socks for mountaineering boots

rocknice2 wrote:

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/phd-pro-mountaineer-socks-sw001095

Thanks! I guess my internet automatically took me to the Canadian site 

The hip new thing is oven bags- like for turkeys. They only last one day, but they're cheap, and you can stow your boots inside of them when you're done hiking at the end of the day to keep them from getting your stuff went inside your sleeping bag (I always sleep with my boots inside my sleeping bag, especially when I have these bags along with.
I also tended to get blisters, but now I almost never do. I even started wearing the bags when I run anything over a half marathon. It really is the slickest way to go.

Are you wearing the oven bags next to your skin, or over your socks?  It seems like they'd work like a VBL, but I've only worn those over thin liner socks.

Next to the skin. They reduce friction like nobody's business. They feel clammy at first but you get used to it. They work great as VBLs too, of course. I take a set for each day I go out. Started doing it after I got frostbite. They only really last one day. But they cost about $3 for 6 bags, so not a huge loss.They also keep dust away from your skin, so if you're expecting scree they really help with that, too. And being able to sleep with boots inside the bags is really useful; keeps them from freezing.
As far as over-the-sock - assuming your boots are waterproof the sock should stay completely dry with the bags over your feet. The point of a VBL of course is that the outside boot is completely waterproof so the insulation layer will keep dry. Life being what it is, oftentimes you'll get damp boots and wet socks anyway. But, a wool sock should stay warm even when wet. To maximize the benefit of the bags, I re-apply waterproof every season. Then I use the biggest bags so that they come up out of my boot, then I fold them back down to protect the sock. Then use gaiters. This helps keep melting snow from wicking down your sock, which is how socks are most likely to get wet (once again, assuming your boot is water proof).

I have a ton of socks.  

The best I have ever used for mountaineering boots in cold conditions are the Patagonia Expedition Sock.    Sadly, Patagonia stopped making it some years ago.  

The reason I loved the Patagonia sock is that it was thick, had a nice terry loop inner, and was made from merino wool blended with enough other fibers that it kept its shape very well.  It worked very well without a sock liner.  

My issue with Smartwool's heavier socks is that they tend to lose their shape after a few uses, which causes the socks to bunch up and create hotspots.  

The Teko Expedition weight socks are similar to the Patagonia Expedition socks, in that they are very thick, hold their shape well, and are comfortable without sock liners.

The bad news is that Teko socks are expensive and difficult to find in the USA.  

https://en.aventurenordique.com/socks-merino-teko-extra-heavy-expedition.html

https://www.expemag.com/article/chaussettes/teko-summit-m3rino-xc-heavyweight-hiking-socks

Socks like these are significantly thicker than socks from other brands, and if you fit your boots to wear with these socks, you will need to wear thicker socks such as this with those boots in order to get a good fit.  

Alternatively, if wearing Dachstein socks with a liner is what works for you, Dachstein socks are still available (in various weights and constructions) from these folks:

https://www.sweaterchalet.com/dachstein-woolwear/dw-merino-socks/#cc-m-product-12523009631

https://www.sweaterchalet.com/dachstein-woolwear/dw-5120-adult-socks/#cc-m-product-11653681931

YOLOLZ Bicarbonate wrote:

The hip new thing is oven bags- like for turkeys. They only last one day, but they're cheap, and you can stow your boots inside of them when you're done hiking at the end of the day to keep them from getting your stuff went inside your sleeping bag (I always sleep with my boots inside my sleeping bag, especially when I have these bags along with.
I also tended to get blisters, but now I almost never do. I even started wearing the bags when I run anything over a half marathon. It really is the slickest way to go.

Do you mean these?

https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Cooking-Bags-Large-Poultry-8-Pounds/dp/B00HFNEE48/?ots=1&slotNum=0&imprToken=72bb8db1-b280-e32a-695&tag=tohmke-20

Stever wrote:

Do you mean these?

https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Cooking-Bags-Large-Poultry-8-Pounds/dp/B00HFNEE48/?ots=1&slotNum=0&imprToken=72bb8db1-b280-e32a-695&tag=tohmke-20

Exactly. They’re awesome.