Socks, Sweat and Stank!
- Thread starter Viking
- Start date
- Location
- Bay Area, California
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DanDel, the thread as I understood it was about sweating while doing tree work in the city, not hiking in the frozen wilderness. I used to ski and hike and run distance in WI etc, 50-milers to 87 miles at a stretch. Never wore cotton socks for that type of activity; I agree that would have been crazy, and in extreme cases potentially fatal.
Hypothermia was an issue doing tree work for hours in subzero conditions, but that's an exception in our region. When it's possible to change clothes during the day, cotton remains an effective material to manage sweat and odor. The longer that socks stay on, the more stink they accumulate and emanate.
There are a whole lot of personal variables in this topic.
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I gotta disagree big time with this. Cotton has no place in our line of work, as far as socks are concerned. I always get a kick out of the guy with $250 boots and $3 cotton socks. Long distance doesn't matter... It's about preventing your feet from staying wet while sweating, etc... Cotton won't do that.
Besides, who wants to change socks mid day? Makes zero sense to me.
I use bridgedale socks, can get seconds from Sierra trading post for about $8 a pair. Take care of them and they'll last many years
DanDel, the thread as I understood it was about sweating while doing tree work in the city, not hiking in the frozen wilderness. I used to ski and hike and run distance in WI etc, 50-milers to 87 miles at a stretch. Never wore cotton socks for that type of activity; I agree that would have been crazy, and in extreme cases potentially fatal.
Hypothermia was an issue doing tree work for hours in subzero conditions, but that's an exception in our region. When it's possible to change clothes during the day, cotton remains an effective material to manage sweat and odor. The longer that socks stay on, the more stink they accumulate and emanate.
There are a whole lot of personal variables in this topic.
[/ QUOTE ]
I gotta disagree big time with this. Cotton has no place in our line of work, as far as socks are concerned. I always get a kick out of the guy with $250 boots and $3 cotton socks. Long distance doesn't matter... It's about preventing your feet from staying wet while sweating, etc... Cotton won't do that.
Besides, who wants to change socks mid day? Makes zero sense to me.
I use bridgedale socks, can get seconds from Sierra trading post for about $8 a pair. Take care of them and they'll last many years
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
So swing you wear cotton and you aint killed! Hmmm, Barbados, hmmm, these choices must depend on region, season, lifestyle, etc. Changing socks and shoes and shirts for that matter keep me feeling somewhat human on long hot days. But if anyone wants to hug their itchy $8 sox all day that is their own thang!
Very well said Guy, where we live will influence our choices of materials we choose. All my clothes are 100% cotton. Have a dislike for wool and the new tech materials basically due to the way they feel on my skin. Nothing like a well worn in 100% cotton shirt. If I have to change them often well so be it. Socks too. Nothing like coming down having a cool drink, wiping down with a towel and putting on a fresh shirt and socks. Talk about a rejuvenated feel. To each his own.
- Location
- Bay Area, California
[ QUOTE ]
So swing you wear cotton and you aint killed! Hmmm, Barbados, hmmm, these choices must depend on region, season, lifestyle, etc. Changing socks and shoes and shirts for that matter keep me feeling somewhat human on long hot days. But if anyone wants to hug their itchy $8 sox all day that is their own thang!
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No hugging itchy $8 socks for me, mine are synthetic. And, I don't NEED to change em to feel human like you do cuz mine keep my feet clean and prune free till they come off my feet at the end of a long, hot day. Better yet, I don't need to sit at the job site doing a wardrobe change and running thru 2 pairs of socks a day. Kinda like the right tool for the right job.
Yeah, to each his own.
So swing you wear cotton and you aint killed! Hmmm, Barbados, hmmm, these choices must depend on region, season, lifestyle, etc. Changing socks and shoes and shirts for that matter keep me feeling somewhat human on long hot days. But if anyone wants to hug their itchy $8 sox all day that is their own thang!
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No hugging itchy $8 socks for me, mine are synthetic. And, I don't NEED to change em to feel human like you do cuz mine keep my feet clean and prune free till they come off my feet at the end of a long, hot day. Better yet, I don't need to sit at the job site doing a wardrobe change and running thru 2 pairs of socks a day. Kinda like the right tool for the right job.
Yeah, to each his own.
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
Merino wool socks aren't itchy due to the longer fiber. So far the need to change socks hasn't arisen. My goretex boots do a great job keeping my feet dry.
wyoclimber
Participating member
- Location
- Cody, WY
Get a pair of smartwool socks and you won't regret spending the money. They don't itch like your grandpa's wool socks and they have all the amazing benefits of wool, i.e. they actually wick sweat, keep your feet warm when its cold and cool when its warm, naturally antimicrobial etc... I would also recommend a boot dryer for stanky boots. If your boots actually dry out every night they won't stink. As an added bonus, your boots are nice and toasty warm in the morning!
Made an error in my post earlier, never have to change socks. Only shirts, never saw that I put socks. My bad. I also got to be fair I am not a production climber, therefore I am not climbing 8 hrs a day 6 days a week. I like my cotton socks and wear them without problems. For those up north and your varying temps and weather conditions I understand you affinity with the wool and synthetics. LOL.
