comfort of the Smartwool socks). I've got several different lengths and thicknesses depending on whether I'm using trail runner/hiking shoes or boots and the temperature. Use a single pair of socks if wearing trail runners/hiking shoes and 2 pairs - a thin Coolmax or thermal liner (depending on the temperature) plus a pair of Smartwool socks - if wearing boots.

I always buy them overseas now - you can often get them for 1/3 of the price you'd pay in stores here.

I have been using Lightfeet midweight walking socks. Super comfortable - left and right foot specific. The only problem is the colour - white. Looks bit strange when wearing shorts.

I've been trying out a couple of pairs of Injinji socks recently - and I love them. They're thin but still comfortable with boots. And you can get them in coolmax or merino, to suit whatever the weather's doing.

Otherwise, I don't have any preferences. I buy socks when I see a pair I like. Have at least 9 different brands, as well as the Explorers, which are OK but not a particularly good fit.

north-north-west wrote:I've been trying out a couple of pairs of Injinji socks recently - and I love them. They're thin but still comfortable with boots. And you can get them in coolmax or merino, to suit whatever the weather's doing.

I just ordered a couple of pairs of Injinji socks via a US seller on e-bay. I had some blisters on my toes on a walk yesterday where there was some steep downhill. I'm hoping that these socks will be effective in reducing the formation of blisters. I'm thinking of wearing them inside my explorers.

flatfoot wrote:I just ordered a couple of pairs of Injinji socks via a US seller on e-bay. I had some blisters on my toes on a walk yesterday where there was some steep downhill. I'm hoping that these socks will be effective in reducing the formation of blisters. I'm thinking of wearing them inside my explorers.

I've found the wool Injinji's fine as a liner with explorers and other outer socks, and also have as couple of the coolmax ones for on the bike. Only gripe is that my wool versions are thin enough that they're likely to wear out very quickly without an outer sock. Having said this, they've fixed my blister issues, particularly in road bike shoes, so it is only a very minor gripe.

Hi

Walked in the snow with the Seal Skins. Great socks but not nearly as warm as the Possum skin ones. I am wrapped how they breath and for dodging around in open Crocs are near perfect but for very cold walks be aware warmth is not their strong point. I wear them over Wilderness Wear thin inner socks.

Cheers Brett

timmy_pete wrote:

flatfoot wrote:I just ordered a couple of pairs of Injinji socks via a US seller on e-bay. I had some blisters on my toes on a walk yesterday where there was some steep downhill. I'm hoping that these socks will be effective in reducing the formation of blisters. I'm thinking of wearing them inside my explorers.

I've found the wool Injinji's fine as a liner with explorers and other outer socks, and also have as couple of the coolmax ones for on the bike. Only gripe is that my wool versions are thin enough that they're likely to wear out very quickly without an outer sock. Having said this, they've fixed my blister issues, particularly in road bike shoes, so it is only a very minor gripe.

My socks arrived today. They're fiddly to put on but quite comfortable. I'm doing two daywalks on the weekend. The first is relatively gentle in the Brisbane Water National Park and then the walk on Sunday will be in some steep country down to the Colo River.

These walks will be a good test for my new socks (and my fitness). I will be impressed if I have no blisters on my toes after these two walks. I'm going to wear the injinjis as inner socks beneath my explorers ... although I am wondering if by doing that I will negate the benefit of the toe socks....?

Nah, they'll be fine. In colder weather I've been wearing a pair of Explorers over the top of the Injinjis, and apart from being a little more aware of the fabric between the toes, there's no problem.

north-north-west wrote:Nah, they'll be fine. In colder weather I've been wearing a pair of Explorers over the top of the Injinjis, and apart from being a little more aware of the fabric between the toes, there's no problem.

Very happy with the injinjis! No blisters! Tested them on a 12 km walk on a rough, rocky and undulating track. That included some quite steep ascent and descent. I wore them inside the explorers and I think I will continue doing that since my feet are then more snug in my boots.

Walking 14km tomorrow. That will include 500m descent and ascent in steep country. That will be another good test.