Length, material, knit fabric, warmth, breathability etc When hiking in the snow, the type of sock you choose is critical. How do you choose the ideal sock that will keep your feet both comfortable and safe?
Length, material, knit fabric, warmth, breathability etc When hiking in the snow, the type of sock you choose is critical. How do you choose the ideal sock that will keep your feet both comfortable and safe?
Snow hiking offers walkers a leisurely way of exploring the mountains or can be enjoyed as a more athletic pursuit. Whatever your preference, the equipment you choose for this outdoor winter pursuit will be key in determining whether you enjoy a comfortable hiking experience. Starting with your socks. Check out our advice on how to choose the right pair of socks to keep your feet dry and warm so you can enjoy a happy hiking experience.
DID YOU KNOW?
In winter, to help deal with the cold, the body prioritises the organs that are essential for our survival such as the heart or brain by keeping them nice and warm. And to conserve energy, it prefers to restrict the flow of blood to exposed but non-essential parts such as the hands and feet.
This means that the best way of keeping them warm is to cover them with good quality fabrics. When it comes to your head, if you don't keep it covered, you risk losing the heat produced by your body to keep your brain warm: which means your entire body will become cold more quickly.
THERE ARE 4 DIFFERENT CRITERIA THAT WILL HELP DETERMINE YOUR CHOICE OF SOCKS: THERMAL COMFORT, CONSTRUCTION, LENGTH AND USE.
Dry, still air is one of the best thermal insulators available and ideally you want to be able to trap a layer inside your garment to ensure you stay warm and well insulated.. Clothing made from thick fabric will tend to be tighter-fitting, leaving less room for air. So, as you will have gathered, the thermal comfort properties of a sock are not determined by the thickness of the fabric.
Thermal comfort is determined by:
Your comfort will therefore be determined by the construction of your sock: warm fabric where it's needed, strategically placed breathable fabric and material in sensitive areas to protect from chafing.
Another important point: make sure you find a sock that fits you: length.
As with shoes, when it comes to choosing socks, body shape is very important. The height of your sock will therefore depend on your body shape and use.
Socks are available in 2 lengths:
Once you've found a sock that fits your shape and suits your shoes, you then need to check that it's compatible with the type of hiking you want to do.
The warmth and breathability of the pair of socks you choose, will depend on your day, the route you've planned, your personal preferences, body shape and weather conditions. When choosing your socks, you also need to think about the kind of snow hiking you'll be doing.
ARE YOU COLD INTOLERANT?
No problem! a pair of silk socks worn under your regular socks will provide warmth and comfort.
And if you're really cold intolerant, you can also slip a pair of insulating insoles in your boots - well-being guaranteed!
TO SUM UP, WHEN CHOOSING YOUR SOCKS, YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE SOLE OBJECTIVE IN MIND: TO KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY. AND WHEN LOOKING FOR A SOCK THAT WILL PROVIDE THE RIGHT BALANCE OF WARMTH AND BREATHABILITY, YOU NEED TO CONSIDER YOUR BODY SHAPE, YOUR LEVELS OF COLD INTOLERANCE AND THE TYPE OF SNOW HIKING YOU'RE PLANNING TO DO. OUR DECATHLON SALES ASSISTANTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE A MORE PERSONALISED SERVICE AND WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER APPROPRIATE ADVICE ON THE PAIR OF SOCKS THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS.
Quechua communication team
Mountain enthusiast, passionate hiker with or without snowshoes, lover of open spaces, lakes and peaks, occasional climber and learner surfer.