wool sock advice

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10-18-2009, 10:30 PM
deeaimond

wool sock advice

Hi Ladies!

need advice about wool socks. I'm headed to NY for winter again, and i'm not sure if it'll be as cold as last year. Last year was my first winter and a I had padded tights and all that but turns out i didn't like those. I also got reg thick socks from a consignment store, but i went for a simple walk and came back with blisters...

From what i've read here, wool socks are less likely to give blisters, and also there is a sale on smartwool socks at teamE...

So my feet get the coldest, and so i figure long wool socks will keep me warm enough in my jeans etc... (padded tights are hell when i head inside and walk ard...

now the million dollar question... can i wear ultra-light wool socks in warm weather also? will my feet sweat to death? will it be uncomfortable?

also, I like my socks tight, and i have really thin feet. How stretchy are the smartwool socks? can I get them in size small (size 4-6.5), even though my feet are a 7.5.

I don't wanna spend $60 on socks to wear for one month...(esp since i just spent $1500 on an air ticket...)

thanks in advance for any tips! :D

D
10-19-2009, 04:47 AM
NbyNW

I've been wearing these throughout the cycling season in the PNW:

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cf...ocks/_/_/2213/

There is a sizing chart on the website that might help you select what size is best for you.
10-19-2009, 05:18 AM
OakLeaf

I run in light to midweight wool socks year round. It never got over 29°C here this summer, though, and that only for a short time - I know Singapore is quite a bit warmer!

Can't help you on sizing. I will say that wearing your socks too tight greatly increases your chances of blisters.

Edit: and wearing your socks (and shoes) too tight pretty much guarantees your toes and feet will be cold. If cold is the main issue, and you have to choose one thing, you'll be better off getting shoes and socks that give your toes and midfoot complete unrestricted movement. If you've never tried this before, you'll be surprised at how much warmer your feet stay, than they do in insulated footwear that cut off your circulation.
10-19-2009, 05:42 AM
shootingstar

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeaimond

From what i've read here, wool socks are less likely to give blisters, and also there is a sale on smartwool socks at teamE...

So my feet get the coldest, and so i figure long wool socks will keep me warm enough in my jeans etc... (padded tights are hell when i head inside and walk ard...

now the million dollar question... can i wear ultra-light wool socks in warm weather also? will my feet sweat to death? will it be uncomfortable?

also, I like my socks tight, and i have really thin feet. How stretchy are the smartwool socks? can I get them in size small (size 4-6.5), even though my feet are a 7.5.

I don't wanna spend $60 on socks to wear for one month...(esp since i just spent $1500 on an air ticket...)

D

I assume that you will wear a thicker shoe ..with leather will help even if there is snow. NYC maybe like Toronto, may not get snow at that time but it will be definitely below freezing. And your body is not acclimatized much to the temps.

I'm fine in a leather shoe and wearing a thin (but not ultra thin) 100% wool ...or even acrylic sock. Of course knee socks are better. Don't know if a sporting goods store where you live, have such socks. Do you happen to have a hiking boot to wear/bring along? I agree it's not worth spending $60.00 for socks for such a short time. Hopefully you'll find something under $20.00. For myself, if I'm just walking around a city instead of hiking in the bush/mountains, I'm pretty low-cost and unsophisticated in terms of socks.

Our temp. here in Vancouver are approx. lowest -5 degrees C or usually higher....at the foot of the mountains, non-mountainous areas. Toronto at that time is approx. -10 to -15 degrees C. or lower.
10-19-2009, 07:09 AM
deeaimond

Quote:

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I run in light to midweight wool socks year round. It never got over 29°C here this summer, though, and that only for a short time - I know Singapore is quite a bit warmer!

Can't help you on sizing. I will say that wearing your socks too tight greatly increases your chances of blisters.

Edit: and wearing your socks (and shoes) too tight pretty much guarantees your toes and feet will be cold. If cold is the main issue, and you have to choose one thing, you'll be better off getting shoes and socks that give your toes and midfoot complete unrestricted movement. If you've never tried this before, you'll be surprised at how much warmer your feet stay, than they do in insulated footwear that cut off your circulation.

yeah Oakleaf i know what you mean by too tight socks and what i meant was that i like them to fit snug, like i know some people like their socks a little loose... (my mum) as for boots... BF just told me he threw away the boots i bought last year coz he says they were too ugly... I'm not buying boots here. probably go there and buy Uggs..(i'm just knocking myself over my head for this i should have just bought the uggs last year, but they seemed sooo expensive!). I'll do fine for a day or two with my runners, with some wool socks :D

Anyone has good idea for boots?

Actually shootingstar, it was quite manageable last year as long as i kept moving. I had an ugly but warm down jacket and it wasn't too bad. and mostly i stayed at home, and we have good central heating. I think last year was quite cold, not sure how it'll be this year.
10-19-2009, 07:12 AM
deeaimond

Quote:

Originally Posted by NbyNW

I've been wearing these throughout the cycling season in the PNW:

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cf...ocks/_/_/2213/

There is a sizing chart on the website that might help you select what size is best for you.

NbyNW, how warm is your cycling season?? I saw these socks on TE and was thinking of getting them.
10-19-2009, 07:16 AM
Becky

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeaimond

Anyone has good idea for boots?

Keens :) Waterproof, stylish, and oh so comfortable. I wear them on rainy and snowy days so that I don't have to change footwear when I get to work. They're a little big in the leg for me, but they're not meant to be fitted like dress boots, so I don't worry about it.

http://www.zappos.com/keen-winthrop-boot-black

http://www.zappos.com/keen-palermo-boot-wp-biking-red
10-19-2009, 07:35 AM
e.e.cummings

I bought these at my LBS but here is a link where you see them - Kona wool socks - http://www.konaworld.com/clothing.cfm?content=socks. Mine are the black ones on the bottom of the page. I love them - I bought another pair for my husband last weekend.
10-19-2009, 07:38 AM
MartianDestiny

I wear midweight smartwool hiking socks year round. They breathe/wick really well. I have a pair or two of snowboarding socks, and even those I can wear in all but the hottest weather and still be warm in the winter.

The hiking socks have a band in them around the arch and fit very nicely. I have size 4/5 feet and buy the smalls. They fit snug with no rubbing, no extra sock, and no problems. Unless you really really like them tight I'd buy your size.
10-19-2009, 09:02 AM
NbyNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeaimond

NbyNW, how warm is your cycling season?? I saw these socks on TE and was thinking of getting them.

In Seattle it was probably a comfortable low-50s to high-70s (Fahrenheit) from June-Sept., with one-two weeks occasionally getting up into the high 90s, but that doesn't happen every year. Big part of the temperature is what time of day you are riding/duration, etc. Some people ride year-round -- it gets pretty chilly, but we don't have that many days below freezing.

I'm not sure how warm it will be here in Edmonton, and for how long. I just moved here, and apparently we are having screwy weather this year.
10-19-2009, 09:07 AM
Cataboo

I wear smartwool socks year round - the lightweight or midweight in the summers. Not a big deal. I get the size small, but have size 6-6.5 feet that are on the wide side and they fit well.

+1 to not having your boots or shoes on too tight.

I wear my merrell chill slides a lot in the winter without socks. The fuzziness inside is much like uggs, but not full height.

+1 on keens like Becky said, although if you have thin feet you may not like them so much because they do have a wide toe box.
10-19-2009, 09:08 AM
deeaimond

Quote:

Originally Posted by NbyNW

In Seattle it was probably a comfortable low-50s to high-70s (Fahrenheit) from June-Sept., with one-two weeks occasionally getting up into the high 90s, but that doesn't happen every year. Big part of the temperature is what time of day you are riding/duration, etc. Some people ride year-round -- it gets pretty chilly, but we don't have that many days below freezing.

I'm not sure how warm it will be here in Edmonton, and for how long. I just moved here, and apparently we are having screwy weather this year.

Hmm.. here it's 90F yr round... maybe i should not buy them for wearing here... but i hate cotton socks. my feet stay dry for like... an hour. then its damp the whole day...

annyone tried the smartwool ultra-light socks in 90 degree weather?
10-19-2009, 09:16 AM
OakLeaf

I don't think my feet get any hotter running in 85 degrees, than they do cycling or walking in 90 degrees....
10-19-2009, 09:33 AM
deeaimond

Quote:

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I don't think my feet get any hotter running in 85 degrees, than they do cycling or walking in 90 degrees....

yup.. good one. guess i should buy a few pairs to try out here. but int'l shipping is $26 for express, and $9 by boat... for a pair of socks... even 4 pairs... seems abit much...

haiz... I'll think about it i guess. or i;ll just do my buying for when i reach the US...

the dottie socks are so cute!
10-19-2009, 11:54 AM
Cataboo

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeaimond

Hmm.. here it's 90F yr round... maybe i should not buy them for wearing here... but i hate cotton socks. my feet stay dry for like... an hour. then its damp the whole day...

annyone tried the smartwool ultra-light socks in 90 degree weather?

our summers are 95 degrees with like 90% humidity.. I've used the ultra light socks in that no problem. and probably the light & mids... granted, my cycling shoes are vented. I dont normally have sweaty feet to begin with.
10-19-2009, 12:07 PM
MommyBird

We love Wool!

I tried wool socks for the first time this summer.
I had put it off for years because I cannot wear wool sweaters and pants.
I break out in a rash.
I was tired of blisters so I bought two pair of smart Wool footies.
I loved them. No blisters or welts. Apparently my feet are not allergic like my arms, legs and torso.
My feet stayed very cool considering the heat.

Now my wool socks are my #1 choice.
My husband has switched to wool cycling socks.
My sons are on crew and they prefer to row in wool socks as well.