When preparing for hiking, we often visit one of the tourist shops, the first thing we pay attention to is shoes, which is, of course, important, because good shoes ARE important. This time we would like to draw your attention to another very important part of the hiking inventory - socks!
For a few hours or several days, during the hike, the greatest load is on the feet.
Blisters
During every walk, we don't want to "meet" this evil friend - blisters. Even the smallest blister can ruin your hike on the first day, and every day more!
Why do you get blisters while hiking?
- You have chosen shoes and/or socks that do not match the load
- Wet / wet feet and socks
- Incorrect shoe size
- Ill-fitting or damaged shoes
Fatigue and leg cramps
The magic of hiking lies in different surfaces, jumping over obstacles and other tests for the mind and legs. A textured surface is interesting for you, but your feet feel the load and stress.
What to pay attention to when choosing hiking socks?
Feet need to breathe
The primary purpose of hiking socks is to wick moisture away from your feet, keeping them dry as much as possible. In order for socks to fulfill this function, their material must be hypoallergenic, breathable and moisture wicking.
Good hiking socks will save bad hiking shoes
Not a single hiking and outdoor lifestyle enthusiast will agree that it is more practical to first buy hiking socks and only then match them with appropriate hiking shoes.
Streelnieks.lv's article on choosing hiking socks mentions that socks are responsible for 70% of walking comfort. The remaining 30% is divided into – 10% compliance of the shoes to the load conditions, 10% the condition of wearing the shoes and 10% the level of air permeability and water permeability of the shoes.
Support
Pay attention to the structure of the sock, as the manufacturer has created zones in the most sensitive parts of the leg. Good hiking socks are designed to support the Achilles area, ankle, arch of the foot and, if you choose socks, also the calf area. Such socks will protect against overload and reduce the risk of trauma.
Compression
We recommend choosing hiking socks with specially designed compression zones. Functional compression zones improve muscle performance thanks to muscle-specific compression, reduce muscle vibrations and maintain muscle tone for optimal performance for longer. You can use compression socks both during and after hiking. They will reduce the possibility of cramps and fatigue during the hike. After a hike, compression socks perform the function of recovery - muscle regeneration, preventing the popular muscle pain that we experience after long hikes.
