Moisture wicking socks help please

[allaboard]

Hi..we are going to wdw in September and I am preparing for the heat. I want to wear the moisture wicking socks but,I am having some problems finding them.I do see socks with words like .dry fit. etc.. What brands would anyone recommend and where to find them.We shop at target,kohls ..dicks sporting goods etc..Would just like a tried and true brand to try.Thanks

Me too and I just went in July to WDW. I bought feetures elite and have tried to attach picture.
They were super!!!

I also wore asics for women socks with a tab at the back. Mostly no show socks in a way. But the key for me was using BODY GLIDE for my feet. I never got blisters and my feet only felt wet when I got sopping wet on a ride over at Universal.

Good luck !!

 

[old feller]

Me too and I just went in July to WDW. I bought feetures elite and have tried to attach picture.
They were super!!!

I also wore asics for women socks with a tab at the back. Mostly no show socks in a way. But the key for me was using BODY GLIDE for my feet. I never got blisters and my feet only felt wet when I got sopping wet on a ride over at Universal.

Good luck !!

With ya on the body glide..used it last year...where did you buy the feetures

 

[topiney]

I find Smart Wool socks to be better than of the polyester blend dri-wick socks.

I love the Smart Wool socks too, which come in many styles and have great "padding" for a long day at the parks.

 

[tarak]

I swear by Dahlgren running socks. They are pricy - $16 a pair, or something like that. I sweat like mad when I work out but my feet don't have that shriveled feel to them when I'm done.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I love the Smart Wool socks too, which come in many styles and have great "padding" for a long day at the parks.

I also love Smart Wool socks, or any socks that are at least 50% merino wool. I wear them for 8-hour hikes in the summer and won't wear anything else. They are great for moisture wicking and won't get smelly.

They have different versions and some are thinner than others. Seriously, once you wear them you won't want to wear anything else!

They're expensive but you can get deals at TJ Maxx or online at Sierra Trading Post.

 

[dreiwhit]

Hi..we are going to wdw in September and I am preparing for the heat. I want to wear the moisture wicking socks but,I am having some problems finding them.I do see socks with words like .dry fit. etc.. What brands would anyone recommend and where to find them.We shop at target,kohls ..dicks sporting goods etc..Would just like a tried and true brand to try.Thanks

I like the Adidas brand that is 94% polyester. Usually sold in a pack of six pairs. Amazon has them and I bought another "six pack" at Costco tonight. I also wear Dr. Scholl's moisture wicking boot socks and really like them. They are available at Wal Mart.

Whatever you do, stay away from cotton. Cotton will rub on your feet and cause blisters. And when cotton gets wet, its like sandpaper to your skin.

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I am a runner and have to deal with this on a regular basis.

I have a pair of Feetures, but I'd recommend breaking them in before using them for the first time. If you've never worn synthetic fiber on your feet before, you will want to get used to it. Don't go and run a half marathon with them to break them in; treat them like a new pair of shoes and, say, go for a walk at the local park or shopping mall.

Equally important are the shoes you wear. Disney can put you in the double digits mileage-wise if you walk around enough. Plan on 8-10 miles per day if you spend a lot of time at the parks and stay up relatively late. On my last trip, I wore a pair of running shoes around the parks. Running shoes are typically lighter weight and more conducive to breathability than cross trainers or other athletic shoes.

Be sure to break your shoes in. Try to get at least 15 miles on them before you subject yourself to Disney. Keep in mind a pair of shoes usually has a shelf life of a few hundred miles, so if you have an older pair of runners, you may want to replace them before a trip. Try to get a pair similar to what you usually wear to make the transition easier.

Regarding cotton: I'm usually OK with cotton socks but, as a runner, get blisters no matter what since I run 3-4 times a week. They won't wick away the moisture but will be OK if you're not going to do a ton of walking.

Finally, remember to take a change of socks--or take your socks off--if you plan on riding the Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom. That ride is notorious for sending gushes of water into the boats, which gets into shoes very easily.

 

[cwis]

X-Socks has many kind of socks, some designed especially for hot areas, while others (such as the Sky Run model) have silver threads to prevent odours or bacterias. I wouldn't recommend enough about these, although they are definitively expensive (in the $40-50 price range). It's almost magic how they manage to create socks that drive moisture out, it's like having AC in the shoes.

FWIW, I have diabetes, and I am extra careful about this, as I want to make sure my feet are dry at all times.

 

[allaboard]

With ya on the body glide..used it last year...where did you buy the feetures

I found the Feetures socks at our local Dicks Sporting Goods back near the shoes with all the displays of socks ... You have to look for them ... nothing is easy !! I had heard about them online and I really liked them. Only took two pair on the trip so washed them out. The asics worked well though too with the body glide.

 

[FofMM]

We trust Wigwam brand. They are US made and offer many different styles. We pick styles that use several different synthetic materials and weaves in one sock to provide wicking, cushion, arch and heel protection. No-Show and Low cut styles are what we choose. Their website Wigwam.com can be overwhelming at first because they make so many different types of socks from basic cotton work socks to high tech running and hiking. Amazon carries some styles. They are not inexpensive but think of how many steps you will be enjoying on vacation! I have even have worn them with my Disney Croc's so now you know I pick comfort over fashion! LOL

 

[SuperShredder]

So I'm extraordinarily picky about socks and have mastered which pairs to wear in WDW.

As others have said, absolutely no cotton. Cotton holds onto moisture and will keep it up close to your body. Serious hikers won't wear any cotton clothing. Touring WDW can be treated like a serious hike

Merino wools socks are 100% the way to go. Thin socks that aren't heavy hiking or winter socks will be closer to around 50% merino wool. Don't be tricked by socks that are only a few percent (5-20%) merino.

Probably the best brands are Smart Wool, Icebreaker, and Darn Tough. Smart Wool has a line called 'phd' that I think are the best. These are the lighter thinner wool blend socks. They aren't itchy at all. Pairs of merino wool socks will run around $7-$25 for a single pair. They are way more expensive than cotton socks but they are 100% worth it. The PhD line SmartWool socks have no show, ankle, quarter crew socks that are all good for the hot Florida weather.

You can save a good amount of money by buying SmartWool socks at Sierra Trading Post (its a website, google it, there are always 20-30% off coupons available, sign up for the mailing list). If you have an EMS near you they have a huge selection of SmartWool as well.

Spend the extra money on some SmartWool socks and you'll never go back to swampy cotton socks again!

EDIT: Just going to add, you can find Wigwam brand wool socks at Target but they are usually a lower percentage of wool and are pretty heavy. You'll be surprised at how thin and comfortable the SmartWool PhD socks are. Don't let the heavy wool socks turn you off.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have to agree--try the socks you buy before going to Disney World. I made the mistake of not doing so once. Everyone on this board was saying how you needed moisture wicking socks, so I bought some and packed them. I was almost in tears after one day in the Magic Kingdom. Fortunately I had some mole skin in my park back, so I put a ton of that stuff all over the sore spots on my feet. And I went in the store and purchased different socks.

Sock and shoes, you need to try both at home to make sure your feet like them!

 

[old feller]

So I'm extraordinarily picky about socks and have mastered which pairs to wear in WDW.

As others have said, absolutely no cotton. Cotton holds onto moisture and will keep it up close to your body. Serious hikers won't wear any cotton clothing. Touring WDW can be treated like a serious hike

Merino wools socks are 100% the way to go. Thin socks that aren't heavy hiking or winter socks will be closer to around 50% merino wool. Don't be tricked by socks that are only a few percent (5-20%) merino.

Probably the best brands are Smart Wool, Icebreaker, and Darn Tough. Smart Wool has a line called 'phd' that I think are the best. These are the lighter thinner wool blend socks. They aren't itchy at all. Pairs of merino wool socks will run around $7-$25 for a single pair. They are way more expensive than cotton socks but they are 100% worth it. The PhD line SmartWool socks have no show, ankle, quarter crew socks that are all good for the hot Florida weather.

You can save a good amount of money by buying SmartWool socks at Sierra Trading Post (its a website, google it, there are always 20-30% off coupons available, sign up for the mailing list). If you have an EMS near you they have a huge selection of SmartWool as well.

Spend the extra money on some SmartWool socks and you'll never go back to swampy cotton socks again!

EDIT: Just going to add, you can find Wigwam brand wool socks at Target but they are usually a lower percentage of wool and are pretty heavy. You'll be surprised at how thin and comfortable the SmartWool PhD socks are. Don't let the heavy wool socks turn you off.

EMS ?

 

[GaryDis]

EMS ?

Aka Eastern Mountain Sports, a retailer of outdoor and camping goods and clothing located in the northeast and online.

 

[katepass72]

Another vote for Thorlos (wool socks) - really any brand of wool socks are great. Sounds like they would be hot but they are the opposite and do a great job of keeping feet dry. Thorlos has an ankle/running version that I find to be cut high enough that they don't slip down/shoes don't rub around the ankle. Slipping socks drive me nuts

 

[Chelle's Belles]

Balega for comfort and cushion. Smart Wool if you want your feet to stay dry. My Smart Wool socks are the only ones I can actually wear two times between washing. They are amazing.

 

[dburg30]

Dry socks are great, but they won't do you any good if you don't have a pair of shoes that breathes. So be sure that your footwear meets your requirement as well.

Yes!! If the shoes dont breathe and your socks do, you still have wet socks, feet AND shoes

Runner here and I swear by Balega socks. They are moire expensive and you will need to get them at a running store (Dick's may have them) or every now and then I'll find them at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Pair them with some Foot Glide and you are good to go.

Yes, they are more, but I've not found a more 'cushion-ey" pair of socks.

Balega for comfort and cushion. Smart Wool if you want your feet to stay dry. My Smart Wool socks are the only ones I can actually wear two times between washing. They are amazing.

Yep, I love Balega socks also. https://www.balega.com/find-your-fit
I will wear 'cheap' wicking socks for normal days, normal workouts, short runs / walks. But once I get up past 7 or 8 miles, I switch over to my 'good' stuff, the stuff I will be using on race day.. That is also the stuff you will see me wearing for full days in Disney World

 

[VolvoManiac850]

If you have trouble finding Feetures at a sporting goods store, look at a marathon expo (usually the day before a marathon in any major city). I bought mine there and there were several vendors selling them or similar products. You don't have to run the marathon to go to these in most cases.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

I love these http://www.target.com/p/all-pr-athletic-socks-6-pk-multi-9-11/-/A-17462621

 

[alliecat523]

Another vote for Balega. You can get them at your local running store or on Amazon.