I have field camp for geology this summer and I need to buy some new boot socks. Can anyone recommend good, relatively cheap (not
$15-20) boot socks? I need to buy atleast a weeks worth so even $10 a pair is pushing 70 bucks.

I have used Cabela's outfitter series lightweight boot socks for the last 2 years. They are hands down the best socks I have ever used (day trip hunting or weeklong backpacking). I've never had a blister (and that includes breaking in 2 new pairs of boots with them), and liner socks are not needed. They are a merino wool, polypro, lycra, nylon blend, and great at wicking moisture/drying quick. Only about $9.

outfitter series socks

hope that might help

Matt

I'll second Cabella's socks. I bought 6 new pairs of socks and liners for my son and I each last summer for a couple weeks of camping/hiking, and I looked around a lot. The Cabella's ones we bought were medium weight hiking socks, and polypro liners. I don't think the same exact sock is still sold, but, I saw in the Camping&Backpacking catalog that they sent recently a similar one, called Trail-Lite. They are $7.99/pair for 3 or more pairs. They are a 78% Merino Wool, 20% stretch nylon, 2% spandex blend.

I have a bunch of other socks from Smartwool, LL Bean, etc which are more expensive, but, not necessarily better. For the price, the Cabella's brand ones are great. Make sure you get some polypro or silk liner socks too, they will help keep your feet dry, and do wonders to avoid blisters.

If your looking for a good and fairly inexpensive sock, try Rocky's they are $6 for two pair at wally world. I have been using them for years. the only ones that I have found that were better were from Duck's Unlimited.

How about checking out the local army surplus store? You might find some decent socks pretty cheap, at least they work for me and don't cost an arm and a leg.

BTW do you really have to carry that many pairs? As long as you can wash the socks somewhere you don't need a fresh pair for every day. I've never taken more than 4 spare pairs even on quite long trips. But I like to travel light and I always take a bar of soap. Reduces the bulk a lot as I can wash dirty clothes and underwear when necessary.

I was thinking like Tom L; wash them!

BTW, on almost every trip I've been on, regular old white crew socks worked fine. I eventually went up to the military padded green socks, but only did a dozen or so trips in them before school pulled me out of the woods.

I buy SmartWool socks from campmor.com and then use a liner with them. Actually the liner I use is just the black 100% nylon dress socks from my local Walmart. Not terribly fashionable, but it works well.

The reason I still buy the SmartWool even though I use a liner is that I will use the wool socks w/o the liner in my sleeping bag on cold nights. The SmartWool is much more comfortable than the old-style wool.

The socks I prefer are the Thorlo Wool/Silk Light Hiker Socks



There are very durable and comfortable. And if you need a liner then I would recommend Fox River X-Static Sock Liners

http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,2074,00.html

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll check out the walmart socks first since I won't have to spend shipping on them. The Cabela's look good too.

I probably should wash them by hand, if I get time, but I'll also change socks during the day if hiking a lot. Very nice change, relaxes and refreshes the feet.

No matter what you pick don't forget that they need to fit in your boots.

Boots and sock choice have to work together. Some sock choices might be too thick to work in your boots if you already have the boots.

In my case, for dayhikes I wear Army boots and Army padded wool socks. For much longer, harder hikes I wear more serious hiking boots and some Fox River outer socks and Cabela's thermax lner socks. If I were to try to switch boots without switching the socks that go with them I would either blister out quickly or be unable to put the boots on in the first place.

Be sure and break in your boots & socks well in advance. That's so you'll have time to figure out what works if the first setup doesn't.

If you have a costco nearby sometimes they have merino wool socks that look a lot like smartwool socks for 4/10$. I've got 8 pair They work well.

I second the SmartWool recommendation. I've tried Cabella's, REI House brand, even Patagonia. All the others wore out quickly. I wear hinking socks almost every day, though vary the thickness based on conditions.

The SmartWool seem to breath for me (I wear Gortex lined shoes daily also), and last four times as long the others mentioned but are maybe only twice the cost of Cabella's and usually the same or less than the other two.

I would suggest you at least give them a try.

YMMV.

buckeye

I also like SmartWool. I buy mine locally at the Foot Smart store only when they go on sale, which is not very often. But I stock up and they last a long time.

I use the Fruit of the Loom work boot (grey cotton) socks at work and they hold up well.

cant beat bridgedales, they last forever so even if you spend 70 dollars youll be hard pushed to buy new socks for as long as 4 or 5 years!!!
you get what you pay for and when u put these on youll be in paradise.

If you have a Bass Pro Shops store near you, check out their Red Head Lifetime Hunting Socks. They are made of 88% merino lamb's wool, 10% stretch nylon, 2% spandex. The socks are on the thicker side and provide excellent cushioning. They run $9.95 a pair and the nice thing about them, is that they are guaranteed for life. Wear them out, get a hole, just bring them back and they will replace them, no problem. I have used them for several years and love them.

Red Head Lifetime Hunting Socks

Pete

My "3-season" socks are acrylic crews made by Lavitt Mills. They're sold under the name "Superbilt Work Socks", model "Acrylic Amicor Crew."

They are intelligently designed, with a lace pad on top, extra heavy contoured heel pocket, and "channels" woven into the sides to allow heat to vent. Incredibly comfortable and wick moisture away efficiently.

The only time of the year I switch to wool is December through February; the rest of the time, the Superbilts keep me warm in the cold and comfortable in the heat. Absolutely the best non-wool sock I've used.

The best part? The last few pairs I bought (on sale) at $3.00/pr - though that was a couple of years ago. I stocked up!

-=[ Grant ]=-