Hiking Socks

Good Hiking Socks are Mandatory when Hiking in the Backcountry!

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Socks are such incredibly boring, and often times smelly, pieces of equipment that more than a few of you are probably wondering why I'm writing a page just about them.

Well, it is quite simple really. That boring sock you wear can either make or break your hike. The sock is, second to the hiking boot, the most important piece of equipment you will have when hiking.

Want to know more? Then read on. Otherwise, you can read my Review of Smartwool Socks, which are by far the best sock for hiking ever invented.

Hiking Socks - SmartWool Socks are Recommended - Read Review

The Benefits of Hiking Socks

I think I could write a small book about the benefit of hiking socks. But it's late and I don't feel like writing a book, so I'll summarize some of the benefits that a hiking sock provides - learned from painful experiences out on the trail before I became a hiking sock "convert."

Cushion the Foot : Hiking Socks have been specifically designed to provide additional cushion to the front of the foot and the heel of the foot. This extra cushion also has a happy side-effect - it makes the socks more durable too. Now, you may think you don't need extra cushion. Hah. Think again. Try a 10 mile hike over rocky terrain, some uphill and some downhill. Trust me - every little bit of cushion helps keep your feet comfortable and helps prevent them from "throbbing" towards the end of a long hike.

Prevent Blisters : A hiking sock is absolutely crucial in preventing blisters. A hiking sock, unlike a wimpy, stinky cotton sock, won't constantly rub against the back of your foot and provides significant protection against rubbing that your boot might cause. Read my How to Prevent Blisters Guide for more information.

Keep Those Feet Dry : A dry foot is a happy foot. A wet foot is a stinky and painful foot. Why? Well, the stinky part is self-explanatory. But a wet foot is also highly prone to blisters. A hiking sock, especially in combination with a sock liner (see more in How to Prevent Blisters), takes your foots perspiration (also known as water) off your foot and puts it into the sock instead - keeping your foot dry and, hopefully, blister free.

Warm Feet = Happy Feet : Hiking socks are quite thick. Of course, this thickness provides quite a bit of warmth to your feet. You are probably wonder, who wants warm feet during the summer? Well, guess what? A quality hiking sock, particularly socks by Smartwool (my recommended sock for hiking), will actually keep your foot cool in the summer by preventing outside heat from getting at your foot (it traps the heat in tiny air bubbles) - while at the same time wisking away your foots own heat and perspiration. Pretty neat, huh?

Comfy, Cozy - Once you begin to wear a good hiking sock, you'll discover that cotton socks are well, kind of lame. Soon you'll begin to wear hiking socks around home, to the office and even to bed! The reason - the socks keep your feet at just the right temperature (if you have Smartwool socks) and, because they are soft (made out of Shearling Fleece), they just feel so darn nice on the foot.

Are you convinced yet why you should have some hiking socks?

Hiking Socks - SmartWool Socks are Recommended - Read Review

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