Your backpacking socks are important. Use the right socks the right way and your feet will be happy the whole trip. That means starting a new habit when backpacking, if you haven't already. We spoke before and at the Tellepsen practice hike about socks and boots but here it is in writing.
Your feet should first have on a pair of sock liners. Don't be afraid and think you should spend a fortune on this them. I mean... you can if you want to, plenty of places would happily charge you $20+ for a pair of "hiker socks" that do wonderful things, but it's not necessary if you don't want to.
Here's a pair of "hiker socks" that is actually pretty reasonably priced. But if you can find a pair of poly socks that fit nicely then that's all you really need. Don't let me dissuade you from a nice pair of sock liners if that's what you want! These are your feet and need to be treated well. Just know that you don't have to.
Next up is your wool socks. This can be real wool or "smart wool". The reason for that is wool or "smart wool" will still keep your feet warm even if they are wet. Also they are thicker than normal socks so they fit snugly in your boot so your foot doesn't move around as much. Less movement, less chance of blisters.
WHY A SOCK LINER AND A WOOL SOCK?
You need both because you'll be wearing your socks for multiple days at a time. If you have a wool sock and a sock liner, the majority of sweat will go into the sock liner and not the wool sock. That way you only have to wash the sock liners every couple of days to keep your feet fresh. That way you only have to have one pair of wool socks.
Just wash a pair of the sock liners every couple of days and let them dry while wearing a second pair. Your wet socks WILL be dry by the next day when you need them. Northern New Mexico is dry, not humid like Houston.
To Summarize:
2 pair of sock liners
1 pair of wool socks
Not listed but needed: package of moleskin. If you don't know what that is, it's a soft spongy material with a peel-off sticky side. It can be cut to any size to cushion a blister on your foot.
Leave a comment below if you have suggestions or experience that can help others get ready.
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