Cushioned Compression Socks

[Unweekends]

Hi I'm trying to figure out the right sock for me. I am 47 with diabetes and overweight. I have a wide width foot, and do tend to get blisters.

It was recommended to wear compression socks from merino wool for extended walking like this. I was going to wear the knee length ones, to support my calves as well & not just the crew length ones ( even though I'll be wearing low top trail shoes)

I narrowed it down to the brand Smartwool because they have high reviews for quality. They are expensive at about $40 a pair.

They have different levels of cushion ( targeted, light, full, extra & maximum) - in that order from least to most cushioning. It seems like the more cushion they have the warmer they are & the top two levels are listed as ski socks for this reason.

Which level is best to maximize cushion (to help with circulation, walking fatigue & blisters) while at the same time being cool enough to wear in mid- May?

Also I'm wondering if I should still weari te ultralight silk socks liners underneath?

Because the socks are so expensive, I can't buy one of every type to try them out.

I plan on the following set-up for comfort, pain management & blister prevention:
Trail shoes that are 1 size up, extra-wide ( I found a pair that are 2E), superfeet orthopedic cushion insoles, ultralight silk socks liners, & cushioned Smartwool compression socks.

I really want to be sure I'm comfortable & not in pain. But is this a good set-up or too much? I will have open toed hiking sandals as my back- up for the Alberges.

 

[JDKOcean]

Wrights socks on skin, second pair in sneaker - and baby powder to start each morning

Buen Camino

 

[J Willhaus]

I wear both icebreaker and Darn Tough socks on the Camino.

Edit: I don't wear liner socks. I just buy the hiking weight sock. Crew height with trail runners.

 

[cecelia]

My feet sound similar to yours although I'm not diabetic or, it turns out prone to blisters. BUT, my feet are very picky and hate anything synthetic. I don't wear double layer socks although many find they like them. I wear thin cotton socks (I know - everyone says it's a no no) or thin to thicker wool socks dependning on the weather.(Smartwool or Darn Tough). I put a lavender cream on my feet morning and night (there are different opinions about that) but it works for me.
I also take my boots off a couple of times during the days when I'm resting (not at restaurants!) and cycle between at least two pairs of socks a day - pinning the worn ones on my backpack in the sun when possible. Also - be careful not to have any soap residue in your socks. You don't need to use soap every time you wash them.
I also don't take the usual advice about taking two or three pairs of sock. I always take 5 or even 6, and leave something else behind. Our feet on the camino are precious. Take care of them like they are your family fortune!
Incidentally - 4 caminos for me - ending in Santiago - three starting from SJPP and one from Le Puy. So far - zero blisters!
Buen camino and good luck with your feet.

 

[Gringazolana]

Hi pilgrim! Last May/June I started out with my knee-length compression hose underneath Sockwell wool compression knee-highs. I bought extra cushioning insoles (runner’s) for the shoes. A couple days in, I realized I was ok with just the wool compression knee-highs. I brought 3 pairs with me (including one I changed into at lunch). They were about $25 per pair and come in different compression amounts and fun prints.

Oh by the way, I was wearing men’s trail runners (wide plus one size up) and I had to replace them before I left, and again after I got home! Us solid folks wear out tread faster. (Up until this point I had NEVER in my life worn out the treads on my shoes.)

P.S. Use poles!

P.P.S. Wear sunscreen on your knees if you wear shorts or you will have striped legs

 

[msconduct10]

You might look into calf compression sleeves instead of socks so that you can treat your feet differently than your calves. Thats always been my setup for endurance walks and runs and I get a fair bit of swelling in my ankles and feet if I’m on them a lot (pro-tip: wear them on the plane, too). You can get calf sleeves much more reasonably (though make sure you measure if you have larger calves… you don’t want them TOO tight) and they don’t need to be wool. I’m really loving the Darn Tough wool mid weight hiking socks and they have a nice shaping to them that provides some compression at the ankle. I’m not doubling up on socks as that’s never been too helpful for me but I am bringing a pair of toe socks to swap to if it feels like that would be better. Air out your feet and change socks halfway through your walk each day or when you have a break and it will make everything feel fresher. I’m taking leukotape to throw on any hot spots and will bring some kind of anti-friction powder.

 

[dbier]

Unfortunately, what works for any of us is not guaranteed to work for you.

We don't know if your feet sweat a lot (in which case, thinner multiple layer socks with baby powder/ bodyglide *may* work better), a little, or barely at all ( which is where our thick sock/ Vaseline crowd tends to land).

Also, some people are simply more likely to blister than others, as you know.

What I would personally do is order the middle level of cushion, knee high. Make sure you can get them properly on and off in the dark, in a strange place. Make sure the toe seams aren't awkwardly bunched.

Take two long walks in as warm a place as you can find, preferably back to back days. Maybe try liners day one. Adjust as needed.

But that's only my opinion.

Buen Camino.

 

[Cleenjones]

Hi I'm trying to figure out the right sock for me. I am 47 with diabetes and overweight. I have a wide width foot, and do tend to get blisters.

It was recommended to wear compression socks from merino wool for extended walking like this. I was going to wear the knee length ones, to support my calves as well & not just the crew length ones ( even though I'll be wearing low top trail shoes)

I narrowed it down to the brand Smartwool because they have high reviews for quality. They are expensive at about $40 a pair.

They have different levels of cushion ( targeted, light, full, extra & maximum) - in that order from least to most cushioning. It seems like the more cushion they have the warmer they are & the top two levels are listed as ski socks for this reason.

Which level is best to maximize cushion (to help with circulation, walking fatigue & blisters) while at the same time being cool enough to wear in mid- May?

Also I'm wondering if I should still weari te ultralight silk socks liners underneath?

Because the socks are so expensive, I can't buy one of every type to try them out.

I plan on the following set-up for comfort, pain management & blister prevention:
Trail shoes that are 1 size up, extra-wide ( I found a pair that are 2E), superfeet orthopedic cushion insoles, ultralight silk socks liners, & cushioned Smartwool compression socks.

I really want to be sure I'm comfortable & not in pain. But is this a good set-up or too much? I will have open toed hiking sandals as my back- up for the Alberges.