Cold weather socks

STM

STM

Joined
May 27, 2006
Messages
205
I'm going hunting next month two hours north of Green Bay. I have a nice parka but I'm concerned about my feet. I have a pair of Danner Pronghorns with 400 gram of insulation and plenty of wool socks. Do I need anything else? Should I use a pair of light dress socks as a base layer?

Any suggestions that will keep my feet warm are welcome.

Thanks,

Scott
 
My only advice is not to wear multiple socks such that it compresses the material, dead air space is what provides warmth so let your wool work as it should by remaining as puffy as it can be....if that makes any sense !!!!
 
I had a pair of Wigwam socks(merino wool) that had a lot of "loft" to them, very soft and thick...those have been the best cold weather socks I have used. Ice fishing last year my feet were actually warm....which is not usually the case.
 
A puffy/high-loft wool sock is my favorite for cold weather. In the event I need more warmth, I like to carry a pair of thin liner socks in my pack.

My brother has a merino wool liner that costed $6 at Sportsman's Warehouse which he uses when skiing. I got a pair of polypropylene liners at REI for $5 which seem like they'll work well.

So, I recommend a thick wool sock along with a thin liner pair madeof wool or polypro carried in the pack, just in case. It's always wise to bring along an extra pair of socks in the pack, also.
 
Fox river sock liners under the merino wool socks is the best set up I've used. The Fox River liners are incredibly comfortable and help to keep sweat to a minimum.
 
hmmmm

I put a slightly larger, thin sock OVER the wool sock. Reduces abrasion of the high-price wool, and allows the wool to wick moisture away.

I don't have great circulation in my extremities and am out quite a bit in cold weather. Took some trial and error to find what worked for Me.

Obviously, YMMV. :)
 
I would highly recommend wearing polypropylene liner socks under the wool. It helps prevent friction which can casue blisters and also pulls moisture away from your foot. Over that I would wear the thickest wool socks you can.
I wear polypropylene and wool year round. In the summer I wear the thinest wool socks I can find and in cold weather I wear thicker socks. I've been doing this for over 15 years and have yet to have any problems. Also carry a spare set during the day and change them if you feel the need. It is amazing what a difference a clean dry set of socks can make.
 
bass pro lifetime guarantee socks they are a hiking hunting sock, so they are puffy and if you ever wear a hole in them take em back to bass pro and get a new pair for free ive got 4 pairs hand had em for like 3 years and i even wear them like slippers, they wear like iron they are pilling up a bit, thats about it ive even known to run to get the paper or the mail with out shoes and they are fine. merino wool aswell
 
I have a pair of alpaca socks and they are incredible. I can't wear them unless it is very very cold out.
 
I wear the Smartwool Mountaineer socks for cold weather. Any sort of high quality merino wool or alpaca sock will work. But Smartwool is the gold standard.
 
I'll second the Wigwam merino wool socks. Those are the only socks I'll wear anymore, nice, thick, comfy, very good at wicking moisture. Never had a problem with blisters or hotspots without a liner.


Gautier
 
Thanks to all for the great information.

My feet will thank you.

Scott
 
Check out the woolpower 600 gram socks at havealifeoutdoors.com. A pair nof liner socks is ok too if your doing a lot of walking.
 
I'm a sucker for handmade 100% wool socks, however, I've had pretty good luck with the mil-spec cold weather boot socks available at many army/navy stores. They're around 80% wool. As Pitdog said, definitely make sure your whatever you end up with isn't too tight. Not only will the compression hurt the insulation value, but the restricted circulation will make you colder as well.

Jon
 
you ever hear of glove warmers they have them for your socks as well there like .99 cents each at walmart i wore them in canada last year when we went to see the polar bears up at the hudson bay it was -20 and my feet were fine i got the regular 70 persent wool socks at cosco and i was fine i hope that helps
 
A fellow I know does Telemarking (downhill skiing on cross-country skis), and within his boots he wears battery operated heated socks. He swears by them, and claims they are reliable and very warm. I have no idea where one would buy these though. :confused:
 
Great suggestions on the socks.

Something to ponder...

In my experience, a properly fitted boot makes the difference almost more than the socks. A boot that will not allow you foot to move, breath, and 'swell' (yes even in winter) will cause cold feet faster and keep them that way no matter how good the sock is.

Make sure your 'winter' boot will fit properly by trying it out with whichever sock you decide to use.
 
I use a pair of silks (actually Polypro) and smart wools. They are great. You can wear this combo year round and you will have warm dry feet.

TF
 
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