Socks

[bprohs]

I know this has probably been beaten to death, but I’m trying to figure out what socks to wear in September on the Portuguese coastal route. I’ve got a couple of different wool socks and several different liners. I have some Omni wool medium cushion socks, a pair of smart wool light cushion socks. I have injinji socks, a pair of silk liners and a pair of thin quick drying liners. I’m just curious what recommendations people might have or what they’ve worn on their Camino (s). Thanks in advance!

 

[hunsta]

No matter how many times a question has been asked. There is always someone that needs to know that answer. Unfortunately I think socks are nearly as individual as shoes. It all depends on what your feet like. I did the Frances, wearing expensive dual layer socks. That were great. But I still ended up with a small blister. On the Portuguese last year. I was wearing hiking (branded) socks I`d bought from Aldi`s. For $11.99 for 2 pair. And they were a treat. I think it comes down to how your feet fit in your boots. I`d go with either Wool or Bamboo. Hope that helps.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

As @hunsta say’s, it’s completely individual, comfort is king. I don’t wear liner’s, inji toe socks etc- I wear just one brand, ( Darntuff) year round. But I don’t have your feet!

What’s your most comfortable shoe/ sock combo? That’s your answer.

Buen Camino!

 

[arkron]

I’ve used two pairs of Wrightsocks (double layers to avoid blisters) last October on the Portuguese. Got no blisters, would highly recommend. Also, there’s a Camino edition which I loved!

While they aren’t cheap, this will only be a tiny fraction of your overall budget. I would never skimp on shoes or socks.

 

[woody66]

@hunsta say’s, it’s completely individual, comfort is king. I don’t wear liner’s, inji toe socks etc- I wear just one brand, ( Darntuff) year round. But I don’t have your feet!

What’s your most comfortable shoe/ sock combo? That’s your answer.

Snap!! I have a small suitcase of socks! (tried toe socks felt so weird, thousand mile, bamboo, Wright socks Cool Max and more)
Also tried the sock, sock liner and Vaseline to start my Coastal in September 2021!
By the end of day Two i was back to just the Darn Tough's as my feet cooked in the 25C heat even in none waterproof Hokas.
If you walk at home and cover a few miles a day and your socks are good to go wear them; i could have brought a small bungalow with what i spent on socks


I wear Darn Tough light hiker crew and Darn Tough 1466 hiker socks the y suit me best (my other tip for socks is wear them inside out because even supposed seamless socks have imperfections on the inside that often rubbed my pinkies)

 

[J Willhaus]

Some people swear by double layers and toe socks. That doesn't work for me. I haven't had a blister since my first Camino in 2016, probably because I found shoes and socks that work well for me. I wear Darn Tough and Icebreaker midweight hiking socks. I don't do anything to my feet except keep my toenails trimmed short. No Vaseline or other products.

 

[bprohs]

Snap!! I have a small suitcase of socks! (tried toe socks felt so weird, thousand mile, bamboo, Wright socks Cool Max and more)
Also tried the sock, sock liner and Vaseline to start my Coastal in September 2021!
By the end of day Two i was back to just the Darn Tough's as my feet cooked in the 25C heat even in none waterproof Hokas.
If you walk at home and cover a few miles a day and your socks are good to go wear them; i could have brought a small bungalow with what i spent on socks


I wear Darn Tough light hiker crew and Darn Tough 1466 hiker socks the y suit me best (my other tip for socks is wear them inside out because even supposed seamless socks have imperfections on the inside that often rubbed my pinkies)

No matter how many times a question has been asked. There is always someone that needs to know that answer. Unfortunately I think socks are nearly as individual as shoes. It all depends on what your feet like. I did the Frances, wearing expensive dual layer socks. That were great. But I still ended up with a small blister. On the Portuguese last year. I was wearing hiking (branded) socks I`d bought from Aldi`s. For $11.99 for 2 pair. And they were a treat. I think it comes down to how your feet fit in your boots. I`d go with either Wool or Bamboo. Hope that helps.

It did help. I’m thinking wool is my best bet.

 

[bprohs]

No matter how many times a question has been asked. There is always someone that needs to know that answer. Unfortunately I think socks are nearly as individual as shoes. It all depends on what your feet like. I did the Frances, wearing expensive dual layer socks. That were great. But I still ended up with a small blister. On the Portuguese last year. I was wearing hiking (branded) socks I`d bought from Aldi`s. For $11.99 for 2 pair. And they were a treat. I think it comes down to how your feet fit in your boots. I`d go with either Wool or Bamboo. Hope that helps.

That did help. I’m going with wool.

 

[bprohs]

As @hunsta say’s, it’s completely individual, comfort is king. I don’t wear liner’s, inji toe socks etc- I wear just one brand, ( Darntuff) year round. But I don’t have your feet!

What’s your most comfortable shoe/ sock combo? That’s your answer.

Buen Camino!

Great answer!

 

[bprohs]

Some people swear by double layers and toe socks. That doesn't work for me. I haven't had a blister since my first Camino in 2016, probably because I found shoes and socks that work well for me. I wear Darn Tough and Icebreaker midweight hiking socks. I don't do anything to my feet except keep my toenails trimmed short. No Vaseline or other products.

I really hadn’t thought about my toenails, but that makes sense.

 

[stevepjq]

Here is another vote for Wrightsocks - double layered. They have been my go-to! Never had a blister.

 

[KDub]

My toes don’t like each other so I use Injinji socks exclusively.

 

[jpwu]

I always wear injinji even at home.

 

[pkonopka]

I know this has probably been beaten to death, but I’m trying to figure out what socks to wear in September on the Portuguese coastal route. I’ve got a couple of different wool socks and several different liners. I have some Omni wool medium cushion socks, a pair of smart wool light cushion socks. I have injinji socks, a pair of silk liners and a pair of thin quick drying liners. I’m just curious what recommendations people might have or what they’ve worn on their Camino (s). Thanks in advance!

I never liked liners...they always seemed to bunch up on me - just get a good pair of socks and that's it. My go to now is Darn Tough - they make several different thicknesses and heights. Theyre not cheap but really do the job and have an amazing guarantee.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Darn tough only. But I keep my toenails very short (the ones I have left) and rub my feet AND TOES with Foot/Body Glide (REI) before putting on my socks in the morning. I have occasionally seen a similar "glide" on the Compeed displays in Spain. Buen Camino

 

[pkonopka]

Darn tough only. But I keep my toenails very short (the ones I have left) and rub my feet AND TOES with Foot/Body Glide (REI) before putting on my socks in the morning. I have occasionally seen a similar "glide" on the Compeed displays in Spain. Buen Camino

There was a popular "glide" on the Camino - I think Tiger Balm - that a lot of my Camino friends used and liked. And, ditto the Darn Tough socks recommendation.

 

[woody66]

I always go to the podiatrist about a week before i fly; get feet checked and nails cut!

 

[Jon53]

I know this has probably been beaten to death, but I’m trying to figure out what socks to wear in September on the Portuguese coastal route. I’ve got a couple of different wool socks and several different liners. I have some Omni wool medium cushion socks, a pair of smart wool light cushion socks. I have injinji socks, a pair of silk liners and a pair of thin quick drying liners. I’m just curious what recommendations people might have or what they’ve worn on their Camino (s). Thanks in advance!

I walked the del Norte from Irun last September and took 3 pairs of Darn Toughs with me ( wore one pair and carried two). It is very individual as others say, but I found them very comfortable and a pleasure to wear even in sone pretty unseasonably hot weather. They lived up to their name too with not a stitch out of place after 500 odd miles and some less than delicate treatment. I had no blisters and didn’t use any foot treatments. Just kept my toenails trimmed and filed smooth to get rid of any rough edges that might catch or rub.

 

[bprohs]

I walked the del Norte from Irun last September and took 3 pairs of Darn Toughs with me ( wore one pair and carried two). It is very individual as others say, but I found them very comfortable and a pleasure to wear even in sone pretty unseasonably hot weather. They lived up to their name too with not a stitch out of place after 500 odd miles and some less than delicate treatment. I had no blisters and didn’t use any foot treatments. Just kept my toenails trimmed and filed smooth to get rid of any rough edges that might catch or rub.

What thickness of Darn Toughs did you use?

 

[DwainS]

I used foot glide and light weight icebreaker merino wool sock as a liner covered with a Medium weight Icebreaker merino wool sock. Quit using the foot glide half way through the Camino and only used medium weight socks on some days. I was super worried about blisters because i'am not a hiker but did not get one. I was originally worried my feet would get too hot with two socks on because I've never used this method before but they didn't I will use the same method this year.

 

[C clearly]

That did help. I’m going with wool

Not so fast! The most important message is that you need to test them yourself by walking 15-20 km for 2 or 3 days in a row.

I normally wear merino well socks at home. However, on the camino and in warmer weather, I find that my feet do better with tighter-fitting less-soft synthetic socks. I take 4 pairs - one wool, one synthetic crew-height, and 2 shorter synthetic socks that are the main daily walking ones.

 

[bprohs]

Snap!! I have a small suitcase of socks! (tried toe socks felt so weird, thousand mile, bamboo, Wright socks Cool Max and more)
Also tried the sock, sock liner and Vaseline to start my Coastal in September 2021!
By the end of day Two i was back to just the Darn Tough's as my feet cooked in the 25C heat even in none waterproof Hokas.
If you walk at home and cover a few miles a day and your socks are good to go wear them; i could have brought a small bungalow with what i spent on socks


I wear Darn Tough light hiker crew and Darn Tough 1466 hiker socks the y suit me best (my other tip for socks is wear them inside out because even supposed seamless socks have imperfections on the inside that often rubbed my pinkies)

You cracked me up! You sound like me, between socks and underwear I could have afforded a first class ticket to Porto. I like the idea of turning your socks inside out. I tried it and you’re right about the bumps. I found them in two different brands.

 

[bprohs]

Not so fast! The most important message is that you need to test them yourself by walking 15-20 km for 2 or 3 days in a row.

I normally wear merino well socks at home. However, on the camino and in warmer weather, I find that my feet do better with tighter-fitting less-soft synthetic socks. I take 4 pairs - one wool, one synthetic crew-height, and 2 shorter synthetic socks that are the main daily walking ones.

Good point. We walk about 5 miles a day now, but will bump it up substantially this summer in preparation for our Camino, so I’ll be trying several different types and combinations of socks.

 

[Tincatinker]

If the socks you wear for 5 miles are good enough why let them down. They want to do Camino too.

The Camino isn’t another place. It’s just the same as everywhere as far as clothing and equipment goes. Wear what is comfortable, what suits you. Why try and change out the familiar and comfortable just because

 

[C clearly]

If the socks you wear for 5 miles are good enough why let them down. They want to do Camino too.

Have they communicated that they want to do more than 5 miles per day?

 

[bprohs]

Have they communicated that they want to do more than 5 miles per day?

Every day;-)

 

[hunsta]

I really hadn’t thought about my toenails, but that makes sense.

Yes. Well trimmed toenails are a must. Its those long downhills that will do it.

 

[BruceNZ]

I know this has probably been beaten to death, but I’m trying to figure out what socks to wear in September on the Portuguese coastal route. I’ve got a couple of different wool socks and several different liners. I have some Omni wool medium cushion socks, a pair of smart wool light cushion socks. I have injinji socks, a pair of silk liners and a pair of thin quick drying liners. I’m just curious what recommendations people might have or what they’ve worn on their Camino (s). Thanks in advance!

Compeed Anti friction stick applied each morning to potential hot spots as a precaution n Creepers Merino toe socks did it for me on Madrid and San Savador caminos last year. Rule 1 of caminos ..Look after feet from Day One p.s. soak n wash socks b4 wearing !

 

[NinaCamina]

I used foot glide and light weight icebreaker merino wool sock as a liner covered with a Medium weight Icebreaker merino wool sock. Quit using the foot glide half way through the Camino and only used medium weight socks on some days. I was super worried about blisters because i'am not a hiker but did not get one. I was originally worried my feet would get too hot with two socks on because I've never used this method before but they didn't I will use the same method this year.

I just got a couple of icebreakers, and was indecisive about getting two mini light cushion hike, or getting one of those and one crew medium cushion hike. In the end I'm bringing two of the same, light cushion mini; I figured since it will be SUMMER then the medium cushion would be a bit too hot ? maybe, If someone suggest I take one of each then I think I can still trade them back heheh

 

[JerryStroebele]

I don't think medium cushion will be too hot. I take one pair of medium and one of thicker Darn Tough on all my Caminos, north and south. That's because I have to wear different size boots due to a big bunion. In Vietnam us old soldiers (very young, then) were (delightfully) issued thick pure wool socks. They worked well. I don't recall a single blister. Buen Camino

 

[NinaCamina]

I don't think medium cushion will be too hot. I take one pair of medium and one of thicker Darn Tough on all my Caminos, north and south. That's because I have to wear different size boots due to a big bunion. In Vietnam us old soldiers (very young, then) were (delightfully) issued thick pure wool socks. They worked well. I don't recall a single blister. Buen Camino

Awesome! So in your opinion would be better to bring one light and one medium cushion?

 

[J Willhaus]

All mine are medium cushion. Icebreaker and Darn tough.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes