Keen socks or Smartwool for riding?

[Sadie]

Just bought a pair of Keen socks, which I love, but others swear by smartwool. I also snowshoe, so I'm looking for a brand that's good for both sports.

[malkin]

I've never had Keen socks, but I really love all the smartwool ones. DH is a convert to smartwool socks, and he wears them exclusively now. I still like some of my 'lesser' socks.

[MartianDestiny]

I've never had keen socks and frankly I use "normal" athletic socks on the bike with no issues. For hiking and snowshoeing I'll ONLY wear wool and ONLY Smartwool. I have some off brand wool socks and they give me blisters, I never get blisters with Smartwool (I do buy the hiking/backpacking specific ones as well). The off brand socks are now relegated to day to day school and back wear.

[nscrbug]

I love Smartwool socks. I have a drawer full of 'em. I have a bunch of PhD light cycling mini socks, a few pairs of their Adrenaline mini, a few of their Outdoor mini, and a handful of their PhD running mini. About the only variety of Smartwool that I do NOT like, is anything that is labeled "ultralight" OR "micro"...I find the ultralight socks to be just a tad bit thin for me, and the micro cut sits too low on my ankle and my shoes end up rubbing on my skin.

[Sadie]

Good to know, thanks

[sarahspins]

I have a pair of Keen's (and the whole left/right thing cracks me up) and I also have Smartwool socks (probably 5 or 6 pairs).. but I have to say, my favorite wool socks hands down are Teko's! You have to be careful with the smartwool socks since not all of them have seamless toes (some do, but it's not always obvious since they don't all seem to say if you're buying online), but ALL of the Teko socks do... and I really like the fit. They seem a little bit snugger than the smartwool socks.

REI carries them, as does Backcountry, or you can order directly from Teko.

I don't even wear non-wool socks anymore... can't stand them AT ALL :p

[Sadie]

I know, the right foot/left thing is pretty amazing. I will look up Teko's...nice to hear a recommendation.

[Yelsel]

I have many pairs of the Smartwool heavy trekking socks - I love these and wouldn't consider anything else for crew-height socks. I just purchased 2 knee-length Burton Ultrawool Socks (http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/product/784756) on closeout from REI for $10 and they are a steal - I'm getting 3 more pair now. No specific padding as with the Smartwool socks, but they are thick all over, which makes them very cushioned on the bottom. I've worn them around the house and on one commute, and they are going on a 47 mile bike ride tomorrow. Note that the sizing on the REI page is wrong -- M/L is 8+ in women's sizes, not 10+ (there are no S/M left). I would also pay full price for these socks... though I never pay retail if I can help it. In comparison, I was disappointed in the Smartwool Kneehigh Sock (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_10568.html) -- it was not as thick as the Burtons, and alternatively didn't have the nice variable cushioning found in the thick trekking socks. I am returning these.

For snowshoeing, I recommend getting felted inserts into your boots if they fit. We have dry powder here most of the year, so I wear Steger Mukluks (http://shop.mukluks.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TRDBRN&title=Traditional%20Chocolate%20Brown%20Mukluks) with thick felted insides, and use modified bearpaw wooden snowshoes (I want Ojibwe ones now though). When snowshoeing with my BH -- I swear he has no circulation to his hands or feet -- so I ended up taking off my Smartwool Trekking socks and giving them to him to put on over his own socks as well; with just polypro liners and the felt insert my feet were toasty warm (about 10F outside).

[Norse]

I have Smartwool liners, hiking socks and 1 pair of bike socks (I need more!). I LOVE them all!