Socks

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
Looking for a new pair of hunting/ice fishing socks. My current set up is PP sock covered with wool socks. While this has worked for a long time, the cold takes a toll after awhile.

I have been reading about Alpaca hollow fiber socks and the theory. Thing how these work makes sense to me.

Anyone have a liar and if so any recommendation on Brand?

If not Alpaca, what else is recommended? Anyone have heated socks they like? Once again, brand and why they are better.

Thanks -

Mark
 
Mark, the best thing I have found for cold feet is wool insoles. Made a huge difference in my waders. i haven't tried the heated socks.
 
Mark W said:
Looking for a new pair of hunting/ice fishing socks. My current set up is PP sock covered with wool socks. While this has worked for a long time, the cold takes a toll after awhile.

I have been reading about Alpaca hollow fiber socks and the theory. Thing how these work makes sense to me.

Anyone have a liar and if so any recommendation on Brand?

If not Alpaca, what else is recommended? Anyone have heated socks they like? Once again, brand and why they are better.

Thanks -

Mark
Click to expand...
I have a couple of pairs of Alpaca socks from Farm and Fleet as well as a pair of wicking socks. I find they do a good job walking and on a deer stand but standing on ice for any length of time I'd use a wool pad in the boot. My boots are 800 gram in the toes and 400 gram in the upper boot. I have used the foot warmer inserts you shake to activate but they make my feet sweat which makes things worse through the day.
 
DARN TOUGH MERINO WOOL. Best socks I've ever worn in 61+ years of hunting and fishing. Why? Cuz they keep my feet warm and Socks stay put and do NOT bunch up at toes like all other socks I've owned. Hand wash with Woolite and good to go in Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. I walk a lot all year.

Alpaca is good BUT they bunch at the toes and more slippage inside the Boots. Therefore useless for me for hunting and fishing.

In some situations I wear Hiking/Treking Silk liners under the Darn Tough socks. I now only wear those socks in every style and no longer wear cotton socks.

5 weeks ago I purchased a pair of KUIU "rubber" boots. The Muckboots, La Cross, etc. boots I have were no longer working to keep me walking up steep hills safely, nor were they warm. I wear a size 9 1/2 shoe so I use my Simms Half Size insert inside the KUIU size 10 boots. The conditions I hunt and fish in are very slippery/unstable in all seasons. I need good boots and socks that fit those conditions and my lifestyle. The boots and socks that I use now Do that. Very Geezer Friendly and bulldozers in use.

my 2 cents
 
+1 for Darn Tough. Mine are full cushion heavyweight boot socks. Can't say enough good about them. In 1200 gram waders or Baffin Trapper boots my feet never get cold.

Eric's post came up as I was typing, so +2 for Darn Tough.
 
Midway Heavy weight Merino wool hunting boot socks and nylon liner socks under those do the trick for myself. If buying Merino check sock specs for highest merino content. Big variations in percentages.
 
Merino wool for me too.
And be serious about what Roy says above regarding the percentages.
Marketers are eager to trade on the fiber's good reputation, so socks with only 15% merino wool are often labeled as "Heavyweight Merino Wool Hunting/Hiking Socks".
For cold weather, I have been wearing socks from REI.
They are sold as "REI Co-op Merino Wool Expedition Socks.
They contain 78% merino wool, 20% nylon, and 2% spandex.
They are thick and warm, but be aware that your boots will need to be about a full size oversized to accommodate the bulk of the socks.
 
Since I live in VT, I’m partial to Darn Tough. Can’t think of a better sock.

For waterfowl, I use their OtC liner sock and their OtC hunting sock.

The liners and wool socks from Schnee’s are good also.

For ice fishing I rely on boot selection and a light wool hiking sock. My main boots are the army surplus “Mickey Mouse Boots” made by Bata. Those are becoming harder to find…

The white “Bunny Boots” did not hold up. Those weren’t made by Bata, and the shell cracked after two seasons.
 
My goodness I've not heard the term "Mickey Mouse Boots" or seen a pair in many years. In the 1960's & 1970's the local Army Navy Store sold them. Those boots and Felt Pacs were the only option to really keep ones feet Warm. My cousin was a Navy Vet and he swore by the Mickey Mouse Boots. They are gigantic and bright White. So I went with the Felt Pacs which gave me more mobility but much less warmth.

Sitting and standing in a goose blind for many hours in the worst winter conditions my cousin would tell me how Warm his feet were, and mine were not. The difference in hunting gear quality from those times to today are truly amazing. Yet the Mickey Mouse Boots still do what they were made to Do.

When I think back on all the years hunting & fishing and all the suffering we did to "enjoy" what we all did back then to Stay Outdoors as long as possible. Hell I just shake my head and Smile. Now I suffer less and enjoy more... who da thought.
 
I was issued mickey mouse boots during my short stay with the PA Army National Guard but never for to use them before I transferred back down to Alabama NG.
I also remember seeing them in all the surplus stores around Fort Benning.
Always heard they were the ugliest but warmest boots made.
Are they still issuing them???
 
I have heard from others that alpaca socks are very nice, especially socks made from young alpaca wool. Most have specified the Hollow brand as the best. I have not tried them yet but I do have them saved in my Amazon wish list to buy at some point. They seem to have many different styles as well as for different conditions. Also they are designed, manufactured, and sold in the USA.

Hollow Alpaca Socks
 
Darn Tough are fantastic, but they run small, both in the foot and over the calf. I'm size 16 EE, and I couldn't wear them even if they didn't also constrict my calves badly. For other Sasquatch-types, these are fantastic. Warm, large, stay up despite the looser calf constriction. https://extrawidesockco.com/collect...cts/loose-fit-stays-up-solid-merino-wool-sock

extrawidesockco.com

Loose Fit Stays Up Marled Merino Wool Socks

The softest Loose Fit Stays Up Marled Merino Wool socks on the market. Merino wool is a beautiful fiber that is incredibly soft. It has the ability to keep your feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. With natural properties to wick moisture. They are perfect for walking, hiking...
extrawidesockco.com
 
I wear a pair of snug wool socks , usually darn tough or something similar, then a larger loose fitting pair of wool socks over those. I like them tall enough that I can roll the tops of them down over the tops of my boots to keep them in place . This is especially important with Mickey or bunny boots that will drag your socks down and destroy the skin on your legs.
 
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Darn tough merino wool has been the best I've had yet, don't wear out like other brands I've used and are much more comfortable. Also a lot of options on cushioning and lengths.
 
I wear Rocky merino socks in boots for hunting and Smart Wool lite hikers for around town and dog walks! I have poor circulation in my feet and they are always cold so I also use the disposable toe warmers if it’s below 40 degrees or so.
 
I put a system in my truck so I could use a hair dryer to warm up my boots really good just before slipping them on at the launch. It made such a difference not having to put on cold waders. It took a 12v deep cycle battery and 1000 watt inverter. I also hook up a solar panel on the roof of the vehicle to keep it charging all the time the sun was out.
 
Poly liner with a med weight 80% merino calf sock and then a tall heavy 80% wool boot sock like a Darn tough or a Fox river guide sock
 
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