Heavy Duty Summer Socks

Hi. I’m a new hitchhiker from Davis, CA and I have a problem: My feet are too sweaty. I get constant redness and irritation, not to mention the smell! The very best socks I have found yet are some so-called US Military socks made of mostly cotton with “silver-containing fibers” that supposedly create an inhospitable environment for bacteria.
But they aren’t the best for long hiking; when they get wet, they get bunchy and uncomfortable.
In contrast, the most comfortable fit of socks I’ve found are DeFeet Aerators, considered by some folks to be the best socks money can buy. But they are way sweatier and stinkier than my cotton socks. And they could be a little more durable.

I’m hitchhiking across the country this summer, so I’ll see lots of heat and humidity. I’m willing to spend up to $20 per pair for socks if they’re comfortable and durable enough to last me all summer. What do you recommend if DeFeet’s fail me?

check these out: foxsox.com/Catalog/search.a…

doing a liner and thicker sock combo can be good and the Fox River socks incorporate the silver lining you like

Hey Marienbad,

I've been hitchhiking, backpacking, and the works for quite some time now. What I do if I'm going to out for long periods of time, or just in boots for a long time, I wear wool socks with polyurethane liners (sold separately).

The wool is really good when your on your feet for a long time because it has more cushion, and absorbs moisture well without making your feet really uncomfortable and damp. The poly liners act as a wicking layer to keep the wet off your feet as well.

This combo is great! Your feet will still sweat (and smell if you have smelly feet like me), but the irritation will settle. Smell is a hard thing to get ride of.

I would also highly recommend baby powder. Put some inside your socks (the liners if you use those) before you put your boots on in the morning, and then you can also apply later in the afternoon. It will absorb the moisture, comfort your feet (less chance of blisters), and may help the smell a little bit.

The smell is an unfortunate side effect of being in boots all day. Sandals would be a good alternative for such (such a sandal that I would be comfortable in wearing all day in, day in and out, and hiking a little in, would be one with a stiff sole (like chaco's, but they are a tad spendy)

Hope this helps! These tips really do work, and I have been doing these things for a few years now, hitchhiking, summer and winter camping/backpacking, working in boots for long hours, and so on and so on.

Oh, and I would recommend going a little over your budget, or maybe shopping at thrift/surpluss stores, because having a pair or more (if you can shave room for them) is very worth it, along with the poly liners. They aren't too spendy, and you may be able to stay under, but if its a few dollars more I'd go for it anyways if the moneys there.

I don't remember any brands, but wool is the way to go. SmartWool is more spendy but very great and more compact.

Darn Tough cushion wool socks, come in all styles and are the best damn socks I've tried. Got my first pair 5 or 6 years ago with a pair of boots, the boots look pretty worn, the socks are still in decent shape. Since using Darn Tough I no longer use liners, just don't seem to need them anymore.

google.com/search?aq=0&oq=d…

An interesting combo that I am using right now is the Lopren Trilay3r. They should easily last the summer.