Travel Socks

I was wondering if anybody had recommendations for travel socks. Might sound silly, but there are about 10,000 different socks out there to choose from, and I figured some must be better than others. I've heard good things about Wigwam and Smartwool, but these brands offer about a thousand models to choose from, with very little to differentiate them in their descriptions.

First of all, they can't be cotton, because they must be quick drying. I'm assuming that thicker is better for travel during colder weather, as this would provide more insulation. I'm assuming thinner is better for hot weather. I'm assuming thicker is better for padding during long days of walking around Europe with a backpack on. Besides that, I'm pretty lost. I see some people using liners to cut down on blisters, but I've never had much of a problem with that.

Anyway, TIA for any advice.

Travel socks? Unless you have a specific problem that causes you to require special socks, why not just use the same socks that serve you well when performing similar activities (walking, sitting, talking) in the rest of your life? Feet work the same everywhere.

What's next? Travel dental floss ('specially coated to get out those pesky European food particles'? Travel deodorant ('when in Rome, smell like a Roman!'?

It's amazing how consumers have been trained to think they need a new product every time they turn around.

Taking a moment's reflection, tslugmo mused: I was wondering if anybody had recommendations for travel socks.

I never had much luck with liner socks and what not. But, I've done a lot of hiking (on several continents) in Thorlo hiking crew socks, and love them. They are a medium weight, so they are good for warmer and cooler weather. The first link that came up in Google was one for REI. So, you can check the socks out here: http://tinyurl.com/5b2l9

Regarding thicker versus thinner, bear in mind that a thicker sock will decrease the amount of foot room, and increase the pressure on the foot surface. A thinner sock can have the opposite effect, and open the door for blisters due to increased movement. General advice is to find some socks to hike it, and then wear them when you go buy your boots.

Agree with you 10 percent on above!!

Here are some Im looking at

made by Tilley. Same people who make Tiley hats

I understand what you're saying, Miguel, but I prefer cotton socks when I'm at home, because I have unlimited access to a washer and dryer. On the road, however, I don't have that luxury. So I need to use socks made of quick drying material that won't turn hard and crusty from air drying like cotton gym socks. If you've ever tried to air dry Foot Locker socks, you know that they take well over a day to dry, which doesn't work when you're hopping from place to place in Europe. I also spend much more of my day on my feet when I'm traveling, versus my normal daily routine which involves quite a bit more sitting in front of a computer. Some of the clearanced socks at REI are $3/pair, which I consider a small investment to help make sure my trip is a good one. Wet or uncomfortable socks can definitely ruin your day. This is the voice of experience.

There are dual layer socks for hikers that discourage blisters. I don't know where they are found.

I generally use the Thorlo hiking socks for atravelling but my wife bought some of the Tilley socks and loves them. They are comfy and dry easily overnight as do their undies.

I bought some socks at KMart that dry overnight. I don't think it is necessary to pay a lot of money for quick drying socks. Or undies.

I agree generally. BUT.

This last year before I travelled to Italy, I ran into a sale on 'travel' undies at Sierra Trading Post. They were real cheap ($5 or so) and I love them for travel. They are wicking, so when you sweat they absorb it, and I was really happy about them. Since Sierra deals primarily in overstocks and closeouts, I can't really remember the brand either.

And they clean out really well and dry overnight.

Yeah Ive used Thorlo and SmartWool in the past and they are both good

But I think Ill give the Tiley socks a try as well.

My SmartWool are made of wool naturally....and I think that's a good material for a sock as wool wears very well, warm when wet, etc

But.... wool takes a long time to dry. hence the idea of trying the Tilley socks