I've been one of those 3 pairs of socks for $5 kind of blokes for ever, i never really thought that socks made that much of a difference. However, i have now seen the light. My mother, being the big worrier that she is, decided that i needed a decent pair of socks for my around the world trip that is coming up soon. She went to the local hiking/mens wear store and bought me a $20 pair of socks, i thought she was crazy. But, like they say - mother knows best. These socks are the most comfortable/warmest things that i have ever worn. I think they posess the ability to make any pair of shoes comfortable, they've made my cheap, crappy, old, uncomfortable work shoes feel like a $250 pair of Nike's. I'm not saying that they're a substitute for a decent pair of boots, but damn they're good, i don't think that i'll ever be able to go back to my cheap sock ways.

So, my advice to you - Don't skimp on the socks.

Yeah a good pair of socks for a trip like you are going on would probably be worth the investment. However I'm like you in the whole sock buying department. I love the 6 pack at Old Navy for 6 bucks. Either that or I just go barefoot. (If my toenails are looking pretty of course)

from research that i have done. everybody has said to get wool socks. everybody, they all say that cotton is shit( takes too long to dry, does not breath very well , and generaly suxs) we got some nice wool socks (they look like regular socks exceupt there not white, but they can be the same shape as cotton socks, you dont have to look like Finding Forester) we found ours at an outdoors store. but be wared they cost about 14$ a pair

Yea, wool (or wool blend) are the way to go, especially if you are a hiker! Smartwool and Wigwam are the major brands that you'll find in hiking stores and both are good. They look thick, but your feet actually stay cooler and much drier! :cheers:

We stocked up on both Smartwool and Wigwam socks before coming here, they're not just for hiking, either! Saved us from frostbite on many a cold winter's walk smack dab in the middle of the city! I like smartwool because they have thinner socks that actually fit in normal shoes/boots.

I wear quarter high "footies." Yes, I'm sure the hiker socks are much more comfortable, but they also take up a LOT more space when packed. Whereas footies take up the least amount.
So, it's a tradeoff, up to you... B)

Another place for socks would be a running store. They will have kinds that wick the moisture off of your feet to prevent blisters, etc. I am sure they are about the same deal as the hiking ones people reccomended but just figured I would toss in another place to look.

SuDZ

I absolutely love Wigwam socks, and at about $14/pair they're pricey but worth it. Another favorite of mine are the Fox light-hikers (wool blend) - not only are they extremely comfortable and functional, but they last FOREVER. I have a couple of pairs that I've been sporting for over 6 years and they're still in just as good condition as when I bought them.

I have a pretty decent stash of Wigwam and Smartwool socks. :wub: I disagree with LF about the shoes though-- gimme a good pair of shoes with a mediocre pair of socks instead of vice versa any day!! :)

Wigwam (strange name) seems to be what most people are sporting, i'm gonna see if they have them at any of the local shops here in town.

Oh and SV, of course i'd get a good pair of shoes over a crap pair of shoes with good socks, i was just saying how orgasmically good my socks are, i think i'm going to name my first born child after them....if only i could remember what brand they are....Treckers or Hikers or something like that

Either of those would make a great name for a kid, but if I had to choose, I think I'd go with Trecker. Except everyone would think you were a Star Trek fan...but Hiker? Hi Hi! Hi Hik? Hi Hike? Not sure about the nickname possibilities there...

(Mother of four children with wacky names)

alright, you've struck my curiousity...what are thier names?

Soleil, Nika, Liam and Dylan (for a girl)

haha, okay, I was expecting something REALY strange... :lol:

Well, we call them the Tug, the Chug, the Bug and the Lug. Does that suit you better?

:lol: LOL ~ much!

I took some old cheapies that I had for ages. It didn't worry me but I did seem to develop a foot odour and not sure if they contributed :thumbdown:

ev

I like the wigwams, cept that they're soo thick...

I'm pretty much down to what the military uses... synthetic upper, wool/synthetic padded foot... The only bad part about them is that they don't last too long... if you throw em in a dryer that's too hot they shrink big time!

the advantage is they're like 2 bucks a pair...

I finally found out what my socks are, they are a wool blend sock called Light Hikers made by The New Zealand Sock Company. I also bought a pair of Thermos made by the same company, they were half the price and pretty damn good too, but not as good as my hikers.

So, looks like my first born child will be named Hiker :lol: :lol:

oh dear me oh my.......cross LFB off my list of potential future husbands :lol: