Layering Socks

[roadwarrior]

http://www.orvis.com/news/fly-fishing/layering-for-comfort/

 

 

[Gundog]

Great article. I like that it breaks it down by season. An excellent guide for people like me who are thinking about getting breathable waders soon. 

[J Francho]

I wear wader socks.  They are a blend of synthetic and wool.  They go up over the knee, and are insulated with faux sheep's wool.  They wick well, and are very warm.  The "no cotton" advice is VERY sound.  We have an expression when it comes to cotton and the cold: cotton kills.

[Steveo-1969]

Thank you for posting the link to this article RW.  I found it very timely as I just purchased my first pair of breathable waders in October and my feet stayed warm until the water temp dipped below 50 degrees. Now with the water at 38 degrees I can't stand in the water very long before I have to get out and try to warm my feet up.

 

Yup, you guessed it!  I'm wearing COTTON socks under my wool socks.

[TxHawgs]

When I lived up North nothing and I mean nothing kept my feet warm. Top of the line boots any of them w up to 2k grams of Thinsulate and the heaviest Smartwool socks u could buy. If I was sitting my toes were ice. Then a yr or so before moving to Tx they came out w those cordless electric heated insoles for a 100 bucks. They are awesome, don't know about wearing them in waders lol. Although I probably would I trusted my Orvis chest waders and even if they did get wet I'm not sure there's enough voltage to hurt ya. Probably just ruin them.

[IgotWood]

I have many years experience with winter trout fishing in New England...and it's COLD! The best trick I learned is that wool is your friend. Not this synthetic merino wool garbage. Straight up, 100% wool! The most effective combination is a pair of silk socks, with a mid-weight or heavy-weight 100% wool sock over them. 

 

Two of the most important things to keep in mind, which most fishermen neglect, is that the socks stop wicking once they are saturated. You need to bring extra changes of socks, depending on how long you plan on being out. I try my best to change my socks twice throughout the day, if I am out all day. You must also lace your boots pretty loose. The tighter they are, the more they restrict blood flow to your feet, which also causes them to be cold. And once they get cold, they're not warming back up until you get home.

 

 

[flyfisher]

Merino wool is not synthetic wool.  It is a specific wool from a particular type of sheep hence the name Merino.  I'll take Merino wool over garbage old fashioned wool any day of the week and a synthetic blend over both of them.  

Definitely keep things as loose as you can to allow for blood flow.  Keeping warm in the cold is doable but it takes some planning and semi-specialized gear.  Changing socks is a good idea as well.

[blckshirt98]

FYI if you're looking for affordable Merino wool socks for the outdoors, check out The Clymb or Sierra Trading Post.  I got some Merino wool socks for dirt cheap off of those sites.  They may be in some ugly color/pattern but they're socks, so you're going to be wearing them under waders/boots/pants so who cares how they look.

 

I never knew what the big deal was with Merino wool, but they're amazing, especially if all you've ever worn is cotton.

[webertime]

Well I'm going to sound pretty ghetto but this is an old school back country skiing trick that works wonders.

Thin wicking sock (cycling sock or thicker, but not much)

Put a bread loaf bag over the sock

Pull a heavier wool or wool and synthetic blend sock over everything.

 

Keeps cold water/melt from direct contact while still pulling sweat from your skin.  The whole thing is insulated by the outer sock.

 

Look at Darn Tuff socks.  Amazing

[flyfisher]

Sierra trading post is where i get all my socks and i am partial to smart wool and icebreaker for my merino wool anything.

[AnthonyBarnaoBASS]

Carhatt socks,

 

 Only way to go 

 

God Bless

 

["hamma"]

I used to work at Killington's bear mountain, as what we called a "lift rat", meaning the guys that ran and assisted skiers on and off the lifts. Wanna talk about cold? Consider the moment you leave home, your out there in sub freezing temps while still dark out scraping your windshield as your car warms, then into the warm car to work you go. You get there and back out into the cold to go "punch in" in the office. Then off to your designated chair for the day.

 Now you have already been cold, warm,  cold, warm, now cold again, and will be for most of the day. You may go inside for a coffee break, and later on lunch of course, then another break around 2, Each time in and out of the cold. If you arent wearing a thin wicking sock, then wool blend, under a good pair of sorel boots, your done before reporting in to "punch in" in the am, your feet are frozen, and the outer layer sock may be frozen to your boots lining. And, you've got at least 10 hours of a day spent out in whatever New Englands lovely winter decides to throw your way.

 The importance of a wicking layer under wool cant be stressed enough,.. And If you didnt own a pair of sorels? they wouldn't hire you. The sorels in question offer a 1/4 inch thick, pair of removable  wool boot lining, and you'd think thats enough? nope,..... The two layered sock system is still mandatory, even with a 1/4 inch of wool and the waterproof outer boot. Most of us lift rats bought a spare pair of boot linings as they would get wet from sweat from just one or two days, if so? the next day? Your screwed!! The slightest bit of sweat, they'd freeze up quick. So, with a extra pair of liners, while your at work, one pair of liners are home drying out for the next days use. This is what worked, and was the only known feasable option.

 Now convert this to waders in a cold river, the waders will act like the waterproof outer boot, and thats it. I understand that the extremes of wading everyday is not compairable to a work schedule. but yet still, you will most likely be in the water and out several times, and the temps inside those waders is going to change with each movement.

 

 Wool over a good wicking layer against the skin? Only way to go, otherwise??? you might as well work lifts at a ski resort in nike's

[J Francho]

Most of the times I'm out fishing in winter, it's warmer in the water than out.

[primetime]

I just by Socks at Walmart and put on a few pairs...Seems to work just fine unless I get wet, but if fishing is good I can fish wet socks in the cold.(Just try to go barefoot to air them out or you get a nasty trench foot). Was just up North Striper Fishing & took a wave over the Bow, didn't bring any rain gear because I forgot to pack it, it was cold, wet, but once the tide picked up and fishing was good, I was not cold, but once it slowed down, I was super cold & I didn't get any mercy so now I plan on packing extra socks.

 

Just pack extra White Socks. They are socks, layers are what works, plus you can spend more money on lures, buying socks is no fun. Dry Fruit of the Looms are good for me & cheap, 3 layers you are golden. Buy some of those hand warmers to put in your shoes if needed.

oh yeah, Waterproof boots are important....I used to work the ski Lift up in Cortland for extra money in college, and you learn that lesson quickly. I would just keep lots of spares in the booth as you get that 30 min rotation then hour outside, 3 Pairs work, Sealed boots if in snow or good pair of Timberland boots keep me good.

[5fishlimit]

30 minutes ago, primetime said:

Dry Fruit of the Looms are good for me & cheap, 3 layers you are golden.

 

You won't get nearly the warmth from your 3 pairs of cotton socks as you will from 1 good pair of merino wool socks.  Something with at least a 70% merino wool content.  As was stated earlier, the old adage of "cotton kills" when it comes to cold weather activities is 100% accurate.

 

Wool will still provide insulation when wet.  Cotton will not.

[J Francho]

He's in Florida.  What works for him won't work for me.  Location - - - always counts.  Like I said before, want to get out of the sub zero temps?  Get in the water.  At least that's 32°!

[roadwarrior]

8 minutes ago, J Francho said:

...want to get out of the sub zero temps?  

 

Or perhaps a better choice, move to The South!

 

[J Francho]

4 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

Or perhaps a better choice, move to The South!

 

 

Why?  Our brown fish are bigger than yours (both bass and trout).

[primetime]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

He's in Florida.  What works for him won't work for me.  Location - - - always counts.  Like I said before, want to get out of the sub zero temps?  Get in the water.  At least that's 32°!

I am kind of not the type to prepare like most people, I will admit that often I regret not preparing for the unexpected, nothing like having to use a garbage bag as a rain coat but it will work out if needed.

 

November Striped Bass Fishing on Eastern Long Island is Cold...Especially fishing both tides in one day. 

 

I guess I Just do well with layers of Socks, I have used the heavy socks for hunting, once had battery powered socks as a kid and I honestly hate sweaty feet but I know that quality clothes matter. I have done my share of Ice Fishing & Winter Fishing but I do invest in good boots, Rain Gear, just never felt anything was wrong with my White Nike Socks. 

 

But yes, In Florida cold is never an issue but good clothes to prevent sun burns & let you breathe are expensive but worth it. Not sure what is worse, really hot or Kind of cold. 

 

 

2 hours ago, 5fishlimit said:

 

You won't get nearly the warmth from your 3 pairs of cotton socks as you will from 1 good pair of merino wool socks.  Something with at least a 70% merino wool content.  As was stated earlier, the old adage of "cotton kills" when it comes to cold weather activities is 100% accurate.

 

Wool will still provide insulation when wet.  Cotton will not.

I am sure you are 100% correct. I think Wool makes me itch, to be honest, I am not sure what many of my socks are made of but I do have some thicker ones for outdoors I wear if I think about it. you are 100% right, Quality matters, Cold feet is not fun, especially wet feet cold or warm in a boot.