Socks

[Fluppy]

9 day trek + 1 night extra stay to compose myself before I fly home to Australia.

So…10 days…Being aware of every inch of my pack… How many socks should I take – given that they'll be wet and sweaty every day anyway?

I was thinking about 4 pairs. Is this enough or too many?

Here are the brand I have purchased today (only 2 pairs for now): 'Smartwool – Adrenaline Hiking' medium cushion for hiking, trekking & mountaineering.

http://www.smartwool.com

Bought at my local camping store for $32.95 a pair – so they had better be good
Did I get a good buy or did I waste my money? Would like to know before I purchase any more…

[Lorna]

Any replies to this question greatly interest me too. I've so far purchased 2 pairs of Bridgedale women's endurance trekkers ( midweight) and 2 pairs of bridgedale endurance comfort coolmax liners as the base layer. They cost the earth and i'm wondering if the regular and much cheaper explorer socks would do the same job, over the liner socks? eveyone is telling me our feet are the most important consideration so I guess there is absolutely no point in skimping…. but other past trekkers thoughts would be handy. I'm also wondering about how many pairs to take.

[Times two]

having walked twice in 2008 and battled rain most days both ways, the best protection your socks can have is to waterproof your boots PROPERLY and MULTIPLE TIMES prior to trekking. This will keep your socks drier and enable you to wear them for two or three days in a row before changing. Wash them and then hang them on the back of your pack to dry while you walk – remember to bring them in before it rains!!! I took three pairs each time – two pair of wool blend hiking WIGWAMS – one with inbuilt liner (thoroughly recommend at around $35 from Paddy Palin), and a cheaper wool pair from my local camping shop. The more expensive socks were worth every penny – just wish I hadn't melted one on the fire!

[Mrs Moo]

I took two pairs of liner socks (Coolmax) two pairs of outer socks (Columbia) and another pair that I wore at night as my feet got cold! That was plenty.

[Anthea]

Hi Fluppy.

2 pairs of bridgedale liners and 1 pair bridgedale endurance trekker should be plenty (or similar brand).
If its worth the space in your pack for you to enjoy the luxury of having a brand new pair of socks to put on when you finish up or want the comfort of knowing you have a back up pair, take 2 x endurance trekkers.
Simply alternate your liners, washing the pair you aren't wearing that day-then hang them off your pack so they can dry while you walk during the day. That will ensure your liners stay useful and dont turn to cardboard from skin and sweat build up. Also means you only need to take the one pair of outer socks- but obviously it comes down to pack space vs comfort. An extra pair of outers is hardly going to break the camels back… 🙂

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