Socks

I’ve tried several different socks, and these are the ones I’ve settled on:

SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Socks

What brands styles have you tried that didn't work? I've had good luck with smartwool, I think the phd running are pretty thin, I'll look when I'm home.

Edit: Looks like Mark (another one!) beat me too it.

Check out the Darn Tough Merino Mesh. Thin and in my experience more durable than the smartwools, although they still wear out quicker than I'd like, especially if you're hiking with wet feet. Looks like Patagonia has some new ultra light merino socks that are 51/46/3 merino/nylon/spandex. Should be nice and durable.

Haha thanks Marks. I've tried a few merinos. I have some smartwools on now (I believe a light hiker maybe?) and some light Lorpens I found on sale. The smartwools feel great, but they are just too warm for most weather for me, and they are just a bit more snug inside of my shoes than I like.

Cool, I didn't see those darn tough mesh socks when I was on their site earlier. I must have only been in the hike/trek section.

http://www.tekosocks.com/gender/mens/tekomerinotm-men-s-ultralight-micro.html

I have had great experience with Teko Merino Wool socks. Not sure if these are exactly what I have as mine are a few years old, but they are very durable and breathable. What I wear for 3 season. I bought 5 pairs off steep and cheep and I wish I bought more.

I found the Smart wool PHD's very sweaty even in shoulder seasons. If you are looking for breath-ability I would look else were in my opinion.

I wear the smartwool PhD ultra light micro cycling socks daily with minimalist shoes. The cycling socks are uncushioned and tend to be thinner than the runners. I size up a little bit to avoid any feeling of constriction.

I like to wear merino socks during the winter for everyday use. The downside is that they tend to wear easily on the back of the heel and on the ball of the foot. I've tried Teko, Smartwool, and Darn Tough. I've had my poor results with the first 2 brands listed, and great results with the Darn Tough, but YMMV.

I'd like to find some low trekking socks. Smartwool works great for me, takes a few seasons to wear out, I may try som Darn Tough due to their lifetime guarantee, although I'll have to see what it states.

Duane

I used to wear out Smartwool's in a few months. The only good thing about the Smartwool's I wore is that I would buy them at REI. I switched to Darn Tough and I've been wearing the same 4 pairs of socks everyday for over year now. Backpacking, ice climbing, skiing (always wondered why people bought "ski" socks), and just as everyday socks. Love them and will never switch.

They have that lifetime guaruntee for a reason, they are that good!

http://www.defeet.com/60304/i1361580/733191/Running-Socks/Levitator-No-See-Um-Black.html

No cushion lightweight nylon socks. Merino is expensive and falls apart sooner. But if you buy wool go Darn Tough, Smartwool makes crappy socks — the PhDs will have holes in them after 300 miles. Put 1k miles on 3 pairs of the DeFeet before they started to get holes.