bugnout wrote: Spend at least as much time choosing the socks you will be wearing, and buy them before you go try on boots. It really is a pairing, and different socks will make a difference. A good wicking medium hiker sock, either a wool blend or all synthetic based on your taste is a good start.
Excellent point! I won’t wear anything but Merino or Alpaca Wool. Although SMARTWOOL is a popular brand of the Merino Wool sock, there are other good brands. Back in the late 1990’s, SMARTWOOL was one of the few brands who made professional grade Merino Wool socks that were engineered for specific activities. I ran the outdoor 1500 meters, indoor 1600 meters, indoor and outdoor 5,000 meters, cross country 8,000 meters, and road raced the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, ½ marathon, and marathon in SMARTWOOL socks (called ultra-cushion) and never, let me repeat, NEVER developed a hot spot or blister. As an outdoor enthusiast, (backpacker, hunter, explorer, etc.) I have various types of merino wool socks for specific activities that fit the specific type of footwear that I’m wearing.
Not that anyone wants a detailed lesson, but since bugnout brought up a crucial point, I feel the need to expand on what he said. Merino wool comes in different strengths and/or thicknesses. Strong, also known as “broad” wool, is between 23 - 24.5 um. Medium wool is between 19.6 - 22.9 um. Fine wool is between 18.6 - 19.5 um. Superfine wool is between 15 - 18.5 um. And Ultra-fine is between 11.5 - 15 um. A synthetic sock (in my opinion) can’t begin to touch the performance of merino wool. Merino wool is naturally odor resistant; however, current synthetics do have anti-bacterial benefits. Merino naturally is anti-fungal and fights bacteria. Merino has the widest comfort range and has performance gains in every environment, especially being able to hold heat under extreme body temperature drop or outdoor temperature drop. They are very breathable (more so than synthetic) and can insulate even when wet. Merino does absorb moisture (which reduces problems with blisters) but slowly releases the moisture (which causes the sock to dry faster). The merino also remains lofty and doesn’t become matted or water bogged.
As soon as we get the hay barn built and the proper fencing completed, we are wanting to start a small Alpaca ranch. Merino wool (as a whole) seems to be a stronger more usable fiber, although, some people would disagree. We’ve been volunteering time on an Alpaca Ranch in Mora, New Mexico to learn more about Alpaca and their fiber. We have also been involved with their sheering process and learning how to separate the fibers according to their quality. Here’s their website: http://www.victoryranch.com/
Alpaca fiber is not considered wool, it’s considered a fiber. There are different thicknesses and qualities of fiber, and some fiber experts say that Alpaca fiber can be just as strong as merino. The debate becomes convoluted since there are different ways to blend fiber/wool and produce patterns of weaving. In general, I think merino is most used because it is cheaper than alpaca. There are a few companies who make Alpaca socks, underwear, etc. Alpaca advocates have bragging rights since the Alpaca fiber is hollow which make them a better insulator.
|
I’ve wore Montrail boots since my college days (mid 1990’s) and they are now only making trail running shoes.
I’m very disappointed. Montrail was an excellent boot. I use to log up to 14 miles of hiking per day carrying a 40lb pack and never got a hot spot or blister. The boots were very well made and handled the extreme desert heat, river crossings, and the extreme high alpine mountaineering. I’m astounded. 
hope they work out well for you.