BOTTOM LINE: Balega Hidden Comfort Socks are simple, lightly padded, and comfortable with cushy tabs at the ankle that effectively keep them from sliding down. The plush padding across the entire sole makes them a bit warmer and less breathable underfoot than some.
In this post
What type of sock is best for hiking?
Hiking Sock Fabric Type
Wool: Wool is the most popular hiking sock material and the one that our footwear specialists recommend above all others. It regulates temperature well to keep your feet from getting sweaty and it provides cushioning.
What’s the difference between hiking socks and regular socks?
Hiking socks are essential to ensure you have the most comfortable hike possible. Unlike a regular cotton sock, hiking socks will keep your feet dry, less sweaty and cushioned, which in turn stops painful blisters from forming as your shoe rubs against the back of your foot while you walk.
Should you wear socks while hiking?
When you’re hiking in hot weather, or if the trail is physically demanding, usually two pairs of socks will make your feet sweat much quicker. It might still be manageable, but you’ll have to stop more often to switch to dry pairs while the other ones dry out if you want to avoid blisters.
Can you machine wash balega socks?
Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. No bleach or fabric softeners. For best results, wash socks inside out.
Should you wear 2 pairs of socks when hiking?
However, wearing two socks can help. The inner sock helps reduce friction with your foot. There is still friction occurring – it is just between the two pairs of socks and not your skin and the sock. The inner sock also helps wick away moisture from the foot.
What should I wear for hiking?
Hiking sandals and sneakers are appropriate for most terrain, though longer treks may still require hiking boots. Breathable wicking materials (no cotton) are key for shirts, bottoms and hiking socks to keep the sweat off your skin. Lighter colors absorb less heat and can keep you cooler on hot days.
Is it better to wear thick socks with hiking boots?
The answer depends on a few factors, including the weather, terrain, and your personal preferences. For example, if you are hiking in cold weather or over rough terrain, thicker socks might be the best option. However, if you are hiking in warm weather or carrying a heavy backpack, thinner socks might be better.
How often should you change socks when hiking?
As we previously mentioned, a good rule of thumb is to bring one pair of socks for each day of the hike, plus an extra pair in case you get wet or have another problem with your socks. So there you have it! Make sure to change your hiking socks every day, and you’ll be able to avoid a lot of problems with your feet.
How often should you change your socks while hiking?
You also want to make sure to have extra sets of socks with you on your hike. Change them whenever you feel hot spots or blisters, and some folks recommend pre-emptively changing them every 4-6 miles no matter what. When you change socks, clip the dirty/sweaty ones to your pack to dry them out.
How long do balega socks last?
Durability: Balega is one of the more durable running socks out there. I’ve had a few pairs for close to 5 years, and they are still going strong. Usually, I know Balega socks are wearing out when they stretch out too much or become too large.
What are balega socks made of?
Built to perfection, Balega socks are composed of extra fine yarn on high needle count machines to provide plush and protective cushioning, without adding bulk. Each pair of socks are hand-linked for a fully seamless design and feature a proprietary moisture management fiber, Drynamix, to keep feet dry and cool.
Delivering the ultimate protection and impact resistance, Hidden Comfort No Show Socks are composed of extra-fine yarn to provide plush protective cushion without adding bulk. Hand-linked, seamless toe minimizes friction, which prevents chafing on the top of the foot for maximum comfort.
How do I prepare my feet for hiking?
Photo by Liz Thomas.
- REMOVE ANYTHING YOU FEEL IN YOUR SHOE. Start with prevention.
- STOP IF YOU FEEL A HOT SPOT. Again, don’t wait.
- ELEVATE YOUR LEGS AND FEET.
- RINSE YOUR FEET.
- RINSE AND ROTATE YOUR HIKING SOCKS.
- SOAK YOUR FEET IN COLD WATER.
- LET YOUR FEET AND SOCKS AIR DURING MEAL BREAKS.
- PRE-TAPE YOUR FEET.
How do you prevent foot blisters when hiking?
Prevent blisters from forming: Get good-fitting boots; wear a thin liner sock under your hiking socks and take care of any hot spots right away, covering them with a padded blister bandage, Moleskin or tape.
Why do NBA players wear 2 pairs of socks?
Wearing two pairs of socks is common among basketball players of all ages. Basketball players wear two pairs of socks to provide a maximum cushion between heel and shoe, prevent less friction, and for style purposes.
What should you not wear while hiking?
What should you NOT wear while hiking? (10 Common Clothing Mistakes)
- Denim. The first item on our list is denim.
- Cotton. Cotton is on the list for similar reasons to denim.
- Silk.
- No-Show Socks.
- Flimsy Shoes.
- Bras with Clasps.
- Bunchy or Bulky Pants and Jackets.
- Stiff or Too Thin Fabric.
How many layers should you wear hiking?
3 layers
Whatever the terrain, the intensity of your effort or the season, there is one golden rule before you go hiking: always carry (or carry in your bag) 3 layers of clothing: this includes a t-shirt, a jumper or polar fleece and a rain jacket.
Should you wear jeans on a hike?
That said, no jeans are ideal for hiking. If you’ll be hiking in the rain, cold weather, or very hot temperatures, you should invest in a pair of good hiking pants. Jeans are bad at moisture-wicking, breathability, comfort, and abrasion, which make them a pretty bad choice for hiking.
Why should you not wear cotton socks when hiking?
You should absolutely stay away from cotton. Cotton is not a good material for a hiking sock because it absorbs moisture, it doesn’t dry quickly, it is heavy and has poor insulation properties, especially when wet.
Why are wool socks better than cotton for hiking?
Wool keeps its insulating properties while wet, which is perfect for sweaty feet. Not only that, but wool also dries much more quickly than cotton or other synthetics. Because of their physical nature, wool fibers naturally have anti-bacterial properties and are, therefore, odor resistant….