Socks for minimalist trail shoes

I purposely went half a size large on my recently ordered NB Minimus Trails so that I could use my favorite sock, the Injinji Performance Micro http://www.injinji.com/tetratsok/p_micro.htm At 1.15 ounces per pair (small and medium) I have no problem throwing them onto my FSO-BW.

I’ve tried most of the popular socks brands, and my personal favorite are Teko. I’ve only tried their merino variety, but I’ve had a couple pairs of their first offering for several years now and they still work fine. Just recently, I got 5 new pair of the light version as I plan to get rid of any socks in my supply that aren’t wool.

I'm with Chris on this one in that I now try to use wool socks exclusively when I'm not going sockless. I've found my feet have faired
much better with wool over synthetics. I feel like they stay cooler and for whatever reason it feels like the wool texture doesn't allow my feet to move/slide around in various shoes as much. In other words it feels as though the synthetics are "slippery" inside of my shoes resulting in less control (particularly on downhills) and more potential for hot spots and blisters

I also sometimes add in a low gaiter to the mix. I use a pair of spandex-like ones from Salomon

I wore VFF KSO Treks for about 1600 miles last year on my AT thru hike. I started with a pair of white synthetic Injinji micro socks and a pair of the merino wool Injinji outdoor version. After the first month and a half it was time to replace both. the synthetic pair was in hurrendous condition. They looked dirty and smelled worse. The outdoors smelled significantly better.

From then on I switch to one pair of the outdoor socks at a time(addiction to dropping weight). They still would get a stentch to them if it had been five days since laundry was done, but better then synth. I found I went through about a one pair per month

My VFF KSO treks did not smell aweful, the sock kept it "contained"

This compared to my regular KSO's that are a size smaller and dont allow for socks. Just last night my girlfriend and I were laying down watching a movie, I was wearing my KSO's decided my feet wanted to breath, took them off and threw them across the room…within about 10 seconds I hear "Oh my god what is that SMELL!!!"…"go wash your feet!" This coming from the girl that spent the summer sharing my one man tent with me all smelly and stinky.

Also I did not have a single blister the entire trail I attribute that to wearing socks.

Also for during the smokies I wore NB MT100's, sized up to allow for my Injinji socks and a pair of Rocky GTX socks, I loved the setup kept me relativly warm and dry. I did not like the MT100's after 100 miles the sides had blown out.

So to sum it up I recommend wearing a pair of socks.

I second the slippery feel of synth over wool

I started to use FITS Merino Wool socks sold at Campmor. I haven't had a lot experience with them but so far so good. Used to use Wigwam Cool-Lite Socks but FITS seems to be my new choice.

I am mostly worried about blisters over long hikes without socks. I would think that after running 15-20 miles now on them that i have broken them in but am still unsure if blisters will pop up on a trip. I am leaning to go on a soon to be joshua tree trip without socks and will let you guys know how that goes!
-Sam

I did a trip in the Grand Canyon in NB MT101. I started without socks but brought some with me just in case. I was glad that I did because after a few hours there was so much fine dust getting in my shoe it was starting to cause hot spots.

DeFeet aireators are very thin, hold up well, and quite cheap.

I have a pair of DeFeet Wooleators that I love. Very thin and comfy. They feel great in my MT101's.

http://www.defeet.com/product.php?id=127

train without socks and you'll develop callouses. this should provide an extra measure against blisters when wearing socks since the rub spots will be th same. ( tip from my chiropractor, an adventure racer).
I think a thin pair of injijis are the best socks for minimal shoes since they allow the toes to splay. Injiji also makes a liner sock. Will break down easier but i like that its thiiner. Also alittle lighter if you wanted to bring 2 pairs to rotate and dry throughout the day.
If not injijis, get some socks that are a little loose/stretchy in the front or else the sock can negate some of the benifits of the minimal shoe by constricting your toes.

I have trail gloves too. Love them but they smell terrible after only 2 weeks.