Let's talk about socks.

[Turble]

Darn Tough socks - guaranteed for life.

I sometimes wear thin nylon sock liners on long hikes. Cheap nylon dress socks work just as well as specialized sock liners.

[Northern_Piper]

Agree with the recommendation for Smartwool. They are pricey, but they last for years.

Also, in addition to the thick hiking socks, they now have a couple of lines of more light-weight socks that can be worn with office shoes no bought a couple of pairs a while ago and really like them.

[bump]

@MandaJo

I tend to agree that if you are literally seeing holes after one or, at most, two wearings, across many brands, you have something odd going on. That’s not usual. Could be toenails, could be your shoes, could be a habit of walking sock-footed across the gravel, could be gremlins. But I don’t think it’s the socks.

I agree. My socks usually become threadbare in the sole and heel, probably from walking around the house without shoes on. It takes years for this to happen, and only maybe 5% of socks gets a hole in them before they get threadbare.

Something’s going on with your shoes or toenails- socks should last a LONG time before they’re worn out or have holes, especially if we’re talking normal socks and not some sort of really flimsy dress socks. Even those should last months if not years.

[sisu]

@Amateur_Barbarian

Many years ago, an expert hiker advised readers to wear two socks: a thin and close-fitting nylon one with a thicker padding one. All slippage would happen between the two socks and prevent blisters, and be more comfortable besides. Anyone follow this practice?

I don’t wear nylon or cotton socks preferring wool for hiking but yes I always wear two pair, one thick and one thin.

[SeaDragonTattoo]

I’m worried the OP’s shoes are too small, or somehow pulling socks on too tight? Maybe a larger shoe size that really should be using the larger socks that are much harder to find? I buy whatever cheap white ankle socks Target sells by the bagful. It’s the heels that get worn out, threadbare first and then a hole if I don’t toss them out soon enough. I buy a new bagful every couple of years, with probably 12 or so in rotation (so two bags worth that are every day socks with running shoes). The nicer socks I have, like trousers and smartwool I wear with hikers and boots, I’ve had for many years, though I certainly don’t wear them as much.

My mom wears a size 12 women’s shoe, and has trouble finding well-fitting socks. I usually get her a couple pair for Christmas, and usually find them at Sierra Trading Post, great prices on wooly socks.

[Snowboarder_Bo]

@not_what_you_d_expect

Anyone have any brands out there that they like that seem to hold up?

Thorlo. I have been buying the same Thorlo socks (JMX-13) for decades now. I have pairs that are over ten years old and still look close to new. Excellent construction and excellent materials. They aren’t cheap but they’re worth every penny.

[not_what_you_d_expect]

I can’t believe how expensive some of these socks are. I pay less for a pair of jeans!

I bought some of the problem socks at Target. They were on sale for $2.50, so I bought several. They were not a good bargain.

I probably do pull the socks too tight.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.