Sock Science

[MikeK]

Disclaimer: I am starting a thread on a stupid sock question. For certain skiers, this can be life or death. Please reply accordingly.

Liners or no? I was reading something the other day about them and the claim was to leave them at home and use a good pair of socks. Well... I use them, but I've still had blisters with them.

My experience has been if the boot is going to give you blisters, it will give you blisters with or without liners. I've also found, however, that a friendly boot can turn into a torture device with certain socks. I've had it happen a few times, and of course when my feet would get drenched in sweat, and it was with run-of-the-mill wool socks - not Smartwools or whatever tech socks you can buy now.

I've still been hanging onto the liner because of these few horrible experiences, but I've also upgraded (read lost) my old woolies and bought 'better' tech socks.

Is there any real reason to keep with the liners? I seem to think they keep my feet more comfortable by wicking the sweat away, but I'll admit that may be all in my head.

They've also been a source of much anxiety because they are easy to lose in the wash. I'm often thrashing through laundry baskets and yelling at my wife in a frenzy as I try to assemble myself to go on a trip or out for a ski locally. I've also found that my dog likes to chew on them so she will often steal them, dirty of course, and hide them for a time when she can safely chew them without my knowing.

And of course I should add I am talking about XCD boots per the definition that the Knights gave previously. With plastic I had been traditionally wearing only a liner or thin ski sock.

[CIMA]

How about this?

Prevent Blisters When Running or Hiking with Pantyhose Bottoms

I know some BC skiers are incorporating the methods.
Your wife would give away willingly her outworn ones, I guess.

[Teleman]

Whatever you do....Get Merino wool....TM

[MikeK]

Liners are similar to pantyhose. I suppose those could work but I'm not sure they would breathe as well as the liners.

All the good tech socks that are wool are Merino. I have a few pairs of synthetic ones too.

[Johnny]

I see socks as the very last step in the whole chain. Your very last chance of fine-tuning the control between you and the skis. I cannot say much on the matter since none of my boots fit me. So I basically use socks as shims. I have to use one very specific pair of socks for each of my boots. Sometimes using two pairs together for my larger boots. Ahhh! The joys of not working...!

[Raventele]

Whatever you do....Get Merino wool....TM

Alas Bruce, I think they have gone to plastic!!!

[Teleman]

Like LJ I generally get boots from swaps or end of the line sales....If things work out will have a set of Merril lace up by later this morning....35 bucks!!!!!!! Did a laugh for BC mag on Merino years back....Merino long Johns, merino socks and would have sweaters also but like J way above my pay grade....Chuckle...... most High Grade socks are made of plastic....the problem is that a natural fiber like Merino does everything better....Vermont was the first place outside of Spain to have merino flocks....(The royals needed money)...TM

[Johnny]

I had a few socks and a nice sweater made of merino. Doesn't work for me: For unknown reasons, even with all the care in the world, they always end up in the dryer and become totally useless.

Speaking of Vermont, have you guys tried Darn Tough, the made-in-VT socks? I put them on my christmas wish list if someone cares... Hey, maybe we, TelemarkTalkers, could get sponsored by Darn Tough... Anyone here with good PR abilities? : )

http://darntough.com/men/mens-ski-ride

[Teleman]

Outstanding socks! Got rid of the dryer years ago as the children left.....Hang on clothes line....Better scent and wear lots longer....The leather Merrils I got, (thanks telepole), will head to the cobbler....Little bit here....then on the feet....Put them on ohhhhh.....what a feeling.....sooooo comfortable....When is the last time you put on a boot that became a natural extension of you foot and leg....Ultra's come to mind...TM

[bogon]

Mountaineering/trekking Darn Tough VT socks are really, really good. Highly recommended.
They only compare to Lasting in my book, and they win, in general.

Probably will use longer mountaineering ones for skiing this season and will report.