Socks for the Tropics in the Dry Season (July)

[enduro]

Hello Forumites,

I am off to the Kimberley in July and am wanting some information on socks for warm climates. I plan on taking a liner sock (thin acrylic business sock) and a quality breathable sock (wool?) to fit over them.

The boots I will be taking will be mostly synthetic Gortex lined Salomon GTX boot which is light and appears to transpire well. I do have leather boots, but they are normally so heavy I choose lighter boots nowadays to save my knees.

The temp range is going to be 30'C (+/-4'C) and at night 15'C (+/-4'C).

Thoughts, experiences and opinions sought.

Cheers,

Enduro

Last edited by enduro on Tue 03 Apr, 2012 7:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[nq111]

The socks will be fine - obviously the thinner / less the better but comfort is important. I sometimes get away with just a coolmax business sock.

The GTX boots unfortunately will boil your feet and be more of a problem than your socks. Problem is there are virtually no good non-GTX alternatives. If you can deal with any alternatives (e.g. tolerate approach shoes) it may be a good bet. I can't so my feet are hotter than i like. Even full leather boots may be cooler (like Scarpa SLs).

Also, light breathable gaiter to keep the sharp grass seeds out of socks are a good idea.

[slparker]

depends where you're going. Coastal areas are nice and warm up to 30+ . Inland can get down to freezing. My advice is to pack for a Tasmanian spring if you're heading inland (except don't bother with wet weather gear). Some of the coldest nights I've spent are inland in the gulf country in qld and in the kimberley (due to unpreparedness).
Salomons will probably be fine. I've been wearing the running shoe version around lately in the 20 degree days in victoria. They'll probably be perfect for the kimberley's in July. As others have mentioned they can get a little sweaty in the middle of the day, but I find that whatever I'm wearing.

I say again, prepare for cold weather if you're heading inland. At least a jumper and beanie.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I get away with a light pair of coolmax socks, I've tried using liner socks that's suppose to be better for you, if you believe all the hype they told me in store, feels like a thermos on my foot and they stink big time, even my shoes stunk. Don't wear liner socks anymore. At least not the ones I have here.

[photohiker]

s I will be taking will be mostly synthetic Gortex lined Salomon GTX boot which is light and appears to transpire well. I do have leather boots, but they are normally so heavy I choose lighter boots nowadays to save my knees.

I've hiked all this summer in some GTX boots (~350km over Dec,Jan,Feb). Salomon Fastpacker GTX. I was given a replacement pair around May-June, and I've been trying to wear them out before the warranty runs out. Hasn't worked, nearly at 1000km they're holding up well and I think they'll last out the year.

Anyway, after 5km or so I have removed the boot and sock, both dry (well, to be accurate, not wet) there's always some perspiration but it doesn't seem to have been building up in the boots or socks. Socks are X-Socks "Lite Hiker" They're synthetic and good. Imported from UK, prices here for X-Socks are crazy.

So, if you're comfortable in those GTX boots of yours, I'd be inclined to use them with a good synthetic sock and let the GTX sort it out.

BTW, the GTX works in the Fastpacker. I stood in a river with the water just below the top of the boot for a few minutes, and there were no leaks. Like all boots, once I actually walked through the river it took quite a while for the boots to dry, the foam lining around the ankle absorbs water.

[enduro]

Hi all, I have updated my OP with the following information:

The temp range is going to be 30'C (+/-4'C) and at night 15'C (+/-4'C).

[enduro]

Thanks for the information.

Out of the three pairs of GTX boots I have owned, none have lasted (the GTX membrane) for more than a few months of light use. My current pair leaked with in Tassie on day 4 of the OT. They leaked in from the base of the tongue/instep. A previous pair of anther brand did the same. Your post restores my confidence in them as I wasn't prepared to pay the extra for temporarily waterproof boots.

s I will be taking will be mostly synthetic Gortex lined Salomon GTX boot which is light and appears to transpire well. I do have leather boots, but they are normally so heavy I choose lighter boots nowadays to save my knees.

I've hiked all this summer in some GTX boots (~350km over Dec,Jan,Feb). Salomon Fastpacker GTX. I was given a replacement pair around May-June, and I've been trying to wear them out before the warranty runs out. Hasn't worked, nearly at 1000km they're holding up well and I think they'll last out the year.

Anyway, after 5km or so I have removed the boot and sock, both dry (well, to be accurate, not wet) there's always some perspiration but it doesn't seem to have been building up in the boots or socks. Socks are X-Socks "Lite Hiker" They're synthetic and good. Imported from UK, prices here for X-Socks are crazy.

So, if you're comfortable in those GTX boots of yours, I'd be inclined to use them with a good synthetic sock and let the GTX sort it out.

BTW, the GTX works in the Fastpacker. I stood in a river with the water just below the top of the boot for a few minutes, and there were no leaks. Like all boots, once I actually walked through the river it took quite a while for the boots to dry, the foam lining around the ankle absorbs water.

[photohiker]

I wasn't prepared to pay the extra for temporarily waterproof boots.

I think the problem is, it's not that easy to find good lightweight, non membrane boots. The Fastpackers have a GTX inner membrane a bit like an inner sock, so it is not as susceptible to wear as others. The last time I stood in water in them was Oct/Nov 2011. Hopefully it will rain some soon and I can report back...

Just bought a new pair for half Aussie price ($156) from Amazon in the US!

[slparker]

photo:
I have the salomon shoes, excellent on dry rock and wet ground but I'd be concerned about them on a muddy track. Looking at amazon i see the soles for the boots are the same as the running shoes: ie shallow tread. The shoes are awesome and extremely comfortable but i'd hesitate wearing them in mud or rockhopping on boulders with a pack...how have you found them?

[photohiker]

photo:
The shoes are awesome and extremely comfortable but i'd hesitate wearing them in mud or rockhopping on boulders with a pack...how have you found them?

Are they as good a a deep ribbed boot on slippery ground? Probably not, but then again, I've slipped in my Scarpas. I can't remember a time while wearing the Salomons that I thought I should be wearing the Scarpas for grip (or anything else really) Sure, it would be nice if they had deeper cleats in the sole, I think there are several fell-running shoes they make with much grippier soles but never to be seen here. Like this:


Link: http://www.salomonrunning.com/uk/blog/e ... -slab.html

Now, if they can just put something like that under a light boot... We can only hope, I guess.

I haven't found a boot that won't slip on a greasy log...