alternative to breadbag socks?

If your feet are getting wet and/or cold winter hiking, it might be time to spring for some winter hiking footwear with waterproof “breathable” liners, either GoreTex or the generic version sold by most shoe/boot companies. You can find them in just about any type of footwear from trail runners to boots and everything in between.

Wouldn’t be an ideal choice for my local terrain, but Brooks even makes a GoreTex version of their most popular running shoe:

Brooks Adrenaline GTX running shoe

Along the same concept as bread bags (light on the wallet approach), but a more durable alternative to a bread bag would be to use an oven bag.

If going this route, then wool socks are key to wear inside … because wool as a fabric has a high moisture regain (=absorb a lot of water before they feel wet)

This will help reduce sweat induced maceration (= blister central)

YMMV

I have had good luck with Rocky GoreTex socks and breathable shoes. BPL published a great article on light winter footwear a few years ago, but you need to be a paying member to read it.

I just got back for a trip where I wore my vivobarefoot neo trails with rocky goretex socks and wool socks. They worked great…. highly recommended and worth the price.

I'm not sure I see the value in spending $59 for GoreTex socks, which are going to present all kinds of fit issues when you try to combine them with other socks in sneakers, especially since you'll already want to be wearing heavier smartwool socks in winter.

You can get a decent pair of waterproof hiking shoes for $110 at full retail:

http://www.rei.com/product/836529/merrell-moab-waterproof-hiking-shoes-mens

Shop around for a sale, and you should be able to get something like this for $89. Get it sized properly for winter socks and end up with something that will last for several winters.

I was wearing size 12 gortex socks (I am size 10 shoes) with REI expedition weight socks and the fit was fine. Might need to size up your shoes.
If (or when) you get your goretex boots wet you won't be able to dry them out (unless you get a fire going, even then it takes a while). With the goretex socks you can take everything apart, change socks, dry them out, ect.
The goretex socks seem to be mostly used for mixed wet/snow conditions and not deep winter snowshoeing.
Yes they are expensive socks but they seem sturdy and are worth the cost imo.

Neoprene socks never seem to work well in snow.

Agree with Justin.

I've had a pair or Goretex socks for years. They're probably to the point that I need to replace them, but they work great. I've worn them in my Merrell light hikers and in trail running shoes when doing adventure races in winter conditions.

Goretex socks you can take out and dry. Not so much with a Goretex lines shoe or boot.

I use a base layer sock of my choosing, then put a bread bag or small bathroom trash bag over that, and smooth it out, and then put an insulation sock over that.
Bags are much less likely to rip when protected inside and outside, and the extra insulation keeps your feet warmer in very cold conditions.

Don't get your shoes wet. Wear more water-resistant shoes, and stay out of puddles and deep snow if you can.

"My feet get cold easily"

Mine did too…

For extended days in snowy conditions (in trail runners), I go with a super thin liner sock, then a bread bag or produce bag, then a thick boot sock, then a waterproof layer (a seam sealed neoprene sock for me), the shoe, and a tight fitting gaiter.

Feet sweat. A plastic bag on the feet, or one thin layer out, will short circuit the sweating, and as a result, keep your insulating layers dry and effective.

Depending how much of an issue this is for you, you may have to "overdress" your legs. It took a bit of trial and error, but I have found a pretty good balance. Even though my bottom half is too warm, I no longer have numb, white/yellow feet when I get home.

I think I am going to try out the rocky socks. Oven bags are a good idea, but I just haven't been able to get breadbags to stay in one piece, and it would be nice to have just a little less trash at each town stop. I do have some waterproof boots, but for thru-hiking I don't want to have to mail these heavy boots since it will likely only be a couple days of snow.

THanks for all the advice BPL!!

My feet are too large for the Rocky Goretex socks and I find the bread bags and such do work but are not a long term solution. I don't like the big heavy insulated boots because I wear size 14/15 and they are just too heavy. Still looking for a solution for my sandal wearing self.