When it comes to hiking, there are a lot of different opinions on the best way to do things. Some people swear by wearing two pairs of socks while hiking, while others say that it’s unnecessary and will just end up giving you blisters.
So, what’s the verdict? Is it really worth wearing two pairs of socks on your next hike? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Benefits of Wearing Two Paris Of Socks
There are many reasons you would want to consider wearing two pairs of socks on your next hike.
Wearing two pairs of socks can help prevent blisters
If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, it’s important to make sure that your feet are well-protected. Blisters can be extremely painful and can ruin your whole hike.
By wearing two pairs of socks, you’re creating an extra layer of protection between your skin and your shoes.
It can also help keep your feet warm
This is especially important if you’ll be hiking in cold weather like earlier in Spring or later into Fall.
Having two pairs of socks will create an extra layer of insulation, which can help prevent frostbite or hypothermia by giving your feet some extra warmth.
It can also help reduce friction
Friction is one of the main causes of foot issues like blisters, so by wearing two pairs of socks, you’re reducing the amount of friction that your skin will experience.
This will help ensure you have fewer hot spots and blisters in general.
It can absorb sweat better
Sweaty feet are one of the main causes of blisters, so by wearing two pairs of socks, you’re helping to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Additionally, absorbing sweat can also help keep your feet from slipping around inside your shoes, which can also lead to blisters.
Nothing is as gross as feet that are soaked in sweat.
Help protect your feet from bacteria and fungi
When your feet are constantly sweating, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to grow.
By wearing two pairs of socks, you’re creating a barrier that can help prevent these germs from coming into contact with your skin.
It can add cushioning
If you’ll be doing a lot of walking on rough terrain, having an extra layer of cushioning can help protect your feet from bruising or other injuries.
Cushioning over long miles can also help reduce fatigue and make your hike more enjoyable.
Drawbacks of Wearing Two Paris Of Socks
This doesn’t mean there aren’t issues with choosing to wear more socks. In fact, wearing two pairs of socks can actually create some problems of its own.
It can make your feet too warm
If you’ll be hiking in warm weather, wearing two pairs of socks may actually make your feet too hot and sweaty, which can lead to blisters.
It can make your shoes too tight
If your shoes are already tight-fitting, adding an extra pair of socks may make them too snug and uncomfortable.
It can be difficult to find shoes that fit well if you wear two pairs of socks all the time
Most shoes are designed with only one pair of socks in mind, so wearing two pairs all the time can cause them to wear out faster or not fit as well as they should.
It’s one more thing to pack! If you’re trying to travel light, carrying an extra pair of socks with you may not be ideal.
They can slip down inside your shoes and bunch up
This is especially true if you’re wearing ankle socks with regular crew socks over them—the ankle socks may slip down and bunch up around your ankles, which can be uncomfortable and annoying.
What Type of Socks Should You Wear When Hiking With Two Pairs?
For most this will be a liner, or thinner sock, on your foot and the thicker hiker sock over the liner.
This combination can be too warm for some, so experiment with different types of socks to find what works best for you.
You may also want to consider sizing up your pair of trail runners or hiking boots to accommodate the extra socks.
Liner Socks
I personally use Injinji liners because getting those toes separated helps them from rubbing against each other which in return helps to prevent blisters.
These are also great because they wick away moisture and dry quickly should they get wet.
For those of you who don’t know, a liner sock is a thin sock that is meant to be worn underneath your regular socks.
They are typically made from a material that wicks away moisture, like wool or synthetic fibers.
Liners can help prevent blisters by keeping your feet dry and reducing friction and they can also add an extra layer of warmth in cold weather.
Outer Socks
I generally go with a thicker sock like the Darn Tough Merino Wool socks because they are less smelly and very durable.
For those of you who don’t know, an outer sock is a thicker sock that is worn over your liner sock.
Outer socks are typically made from materials like wool or synthetic fibers that can wick away moisture and keep your feet warm.
They can also add cushioning and support to help prevent blisters and other injuries.
Final Thoughts on Wearing Two Pairs of Socks While Hiking
So, should you wear two pairs of socks while hiking? Ultimately, it depends on a few different factors like the weather conditions, the type of terrain you’ll be hiking on, the fit of your shoes, and how susceptible you are to blisters (among other things).
In the end, overall there is no right or wrong answer you need to find what is comfortable for you.
So, if you want to try wearing two pairs of socks on your next hike, go for it! Just be sure to experiment a bit to find the right combination that works best for you.
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