Warm socks - recommendations?

[Mushtang]

So my GF and I are going to NYC for a few days next week and I want to make sure I stay warm. I have the coat, hat, gloves, covered but a friend suggested that wearing good socks to keep your feet warm is key to staying comfortable.

Living in the south I’m not sure that the “thick” socks sold around here are actually up to the job.

Anyone have any advice on how to select a good pair, or how to locate good ones on Amazon (as opposed to socks that just claim to keep your feet warm)?

You northerners are probably more able to help out I’d guess.

 

[user 30299]

Look for Darn Tough socks. They're made in Vermont. But they're pricey for most people. Another good one is Smart Wool. Again very pricey. I work construction throughout the midwest and northeast. You can get midweight and heavyweight socks. I live in my boots so socks are key.

 

[wonderboy]

As a Michigander, here are my 2 cents:

1. Get wool. Brand name Smart Wool makes really nice socks, but wool in general.
2. If trying to wear wool with your everyday footwear (meaning it fits properly with normal thickness socks), don't get thick wool socks. A thick wool sock will make your normally fitting footwear too tight, and tight will lead to cold.
3. If you're going to get some new boots for the trip, figure out what socks you want to wear and use those when getting fitted for your boots.

I've turned to wool for all seasons now, especially hiking. Wool is amazing in it's ability to keep your feet dry which in the winter is critical in keeping them warm.

 

[neil_w]

+1 on wool, but I would also say don’t go crazy with it; it’s not super cold at this point. That is, don’t go looking for the thickest socks rated for 50 below or whatnot.

 

[Hobie1dog]

I'm following This Thread with interest.

 

[NateB]

Another vote for the smart wool brand. Their socks are a wool and synthetic blend that is quite soft and warm. I prefer the thinner ones than the ones with more cushion. I also have a smartwool base layer set to to wear for work on cold days or when skiing. Wool or silk is the best for keeping warm and dry. Cotton is the devil in the Winter if you might get wet.

 

[Grog6]

Warm wool socks are what we call boot socks,and mostly are worn during hunting season or bad weather or recreation in cold weather.
I'm still wearing sandals, lol.

 

[boatgeek]

I love me some Fox River Socks. They have lots of different styles and thicknesses and they wear really well. I think I've worn out two pairs in 10 years. Made in the US as well. The Lookout model is nice and warm but not much thicker than standard cotton socks, so you can wear them with regular shoes. They have a few models of boot socks that actually wick well too.

I've also had good experience with Smartwool.

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

So my GF and I are going to NYC for a few days next week and I want to make sure I stay warm. I have the coat, hat, gloves, covered but a friend suggested that wearing good socks to keep your feet warm is key to staying comfortable.

Living in the south I’m not sure that the “thick” socks sold around here are actually up to the job.

Anyone have any advice on how to select a good pair, or how to locate good ones on Amazon (as opposed to socks that just claim to keep your feet warm)?

You northerners are probably more able to help out I’d guess.

We once traveled to NYC in November and I forgot a jacket but had my pullover. I bought a scarf and survived. </cool story bro ends>

 

[dr wogz]

Wool.. anything wool!

As someone said: Wool will keep you warm when wet like cotton won't.. (There is a reason why it's used in military uniforms!! )

Merino wool is another popular choice. LL Bean hiking socks would be a good choice. Say no to Polar fleece. Great for lounging, but crappy when stuffed into a boot.. My experience at least!

The classic grey wool socks are my usual go-to's. grey wool, white toe & heel, red band at top.. classic 'lumberjack' socks!

Bring an extra pair with you when you walk about.. some people's feet can sweat quite a bit, and that just adds to misery.. let them breath! You may need to experiment a bit to find what works for you!

Some also think 14 pairs of socks will keep your feet warm. No. it just cuts off the circulation & makes them c-c-cold!

You can also get 'hot paws' for your toes too. a chemical heater packet you shove in your boot.. lasts 6 hrs.. (I'm sure there is a US equivalent!)

https://www.amazon.ca/HotHands-Inso...ocphy=9000486&hvtargid=pla-423079746903&psc=1

 

[Huxter]

Also wear layers on top - tank-top, tee-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, hoodie... you can always take off layers! Enjoy and have a safe trip!

 

[Cape Byron]

Look for Darn Tough socks.

+1. I'm wearing a pair now...

 

[user 30299]

+1. I'm wearing a pair now...

Just got this sock order the other week. Can't just buy a pair or two . . . .
And experimenting with the styles; Trek, Hunt, Tactical, etc.

 

[OverTheTop]

I agree with boatgeek. Fox River socks are amazing. I purchased four pairs of ski socks back in '91 at Whistler and they were amazing. Just threw out the last pair a couple of months back. Picked up a couple of pairs of their regular socks a decade ago and they are still going well. Warm and comfortable too. Need to buy some more but they are hard to find here.

 

[user 30299]

I agree with boatgeek. Fox River socks are amazing. I purchased four pairs of ski socks back in '91 at Whistler and they were amazing. Just threw out the last pair a couple of months back. Picked up a couple of pairs of their regular socks a decade ago and they are still going well. Warm and comfortable too. Need to buy some more but they are hard to find here.

I saw on another post that you ordered a kit from Composite Warehouse. Maybe you can order some new socks, send them to Composite Warehouse, and have them use the socks as packing. (lol)

 

[Adam3836]

Socks definitely important but also what I feel is very important is a quality shoe a nice sneaker is best for walking in the city if there is NO snow
Walking 4 plus hours around the city your feet and legs will feel it so plus 1 for nice warm socks but sneakers are important

 

[catman001]

I agree with neil w, it is not a deep freeze yet. Looking at the forecast for NYC next week, most days are in the low to mid forty's. While it's one thing to be sitting in a tree stand all day at forty, if your out and about, in and out of buildings and cars, you might not need to do too much. Hot, sweaty feet are almost as bad as cold feet. A couple of pairs of a of a heavy weight cotton sox might be enough. Every one has a different tolerance to heat and cold, so let your own preference be a guide.

 

[BigMacDaddy]

FWIW - this is a company an alumni entrepreneur from my university launched and these are his Bison Wool socks: https://unitedbyblue.com/products/the-ultimate-bison-sock

 

[John Kemker]

Paul Petzoldt, who founded the National Outdoor Leadership School, mentions in one of his books a test performed by the Army to figure out what kind of socks were optimal. They outfitted soldiers with two pairs of cotton socks, two pairs of wool socks, a pair of cotton socks over the top of wool socks and a pair of wool socks on top of cotton socks. They then marched the soldiers on the parade ground to get them nice and sweaty. The results? Wool over wool kept the feet driest, followed by cotton over wool. Cotton next to the skin tended to make the feet clammy and waterlogged. He also strongly recommended wool over down for keeping warm, as it keeps you warm even when wet, unlike down or polyester fill.

 

[bschultz32]

There's an old Tom Berenger movie (can't remember the name) where he plays a savvy outdoorsman. In an encounter with a tenderfoot from the city, he pulls a pair of battery-operated heated socks out of the newbie's shopping bag, snorts disgustedly, and tosses the socks into a trash can. But that was in the 80's. Technology, especially battery technology, has leaped forward since then. Are there any worthwhile lithium ion battery-heated socks out there now?
Bob Schultz

 

[Mushtang]

Thanks everyone! I've ordered 4 pairs of wool socks, so I think I'll be good walking around the city next week. If I get cold I'm sure it won't be in my feet.

 

[neil_w]

Thanks everyone! I've ordered 4 pairs of wool socks, so I think I'll be good walking around the city next week. If I get cold I'm sure it won't be in my feet.

Have fun! We were just in the city over the weekend and it was quite nice, although they hadn't lit the tree yet.

 

[Peartree]

My first thought was... it depends. Exactly what were you planning to do in New York? If you're going to be largely indoors, or going from airport, to cab, to hotel, to restaurant, etc. then, in general (as long as you stay dry), it doesn't matter. I live in Ohio, we walk the dogs, we go hiking in the park (two to three miles, an hour to an hour an a half at a time) and I wear the same regular white cotton socks that I wear the rest of the year. If it's dry, I wear them with my regular running shoes, but if it's wet or especially cold, I wear them with hiking boots.

That said, I *have* hiking socks and warm wool outdoor socks, but, like my good wool Army sweater, they stay in the closet most of the time unless I'm planning to be outdoors for an extended period of time, or if I'm going to be deliberately playing in the snow, or hunting, camping, etc.

As I hinted before, my first winter "upgrade" as our weather deteriorates, is not socks but a switch from street shoes to waterproof hiking boots. My current pair of Danner boots is nearing their life's end, but they are three years old and have well over a thousand miles on them (according to my fitness app.). As long as I can keep my feet dry, I'm usually fine. Once my feet get wet, I'm heading indoors. That's why I really only switch to wool socks when I know that I'm not going to be able to go indoors and change socks easily (like when we're camping, etc.) and I only switch to hiking socks if I'm planning to be on my feet all day or hike in excess of three miles.

 

[lakeroadster]

So my GF and I are going to NYC for a few days next week and I want to make sure I stay warm. I have the coat, hat, gloves, covered but a friend suggested that wearing good socks to keep your feet warm is key to staying comfortable.

Living in the south I’m not sure that the “thick” socks sold around here are actually up to the job.

Anyone have any advice on how to select a good pair, or how to locate good ones on Amazon (as opposed to socks that just claim to keep your feet warm)?

You northerners are probably more able to help out I’d guess.

Dahlgren Alpaca

We're hikers, and in the winter that's what we wear. They are awesome. We've tried wool, as well as a plethora of other types of socks designed to keep your feet warm. Nothing we've tried compares to the Dahlgren Alpaca socks.

Hope that helps!

 

[Lord Rory Gin]

Costco wool blend hiker socks - they are basically the same as SmartWool or Darn Tough and a whole lot cheaper. Its the only sock I wear for all occasions, even with the dress shoes!

 

[jqavins]

Thanks everyone! I've ordered 4 pairs of wool socks, so I think I'll be good walking around the city next week. If I get cold I'm sure it won't be in my feet.

Darn! I'm too late.

So my GF and I are going to NYC for a few days next week and I want to make sure I stay warm... Living in the south I’m not sure that the “thick” socks sold around here are actually up to the job.

You really don't need anything special; just pack extra. If your regular "southerner thick" socks aren't warm enough, just double up and you'll be fine.

Keeping your socks dry is far more important than their being heavy enough. So it's much more about the shoes than the socks.

 

[Hobie1dog]

OP are you confused now after getting so many recommendations? Which always happens on forums.

 

[Hobie1dog]

Darn! I'm too late.

You really don't need anything special; just pack extra. If your regular "southerner thick" socks aren't warm enough, just double up and you'll be fine.

Keeping your socks dry is far more important than their being heavy enough. So it's much more about the shoes than the socks.

Like the scene when Forrest meets Lt. Dan in Vietnam and he gets told to take care of his socks.

 

[NateB]

There's an old Tom Berenger movie (can't remember the name) where he plays a savvy outdoorsman. In an encounter with a tenderfoot from the city, he pulls a pair of battery-operated heated socks out of the newbie's shopping bag, snorts disgustedly, and tosses the socks into a trash can. But that was in the 80's. Technology, especially battery technology, has leaped forward since then. Are there any worthwhile lithium ion battery-heated socks out there now?
Bob Schultz

If it really came down to that, you'd be better off taking extra steps to keep your core warm. Warm core means that blood flows freely to your extremities and helps keep them warm too. Cold core, the body shunts blood to the core to keep it warm and your fingers and toes get colder easier.

 

[lakeroadster]

You really don't need anything special; just pack extra. If your regular "southerner thick" socks aren't warm enough, just double up and you'll be fine.

That double up comment, that's always had the opposite effect for me. Another pair of sock just constricts the existing one's, which reduces blood flow, which makes your feet even colder.

And if you're going to buy a bigger pair to put over the regular one's, why not just buy a pair of good cold weather socks?