Wigwam worked well for me, sometimes with boots on for over a week on end.
Some buddies rave about Fox River and Thorlos, but I’ve never tried them personally, and stick to what has already worked for me.
The Wigwam Cool-Lite Hiker and Fusions are what I’ve used.
Check out Point6 socks. Mercop got a bunch to T&E and gave me six pair. They are by far the best sock I’ve ever worn, much better than Smartwool and others I’ve tried. They offer socks from ankle hight (nice when wearing the Merrill’s) to an above the calf that I like to wear with 8" boots. They are fitted with no seams so there is nothing to rub your toes. They also stay warm when wet.
When looking at the Smartwool socks, which style are you guys using? There are so many; which is the more correct for active boot wear?
To GoGetal3, I recommend that you get the boot first and then figureout which sock is best. In basic, you’ll have the issue socks for use, by the time you complete basic and with the knowledge that is being posted here, you’ll be able to figureout which sock is right for you.
It is really going to boil down to where ou are going to be stationed. When I was in small boats…the best socks for us where think, cheap 100% wool socks. We ditched the waterproof boots for those ops also because waterproof boots become buckets when the water is deeper than the boot top. The cheap wool socks, when wet still kept out feet warm.
Keep in mind sock weight…is very light. You can cram multiple socks in your ruck and change out as the mission permits. We used to wet socks on our rucks as we were patrolling in order for them to dry.
The most important thing to remember is that once your feet go down with trench foot, blisters or anything else like that …you are screwed, take care of your dogs and your dogs will get you back home;).
Stay away from the lightweight thin ones, the ones that look like a patch quilt of different colors. They tend to wear out more than the medium or heavier ones. Basically, you want the ones designed for moderate hiking.
I still have what I think are a pair of smartwool socks I got back in 2004. They still work well, even though they have some shrapnel holes in them. Never give up your lucky socks!
I am currently using some brand of socks they sell in the PX, with the silver treatment to reduce bacteria growth. They work really well.
Thanks a ton for the info., IN.
Light Hikers.
Another vote for Smartwool. Only socks I wear, with any kind of shoe in any kind of weather. Walking, running, hiking or anything.
With boots, I’ve had good luck with Light Hikers as well. And that model is easy to find and often on sale. My absolute favorites are the PhD Outdoor Lights, the successor to the Adrenaline series. Best socks ever!
Derek
It’s been nearly 18 years since I had on combat boots and never for long hikes(USAF medical officer).
I always wore a thin silk sock next to my foot then the issue wool/cotton blend socks over them.
Do Wright socks work? Wrights are two layer with cool-max moister wicking. I never see anyone mention them, but runners use them.
Light Hikers or PhD Light Crew.
Smart Wool all the way!
Had a pair of medium thickness hikers for 4 years now - excellent socks! You can beat the crap out of them and they keep working. No holes, no fringing, no loss in thermal insulation or breathing, nothing.
Feet get wet or nasty sweaty; they’ll still keep your feet warm in the boot in the cold, or if its hot they’ll still feel a hell of a lot better damp than any other sock (combat or otherwise) I’ve ever worn in combat boots.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I went out and bought 3 pairs of the medium hikers last night. I wore them today (Louisiana…high of 80°F), and they felt great. I tried them with the Wellco Spartans (my wet/slightly cold boots) last night, and they felt awesome…much better than the socks I’ve been wearing with those boots. My 5.11 XPRT’s (summer boots) get in tomorrow; can’t wait to try them with those.
I actually emailed Smartwool with the same question. “Which style of Smartwool sock would be the ideal for wearing with military or police duty boots?” I’m by no means a military or LEO guy, just an engineer. However, do like to have the correct gear for the classes I take. Train right, fight right and all that jazz. The response I got was:
I would recommend the On the Job Light Crew or the On The Job Heavy Crew.
Right now, I’m sticking with the medium hiker and will try the others later down the road.
Thanks again.
Yup. Smartwools. Worth the $20 a pair, they’re not waterproof but I don’t know of any sock that is and still breathes. I’ve worn mine for days at a time turning them inside out when I ran out of clean ones. Gross, but they still worked when other guys feet were peeling apart. I’ve also never gotten a blister with them.
Smartwool are what I’m using now.
The cheapest place I’ve found for Smartwool clothing is
They don’t have a lot in stock right now, but it changes week to week so it’s worth checking back. It’s one of the best sites for outdoor gear. I’ve saved a ton of money shopping there.
Agreed with all who said smartwool. Its all I wear, and have worn for years now.
Also agree with the “light hikers” not being as long lasting as the others. I personally really like the PHD series. They fit a bit more snugly, and are very comfortable. Since they fit a bit better than the traditional designs it will also reduce blisters since there is less friction. The PHD medium crew is the best…
I have the WORST feet imaginable! I got trench foot or something real bad when I was on my first deployment to Fallujah and I had smart wool socks. The brand I had were called ingenious. The second deployment I just took plane Jane white socks and took my boots off as much as possible. That worked ok but I still got some foot problems, nothing nearly as bad as in Fallujah. THEN my dad mailed me some stuff called Onox as well as some special type of sock that I don’t remember the brand name of. But the Onox stuff is AWESOME! it basically eats all the dead skin off of your foot so it can’t hold in moisture. I used it daily and my feet work good as new! I HIGHLY recommend this stuff!
My 17 pairs of thorlos have no comment.
Fox River is all I wore while in Iraq. They did the job nicely. When I ski/hike, etc. it’s SmartWool. Both I believe are good choices and will do the job.