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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,319
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,319 |
I have a 50/50 mix of Darn Tough and Smartwool. I don't really have a preference between the two, both great socks. I would like to try those Alpaca socks.
NRA Life Member
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,436
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,436 |
Smartwool and Lorpen worked good for me. Gander Mtn. ( when they were around) used to carry Smartwool.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,354
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,354 |
The only socks besides Darn Tough I wear are Wright Socks.
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871 |
I'm a Darn Tough convert. I never could wrap my head around how much better a $20 pair of socks could be but I have about a dozen pairs now.
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 845
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 845 |
I like the smart wool ones the best.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575 |
Synthetic or smart wool with knee high heavy panty hose as liners. After hiking for 50 years in every possible sock combo, still the best.
The only way to keep insulation, both sock and boot, truly dry is with a vapor/water proof barrier on each side, which means beneath the sock. I don’t like doing that.
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,129
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,129 |
Ive been really happy with Dahlgren alpaca wool socks, for most of my hunting! Yes, you must try a pair of these. They will "walk dry" if you need to, as they are not pure wool but rather a combination of wicking synthetics in certain areas with alpaca wool in the others to pull moisture up and out. They make a standard wool sock feel like a wet bath towel. Do they sell these at any retail brick and mortar stores, or online only? I will have to pick up a few pair and give them a try. I get them online!
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,237
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,237 |
I wear Smartwools every day. I wear the ultra lights as dress socks with slacks and loafers to work.
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 591
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 591 |
I’ve used and like both smartwool and darn tough. I find the darn tough to be more durable.
I tried the injinji liner socks , but thought my feet got colder with them.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,167
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,167 |
I've done the cotton socks, as that's what we had growing up. Other than good boots, socks are the second best investment a guy can do, imo. Kenetrek here....
Ping pong balls for the win.
Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable
I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 |
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,180 |
No liners, socks are darn tough or kuiu Marino.
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 74
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 74 |
I have both the heavy weight marino wool socks, and alpaca socks. Overall, considering the alpaca socks are thinner, they seem as warm as the thicker marino wool, but in terms of comfortable wear, the alpaca win hands down.
This was my first year deer hunting with the alpacas, and being a statioary stand hunter I think it was a fair test. I'll be trying them again next season, when the winter will hopefully be colder than the 30 degrees wo had this year.... I won't be storing the marino wool socks just yet.
Youthful enthusiasm is replaced by old age and treachery!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,809
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,809 |
Cabela's or LL Beans. Whatever they have on the rack that is fuzzy. Have tried the Smartwoll, but NBD. Move around a lot so little problem in keeping feet warm. Friend raves on the alpacas for comfort.
Moving around, feet stay dryer and warmer in uninsulated boots vs insulated.
Last edited by battue; 02/09/20.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,638
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,638 |
This is a good one that I rarely see bandied about here. I have a mix of Smart Wool, Farm to Feet and Darn Tough and can't claim any are heads/tails above the other. I wear a liner a fair bit too and have become smitten with the injinji liners.
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/X0n16mr.png) WWP53D
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,826
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,826 |
In over 50 years of big game hunting mostly in Colorado and Montana, and also numerous hunts in Canada, Africa, New Zealand, Alaska, and Azerbaijan, which included a dozen or more backpack hunts for Bighorn and Dall sheep and Mountain goats, and also 10 years as a ski instructor and pro patrolman at Loveland Basin and Steamboat ski areas in Colorado... the only socks that I have ever worn are the basic white cotton that you can buy for $1 or less a pair at Walmart.
Ok, let the flaming begin... You have suffered long enough
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
I use a liner and Carhartt boot socks for sheep and goat hunts where I need to fine tune the fit of my boots. Other than that, no liner for me.
I avoid cotton, but otherwise think the whole thing is rather overblown. Darn Tough, Smartwool, or the Costco merino are all close enough to the same.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,023
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,023 |
In over 50 years of big game hunting mostly in Colorado and Montana, and also numerous hunts in Canada, Africa, New Zealand, Alaska, and Azerbaijan, which included a dozen or more backpack hunts for Bighorn and Dall sheep and Mountain goats, and also 10 years as a ski instructor and pro patrolman at Loveland Basin and Steamboat ski areas in Colorado... the only socks that I have ever worn are the basic white cotton that you can buy for $1 or less a pair at Walmart.
Ok, let the flaming begin... A wise man once said, the tougher you are, the crappier your gear can be.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,034
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,034 |
Darn Tough
Smartwool
Costco
In that order That's my preference...
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,910
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,910 |
Smartwool socks and liners. Various thickness for variable conditions.
I will never hike or hunt without liners, JMO
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