The short answer to this question is: yes. You’ve probably picked up a pair of thick socks from the supermarket before thinking that they will do the job, but a high quality walking sock will do a lot more than just keep your foot warm. Walking socks help to protect your feet from blisters and discomfort, regulate your foot temperature if it’s too hot, and improve the fit of your walking boot if it’s a little roomy.
1. Protect & support your feet:
There’s nothing worse than being out on the trail for a couple of hours and starting to feel a niggle on your heel or toe, and you just know that you’re going to spend the next week limping around because of a blister. Your choice of sock can either cause or prevent a blister, so it’s important to make the right choices when it comes to fit, thickness, and materials. Having cushioning in the right places and wicking materials to prevent moisture will ultimately help your feet to thrive whatever activity you are doing.
2. Temperature regulation:
Did you know that your feet produce 200ml of moisture each day when at rest? Imagine how much this could increase if you’re walking all day and your feet start to heat up. The correct sock fibre choice can drastically increase the percentage of moisture escaping out of your footwear, making for a much more pleasant and comfortable day out, whilst preventing nasty blisters. In contrast, if conditions are cold, your socks are key to making sure that your feet stay warm.
3. Improving the fit of your walking boot:
A walking sock can improve the fit of your footwear, particularly if you are in between sizes or have an especially shallow or flat foot. Excess room in your footwear can lead to foot migration and rubbing, causing blisters and an overall uncomfortable hiking experience. Adding volume by upping sock weight can make sure that your foot is filling up the boot and prevent rubbing. But be careful - going too thick with a walking sock can have the opposite effect and can cause additional pressure.