Looking for socks to wear with trail runners

I've had good luck with neopreme socks from Campmor in snow and cold/wet conditions.

I just got a pair of Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks to wear with my Terrocs, I wear them over lightweight socks. I made my first use yesterday and spent some time splashing through mud and icy water. They seem to do well keeping my feet warm and dry.

If you get them, definitely size up. They don't stretch, so they're hard to get over the heel.

Could not find neoprene socks from Campmor

Did look at the Rocky Gore-Tex® Socks
Campmor $57 including shipping
Cabela $48 including shipping

Also, found the BPL review of the Rocky socks
Rocky socky review

Found a few hits after a forum query for Rocky Gore-tex socks. Looks like RosieRabbit likes them.

I think I’m going to try them – thanks to Santa.

George,

A neoprene socks sold by Campmor, REI, etc is called the Seirus Storm Sock®. They are comprised of a nylon outer layer, a 1.5 mm perforated neoprene core, and light polyester lining. The predecessor version, sold for at least 10 years, was light nylon on either side of perforated 2 mm neoprene. They are ideal for keeping your feet warm if you will be frequently wading higher than the top of your shoes or boots. They are about as warm as 2 mm neoprene and breathe well. They are not WPB like the Rocky Gore-Tex sock.

The campmor neoprene sock I have is branded by campmor and doesn't look like the one pictured for Seirus. Maybe they have changed, but I doubt it. Either is probably fine.

Cold and wet implies above-freezing temps.

I like the Smartwool Adrenaline Light Cushion. Even with mesh trail runners, they keep my feet warm (though not dry) while hiking, and the combination dries fairly quickly.

In snow I switch to w/b trail runners (Salomon XA Pro XCR) and tall w/b gaiters — but I keep the Smartwool socks.

Robert,

I have been considering going this route (Rocky Gore-Tex with trail runners) in place of my boots, at least down to reasonable winter temps.

I have a questions though. Do you have to size up your shoes to make room for the Rocky Gore-Tex. Can you give a comparison, i.e. "thick woolly socks," for instance?

> Do you have to size up your shoes to make room for the Rocky Gore-Tex. Can you give a comparison, i.e. "thick woolly socks," for instance?

Never ever go for tight footwear in the snow! Pain and suffering will be your lot.

I wear a 7.5 normally. I went with size 8 for the shoes and socks. Once I get everything on (Injinji socks, Gor-tex socks, shoes), the fit feels fine. I might want to go up one size on everything to get warmer socks, and to get the socks on without as much struggle.

Wouldn't it be easier to buy waterproof flyrocs?

Eins

>>> Wouldn't it be easier to buy waterproof flyrocs?

From what I've been hearing, waterproof shoes/boots are not as breathable as mesh shoes with waterproof socks. I have a pair of waterproof boots (gortex) and my feet usually get sweaty. When I wear my Terrocs, my feet stay dry or after getting wet will dry fairly fast.

I have not tried them in snow. That's why Im looking for the right socks.

But you asked a great question.

"Wouldn't it be easier to buy waterproof flyrocs?"

As I am considering this path, here are my thoughts. Any waterproof shoe has a big hole in it (where you put your foot). So, if you step in a puddle, stream or, slip off a log or rock into water, your waterproof shoe becomes a bathtub. By virtue of the fact that it is waterproof, it will not dry out before your trip is over.

Granted, Rocky Gore-tex socks also have a hole in them but, it is considerably higher up. Less chance of a dunking. Boots that come up that high would weigh far beyond what a weight conscious backpacker would want.

It is still true that at some point you could dunk the Gore-tex sock. But, I always carry an extra pair of wool socks. Nice insurance for a small weight penalty. You could turn the Gore-tex sock inside-out and hope for reasonable weather in which to dry it out in short order or, inside your sleeping bag overnight.

If temps are above freezing, layering multiple pairs of wool socks (such as Smartwool Adrenaline or Darn Tough 1/4) will keep your feet warm (even when wet), dry quickly, and breath better than Gore-Tex shoes or waterproof/neoprene socks. If temps are below freezing, breathability is less of an issue. I would personally go w/ the Gore-Tex lined Roclite 390 GTX in these conditions. I believe Ryan Jordan used these successfully on his Trekking 3 course.

On a recent weekend trip w/ highs in the mid 30's*, a low of about 20*, and multiple wet stream crossings, I used the Terroc 330 w/ two pairs of wool socks. They worked well – even when I had to hike 4 miles back to the car through 3 in. of fresh snow on Sunday morning.

I'm with Ken Bennett. I even use the same Smartwools and Salomon XA Pro 3 (no XCR). I use wool socks and just accept the inevitability that my feet will get wet. Unless its going to be below freezing all day and night for several days in a row, I don't really get uncomfortable. I just bring two pairs of extra socks instead of one so I can double up in camp to get my toes warm more quickly.

Socks come up higher on your legs, so you can step in deeper water/snow and still stay dry. Plus, cost is an issue. The socks cost about $50, vs. $120 for new shoes. Right now, I want to save a little bit more to buy other gear (like a good parka), so socks were the better option. I'll eventually get waterproof Inov-8s, but sometime next year.

It's a similar issue with layering wool socks, I'd need bigger shoes to do that, and that would cost more than the gor-tex socks.

I have to say, I wore my Smartwool Running socks with my NON-GoreTex TNF Ultra's in a downpour in Denmark… if my foot was actively in an ankle deep puddle it felt wet, but the moment I lifted it out if FELT dry and warm… I lurv wool…

never mind

I really like Smartwool Adrenaline socks, short or tall. They're great and lightweight and really rkeep your feet warm. I think pairing them with some gaiters and Gor-Tex shoes would keep you very warm and dry, even if your feet did sweat and the shoes didn't breath much, your feet would still be warm. I have walked through flooded portages with mine in the BWCA for thousands of rods, on cold rainy days, and been warm.

I ordered a pair of Rocky Gore-Tex socks and will see if I get a good fit using them.

Might also see if I can be brave enough to try my wool/smartwool socks by themselves on a short trip.

Since I already have the boots I like, and I always wear a liner sock with thick, outer socks, when I wear the Rocky socks in potentially wet weather (almost all the time), I just wear the thick socks on the inside, and the Rockies on the outside. They do have a snug fit, and are a bit of a struggle to get on. Be aware that there is a left and a right sock – the label goes on the outside ankle.

Another thing to be aware of – a hiking group had to be rescued last weekend after being caught in a severe winter storm in the Snoqualmie area. One of them was wearing waterproof socks (I don't know which brand). The socks got full of water because he was postholing above the waist, and the socks actually froze to his feet (they were out for several days until rescued). He couldn't get his shoes off and is now being treated for frostbite. Granted, he was a novice, and the group made a lot of dumb decisions, and it's not fair to second guess what could have been done instead, but it's obvious that if the socks get wet on the inside, they need to be taken off if you're going to be in one place long enough for them to freeze.

Although there is a lot of new and advanced stuff on the market, my personal experience showed me that simple is often better. I found these great wool socks and they kept my feet warm in the coldest winter although they were wet. Theae people from the military just know whay they are using. Try this link: http://tinyurl.com/2hj9l9