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Best Cold weather socks?
#5370235
10/20/14 07:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 681
Mathp
OP
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 681 |
Nearly froze my toes off last year in 10-15 degrees after that ice storm in Breckenridge. What are the best really cold weather socks you have?
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5370821
10/21/14 12:13 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Not the socks it's the boots!!!
I wear merino socks mid weight all year long.
Get you some sorrels or Columbia bugaboo for cold weather
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5377859
10/24/14 07:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 15
staywarmguy
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 15 |
Socks and boots are important but if you walk a good distance to your stand, put on a new pair of socks once you get there. Also, soak your feet in powder before you leave. That will help keep them dry.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5379432
10/25/14 10:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,024
Texas buckeye
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It's hard hunting north Texas, because we start the season in 70's (some years 80's and above) and sometimes late in the season it can be in the teens or lower like last year. Really requires lots of layers or different sets of gear. This all you know.
For feet, the best thing is as mentioned above a really good pair of boots. But those would get worn only late season. I have a pair of 400 weight boots, good for mid-season and on, really anytime Temps are below 45. For colder days I wear a pair of heavyweight wool socks, and that helps a lot. My toes did get cold the morning it was 11 degrees last year (yes I was crazy and hunted that day after the ice storm, saw a few doe and had a horrible drove home) but I could have layered my Socks and probably been fine.
Two big things with feet: 1 keep your feet dry. If your feet are wet they will be colder for sure, and that means sweating or even just wearing the same Socks two days in a row. Fresh socks are a must. 2 don't constrict your ankles or feet. Leave some room for circulation and warm air down there. If you construct the blood flow to your feet you will have cold feet. Likewise, if you compress your feet and don't allow enough space for your feet to breath they won't generate warm air and you will get cold feet.
When I played football in Ohio, many times we played in freezing drizzle toward the end of the season. Hard to play in boots, so I would put on a pair of socks, put a plastic bag around my feet, and then another layer of socks. My feet would be dry and warm and never had cold toes. Could be a help If you don't want to spend money for some good heavyweight (1000-1200 gram) boots.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5381962
10/27/14 02:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,450
FoxTrot
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,450 |
Thermacell heated insoles
I avoid Dick's and hope they fold.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: FoxTrot]
#5382026
10/27/14 03:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,260
Texas Dan
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Thermacell heated insoles I have a pair but have not used them enough yet to give them a thumbs up or down. Whatever you use, there is much to be said for wearing a thin, non-cotton sock next to the skin with a thicker sock over it. The thin sock will pull and evaporate moisture from the skin and keep your toes warmer.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5382350
10/27/14 05:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
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I've used powered heated socks and wasn't impressed. I don't want my feet sweating and IMHO they weren't worth the cost. If I need I might use a heatpack. Otherwise, boots and socks.
You can't go wrong with wool socks and thinsulate insulated boots rated for the temps you expect to encounter. I use Cabelas wool socks and buy boots a size larger so I can layer socks.
I have a few pairs of boots for different temps and environments. I'm sure quite a few other folks here do as well. A boot that works well at 40 degrees isn't going to work well at 10 degrees. And vice versa. The unnecessary bulk would be a PITA.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: aerangis]
#5383688
10/28/14 03:06 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 303
bluesman
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 303 |
US Military issue Polypropylene Thermal sock liners. Put on under your socks. Absolutely the best stuff I have ever used.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: bluesman]
#5383905
10/28/14 04:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,797
dogcatcher
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US Military issue Polypropylene Thermal sock liners. Put on under your socks. Absolutely the best stuff I have ever used.
Wear with wool socks, the poly sock wicks off the moisture to the wool, so carry an extra pair of wool socks to change to dry wool socks. Also don't wear boots that are so tight that you cut down the blood flow and put your feet up as often as you can. I had a stool that I could rest my feet on, they are off the cold floor and the blood circulates better.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: FoxTrot]
#5411293
11/10/14 09:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 681
Mathp
OP
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OP
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Thermacell heated insoles That reminds me I bought some right after last season!
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5411685
11/11/14 12:19 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
Extreme Tracker
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Another vote for wool socks with poly liners. The disposable adhesive charcoal toe heaters like Grabbers and Hotties are cheap and worth every penny, IMO. They'll fit nicely inside your boots and on your toes.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5413456
11/11/14 06:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,499
duckbill
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It's not so much the socks or the boots, generally speaking. Most of the time the issue is people not leaving enough space between the sock and boot for air to provide proper insulation. Thicker socks don't mean warmer feet. I wear standard white socks year round and most of the time they are underarmor brand ankle cut socks. Nothing special about them. They allow for enough air space in my boots for the heat generated from my foot to heat the air and provide a layer of warm insulated air between the sock and inside surface of the boot. It's been many years since I complained about cold feet.
Yeah, don't listen to me. I'm just an idiot.
Lol. Duckbill that was funny! The dude up top has already taken lots of bone before this deer, both mule and whitetail.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: duckbill]
#5416154
11/12/14 08:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 367
Hunter11
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 367 |
If you are stand hunting, get a pair of boot blankets and put a hand/body warmer in between the boot and the boot blanket. Make sure (like another poster said) allow for PLENTY of ventilation between the foot and boot. this is why I always buy a pair of boots about half a size too big...feet swell and with thicker or layered socks, could cause circulation issues that lead to cold feet.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5416253
11/12/14 09:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,607
Revoman
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I wear SmartWool socks over Poly liners on those cold days. I also invested in top quality Danner and Meindl boots. My feet stay warm -0 hunting in Oklahoma Panhandle
Call'm an Kill'm
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5423566
11/16/14 12:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 220
deadlast2004
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 220 |
Danner boots and good wool socks. The feet and hands stay warm and everything else will follow! Don't cheap out. I have Danner boots over 10 years old. Get what you pay for. Comfortable on walks over 7 miles in and out on a recent hunt.
Last edited by deadlast2004; 11/16/14 12:46 PM.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5425279
11/17/14 03:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,396
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,396 |
It all depends if you are going to be moving or not. Sitting in a cold tree stand, it is hard to beat Thermacell heated insoles. When I was younger and poor, I used to tie trash bags around my boots. It helps a ton. Today, I just buy good boots and have the heated insoles.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5440859
11/24/14 08:10 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,294
oldoak2000
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Forget all the previous posts; Not just any wool socks; get the real deal : they have to be thick (AND will keep your toes warm even if they get wet!), like these: http://www.landsend.com/products/mens-me...2&source=GS or these: http://www.smartwool.com/gifts/topgifts/hunt-extra-heavy-otc-socks.html or these http://www.smartwool.com/gifts/topgifts/mountaineering-extra-heavy-crew-socks.html I bought mine at a ski-shop up north, in the spring, on clearance. I'm a native-Texan, but my wife is a Yankee and she show'd me the light on keeping feet warm when the snow is waist high and feet always get wet. I spent all day skiing with my feet totally soaked, yet feet and toes remained toasty!. I've NEVER found these kind of socks for sale ANYWHERE in Texas, or the south, for that matter . . . NO boot, no matter how expensive, will keep feet warm once they get wet inside, unless you are wearing a thick WOOL sock.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5440991
11/24/14 09:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast
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I switched years ago to Thorlo Wool socks. I get seconds on eBay, they last forever and keep my feet warm every day. You can put poly liners under them and your feet will stay warm when riding your Harley in 20 degree weather, but nothing else will.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5440997
11/24/14 09:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,057
Kenneth1977
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Hasnt ever got cold enough for me to were scoks like that
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Kenneth1977]
#5441261
11/25/14 12:37 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Hasnt ever got cold enough for me to were scoks like that Don't hunt the panhandle much do you?
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5441274
11/25/14 12:45 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,200 |
Hasnt ever got cold enough for me to were scoks like that Don't hunt the panhandle much do you? Nor the Rockies, Canada, or Alaska....
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Cast]
#5441490
11/25/14 02:17 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 595
crapicat
Tracker
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Tracker
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Dude, you have been given lots of information...heres mine 1) Wool socks 2) good boots. Here are my suggestions on both.
Wool socks...make sure that the Merino wool content is at 55% or MORE. I prefer 67 or 68% wool content. It makes a HUGE difference in comfort on an extended basis. Not all wool socks are made the same...check the label for MERINO WOOL CONTENT. There are only a few manufacturers of socks, so the name brand is not as important as the wool CONTENT.
Liners...they work if you get poly pro or silk versions...I seldom use them, but have when necessary (below zero).
Boots...a well constructed FULL LEATHER boot will do wonders for your feet...So will thick/insulated Neopreme... Take your heavyweight socks (and liners) with you when you go to purchase boots...Pick a size that gives you room to wiggle your toes/feet around inside the boot when laced. If your feet feel cramped in the boot, get a larger size. Loose fitting boots will be your friend...My personal favorites are Meindl's, Danners, and Muck (Woody Max) in cold weather (Muck 1st, Meindl's 2nd) in really cold weather.
Hope this information helps you make an informed decision.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5442102
11/25/14 01:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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Thermacell heated insoles I have a pair but have not used them enough yet to give them a thumbs up or down. Whatever you use, there is much to be said for wearing a thin, non-cotton sock next to the skin with a thicker sock over it. The thin sock will pull and evaporate moisture from the skin and keep your toes warmer. That is a fact. Thin liner socks also are a great help in preventing blisters/hot spots when doing a great deal of hiking. A combo of liner socks, Smartwool mid/heavyweights, and 400 gram Thinsulate + boots has never let me down-even in some pretty tough conditions.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Best Cold weather socks?
[Re: Mathp]
#5443467
11/26/14 02:21 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,449
aggiehunter03
Veteran Tracker
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I hunted Kansas two weeks ago for 5 days. Temps in the mornings were around 12-18 with a 20-30 MPH wind. I was bowhunting. Didn't figure this out right away but it's best to wear a normal pair of cotton socks while walking to the stand as your feet sweat. Once I got to the stand I pulled those off and put on my Smartwools and the toe warmers and pulled my Danners on. When I go back up there I will be wearing a pair of tennis shoes to walk to the stand instead of the Danners and putting them on when I get there.
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