My goal on the trail is to be blister free… and for years have been wearing double socks – a liner sock and a thick outer layer hiking sock. For those of you who have tried it, you know it works! The inner sock wicks moisture (sweat) away from your feet, making it nearly impossible to get blisters! Read more about the Hiking Lady sock layering system.
A company called WrightSock has developed an entire line of socks that are designed with two layers, and their motto is “Blister free – Guaranteed”. Since they stand by their word and offer a full refund if you experience blisters or are unsatisfied with the sock performance, it was worth giving them a try!
How it Works
Why does wearing a liner sock and an outer sock help prevent blisters? The liner sock wicks moisture away from your feet to the outer sock, thereby keeping your feet dry. Moist, sweaty feet is the key ingredient in blister formation. If you cut that out, blisters are much less likely to appear. WrightSock has come up with a design that has liner socks built in, making it a practical and cost-effective way to use this double layer technique.
Pros:
- Worked for me! I tried a pair of their Coolmesh II running socks, a pair of their Cushioned DLX socks, and a pair of the Merino TRL hiking socks. Without wearing liner socks (since the liners are sewn in!) and just the WrightSocks, I did not develop any blisters when running or hiking. I followed their advice to wash them before wearing them the first time, so keep that in mind if you give them a try.
- Soft. I like my feet to be comfortable! I particularly liked the feeling of the Coolmesh II running socks, which are made of Polyester, Nylon, and Lycra.
- Seam free design. I really like socks that are seam free. That means there is less of a chance for friction to be created and therefore blisters or foot irritation.
- Price. WrightSocks range from about $11-16 a pair, which is far less expensive than some of the leading brands on the market like SmartWool. Plus, you won’t need to buy liner socks!
Cons:
- Can feel a bit hot. I noticed on a couple of hikes and trail runs that my feet tended to feel warmer than usual. Perhaps it is because the liner sock is sewn to the outer sock, whereas with other liner socks they are completely separate and more breathable. This wasn’t problematic at all since my feet were comfortable and remained blister free, but just something I noticed.
Specs:
- How to Buy: Available on the WrightSock website, or through REI, Zappos, and specialty running stores.
- Price: range from $11-16
I really like the concept of a double layer sock – this company gets it! If moisture isn’t wicked away from our feet, there is the possibility for blisters. With the two layers built in, it is a major cost savings compared to buying and wearing two pair of socks when you’re active outdoors.
Treat Your Feet Right! Hiking Lady’s Tips:
Wow that was really a good post..thanks..
Thanks for the info about the socks! Sure beats wearing two pair to have a built in liner.
Hi Rosie!
Thank you for your comment. I haven’t tried them yet in the desert so haven’t had that wearing issue…but I’ll have to give that a try. Perhaps since I’ve been wearing liner socks for years my feet are used to them.
I have tried the wright socks and while they may be good for infrequent hiking and backpacking getaways remember to be aware of the environment you are traveling in as well. I wore them in 2010 for a PCT thru-hike and they lasted one week in the desert due to the sand and grit that was the nature of beast. Needless to say, in this instance they did not prevent blisters and actually caused blisters due to the double lining of the wright sock after a day of wear. With that being said everyone’s feet are a little bit different and what works for one person may not work for others (my feet have never liked liner socks), you just have to go through some trial and error to get to that sock that you can live in!
Those sound great and I’d like to try them myself. Thanks for a great review.