OutdoorSports

Hiking socks – how do I find the right hiking socks for me?

Choosing the right socks should not be underestimated when planning a hike. So that you can enjoy your tour and feel really comfortableon your feet at all times, make sure that you fit well with you and the rest of your equipment when buying your hiking socks.

What do good hiking socks have to be able to do?

Hiking socks should feel good especially at the foot, fit perfectly and wrinkle-free,support the foot in the right places, protect it with special padding, prevent friction and dampenthe appearance of the foot.

The climate in the shoe must
be well regulated in all weathers:
Good hiking socks can compensate for warmth, cold and humidity and provide good air circulation. Ideally, they are easy to wash, easy to maintain and robust, so you’ve got some of it for a long time.

Special knitting technology for better wearing comfort.

Thanks to special knitting techniques, the hiking sock can be added a variety of useful properties and an increased wearing comfort already during the production, such as reinforcements in stressed areas, more elasticity on the cuff, etc.
An exact fit can be produced in the so-called flat knitting process, whereas the circular knitting process produces a very elastic sock that adapts to any foot shape and has no seam, which results in fewer friction points.

The right sock for every season ( material mix )

A wide selection of materials for hiking socks offers every hiker the right equipment, depending on the ground, hiking time and the respective climatic conditions.

Hiking socks with a high wool content – where merino wool is very popular – are an all-rounder, but more suitable for winter and longer hiking routes. At higher temperatures, they can quickly become too warm. They do not store moisture and release it directly to the shoe, which makes the foot stay pleasantly dry and warm. Ideal for people who get cold feet quickly.

The smell of foot is not so quickly created, and if you wash the wool socks during hiking breaks, they dry relatively quickly.

More suitable for higher temperatures are hiking socks with a high cotton content They are well suited for shorter distances or city walks or for changing at the end of a longer hiking route. They can be washed at high temperatures and are therefore hygienically flawless. However, a high cotton content in the hiking socks can also cause the feet to feel damp, as cotton absorbs and stores moisture. The moisture allows the socks to form wrinkles faster, and it can promote blistering on the foot. Bad odours can also develop faster.

High-tech hiking socks made of purely synthetic fibres such as polyamide, polypropylene and elastane dissipate moisture, counteract the formation of odours and bacteria and balance the climate in the shoe well. Elasts ensures a good fit, polypropylene dissipates moisture well and polyamide makes the hiking socks durable for a long time. For people who are prone to cold feet, it could happen that they do not warm strongly enough, especially in winter.

Many of the above benefits are combined in hiking socks, which consist of a material mix. Here, you can choose a wool mixture in which polyester fibres are incorporated, as required. These plastic fibres cool the foot. Added polyamide fibers provide better abrasion resistance in the more stressed areas. If odour-retardant substances and particles are added, they ensure that the foot always stays fresh and bacteria are combated.

The 5 Top Hiking Socks Tips for Hiking Friends

  1. Tip: Always select hiking socks well and try them together with the (best already registered) hiking boots. If small wrinkles form in the shoe with a sock that is too large, this can lead to bubbles or pressure points. Too small socks, on the other hand, can hinder blood circulation in the feet and legs.
  2. Tip: Pay attention to reinforcement in the particularly stressed areas such as heel, bale or foot outside.
  3. Tip: The material corresponds to the season or climate in the desired hiking area select.
  4. Tip: Always have a second pair of hiking socks to change, with longer tours also quietly more.
  5. Tip: Before the first hiking tour with the new socks, they should be washed and worn before they feel much better on the foot and so you can detect any weak points in time

What to look out for when buying hiking socks

The most important thing is always absolute fit for your foot. The sock must not throw wrinkles or slide. The cuff must not cut on the calf. Also make sure that you have enough freedom of movement in your toes. Then decide on your personal comfort feeling and the external circumstances of your planned hike. Try different models to find out what’s right for you.

Long or short distance? Low temperatures in the mountains or rather Mediterranean climate in a hilly landscape? Are the routes easy to walk or do you have to expect impasses? Which hiking shoe do you use? Is it robust and heavy or light and breathable?

If you prefer lighter and thinner socks, do they provide you with enough protection against friction and pressure points? Do they warm enough, even if it should get cold by evening?
If you like thicker socks, can they get too warm on the foot during the day?

And if you suffer from sweat yummy, moisture transport is especially important when choosing the perfect hiking sock for you.

Bubble-free hiking: This is important to note!

In order to optimally protect the feet from bubbles, make sure that the hiking socks in combination with the hiking shoes fit really well. The socks must lie down smoothly and it is important to make sure that they do not slip into the shoes when walking. A dry foot climate is also important. When the feet are moist, the sock sticks to the skin and bubbles and pressure points like to form in these places.

If you take a break while hiking, free your feet from shoes and socks and also give you some rest. Preventive treatment of the feet with special foot creams makes the skin softer and less prone to blistering.

The right care of hiking socks

Wash your hiking socks according to the washing instructions for your selected model. As you prepare your hike, you can also plan whether and how often you will have a washing machine, the extent to which your hiking socks can be washed by hand and how quickly they dry. Most socks can be washed at high temperatures and kept hygienically fresh. Wool socks are inherently antibacterial and dry relatively quickly in fresh air.

Do I have to wear several socks on top of each other?

If you get bubbles and pressure points on your feet quickly, it may make sense to pull a thinner pair of liner socks under the actual hiking sock. Make sure you still have enough space in your shoe. Undercoat socks made of functional material can effectively prevent friction between the sole of the foot and the hiking sock. Cotton socks can feel good on sensitive feet and improve walking.

How many hiking socks do I need?

As a hiking professional, you ideally have the right equipment in stock for every climate, even when choosing hiking socks. For longer tours, you will certainly need a larger selection of different hiking socks models, so that you can do the right thing even with changing surroundings and temperature changes. A hobby hiker, on the other hand, who prefers a certain climate for his excursions, chooses in advance the appropriate footwear for the chosen ground, length of the hike and climatic conditions.

Does changing socks make sense on the go?

Especially during long hikes, the socks can sometimes press or a damp feeling has arisen in the shoe. Also, temperatures can rise throughout the day, so you get warm feet. Then it may make sense to be well prepared and have one or two pairs of hiking socks in different versions to change, so that you can continue walking without any problems.

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