Buyers Guide to Socks
Socks can often be overlooked when it comes to buying outdoor clothing but a poorly performing sock can ruin a day out in the hills.
The amount of science in keeping your toes toasty, comfortable and blister free is quite simply mind blowing so if you have ever taken a sharp intake of breath at the price then read on and learn why; when it comes to £’s per foot – they are better value than you think……
Resting up after three weeks of virgin summits in the Zaalay Range, Kyrgyzstan - Paul Casey
How do I know which sock I need?
We sell four different types of socks: Activity, Liner, Compression and Waterproof.
Activity socks take up the biggest area on our wall as there are so many of them. The really good news is that all of the sock manufacturers we sell provide a TON of information on their packaging to help you identify what activity a particular sock is designed for. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy different socks for each activity you do, it’s a simple way to guide you through what can be a baffling wall of foot covering options! For example: if you plan to move fast in hot weather then a sock that will transfer moisture away from your foot more readily will be a better investment than one with a fibre content offering added warmth for longer days out in cooler weather. Basically, look for “Run”, “Hike”, “Trek” and “Mountain” or Light, Mid and Heavy to start narrowing down your choices.
Liner socks are thin and designed to be part of a layering system for your feet. If you suffer badly from blisters this may be a good option to look into as two pairs of well fitting socks will reduce the friction between your foot and the boot. If you are backpacking, then fresh liner socks everyday are a real treat and critical for good foot care.
Compression socks are great for managing circulation, recovery or, can aid comfort if you suffer from varicose veins.
Waterproof socks are designed to keep water out and can be breathable so are a brilliant option to keeping feet dry if you are planning on being in soggy terrain. They are also ideal for Mountain Biking.
Why do I need a “Technical Sock”?
With 125,000 sweat glands, 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons in just one of your feet it’s important they are properly protected to reduce injury while you are active. Why? Because with every step; two to three times your own body weight is transferred through your foot just through the force of gravity alone. That’s before you pop a pack on your back!
To protect our feet, we surround them with supportive footwear so, of course, our feet get hot and sweat. A well-made sock can transfer sweat away from your foot and out through your footwear by fitting closely, helping feet feel dryer and reducing the chances of hot spots and blisters. Flat seams, heel cups and elasticity mean there is minimal bulk and less chance of wrinkling – another cause of discomfort. A Technical sock will also be manufactured to include cushioning in high impact areas and should also allow for articulation.
Sizing is critical so make sure you buy the right size for your feet – remember, that may not necessarily be your shoe or boot size.
How are stabilising, venting, articulation and cushioning important?
Socks that are designed for active use are specifically engineered to fit around the complexities of your foot – and stay there. The fibres are woven so the sock will sit snugly around the arch and will not wrinkle, there is allowance for articulation at the front of the ankle to prevent bunching under the tongue, three-dimensional heel cups prevent bulk and slippage, fibres are woven more thinly across the top of the foot to allow for venting/cooling and additional cushioning is woven in around the toe and heel areas for increased shock absorbance. All in one go. With just one seam.
In fact, some socks are even woven with individual sleeves for your toes allowing for natural foot splay and added blister protection – gloves for your feet!
It’s often very easy to see the different fibres and construction zones in your sock as they will be different colours – take a closer look. There’s a lot going on…..
All of this amazing construction can mean that your lovely new socks may come as a left and right – important to remember on bleary eyed mornings. It’s also critical to remember if you have toe socks – keep them in pairs in your drawer because there is nothing more soul destroying than spending 20 miles looking forward to dry feet only to discover your only pair of dry socks is actually two left ones.
Why are there so many different fibres in a sock?
Take a look at sock packaging and you may be surprised to see that while clothing is often made up of only one or two fibres – socks can be made up of as many as 5!
Blends of fibres are used as a recipe to help your feet feel comfortable during different activity levels and in different environments.
Wool offers fantastic insulation and feels great next to the skin as it can absorb a whopping 30% of its own weight in moisture before feeling damp. It does, however, lack durability, so that is why you will see it as a key component in warmer socks. Other fibres are added to help it keep its shape. Folks with an allergy to Lanolin in sheep’s wool can look at Alpaca wool as an alternative.
Lycra®/Elastane is a stretch nylon and is added to socks to help them stretch around the unique shape of our individual feet. It also allows socks to keep their shape so they can be washed time and time again. Nylon is also added for its ability to absorb moisture and transport it away from your foot, this is known as wicking.
Coolmax® is a type of polyester fibre designed to be extremely efficient at wicking moisture away from your feet and can be a good option to look for if you are walking in warmer weather or running. You can find it in clothing too.
It’s also possible to find socks with Primaloft® in which is a synthetic insulation often found in jackets. Fibres are woven into socks for cushioning and moisture flow.
It really is quite a science!
How high do my socks need to be?
Very important this: setting out on your activity with the incorrect height of sock can make for a miserable day.
There are four to choose from: No show, Ankle, Calf and Knee and all will play a critical role in protection from abrasion, protection from the environment and warmth.
No Show socks are designed to hide in your shoes and are great for warm days out and about in low-cut, soft shoes or trainers. They offer very little protection for ankle abrasion (from either boots, or rock) nor will they protect from insects or stinging nettles.
Ankle socks come up a little higher to offer a little more warmth and ankle protection and are also great to wear with slightly higher cut shoes.
Calf height or crew socks come up higher than your ankle bones and work well with a regular height boot, protecting your calf from abrasion. A higher sock will also offer some protection from irritation caused by long grass, bracken or nettles.
Knee high socks, these days, tend to be either super warm and designed for mountaineers who require added shin protection from high mountaineering boots or superlight and full of Lycra for ultra-runners requiring compression.
The key is that your socks are long enough to protect your foot and lower leg and fit well so they do not fall down and ruck up in your footwear to create discomfort.
Is there ever a situation where I should tuck my trousers into my socks?
Quite likely yes.
Ticks are an increasing issue in the British hills and if you are wandering further afield in leech infested areas then it is a must!
For those concerned about encountering such a potential fashion emergency Gaiters can offer a good solution. They are also extremely helpful for stopping mud and water from soaking your socks. Wet feet are another cause of blisters.
What colour socks should I wear?
Apparently, ticks are attracted to lighter colours so you could opt for darker coloured socks when venturing out.
The good news is that we have loads of different colours available so you can step out in style.
Should I use waterproof socks with non-waterproof footwear?
Why not!
Waterproof socks are often breathable too which make them great for walking, running, cycling and paddling but it is worth remembering that a waterproof sock will never be as efficient at wicking moisture away from your foot as a non-waterproof sock. They have been designed to keep water out as a priority.
Socks designed with wicking as a priority will always dry faster meaning that waterproof socks may not be a good option for multi-day backpacking trips.
How can I stop my socks from smelling?
Remember those 125,000 sweat glands we mentioned above? Well, those can go into overdrive when hormones are more active. Bad news for teenagers and pregnant or menopausal women! The other main cause of foot odour is dead skin cells – the more there are on your feet then the more they will smell.
Popping on clean socks everyday can make a big difference but just a little footcare with help too; washing your feet daily, drying them carefully, keeping toenails short and clean will not only keep your feet smelling fresh but reduce blisters and will help your socks last longer as pesky sharp nails will not saw through the fibres while you walk. When dead skin becomes damp and soggy it is the ideal home for bacteria so grab a pumice stone and keep it in check.
Follow the manufacturers instructions for washing so that your socks will last as long as possible.
What about the environment?
You can make a big difference to your carbon footprint by purchasing socks made close to home. British sock manufacturer Bridgedale (making socks in Belfast since WW1) make their socks with zero waste and if you look at Sealskinz packaging they will show you which of their waterproof socks are made in the UK too. We also stock socks made in Europe as well as some made in the far East.
The fibres used in construction also play an important part in sustainability. Wool should conform to IWTO guidelines regarding animal welfare and improvements are continually being made to quality nylons as they are increasingly being made with post-consumer waste. You could literally be wearing recycled PET bottles on your feet! Some Polyesters like Primaloft® are now made with at least 50% recycled content.
To keep your socks out of landfill for as long as possible re-use them when they have worn out. They make great dusters, bike rags, coverings for furniture feet to protect floors etc
Top tips to make the right choice….
Think about the activity, terrain and environment where you will be wanting to use your socks. This will guide you towards the type and fibre content that will work best for what you need.
Then decide what type of footwear you will be using them with so that you can choose the right height.
Choose a colour that makes you happy.
Don’t forget to check you have brought the right size!
For a lighthearted look at socks, footcare and blister management why not take a listen to our Podcast:
