How Fishnet Works (Part 2): Layering for Moisture, Thermal Management in Cold-Weather Backpacking

[Ryan Jordan]

Companion forum thread to: How Fishnet Works (Part 2): Layering for Moisture, Thermal Management in Cold-Weather Backpacking

Fishnet base layers offer a structural solution to the long-standing tradeoff between warmth and moisture control. By emphasizing airflow and vapor transport, they maintain comfort across cold, dry, and humid environments where conventional wicking fabrics fail. This article explains the thermophysiology of fishnet design and provides evidence-based strategies for layering in alpine and variable weather conditions.

[dueurt]

Has anyone used (this kind of) fishnet in socks?

Judging from how my shoulders look after a day with shoulder straps on fishnet, it’s possibly a bad idea for the bottom. But for the top of socks it seems like a good fit.

Managing moisture on my body is easy compared to my feet.

[David D]

@dueurt, I have tennis socks with an open mesh pattern up top and my feet feel drier in them when I play, probably because they just hold less sweat.

Fishnet needs an upper layer that transports moisture effectively, like large turbulent air pockets or a Lifa polypropylene (hygrophobic).

As long as the footwear can transport the moisture, I think it could work.  So a light breathable trail runner would be the best chance at success.  A WPB boot gets overloaded quickly with sweat and I don’t think a fishnet sock would help.

[Terran Terran]

Bjorne makes socks with a fishnet liner. Top and bottom. I find them effective, though I do get waffle feet.  I don’t feel friction. I feel the mesh, but I still find them comfortable. I wore them a lot last winter.

[dueurt]

@David D

I was imagining them as liners under a more absorbent sock. But mostly I’m just curious to try it.

@Terran Terran

Thanks, I’ll take a look.

EDIT: No luck finding them. Can you share a link?

[Terran Terran]

I was imagining them as liners under a more absorbent sock.

I would have thought so too, but they have a tight knot poly on the outside. More of a barrier. I wear wool over them.

[Terran Terran]

Brynje not Bjorn duh…sorry about that that.

Socks

[Hanz B]

Hi Ryan,

Would you mind adding some insight into the differences between the Brynje and HH Lifa next to skin option? I’ve used the Brynje successfully in some of the above cases with great success. Though, I remain curious about the HH as well. HH pictures are not ideal to interpret. Is there a use-case difference?

[dueurt]

I will throw in a recommendation for Svala. Their fishnet is called Airbase. https://svala.com/en/collection/airbase/

I haven’t used a Brynje shirt in decades, and never tried HH fishnet, so I can’t say how it compares. But it is very good IMO. On my scale, the Airbase Original Shirt M is 119g and the Long Johns M 105g.

As fishnet, it is miles ahead of Aclima Woolnet. Of course that’s comparing polypro to merino, but the Svala mesh is also coarser and stretchier, giving a tighter fit and I think a better hole size.

[David D]

@dueurt, FYI, one more option: https://www.finetrackglobal.com/en_CA/shop_by_product/accessories/socks/elemental-layer-liner-socks-crew/FSU0224.html

I didn’t think HH made fishnet?  I know some us (me included) wear their Lifa over fishnet

[dueurt]

Those finetrack socks look very interesting, thanks.

I must’ve misunderstood about HH, my bad.

[Author]

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