Years ago, our Scout troop headed out on a weekend backpacking trip. And while the troop leaders warned the boys (and their parents) not to wear cotton socks and boots that weren’t well broken in, one little guy showed up wearing thin athletic socks and a brand new pair of heavy work boots that hadn’t seen five minutes of break-in time.
A mile up the trail we were adding extra socks and applying moleskin to his hot spots. Sadly, by the time we reached camp, his poor feet were a blistered mess. The next day we literally wrapped his feet in duct tape to get him back to the trailhead. He made it, but it sure made his hiking experience a painful memory.
With today’s advanced sock and footwear designs, no one should have to go through what that poor guy did, but avoiding painful blisters takes planning and purchasing the right footwear solutions. Here’s a look at what to buy now to avoid a blister blitz on the trail this summer.
There are so many great sock designs out there today that offer a great fit, breathability, and extreme comfort. So, how do you choose? Here are a few tips.
Take your time and shop for socks that fit both your feet and the style of hiking boots you intend to wear. Low-profile day-hikers don’t require thick, calf-high socks. Ortovox’s Alpine Light Low Socks will work well here.
If you’re planning on carrying serious weight for an extended backpacking trip that requires boots that are over-the-ankle or higher for maximum support, however, higher, thicker socks with maximum cushioning for heavy-duty trail use are the way to go.
Smartwool’s full-cushion Hike Classic Edition Second Cut™ Crew Socks or Darn Tough’s Mountaineering Micro Crew Heavyweight Hiking Sock are good choices to consider here. House brands, like those offered by REI, also offer good value and performance. When in doubt, ask your sales rep for their suggestions and always bring the boots you intend to wear on the trail with you when shopping for socks to ensure a good fit.
Synthetic and wool socks or wool/synthetic blends work well to wick moisture away from your feet. And while many hikers are perfectly comfortable wearing a single pair of thicker hiking socks, I prefer a layered approach.
I wear thin liner socks (synthetic or silk) next to my skin and a medium or heavyweight sock over the top. The thin liners pull moisture away from my feet and transfer it to my outer sock, which then wicks moisture out of my boots, which are also breathable. This helps keep my feet stay dry to reduce chafing that can cause blisters. Liners also put an extra layer of material between your foot and your outer sock to reduce friction that can cause blisters.
New compression socks are also a good option. These socks are designed to increase circulation in your feet and calves. They’re super comfortable and are available in both breathable wool and synthetic versions. Check out the designs from Vim&Vigr. These feature a seamless-toe design and the fewer seams your socks have, the less chance you’ll have of wrinkles causing hot spots.
Once you’ve made your sock choices, it’s time to choose the right boots. Don’t settle for the first pair your try on. Try several—both in your shoe size and perhaps a half-size larger (remember, feet tend to swell when working hard on the trail). And don’t forget to try them on with the socks you intend to hike in.
When fitting my wife with a sturdy pair of above-ankle hiking boots last spring, she tried on four different designs at our local REI—none of which felt quite right. The salesperson suggested we try a pair of La Sportiva’sat another store location. He called ahead and they had several pairs in different sizes waiting for her. Once she put her foot into the right boot there was no question; they just felt great!
Here again, match your boots to the type of hiking you intend to do. Low-profile designs are great for day hikes with light packs on trails that aren’t too rocky. But for longer excursions when you’re carrying a full-sized pack and more weight, you’ll want a taller boot that offers more ankle support to avoid both blisters and turned ankles.
Danner’s low-top Trail 2650 is lightweight and super comfy—great for day hikes. Their newly beefed up Mountain 600 Evo (Evolution) features a little more stiffness in the outsole for carrying heavier loads and it’s available with Gore-Tex waterproofing. It’s great for longer hikes or extended weekend backpacking trips and the soles are “recraftable” so you can get them resoled without any hassles.
Altra is another company to look for. Known for their “splayed-feet” design, they offer three different foot shapes (Olympic for wide feet, standard, and narrow) to ensure a great fit. Their Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX is a great option for day hikers. For more extended hikes where you're carrying more, check out the rugged Timp Hiker GTX.
What do I wear? I fell in love my La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid Wide GTX’s two seasons ago. Yes, you’ll pay a little more for them, but investing in a quality pair of boots is an investment in comfort that will pay dividends for years. These simply felt great the moment I slipped them on. The high-top design provides lots of additional ankle support for scrambling up the toughest trails. And they have a waterproof membrane designed right in, so water stays out but the breathable design wicks moisture away to keep your feet dry.
If you’re I the market for a low-top design, La Sportiva’s Prodigio and Akyra Gtx offer two nice options. These are made for trail running, but they work perfectly for day hiking as well. I wear a pair of Prodigio’s around town every day and they’re awesome.
The last thing you want is stone bruises hurting you, so make sure your boots have adequate insoles to cushion your feet along the way. When in doubt, switch to a new pair of insoles. SuperFeet offers a whole line of activity-specific insoles for men and women that provide great arch support and padding to keep your feet comfortable all day. Check out their Hike Support if you like a little stiffer feel. Want more cushioning? Try their Hike Cushion design.
Have a pair of boots that you love, but the insoles aren’t what they used to be? Try replacing them with new insoles to extend the life of your boots. Again, try them with the boots and socks you intend to hike in to make sure everything matches up for maximum comfort.
Hiking boots and socks are an investment, but you’ll be glad you spent a little more and took the time to find the right fit when you’re miles into the backcountry and your feet feel great. Happy trails!
Quick tip: On hot days when my feet are really sweating, I’ll often change to dry socks at lunchtime to ensure my feet stay super dry to reduce rubbing and blisters.
