Comfy feet… comfy walk. With all the luxurious, clever walking gear out there these days, you can expect to walk without your boots rubbing up blisters. To enjoy that kind of comfort, you just need the right socks and the right boots. So click on this link for our tips on how to buy boots you’ll love and read on for the all important guide to…Socks

Golden Rule

ALWAYS wear proper walking socks for hill walks. Proper walking socks are designed to wick moisture away from hot feets, they’re comfortable even when wet, and they’re padded in all the right places.

Cotton socks are outrageous for hill walking and will blister your feet with a fiendish cotton blistering skill. They don’t do the wicking thing, and the fibres are ruffer. Say NO to cotton socks.

Even ski-ing socks will not be so good – they are designed for a different purpose (er … ski-ing) and do not stand up to mountain walks.

Liner Socks

These are thin little chaps, designed to reduce any potential for rubbing even further and keep your paws happy. They go under your main socks and quietly do their thing.  So you wear two pairs of socks.

Walking Socks

These are the cuddly socks with plenty of padding, particularly on the heel and ball of the foot. Look for trekking socks, hiking socks and similar. There’ll be summer and winter versions and varying degrees of padding. Check out what works best for you and your boots (take them along to try them with the socks if you’re getting walking socks for the first time).

There’s loads of brands to choose from like Bridgedale, Thorlo and 1000 mile, and they’re widely stocked in outdoor gear shops.

Two Pairs of Socks?
I’m often asked if the liner socks are essential, and I think the answer has to be no. The walking socks are essential. The liner socks are worth trying, but go with what works best for you and your boots. I use liner socks for longer walks and when I’m doing multi-day treks with long days; other days I just use my walking socks without liners.

As an alternative, you will now also find some “fusion” socks in the shops, which claim to do the job of liner and walking sock combined. I haven’t tried these out yet, as my current socks are doing just fine.

Socks and Boots
Finally, when buying boots, make sure you wear your walking socks, it does make a difference to the fine tuning of boot fit.

So there you go, two pairs of socks, boots that you love and you can pootle as much as you like without blisters or sore feets.

Happy Walking!

Sarah x

Relaxing, inspiring, pampering Mountain Retreats – with magical walks & Sticky Toffee Pudding: http://www.more-to.org

In the famous Llanthony valley, near Hay-on-Wye.

No socks were harmed in the writing of this post.