[pct-l] socks

[John Licata]

I have a similar experience  to yours Jeffrey.  Cotton, to cushioned running socks, to Wright Socks which were polypro, to finally Smartwool PHD's.  These have been flawless for me both long distance running and hiking.  No blisters and they seem to last forever. The best condition seems to be one where the sock doesn't move much and forms well to my foot, and of course breathes.
I do wonder how often socks suffer under sub-optimal boots or shoes though.  That is, if the shoe is a marginal fit, the sock is expected to 'take up the slack' and often can't.  Makes me wonder if the folks that purchase the custom fit boots have sock/blister issues? 
John

> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:34:54 -0600
> From: jolson at olc.edu
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] socks
> 
>   My experience with socks started in the late 60s when I started hiking 
> on my own.  10" leather boots with vibram soles and cotton socks.  I 
> graduated quickly to ragg wool socks, and used those until the early 90s 
> when I added thin polypro socks underneath the wool.  In 1994 when I 
> started wearing running shoes I continued with thin and thick socks, 
> until I gulped and spent $12 on a pair of coolmesh somethings, ankle high.
> 
> My philosophy changed, but based on experience.  I got blisters with two 
> pairs of socks.  I got blisters with the thin socks alone, and the wool 
> socks alone - in different places.
> 
> The coolmesh socks had different toe and heel material from the top and 
> arch.  The thin, almost tube polypro socks would get a little fold in 
> them, and it only took 10 minutes to develop a blister.  The thicker 
> wool socks would ride with the shoe and my foot would rub up and down - 
> heel blisters.
> 
> The coolmesh socks I bought were almost too small, and since then I've 
> tried larger ones to match my shoes size, the but the smaller size works 
> better.  The sock adheres to my foot with sweat, and it rubs up and down 
> on the heel of the shoe.  No blister.  I also put a piece of duct tape 
> on the inside of the heel part of the shoes upper.  What rubbing there 
> is generates less heat.  That makes the shoe last longer than 500 miles, 
> as that's where I wear out my shoes.  That and where the toe works 
> through...
> 
> Just some thoughts as I put syllabi together for another schoolyear...
> 
> Jeffrey Olson
> martin, SD
> 
> 
> 
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