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Sock Shakedown
Today we talk about
all things socks. Not where they go when they’ve mysteriously left their pair in the washing machine, but what to wear and why. Whether you’ve found your loyalty or are on the hunt, this blog is here to help or at least teach you something new!
Cycling Socks, Running Socks, Hiking Socks - Why Does it Matter?
You might be thinking “socks are just socks”, but I’m sorry to tell you that you, my friend, are wrong. In my humble opinion, socks are a crucial piece of gear. After years of blisters and stinky feet, you’d think so, too. Now hear me out. In any outdoor store, you’ll find socks in the footwear section (that will cover activities like hiking, running, and lifestyle), but also in the cycling section and ski section. And, while you can absolutely wear a hiking sock cycling and a running sock day-to-day, there’s a reason they exist on their own.
These socks typically all cost around the same, so it's not as much of a marketing scam as you might initially think. These socks have padding in specific areas where your feet experience pressure points during these activities. For example, running socks generally have more cushioning on the toes and balls of your feet while cycling socks have little to no cushioning due to the lack of impact and position of foot.
While it is all about preference at the end of the day (because you’re the one wearing the socks), it’s something to keep in mind when thinking about your comfort levels.
Length
Now there’s length to take into consideration. For the first three sock types I mentioned above, you will be able to find them in a few different lengths. For cycling socks, you’re pretty much glued to the ankle or mid calf. For skiing, you’re most likely married to knee highs. I’ll go into each length below.
No-Show: No show socks are most commonly used for everyday wear, but have certainly been used for running as well.
Ankle: Ankle socks are great when the temperatures are getting up there. You’ll have more leg to protect from the sun depending on the pants you’re wearing, but there are a simple option that usually come with some extra cushioning in the achilles area.
Mid Calf: This length is where a lot of cycling socks fall. A good handful of hiking/running socks also follow this style. I find these especially nice if I’ll be on trails where there is dust or mud. The length helps keep debris out as much as it can. These kinds of socks almost act as the most ultralight gaiters.
Knee High: Enter the knee high– a ski and compression sock* classic. Knee highs also exist in the hiking realm and will typically be labeled as “Mountaineering Socks”. Unless they are compression socks, these socks are typically thicker in addition to much taller to compensate for the cooler temperatures you’ll be utilizing them in.
To Toe or Not to Toe
This section will be brief.
Injinji has perpetuated the image of toe socks throughout the outdoor community and for a good reason. If you find yourself prone to blisters between your toes, these are the socks for you. There are probably other brands that make this kind of sock, too, but Injinji is what I am most familiar with and absolutely adore. They come in all different lengths, weights, and materials. Please, if you’re struggling, put your ego aside and wear the freakin’ toe socks. You’ll thank me later.
Materials and Weights
The final piece of information to take into account is material and weight. When it comes to materials, the stars of the show are Merino Wool and Synthetic Blends.
Cotton is rotten, you can quote me on that. Cotton retains moisture like crazy which contributes to blisters and bacteria growth. The other two options are moisture wicking, odor resistant, and antimicrobial which is fantastic for multi-day excursions. The only thing to figure out is if Wool aligns with you physically and ethically. It is an animal product and also contains Lanolin which some are allergic to.
Weights are typically limited to ultralight/light, medium, and heavy. You’re probably not going to find a cycling sock or running sock in a heavy weight, but if it’s cold enough, you might not be opposed to using one. This really comes down to how you like your shoes to fit over a sock and your body temp regulation. A thicker sock will ultimately take up more room in your shoes, but will keep you much warmer. A lightweight sock will be almost undetectable, but won’t do that much to keep you cozy.
Also, beware of using too thick of a sock in a tight fitting shoe (like a cycling shoe) as you run the risk of potentially losing circulation in your toes!
*A Note on Compression Socks
Compression socks can be found in ankle, mid-calf, and knee length. They are a fabulous option for reduction of fatigue and swelling, but they do have their caveats. Knee high compression socks and the mi-calf variety are typically good for long day use, but be careful with ankle length compression as it has been shown to cause pooling of blood at the ankle in some cases. These ankle length compression socks are typically best for rest and recovery days rather than, say, a marathon.
That’s the sock shakedown! Hopefully this sheds some light on the great world of socks you might find yourself in and can guide you towards what’s best for you. Until next time! Be safe, have fun, we hope to see you out there!
Finola McDonald thinks bios are really hard but here is her best go: Finola is a runner, a writer, a climber, snack enthusiast, cat mom, and city lifer turned nature lover who loves getting people outside. She is a firm believer that time in Earth’s wild spaces is time best spent and we need it more than ever. She hopes by sharing her passion for our planet and outdoor recreation, she can convince others of the same. In her free time, you can find her touching cool rocks, running around SLC and the Wasatch, and trying her hardest to leave this earth better than when she entered it.
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