The first choice is naturally merino wool, with a content of no less than 70% (cashmere is certainly better, but outdoor top brand cashmere socks are also rare, so we should buy the so-called cashmere socks carefully).
In addition to the fabric, the thickness, barrel height, tightness, and weight of socks also need to be understood. Outdoor socks are not suitable for too loose socks, and the barrel height is recommended to be medium high (the socks are folded in half, and one end of the sock mouth is longer).
Thickness and weight are measured by the side. Any socks with cotton, bamboo fiber, wood fiber and other fabrics are not recommended for climbing.
[Walking socks]
Compared with mountain climbing, hiking is more complicated. The first is temperature. If it is hot in summer, you can choose cotton blend and other types of quick-drying, or all-chemical fiber quick-drying.
Relatively speaking, the fast drying of all chemical fibers is more breathable. If the walking time is longer, consider the wear resistance and easy washing. All chemical fibers are more wear-resistant and easier to dry than cotton blend; However, in terms of tactility and deodorization, cotton blending is better. For amateur and short-term hiking activities, cotton blending is recommended. Of course, Tuhao can consider air conditioning yarn, such as 37.5 ℃ temperature-control fabric. In short, it is appropriate.
Even in summer, we recommend socks with thickened towel bottom. Wear and tear is the law of nature. A hundred years of clean wind can also fossilize quicksand, not to mention the soles of feet that carry more than one hundred kilograms.
Secondly, in spring and autumn, the temperature is relatively pleasant, and hiking socks can be selected according to summer. Or consider some irregular terry socks and socks with large terry area in style.
Then in winter, when hiking in cold areas, most outdoor brands, including socks for warmth preservation, Merino’s preferred fabric, and of course, the thermal insulation and quick-drying profiled chemical fiber fabric similar to Thermolite, are basically mid-range products.
Considering the thickness of socks and the content of merino to match various temperature environments, generally speaking, the higher the content of whole merino socks is, the better. Choose products no less than 50%.
The style is relatively simple. It is natural to choose half-terry (foot terry) type hiking socks. Considering that hiking is usually recommended to wear shoes with medium-high collar, ankle protection is not easy to sprain, so socks should also have suitable length, medium or medium-high sleeve is a good choice.
In fact, most of my friends are amateur fake outdoor people, relatively casual, not too wild, so there are many low-top shoes and socks to match. I think it doesn’t matter much, just fit it. However, in terms of tightness, we should choose sports style rather than loose socks.
All cotton socks are also not recommended for hiking socks, except for those who have porters and stay in hotels. The main reason is that wear resistance and sweat-wicking are not up to standard. Of course, cotton blended quick-drying socks are still mainstream. Usually, basic socks of outdoor brands use this combination.
There are also many kinds of running socks. Sports socks are different from outdoor socks. The outdoor comprehensive environment and state, such as wading through mountains and rivers, walking and stopping, going up and down slopes, and the pace is naturally guided by the circumstances, wear and tear, are all comprehensive. In addition, the outdoor environment is limited in load bearing, so it is necessary to consider whether the durability of the product is enough to support the completion of the entire activity.
Running is intense, high energy consumption, and impossible to be high and durable, so durability is basically not considered. It is better to consider the cost performance and affordability.
Sports socks do not need to consider the thermal insulation performance. They will not be cold during the exercise, as long as the heat dissipation and ventilation are considered. Therefore, the selected fabrics are generally cool and quick-drying fabrics such as coolmax. However, sports socks have higher requirements for the fit, so socks need to be tighter. Socks need to have a reasonable layout in the design. Local tightness will cause compression and discomfort, and only comprehensive tightness in the structure will be more comfortable.
Let me also say that Merino fabric is also suitable for sports, such as running socks, because Merino has certain temperature-control properties and will naturally maintain constant temperature. Of course, the effect is not so ideal, but it is also commendable.
Therefore, thin wool running socks are not uncommon. Even running socks for track and field, marathon and other events also have wool socks. However, Merino socks have poor durability and are more delicate than chemical fiber socks.