Fleece vs wool vs polypropylene socks

[Anonymous]

Which do you prefer for colder temps?  I’m thinking of trying some thin wool/nylon blend socks, with fleece socks over them.  I have some PP socks too though, both thin ones and thicker ones. I don’t ever wear them directly against the skin, but i like the weight and quicker drying.

I’m probably going to NH this Christmas vacation for a little winter hiking, so trying to gear up.

[Dean F.]

I seriously doubt that there is much of a difference in warmth, frankly.  The knit and thickness is probably far more important than the material.  I do favor wool for socks, but for other reasons than some sort of superiority in warmth.  In other applications I’m favoring synthetics, now that I have some experience with the various options.  The very thin wool base layers have durability issues, for example.  But for socks I still like the anti-odor and slightly-less-frigid-when-damp properties of wool.  (Any wool sock is much thicker than a wool base layer so durability is no issue.)

 

[Anonymous]

I would tend to agree that there probably isn’t significant differences in warmth between these if one is comparing socks of similar thickness.  But I imagine PP socks dry noticeably faster than wool ones.

I’m thinking that fleece probably gets more compressed than wool socks with thick and highly twisted/worsted yarns.  Fleece is probably better for sleeping than active insulation in this area.

I’m wondering if Kapok has any place for warm socks?  I’ve experimented with it and while it’s not particularly good for large items like quilts, it’s great for things like pillows, balaclavas, etc.  The fibers are VERY water resistant (thick, highly hydrophobic wax coating on them) and because they are sealed hollow tubes, they resist compression much more than down (which is one of the reasons why it’s not so good for larger items).  It’s about equivalent to lower fp duck down in warmth per weight.  In some ways, it’s a bit better than even the better synthetics.

I might just take a pair of smaller, tighter thin socks, and a a larger looser thin pair, stuff some Kapok in between them, and sew them up at the top. Might be pretty decent for active insulation in more extreme cold winter temps in combo with some Mukluks.

[Dale Wambaugh]

Fleece socks are nice in camp, but I would go with a wool blend for a good tough, warm sock. Fleece collapses and there goes the insulation. Layering works for feet like anywhere else. I would use the wool socks with waterproof/breathable mid boots and gaiters.

[Anonymous]

That’s what i figured about fleece socks Dale.

“Layering works for feet like anywhere else.”

In theory yes, but i’ve found that it’s hard to layer socks without constricting blood flow (which = bad juju). I find that i can’t go anymore than 3 layers, and even then, unless the socks are well fitted (each successive pair slightly larger than the last) it also tends to feel constricting.

“I would use the wool socks with waterproof/breathable mid boots and gaiters.”

I’m not a big fan of most WPB stuff for shoes/boots. However, i’m very interested in trying some hiking shoes made with Outdry, because it seems to deal with some of the issues i don’t like about the other type of WPB footwear.  I ordered a pair from Campsaver recently, and according to UPS, it already arrived (it didn’t). I do also have some Rocky GTX socks, and they’re ok, but same issue as with the other stuff–the shoe/boot gets water logged, and either ices up too much or takes forever to dry.

I really think the Kapok insulated socks might hold some promise in combo with some Mukluk type boots for more extreme cold weather.

[Author]

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