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[zootnanook]

Hi everyone, being a relative newcomer to this walking/hiking/hillwalking lark I've been going out in a ordinary pair of everyday fine socks,short walks aren't too bad but today I walked 11 miles and when I got about 3/4 of the way round I could feel my feet blistering and sure enough when I got home there they were,1 on the ball of each foot and a few round the heel of my left foot,so are socks important and can anyone recommend any please.

Thanks in advance,Paul. 

[yungmannfuzz]

I bought some cheap "Hiking" socks from TK Maxx, and they really didn't last long, and lost their shape quickly.

Treated myself recently to some Bridgedale Endurance trekker socks, and they are amazing! Expensive, but really comfy.

Hopefully someone will come on and tell me there is a nice cheap alternative, but I Haven't found it

[Oisín]

Thick woolen socks are great for padding, and they have the advanage of being able to retain heat.

I've read but never practised putting on one pair on fine socks (More and likely the ones you are wearing) and then a thick woolen pair over the top.

This provides comfort and shouldnt blister aslong as your boots arent too tight.

[wee gaz]

bridgedale or 1000 mile blister free socks will do the trick. £10-£15  but will last, well worth the extra money

[RedLeader]

This is not advice but initially I got blisters starting at about 9 miles and I walked on to 18 and was pretty sore for a few days. Then the following week I walked another 9 miles. The spots where I blistered are now hard skin (but not sore or uncomfortable) and I've not blistered since. Like I said, I'd not recommend this as a way to avoid blisters although I understand it's not an unusual situation for ladies that wear heels 

[Oisín]

The spots where I blistered are now hard skin (but not sore or uncomfortable) and I've not blistered since.

I've read in Bear Grylls books that recruits in the army would rub their feet with metholated spirits to harden the skin and hense less chance of a blister appearing.

A little hardcore for the occasional walker, but sure.

[RedLeader]

I heard this too (when I was reading about my bloodied feet on the internet) and apparently it's also really bad advice

The spots where I blistered are now hard skin (but not sore or uncomfortable) and I've not blistered since.

I've read in Bear Grylls books that recruits in the army would rub their feet with metholated spirits to harden the skin and hense less chance of a blister appearing.

A little hardcore for the occasional walker, but sure.

[hud]

I second the Bridgedale recommendation...or Icebreakers...dear but will last you ages...that is til the wife finds them and realises how toasty they keep her feet...sigh 

[Oisín]

Not meaning to lead the thread astray, but what exactly does it do that is harmful/bad advice?

I heard this too (when I was reading about my bloodied feet on the internet) and apparently it's also really bad advice

[wee gaz]

if you use meths on your feet and are to close to red leader when he is cooking fillet steak fresh asparagus etc (meelmore nov 2011) your feet will go up forsure and will be blistered alright, now you know you got bad advice and your tent was pitched close to rl`s cooking lol

[LandyLiam]

for long walks i use the 1000 mile "Heavyweight Walking Sock" on the package it guarantees no blisters (but doen't mention that on their website though) i find them a little uncomfortable when i put them on and have to work them a bit to get them cosy, but after that i find them great and have never had a blister (and up until recently i have been using poor footwear), they have an inner sock lining sewn in which wicks away moisture, and as i get my feet wet a lot wearing trainers i found my feet do feel dry despite a good soaking in the many bogs of the mournes


http://www.1000mile.co.uk/1000milesocks_outdoor.htm

[simon]

Socks are an integral part of boot/shoe fit and comfort and while the upfront cost of quality socks seems high they last much longer than cheaper socks. I have socks that are 8 years old and I still use them ... although they are very close to being retired!

If you want to support the local community buy Bridgedale, almost all of their socks are made in Newtownards.

[Rich.H]

For me in mild/warm weather I use MOD green socks, they do wear thin true but then they are a good wool mix and can be darned very easily adding years to the lifespan of the sock, and in general are a very comfy feet (provided used with a good boot). For colder weather i use these http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/ishop/1069/shopscr183.html again being wool they are easily darned when required. Plus at a pound per pair you simply cannot go wrong with them compared to many sport shop "Hiking" socks.

Generally I won't put anything non wooly on my feet for the basic fact of wet = cold with most synthetics, and a.I have sweaty stinky feet, and b.I often put my foot in what looks like a puddle and turns out to be a bog. Both result in many times having to spend a good few hours with soggy toes before I can hit camp so I want to make sure that even if they are soggy my feet are at least warm.

[twentyclicks]

Wooly socks are definitely the way to go outdoors. Worth the spend. Everyone has mentioned the benefits!
You really don't need thin liner socks these days (unless you like wearing them by themselves in summer). Just make sure your boots are not too tight - I used to get blisters where the skin would 'bunch' under my foot as it couldn't spread right out.

Otherwise, you may just not be used to that distance, didn't notice your heel starting to slip, or dare I say your technique may have failed with slight fatigue. We can all walk, but I see many people who outright don't walk properly... and even if we are close, there are subtleties to the step that can forever be explored. Where does your weight and the pressure move through your foot as you step? Are there any little twists or eccentricities that may stress a particular area? I'm not saying to answer here, just ask yourself. My feet land differently when I run, and one has a tendency to twist through the ball of the big toe more when pushing off (this quickly causes a blister when barefoot! and serves as a reminder to lift off instead of pushing off). Walking is less noticeable but any wayward movement from tired body or legs is many times greater by the time it reaches the increasingly floppy foot at the end 

[zootnanook]

Cheers everyone, I read all the reviews and opted for the 1000 mile "Heavyweight Walking Sock" and gave them a workout today,not a blister or even a red mark on either of my feet , thanks again for all the advice.

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