Sock Liners. Yes or No

[EricBerg]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

 

[dougfitz]

Liner socks are just one part of a blister prevention regime. How many elements you choose to use is up to you, but I think many experienced walkers will have a combination. There are plenty of discussions about what combination, but my own approach is:

1. taping toes and other areas where blisters have formed before
2. liner socks
3. a light dusting of foot powder in the liner socks

Do you need liner socks? Nothing is obligatory, but you appear to have time to trial some options before you leave to see what you are comfortable with.

ps - if you use the search function, you will find plenty of good discussion about what has worked for other individuals, as well as pointers to good external resources. The results will be hard to synthesise. There has been a recent attempt at a poll - I don't think popularity polls are particularly useful, but you might get something from the associated discussion.

 

[Malachiuri]

Equipment questions like yours is why spending a good amount of time training is vital. While liner socks may work for me, they may not work for you. I am not being dismissive or flippant of your question, it really is totally dependent on your body mechanics.

Get a cheap pair of merino liner socks(if you arent allergic) and take a couple of good training hikes. Decide after that.

I use Smartwool ultra light weight running socks as liners under my heavier merino hiking socks(cheap random brand off Aamazon). Last camino I did 100+ training miles and then 540 actually camino miles with no blisters at all.

"Your Camino May Vary"

M

 

[Dorpie]

It is of course all about personal experience. For me on two hot caminos (as you will likely experience starting at the end of May) talc and sock liners were a disaster leading to sweaty, overheated feet and the talc turning into a sort of grinding paste leading to blisters worse than pretty much any bad blister picture I've seen. Conversely when using just light synthetic cycling socks and a thin covering of vaseline applied in the morning and at luchtime along with a sock change I had zero blisters.

Purely anecdotal hopefully of some help.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[trecile]

To sum up - Yes if they work well for you, no if they don't.

 

[Moonstruck]

I used no seam ankle length nylon stockings. They are readily available in department stores at the hosiery section and are light, cheap and take up zero space. I brought ten pairs with me and just tossed them when they started to run. At first, I wore two pairs and merino socks on top. After the first few days, my feet were too swollen to wear socks. So I wore three pairs of nylon, no socks at all. My camino was blister-free. But everyone's feet are different. You might want to try things out first.

 

[daesdaemar]

100% recommend Injinji liners under your hiking socks.

 

[John Sikora]

I have two views. I never used sock liners when I walked then I started. My experience has been.

1) If you're using trail shoes, sock liners have kept the blisters away (using the same approach that dougfitz talked about before)
2) If I've walked in boots (non-Camino), I've found that sock liners increase my blister odds if the day is hot (in retrospect that makes sense), but on cooler days it seemed to also help
3) No sock liners (in my case) = blisters.

The other two parts of my blister regime that have helped on about 1000 miles of Caminos so far is the stop and rub your feet with socks off every couple of hours and take a second pair of socks on hot days to switch off mid-day.

As others have said, unfortunately, you only know if it works if you try it and sometimes you only have one shot.

Best of luck.

 

[Ed Aster]

Yes, use liner socks. I’ve used them on 2 Caminos and have had great comfort and only one blister. REI has a mostly silk and poly liner that works very well and keeps my feet dry and very comfortable.

 

[gloria lowe]

I love them but what ever works best for you. I’ve done 3 Caminos with no blisters but everyone is different. Buen Camino

 

[RJM]

Only sure way to know what to wear on one's feet whilst they walk 15-30 km's a day, over varied terrain and elevations is to get what seems to work well on their feet and go out and test/train walk a minimum of 5-10 km's wearing it.
On the Camino you will see the entire gambit of footwear on pilgrims. Anything from sock-less wearing inexpensive rubber sandals to others wearing boots that would make a Himalayan mountaineer proud. From what I have observed they all make it to Santiago alive.

 

[Calvin & Hobbes]

It is of course all about personal experience. For me on two hot caminos (as you will likely experience starting at the end of May) talc and sock liners were a disaster leading to sweaty, overheated feet and the talc turning into a sort of grinding paste leading to blisters worse than pretty much any bad blister picture I've seen. Conversely when using just light synthetic cycling socks and a thin covering of vaseline applied in the morning and at luchtime along with a sock change I had zero blisters.

Purely anecdotal hopefully of some help.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

I hiked the entire CF using the same arrangement as Dorpie with zero blisters Sept-Oct 2016. A very thin vaseline layer, poly sock liners, and poly or wool socks, although I didn't change socks mid-day. I'd also suggest substantial training and broken in, well-fitted shoes. I avoided waterproof or Gore-Tex shoes for better breath-ability and was very fortunate to have almost no rain exposure over 39 days.

 

[Jodean]

Cheap, nylon, knee-high hose with wool socks. Both turned inside out.
3 Caminos, no blisters. I walk for a living as a tour guide and this is my combination most days of the year. You can even get compression hosiery.
Even when my boots got soaking wet, (yeah, I fell in a creek) I still didn't get a blister and I continued walking for another 5 hours, basically with boots that had been full of water.

 

[alhartman]

Yes, silk liners as part of my prevention. Along with Bag Balm rubs morning and evening, thick wool hiking socks, breaks on days when feet very wet (sometimes changing the double socks).
Solution different for everyone so train/practice with same as how you intend to walk.
IMO blisters come from some combination of moisture, friction, and heat--so however you deal with these will make for happy Camino feet.

 

[Carol06]

Injinji liner toe socks are my choice. I never had a blister.

 

[Dave2525]

I used liner socks with shoes (not boots) and had horrible blisters. Everyones' feet are different. Whether I would have had a different experience with only 1 pair of socks...who knows?

 

[Lucyk]

I’ve brought them with me but the one day I did a solid test of them I ended up with a bruised second toe. The combination of both socks meant that they pressed on my toe, as if I was walking downhill the whole way. I’ll try again but I may have done liners to donate to the cause...

 

[Derrybiketours]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/best-blister-prevention-method-vote.61041/#post-724185

 

[JamesVT]

Injinji liner toe socks are my choice. I never had a blister.

I bought Injinji socks after first trying conventional liner socks that made my feet feel cramped and uncomfortable. I found online reviews for Injinji toe socks that were really effusive in their praise. My feet are a bit of a mess— a Tailor’s bunion on the side under the little toe and an ordinary bunion on the other side under the big toe. Both seem destined to cause foot problems on my Camino. The Injinji socks seem like a good solution, along with a bit of strategically applied tape. So far, I like them and have been using them in my Camino prep. But I agree, what feet seem to need seems wildly individual in choice. Buen Camino!

 

[Anniesantiago]

nope.
I used to wear them but no more.

 

[jmcarp]

Like everyone has said, everyone's feet are different. What worked for me may (and probably won't) work for you. Between now and your departure, I'd suggest trying various combinations of socks and liners on your training hikes to see what works for you.

FWIW, I raided my wife's hosiery drawer and appropriated a few pairs of L'eggs ankle-highs to wear as liners with my medium-weight Smartwool socks. At first, I thought it may be an insult to my manhood, but I got over it . That combo and an application of Gold Bond Friction Defense (Google it) to my feet each morning resulted in no blisters on three Caminos.

 

[Meggie]

When I walked CF in 2016 I wore merino wool liner socks and merino wool socks every day and did not get one blister. That's my plan for Norte starting next week.
Injinji Liner Crew Socks

 

[pjacobi]

I suggest walking 20 miles with sock liner and see if they work for you. A great benefit of training *before* the Camino is to try out equipment and see how it works for you.

-Paul

 

[EricBerg]

I suggest walking 20 miles with sock liner and see if they work for you. A great benefit of training *before* the Camino is to try out equipment and see how it works for you.

-Paul

HI Paul,
I have previously walked 4 consecutive days with just merino socks, without any liners, an no blisters.
I was trying to avoid the extra expense of sock liners which may not be necessary. What keeps going through my head is 2 sock layers will create sweat, which leads to blisters.
However, I agree, the only way is to try.

 

[Phoenix]

@EricBerg I wish you well on your Camino and on finding the right combo for blister prevention.

I always disliked wearing liner socks because I had to stop often to pull up either the liner or the outer sock. However, prior to my last Camino, I discovered WrightSock double-layer socks, which have the hiker or runner sock and liner made together. No more pulling up one or the other. They worked well in training and on Camino and have become my go-to everyday socks. Link is below.

Wrightsock: https://www.wrightsock.com/collections/double-layer-socks

If you prefer to forego a liner sock and prefer something other than Vaseline, you may want to try Foot Glide (by the makers of Body Glide used by many runners to prevent chafing).

Foot Glide: https://www.bodyglide.com/shop/foot/

 

[Kkort]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

I would never waLk a Camino without using liner socks and Vaseline. I have done the French route twice as well as the vdlp and aside from one tiny exception have never had a single blister.

 

[stevelm1]

I swore by sock liners my first Camino. After I got home and started training for my next I found that I did not need them. My biggest complaint is that sock liners wear out quickly and start feeling uncomfortable, I went through several pairs on the Camino. I don't have that problem with good socks.

 

[Kiwi-family]

My favourite (for me) is injinji liners + my hand knit wool socks.
BUT
the shoes I wore that combo with fell apart after 2000km and are not made any longer. I have been unable to find a shoe wide enough to accommodate this combination so now (last four years) I’ve worn just the liners with a variety of Keens sandals. Interestingly, the socks last much longer when two pairs are worn (over 1,500km before getting a hole versus under 300) Incidentally, I darn the holes with standard sewing thread and wear them for many more miles without a problem.

 

[cbacino]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

Liner toe socks work for me. Lately I've switched from light-weight liners to mid-weight. Keeps the toes farther apart.

 

[Moorwalker]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

Personally the answer is no. I have never used inner socks in the best part of 60 years of walking, and I find toe socks are a disaster for me. I've never used any kind of anti-chafing cream, vaseline or anything else. It's the usual answer, it's entirely individal. Do enough walking in the shoes and socks you intend to use before you go and test out anything unfamiliar that way.

 

[benny aumala]

Injinji liner toe socks forever !

 

[El Mayordomo]

@EricBerg I wish you well on your Camino and on finding the right combo for blister prevention.

I always disliked wearing liner socks because I had to stop often to pull up either the liner or the outer sock. However, prior to my last Camino, I discovered WrightSock double-layer socks, which have the hiker or runner sock and liner made together. No more pulling up one or the other. They worked well in training and on Camino and have become my go-to everyday socks. Link is below.

Wrightsock: https://www.wrightsock.com/collections/double-layer-socks

If you prefer to forego a liner sock and prefer something other than Vaseline, you may want to try Foot Glide (by the makers of Body Glide used by many runners to prevent chafing).

Foot Glide: https://www.bodyglide.com/shop/foot/

1000mile socks are the same format available in the UK https://1000mile.co.uk/

 

[OldCuban]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

I used silk sock liners from REÍ and walked the entire French Way without a single blister. I plan to do the same when I walk the Portuguese Camino in June
Buen Camino!

 

[zpetty]

I walked the Camino Frances in September of 2017. After doing research similar to yours, I opted on good Solomon hiking shoes 1/2 size bigger than my normal, Injinji toe sock liners, and merino wool socks over them. I was 65 years old, had never done anything like this before, and after 800 Kms I can honestly say I was never even close to getting a blister. I seemed to be one of very few I met along the way.

 

[robertt]

My Pamplona-Santiago-Valenca-Santiago-Fisterra stage (unlike my Le Puy-Pamplona) was done in hastily acquired oversized Columbia mids filled out with Superfeet Green, wool or silk liner socks, and normal hikers. I swear by the system (for myself). Not only were there no blisters but I didn't even bother taking them off in the evenings for lighter shoes.

In case I ever overcome my debilitating sinus probs I may again go on a camino, so I have just acquired liner socks made of...nettles! (Was thinking about linen then saw nettle from the same ebay seller.) I have also picked up more oversized Columbias, made from....conventional materials. Aw.

 

[CWBuff]

I pretty much asked the same question (Liner Socks). As you can see - I wound up getting 2 pairs of the Injinjii socks and so far ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!
Granted I am 'in training' and have not experienced the Camino myself yet, but that said -

light coating of Vaseline​

Injinjii Inner socks​

Darn Tough Outers​

Couple of 8-10 km hikes over various terrain with a 5kg load and feet feel wonderful

 

[Jetrues]

Yes, use liner socks. I’ve used them on 2 Caminos and have had great comfort and only one blister. REI has a mostly silk and poly liner that works very well and keeps my feet dry and very comfortable.

What socks do you recommend?

 

[zpetty]

Darn Tough, or any true Merino Wool sock over the liners.

 

[JamesVT]

I pretty much asked the same question (Liner Socks). As you can see - I wound up getting 2 pairs of the Injinjii socks and so far ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!
Granted I am 'in training' and have not experienced the Camino myself yet, but that said -

light coating of Vaseline​

Injinjii Inner socks​

Darn Tough Outers​

Couple of 8-10 km hikes over various terrain with a 5kg load and feet feel wonderful

I just used the same system, light coating on feet, Injinji toe sock liners, and Darn Tough Socks, medium weight. I finished the CF in Finisterre with a total of one small blister.

 

[cbacino]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

Try them. Bring a pair along and see how they work for you. Make sure the sock combination isn't too tight in your shoes (don't use boots).

 

[TaraWalks]

I have been reading various threads on sock liners.
I will be leaving St Jean on 29th May. I have 3 pairs of good merino wool short socks and will be using Columbia walking shoes. I also have anti chafing stick for the day and some massaging cream for the end of the day. Do I need sock liners as well,such as the Injini liner crew toesocks? So many to choose from.
Thanks in advance
Eric

Hi Eric,

Buen Camino