Socks, no really

Michaelg1962 · Jul 28, 2023

Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

Anamya · Jul 28, 2023

Any that normally feels comfortable with your runners for long walks. Don't friction, Don't clump, don't get drenched in sweat.

I like the Decathlon socks with that little "compression" bit in the middle. The stay in place and are very affordable.

CWBuff · Jul 28, 2023

Darn Tough medium and Injiinji medium worked for me
Granted not in October but I fail to see a huge difference

trecile · Jul 28, 2023

This is one of those ask 10 people, get 10 different answers kind of question. It's really personal preference and trying out different types and combinations of socks. Some people swear by merino wool socks and within that group there are devotees of particular brands. Others just wear some socks already in their sock drawer. Others like socks made of hi-tech materials. Personally, I've worn WrightSocks double layer socks most of the time on the Camino, with a brief interlude or two with some merino wool socks.

Michaelg1962 · Jul 28, 2023

trecile said:
This is one of those ask 10 people, get 10 different answers kind of question. It's really personal preference and trying out different types and combinations of socks. Some people swear by merino wool socks and within that group there are devotees of particular brands. Others just wear some socks already in their sock drawer. Others like socks made of hi-tech materials. Personally, I've worn WrightSocks double layer socks most of the time on the Camino, with a brief interlude or two with some merino wool socks.

Thanks for that much appreciated

Michaelg1962 · Jul 28, 2023

Anamya said:
Any that normally feels comfortable with your runners for long walks. Don't friction, Don't clump, don't get drenched in sweat.

I like the Decathlon socks with that little "compression" bit in the middle. The stay in place and are very affordable.

Thank you for that I'll look them up cheers

Michaelg1962 · Jul 28, 2023

CWBuff said:
Darn Tough medium and Injiinji medium worked for me
Granted not in October but I fail to see a huge difference

Thanks for that help it's appreciated cheers it's appreciated cheers

Kanga · Jul 28, 2023

I have no strong opinion on what socks to recommend as I walked for years in sandals, no socks, and currently am in sandals with merino socks that just happened to be in my drawer...

But if you are walking in spring, autumn or winter - I do suggest Heat Holding socks to wear at night! I take a pair. Double as slippers, or if wearing lightweight uncovered plastic shoes (like Crocs) in the evening to give feet a rest. Especially while walking outside. I've posted a link above to a website, but many supermarkets have them.

Consigliere · Jul 28, 2023

Michaelg1962 said:
Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

Darn Tough Medium Hiking +1.

After 30+ years of hiking, they're my favourites. Not on one pair mind you... Although they claim this

duncanwhyte · Jul 28, 2023

I did the Cape Wrath trail with Sealskins socks. Surprisingly good through wet conditions and fording streams. It feels like you are wet for a moment but you are dry inside. You still sweat inside them, but you can wear a thin liner sock. There is a thicker heavier version for winter conditions.

I also wore trail runners which got wet but dispersed the water very quickly. Such a shoe would work for most established trails.

Fortyforward · Jul 28, 2023

We tried lots of combos during our lead up. Wrightsocks were top of the heap for both of us, although the boss also liked merino liners with heavier single layer socks. He found toe socks good, I found they gave me pins and needles.

Trial and error and testing while training……

Speaking feet - I must put in a vote for NZ made Hikers Wool. I heard it was good so bought some to take along. I used it to successfully protect known vulnerable spots, but also when I foolishly (and I know better, darn it) let a blister develop. Five days later, after padding the blister each day with hikers wool, it had not burst or caused pain. Post Camino it dried out and eventually peeled, but that was weeks later.

motero99 · Jul 28, 2023

If you already have the hiking runners, then a big part of the decision is what will fit into your existing shoes. This year I walked the Portugues. I had to use orthotics which took up more space. In the past, with hiking boots, I used a pair of light socks with a pair of medium socks. When I changed to trail runners, I found that wide Hokas were too tight with medium socks, so I switched to a light wool pair with a light liner sock. That worked well. The wool socks I used were a mix of smart wool and REI socks. The light ones were REI and a pair I bought in Spain 4 years ago that have the name Bamboo. I sure would like to find them for sale in the USA. The problem with light socks was the lack of choices. I wanted to use 1/4 with 1/4 wool socks. I could not find 1/4 so my options were real short ones sometimes called naked socks and regular length ones. I went with the longer ones and scrunched them down to the height of the shorter outer socks.

Saint Mike II · Jul 28, 2023

Hola
After shoes/boots socks are just about the next most important "clothing" article. Over the past 10 years I have taken to wearing two socks on each foot: the first one is a thin "inner lining" sock (I use the toe socks and they are great for keeping toes from rubbing against each other); my outer sock is a thicker one that would normally be worn on its own. My other custom: when you stop for coffee; lunch etc take-off the footwear and the outer socks. This allows your feet to "breath" and releases any built up persperation. Beun Camino.

Jo Jo · Jul 28, 2023

October is just not cold enough to worry about on the CF--it's actually very good walking weather. I'm walking this October on the CP, and wearing lightweight Injinji toe socks. My wife wears medium weight, but for the padding (she gets the kind with double knit around the toes), not for warmth. YMMV

NomadJMJ · Jul 28, 2023

toe socks as inner sock, light wool sock as outer sock.

Dawn Gibson · Jul 28, 2023

Michaelg1962 said:
Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

I wore La Sportiva hiking runners (May and September). My training hikes highlighted rubbing together of two toes. So I tried Ininji Coolmax toe socks and wore Bridgeable Coolmax liner socks over them. I had zero blisters on both the Frances and the Finisterre Caminos and will wear the same combination next time

Good luck and Buen Camino!

slowtraveler · Jul 28, 2023

Hi Michael,
You’re so right to consider what socks to bring. It’s also true that there are many different socks that have worked for different people. My experience is that Wright socks have been very good for me. They have a built in liner to prevent friction and to avoid blisters. With the addition of a generous helping of Vaseline between my toes and on friction points of my foot the Wright socks have worked well for me. I recommend three pairs of socks because of the daily washings and because sometimes the washed pair are still wet in the morning - having a half dozen medium sized safety pins is also helpful so that wet socks, etc., can be attached to the back of the pack to dry as you’re walking.
Whatever socks you decide upon, God bless you and Buen Camino!
Daniel (Slowtraveler)

Itsnever2late · Jul 28, 2023

NomadJMJ said:
toe socks as inner sock, light wool sock as outer sock.

Thanks @NomadJMJ
Never tried "toe socks" as they are not available in local stores.

Would you recommend injinji toe socks (or equivalent) only as liners to an oversock?
In your opinion, would a single pair of normal toe socks also provide enhanced protection against toe blisters.

PJX · Jul 28, 2023

I tried different brand for socks like Injinji and Declathon. The best for me are Danish Endurance merino hiking as they are lightweight, comfortable and high quality. I’m using them for the summer months. Highly recommended !

Anniesantiago · Jul 29, 2023

Just socks.
I've worn cotton, wool, and all sorts of mixes.
It really doesn't matter - just wear what you're comfortable in.

Personally i did NOT like "toe socks" as they cut off my circulation.
They're not for everyone.

PJX · Jul 29, 2023

Itsnever2late said:
Thanks @NomadJMJ
Never tried "toe socks" as they are not available in local stores.

Would you recommend injinji toe socks (or equivalent) only as liners to an oversock?
In your opinion, would a single pair of normal toe socks also provide enhanced protection against toe blisters.

Some people swear by using inliners and a woolen outersocks. Personally i think its a mattee of persobal preference. I trued double socks but it didn’t work for me; it’s too hot and uncomfortable. A light summer hiking sock is my prefered choice.

PJX · Jul 29, 2023

Exactly, choose what works for you!

Kclinton · Jul 29, 2023

Michaelg1962 said:
Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

I brought 2 pairs of Darn Tough and one pair of smart wool socks. The smart wool socks got holes and the rlastii is c wore out, the darn tough worked great. I purchased toe sock liners in a wicking material en route. These helped with the blisters on my baby toes. Buen Camino. I also brought safety pins and often pinned my socks to my backpack because they did not dry overnight.

Stumbledore · Jul 30, 2023

Michaelg1962 said:
Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

Just completed second Camino in Smart Wool socks - CF in 2021 and Del Norte, Lebaniego, Primitivo this year. I had a few blisters on the CF so for this Camino I added the REI Coolmax sockliner to reduce friction between the smartwool sock and my skin. This worked very well. The sockliners are both light weight and cheap ~$10 USD and add very little to sock volume in your shoes (I wear and swear by Topo for wide toe box). Only negative to smartwool socks is that they do not always dry overnight, but that's why we carry safety pins to hang any damp laundry on our packs for solar drying!

KariannNor · Jul 30, 2023

I'm a sweat-a-lot person, and it's hard to choose socks. Even though I wear (and become the Camino shoes) breathable summer running shoes, my feet get sweaty. Sweats in Smart Wool, all kinds of merino wool, toe socks and in any case anything that is double. So, I choose thin, synthetic running socks with a little compression over the middle, feel good both during running and walking. We all have different feet, they are what works for me, hate to have wet feet. However, whether they will work in hot climates for many hours a day remains to be seen.

urbanmamma · Jul 31, 2023

Itsnever2late said:
Thanks @NomadJMJ
Never tried "toe socks" as they are not available in local stores.

Would you recommend injinji toe socks (or equivalent) only as liners to an oversock?
In your opinion, would a single pair of normal toe socks also provide enhanced protection against toe blisters.

I only walk in Injinji coolmax socks and hiked in La Sportiva Trail runners. Just one sock, not two. Not sure where you shop but REI and Amazon sell them. I have walked in high heat and cold rain in them on the Camino and I will never be without that combo. I do at times get a bit of a hotspot on my heel if it's hot and I just use a small piece of KT tape that I leave on until it comes off. Never a fan of pulling KT tape off daily as it will stick well and possibly be rough on your skin. HTH Buen Camino. I'll be back out there in September on the Frances.

Michaelg1962 · Jul 31, 2023

Stumbledore said:
Just completed second Camino in Smart Wool socks - CF in 2021 and Del Norte, Lebaniego, Primitivo this year. I had a few blisters on the CF so for this Camino I added the REI Coolmax sockliner to reduce friction between the smartwool sock and my skin. This worked very well. The sockliners are both light weight and cheap ~$10 USD and add very little to sock volume in your shoes (I wear and swear by Topo for wide toe box). Only negative to smartwool socks is that they do not always dry overnight, but that's why we carry safety pins to hang any damp laundry on our packs for solar drying!

Thank you for that I will look into it cheers

Michaelg1962 · Jul 31, 2023

KariannNor said:
I'm a sweat-a-lot person, and it's hard to choose socks. Even though I wear (and become the Camino shoes) breathable summer running shoes, my feet get sweaty. Sweats in Smart Wool, all kinds of merino wool, toe socks and in any case anything that is double. So, I choose thin, synthetic running socks with a little compression over the middle, feel good both during running and walking. We all have different feet, they are what works for me, hate to have wet feet. However, whether they will work in hot climates for many hours a day remains to be seen.

Thanks for your help

Tia Valeria · Jul 31, 2023

Over several Caminos we have been 3 sock-layers pilgrims.
Inner 'coolmax' wicking, mid light mohair, outer cushion sole mohair (Sportsman and Companion -short). No blisters and any sweat absorbed. Corrymoor's mohair does not smell and does not need washing, just needs to air-off overnight. 2 sets mohairs and 3 r 4 pairs inner lightweight wicking socks were sufficient.
The only problem is that you do need to buy shoes/boots when wearing them so not a solution if you already have those.
Corrymoor (UK) ship their mohair socks to other countries and I see the OP @Michaelg1962 is in Australia but this might give some ideas....
Buen Camino

Michaelg1962 · Jul 31, 2023

Tia Valeria said:
Over several Caminos we have been 3 sock-layers pilgrims.
Inner 'coolmax' wicking, mid light mohair, outer cushion sole mohair (Sportsman and Companion -short). No blisters and any sweat absorbed. Corrymoor's mohair does not smell and does not need washing, just needs to air-off overnight. 2 sets mohairs and 3 r 4 pairs inner lightweight wicking socks were sufficient.
The only problem is that you do need to buy shoes/boots when wearing them so not a solution if you already have those.
Corrymoor (UK) ship their mohair socks to other countries and I see the OP @Michaelg1962 is in Australia but this might give some ideas....
Buen Camino

Thanks for that I'll look into it cheers

falconbrother · Aug 1, 2023

For long hikes I pretty much have to use five finger toe socks. They prevent blisters and are really comfortable for me over the whole day. I have stopped even buying any other kind of sock.

Michaelg1962 · Aug 2, 2023

falconbrother said:
For long hikes I pretty much have to use five finger toe socks. They prevent blisters and are really comfortable for me over the whole day. I have stopped even buying any other kind of sock.

Thank you I'll try them out cheers

freyam · Aug 2, 2023

My preferred combo is Injinji liners with Lightfeet Evolution socks. As a bonus Lightfeet are made in Australia too.

Ellla · Aug 2, 2023

Michaelg1962 said:
Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

Hi,
I used Nike dry fit and wool socks on top.
It worked for me. I didn’t have any blisters almost the whole way except one which popped up on the last stretch. This was due to my laziness since this one time I didn’t air my feet at the stop. My son and I were free of blisters. although I is annoying to take your boots off every time you stop, it is very helpful.
Buen Camino.

Michaelg1962 · Aug 3, 2023

Ellla said:
Hi,
I used Nike dry fit and wool socks on top.
It worked for me. I didn’t have any blisters almost the whole way except one which popped up on the last stretch. This was due to my laziness since this one time I didn’t air my feet at the stop. My son and I were free of blisters. although I is annoying to take your boots off every time you stop, it is very helpful.
Buen Camino.

Thank you I'll look them up

NYSE · Aug 8, 2023

Michaelg1962 said:
Hi folks a really simple complicated question.
The right socks for the Camino Frances in October wearing hiking runners....help!
Cheers Michael

I walk 7.5 miles a day, 6 days a week. I wear SmartWool “light” socks size large. Some time ago I went to the local shops to buy another pair and accidentally picked up a pair of extra large. I gave them a go and after some early sliding I found them much more comfortable around the ankles. Now preparing for my next Camino I find myself in a bit of a quandary as to what size I should wear. Either size, the are great, long lasting socks.

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