Clothing doesn't get much simpler than a sock does it? They are nothing more than a protective, insulating liner between you and your footwear - how complicated can they be? Well, just spend one day in a duck blind with frozen toes, or gimp around with blisters for a week after a long hike, and you will agree that there are more to socks than meets the eye.

Aside from actual field performance, it is readily apparent just by thumbing through the Cabela's catalog, web site or visiting a retail store - more socks are available than one could ever imagine. If they were all the same, it would be much simpler for everyone, but the fact of the matter is they are not. Socks come in many shapes, weights and styles to fit almost any activity from snowshoeing to tennis and everything in between. With all these choices, where does one begin to get the right ones to fit their needs and activity?

Activity Level
Start with your chosen activity level. If you plan on being on the move, lack of circulation is probably not a problem, so it stands to reason that you will not need as much insulation as when participating in a sedentary activity. Snowshoeing, hiking, running, and still-hunting (despite the name) are all good examples of activities that generally require less insulation. Snowmobiling, hunting from a treestand, waterfowling and ice-fishing are activities that are often characterized with less movement, hence more insulation is needed to keep your feet warm.

Sometimes you may not need weight for insulation, but it may be required to avoid blisters and hot-spots due to high amounts of friction on your feet - when hiking, walking, running and often wading, it is a good idea to have this extra padding to keep your feet in the best shape.

Here is a rundown of the different weights of socks available:

• Liners - Typically worn as a base layer next to the skin. Liners can add to the functionality of your already technically advanced socks. They can move moisture faster away from your feet and keep your feet drier than using non-liner socks alone.



• Lightweight/Casual socks - A lightweight sock that is often viewed as a casual, everyday sock or for early-season hunting when moisture wicking properties are needed more than warmth retention properties. The sock foot may be padded for extra cushion and support.



• Medium-weight socks - The ideal weight for everyday hunting or hiking trips, usually designed for year-round comfort and moisture control. Extra padding in the sock foot provides cushioning and comfort. These can be worn with a liner sock for extra moisture management.



• Heavyweight socks - Heavier construction designed for superior warmth and moisture management. A good choice for late-season hunting or when extra warmth and bulk is needed in hunting boots, Pac boots, rubber boots or waders. They are often offered in a higher length to accommodate taller boots. Again, these also can be worn with a liner sock for extra moisture management.

When wading or wearing tall boots - sometimes a little extra length not only provides more warmth, but also adds extra padding between your ankle/calf region and a stiff boot, which can reduce sore spots. The next step in determining which sock is right for you is figuring out how tall a sock you need. Below are various lengths of socks generally found on the market.

• Ped - Usually, a short length sock that falls below the ankle bone. Typically 3" in length...the "no see" socks.



• Low-Cut - A short length sock that falls below the ankle bone. Typically 3" to 4" in length.



• Mini-Crew (Mid) - A short crew sock with a typical length between 5" and 7".



• Quarter Length - A short crew sock, typically 5" to 9" in length.



• Crew Length - A sock that extends beyond the ankle length, but not beyond the largest part of the calf. Typically 9" to 12" in length.



• Over-the-calf length - A sock that extends above the largest part of the calf. Typically 15" or longer.

• Lumiza Acrylic - An advanced moisture-absorbing acrylic fiber containing micropores that have a capillary action to absorb moisture, and then dissipate it by evaporation. It is one of the only moisture-absorbing acrylic fibers on the market. Although it is a lightweight fiber, it has superior insulation qualities. It is soft, breathable, and quick drying.



• Polypropylene - A superior water-repelling fiber that won't accept moisture. It is used alone or with absorbent outer layers that work together to wick moisture away from your body. It is very strong and has the lowest specific gravity (lightest) of any synthetic fiber. It is sometimes labeled as Olefin.



• Nylon - A very strong, versatile, hard-wearing fiber. Socks made of nylon can be thin and silky or bulky and highly elastic. Nylon is often used with other fibers to give added stretch or to improve durability.



• Spandex - A synthetic fiber that provides elasticity, recovery, and close fit, primarily in ribs to hold the leg in place, and in the arch and ankle to provide extra support.



• Wool - The original easy-care fiber. Each wool fiber is made up of millions of coiled springs that stretch during use but coil back to their original positions. It features inherent qualities such as wrinkle resistance, colorfastness, shape recovery, and it breathes with your body. It can be knit in various weights to provide increasing levels of insulation for every temperature. Wool yarn, when knitted into a thicker sock, tends to be bulky and lofty. Air becomes entrapped and it becomes an ideal insulator. Wool socks also keep feet drier because wool absorbs as much as 30% of its own weight before it begins to feel damp.



• Merino wool - A special, fine grade of wool that comes from Merino sheep. It has all of the characteristics classic to wool that are listed above, but what makes merino wool different is the luxurious softness and comfort provided by the fine diameter merino fibers. Unlike traditional wool, merino wool does not itch and is shrink-treated to hold its size and shape even after repeated washings.



• Thermax Polyester - Hollow core fibers prevent heat loss by trapping a layer of warm air around the foot while transporting perspiration to the outer layer of moisture absorbing fabric. It offers great softness and wicking ability.



• Thermolite Polyester - A lightweight fabric providing breathability and warmth while moving moisture from the body by combining a thermally-efficient polymer and micro-sized hollow core fibers that heat up quickly and retain warmth.



• CoolMax Polyester - A high performance, four-channel fiber engineered to move moisture and speed the evaporation of perspiration. It is a superior fabric for wicking action, drying time, moisture absorption and transport.



• Elastic - A rubber or spandex core covered with nylon to provide extreme stretch and recovery.



• Cotton - A lightweight, moisture absorbing fiber. No other fabric offers the comfort and feel of nature's own fiber. It's breathable, washable, and biodegradable, too.

Helpful hints for keeping your feet warm:

• To stay warm, feet need to be dry - this means always start with a wicking material next to the skin - while many socks have good wicking properties, sometimes the best solution is to use a liner sock in conjunction with a medium or heavyweight sock to keep moisture away from your feet. To further keep your feet dry, apply foot powder to your feet as well as your boots before heading afield - it will help keep your feet dry as well as chafe free.



• In an attempt to prepare for severe cold-weather situations, outdoor enthusiasts hinder themselves by wearing too thick of a sock or several pairs thinking more is better - this is not the case and often does more bad than good in terms of warm feet. By wearing too thick or two many socks - often the circulation of blood is cut off, making your feet colder than if a light sock was worn. The key is to wear a sock made out of the right material to effectively trap air, but it cannot be so thick that foot circulation is cut off.



• If your outdoor activities are going to be both active and sedentary in one day, such as hiking into an area then sitting in a stand for the rest of the day, it is often a good idea to bring an extra pair of socks in your pack to be put on once you arrive at your destination. By doing this you can wear a lighter pair of high-wicking socks for the walk in and then change into a dry pair of heavyweight socks for the period of inactivity. Changing socks even applies if you are going to be on the move all day and have a problem with excessive foot moisture. Keep a change or two of fresh socks in your daypack and change regularly throughout the day.