alternative to smartwool liner socks?

"Then, I realized these socks won't dry overnight, which won't cut it if I wash them every night since I only have 3 pairs."

hummm….

A pair would dry in two nights. Washing them one pair at a time would give you two nights to dry. And if you can get by with one pair for two days it would be a slam dunk.

What am I missing?

Damp, but clean socks in the morning. What's the problem there? Are your shoes dry too? If shoes are dry your sock will be dry shortly after heading off. One clean pair just for sleeping and the two pair for wash and wear.

What am I missing?

If you're looking for thin wool socks, check the cycling section at REI or a regular bike store. DeFeet Wooleators are great socks; other brands to consider are Pearl Izumi, Swiftwick, and too many others to list. Most will only have very light cushioning.

Kinda late to be asking since the trip is mid June thru mid July. Take what you can get there is the choice now.

If you want quicker drying get synth, not wool

Also the thinner the faster drying

;)

your trek will be at high'ish altitude, which that means things will dry out faster (much).
problem solved.
now go have a great trip. (and take pictures, so we can see them too ! )

v.

For the last time that I trekked in Nepal, I took several pairs of thick synthetic or wool/synthetic socks, and I rinsed them out occasionally. Once rinsed, I hung them up to drip dry on the rods between the inner tent and outer tent wall. Unfortunately, they froze overnight.

So, in the morning I placed the frozen socks into a plastic bag and put that in the top of my backpack. The plan was to pull them out during a nice sunny lunch stop so that the drying process could continue. No sun. They stayed frozen or wet for weeks at a time.

I now have some Smart Wool socks, and they are comfortable, but thick synthetic socks might be more practical for those kinds of conditions.

–B.G.–

Don't wear liner socks much except in winter. I prefer silk.

Stuff them in your jacket or pants pockets and let your body heat help out. Or dry them in your sleeping bag if you have warmth to spare and a chance to dry out your bag in the sun.

I have a couple different styles/weights of Drymax socks and they seems to work well. I still prefer my Smartwool PHD hikers in general, but if it's going to be WET, I use these http://www.drymaxsocks.com/lite_trail_running.php