Tag Archives: socks

When it comes to selecting good socks for hiking you have to learn from history and embrace modern knowledge at the same time. From Ragg Wool to synthetic materials there are many good options you can choose from. Maybe you have good socks for hiking and need more help with preventing blisters. If that's you then sock liners might be the answer.

Let's start by going back in time, tried and true, durable and dependable wool. Classic Ragg wool is very warm and very durable. Odds are you will wear out many years before ragg wool socks do. Merino wool is probably the most popular and practical type of wool you can get. It doesn't smell bad or itch and wool will always be a renewable material so it's good for the environment. Wool naturally wicks moisture away from your skin and maintains its thermal properties when wet. Below are just six fantastic hiking socks for you to consider.

A lot of hikers don't know about or use sock liners. Sock liners provide a protective layer to your feet by reducing friction and hot spots during long hikes and strenuous activity. Sock liners are made of polypropylene or other synthetic materials that are designed to wick moisture away and keep your feet dry. Pull them on over the top of your hiking sock to reduce friction, hot spots, blisters, and wet feet.

Camping is meant to reset your inner clock, connect with nature, restore balance, and refresh your soul. How successful you are at this depends on how well you prepare. Taking too many things can over complicate the experience and rob you of the beautiful simplicity that exists in nature. Not taking enough things can cause you to cut the trip short because you aren't comfortable or safe. Having the right gear, and right amount of gear, along with the correct camping clothes, makes all the difference.

The right pair of warm camping socks can drastically improve your experience. Whether you are hiking or simply enduring a cold temperature drop at night, having a few pair of lush socks is brilliant. They prevent blisters, keep your feet dry and your toes warm, and add that extra level of comfort and enjoyment to your journey. If you are family camping, cold toes on little kids can rapidly ruin your trip. Be smart and have good socks for everyone.

You don't want to have to sleep in your jeans and jacket to keep warm at night. Thermal underwear shouldn't be overlooked. The extra layer of comfort isn't just for temperature drops. They also wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and reduce chafing during hikes. Rather than flip flop between being too hot in a coat and too cold in a shirt, balance out your experience with thermal underwear or a highly affordable pair of long johns. Besides, who hasn't wanted to go camping in an old school pair of cotton long johns? They're awesome!

Your outer layer should be a functional and comfortable camping jacket or parka. The best jackets for camping are ones that can be layered. What that means is you have a warm inner jacket and a waterproof outer shell that can be added or removed compatibly depending on your needs. Too hot? Take off a layer. Too cold? Put one on. Raining outside? Put on the waterproof shell.

Having flexible options with your socks, thermal underwear, and jackets will keep you relaxed and comfortable on your camping trip. Camping should be a refreshing experience that rejuvenates you, not one that leaves you dragging yourself home exhausted. Wearing the right camping clothes makes all the difference.

Most normal socks are made with little thought to their specific use. Cotton and spandex are sewn together and mean to be pulled on our feet without consideration to blisters, heat spots, durability, length, moisture control, and insulating properties. Common socks are not the only option. Expensive exotic socks are not the only alternative.

There are socks made specifically for hard working people who live on a hard working budget. We've put together a selection of socks for work that might work well for you. All of the following are less than $20 and many come in two packs.

Boot Socks - A variety of boot socks are designed to be long enough for wearing boots without having them bunch down around your ankle. Some socks have been created with military use in mind, but they can give you a huge advantage around a construction project, landscaping job, or any work environment that is demanding on your feet. Boot socks are made from your choice of wool, merino wool, acrylic, nylon, cotton and sometimes a comfortable blend.

Great socks for work aren't all boot length. A great pair of hiking socks are also perfect for your hard working feet. They are sewn with flat, smooth toe seams and with stitching to reduce hot spots and blisters. If you face long days on your feet then you should treat your feet well with some thick comfortable socks.

Did you know that the original founder of Mother’s Day was actually arrested for disturbing the peace? She was! Anna Jarvis and her sister were so upset that the holiday had become more about printed greeting cards and thoughtless gifts that they were arrested while campaigning against it. She said, “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother – and then eat most of it yourself. A petty sentiment.”

Mother’s day originated so that families would reunite after being divided during the Civil War. But since its establishment on May 9, 1905 I think most of us would agree with Anna. The mothers of the world deserve more than a generic card. Before we go any farther I should remind you . . .

Mother’s day is May 12

Let everyone else get their mother something from the gift card store. Getting something special for your mother or wife (from your kids of course) means you should find something she actually would enjoy. If yours is the outdoorsy type that likes to hike, camp, do gardening or anything else outside then we can help you with the following gift ideas.

The Port & Company Honeycomb Sling Pack – This is absolutely affordable at less than $6. This sling pack is cute and comfortable with a built in audio pocket and an exit port for headphones. It’s sling design gives it a more feminine appeal compared to a standard backpack, but if a different women’s pack sounds like a better fit there are plenty of options such as a Cinch Pack, Hydration Pack, or even an Xcape Computer Backpack for those who can’t part with technology in the wild. There is also a general rule of thumb that women love bags, purses, and anything that helps them stay organized and look good at the same time.

Sport Tek NRG Fitness Capri - Active women love workout capris but most men are too nervous to pick them out as a gift. So let me make it easy for you. She will love these workout capris! These capris have a waistband pocket to keep her locker key secure. They are made for comfort and freedom of movement so she will not only feel good but she will look good. Comfortable fitting workout capris are a hot item for women who want to stay fit and healthy. These Sport Tek NRG Fitness Capris are a great Mother's Day gift idea for those of you with mom's who like to be active.

Merino Wool Socks – In fact, anything made out of Merino Wool will quickly become one of her favorites. Women are often colder than men. Biologically speaking, women generally have more constricted blood vessels. This puts their blood flow closer to the surface of the skin making them feel colder. The body handles this by redirecting the warm blood flow to the vital organs, leaving their hands and feet freezing! Merino wool is the highest quality and thinnest fiber of wool available. It feels just like cotton against your skin but has all the moisture wicking, and thermal insulating properties you expect from wool. Every time she puts on her Merino Wool Socks or Thermals she will feel warm and toasty and think of you.

It’s often called the toughest event on the planet. But if that’s true why is almost everyone smiling? How could people love pain and torture so much? Like a moth to the flame over 700,000 participants show up, have their number written on their face, and then blitz through the 10-12 obstacle course known as the Tough Mudder.

Outsiders gawk at the competitors as they watch them run, climb, clamber, and even crawl through slop and mud. They scale giant walls and belly crawl through muck with electrically charged wires waiting to shock them just inches over their backs. Their mental grit seems almost self-abusive and yet attractive at the same time.

The Tough Mudder competitions were started and designed by the British Special Forces. If you are brave enough to sign up, and just crazy enough to finish, it’s as if you have survived a rite of passage. You become a comrade with the other twisted fitness freaks. It connects you with a band of survivors across the globe who want to compete and race, but are bored with a typical marathon. Competitors don’t take themselves seriously. The obstacles can’t all be completed by yourself so you’re forced to wear a smile and get along. The guy you just passed and laughed at might be your only chance of getting over the next big wall.

Once you have your free spirited attitude in tact you’ll want to wear the right gear. As fun as it sounds to run through the obstacles in your underwear – everyone else will enjoy it much more if you dress the part.

Your shoes will get wet and packed with mud so protect your feet with Fox River Polypropylene socks. They wick water from your skin and prevent blisters by reducing friction. A Sport-Tek reversible mesh tank top provides plenty of options for team colors if you are taking a group with you. Match your top with your Champion Mesh Reversible shorts – which have a draw string they won’t slip off when belly crawling through muddy ice water. The mesh fabric for both the tank top and shorts will keep you comfortable and dry.