Gear

Jules aka Bat Girl wrote (see)

I dont agree that cool max wicks better than smartwool and I dont think the lab tests come to that conclusion either.

Which lab tests would that be?

The OP was about which might be the best socks for Brasher boots. Brasher's own socks are at least worth considering, since they designed the boots. Their supalite, 2 season (ie summer) and 3 season socks are all mostly coolmax, whereas just the 4 season winter socks are 50% merino.  Since Brasher can evidently make socks for their boots from either synthetics or wool, why would they pick synthetic fabrics for summer socks if wool were better?

did you wear the same thickness of sock in the shop and on the walk. Problem with boots for all seasons is that you tend to have them fitted based on thick socks for winter use. Come hot summers days what do you do?

 I always use a liner sock (1000 mile ones now) + another sock. In winter it's thick and in summer less thick unless wearing Terrocs.

I can control blisters now (haven't had one in 4 years  several new boots/shoes etc straight from the box) by choosing the right sock and careful lacing. The trade off is sometimes having warm feet on a hot day. What would I rather have? A painful blister or hot feet.. I know what I Prefer..

There is a very big difference between wool and high quality merino wool. Why do some companies use e vent and some companies use gortex. Just because Braser make that decision does not mean its the right one.Bridgedale do wool fusion socks for summer use.

I dont have a link to the reaserch I just remember reading about  it and I think that some of the posts are getting just a bit OTT so I will leave you all too it.

ALoveSupreme wrote (see)

Jules aka Bat Girl wrote (see)

I dont agree that cool max wicks better than smartwool and I dont think the lab tests come to that conclusion either.

Which lab tests would that be?

The OP was about which might be the best socks for Brasher boots. Brasher's own socks are at least worth considering, since they designed the boots. Their supalite, 2 season (ie summer) and 3 season socks are all mostly coolmax, whereas just the 4 season winter socks are 50% merino.  Since Brasher can evidently make socks for their boots from either synthetics or wool, why would they pick synthetic fabrics for summer socks if wool were better?

I have a pair of Brasher 3 season that are mostly wool with no coolmax. Then they are about 3 years old.  Actually, they might be even older than that.

I tried coolmax socks only once, on a long walk in summer and guess what? My socks ended up really quite wet and I got a couple of bad blisters. I have never worn them since. I never get blisters with wool socks so that's what I wear all year round.

I'm not saying anything about the merits of coolmax or merino in general, just that if you have Brasher boots, Brasher's own socks may well be worth trying. I haven't worn Brashers for years, but when I did I used Brashers own socks and never had any problems with hot feet, sweat or blisters that people often attribute to goretex lined footwear.

I have a pair of brasher boots and I didn't have any problems using it them so far. I found them really comfortable for long walks. I was sorry to hear about your experience.

I wear all variety of socks really but the one's I like are from Brasher (I'm a bit addicted to them )

Danny Nicholls wrote (see)

I just bought a pair of brasher hillmasters which appeared to fit bloody wonderfully in the shop.  Got them home and went out in them for my usuall walk with the dog (bout 5 to 7 mile) and got back with a blister on my left heel on the bottom ... the right foot stayed great.

when it started to burn I noticed that the left foot was tied looser than the right so tightened them up which I think was simply to late.

Im using a pair of karrimor coolsomethingorother walking socks.  Should I consider buying something thicker?  And perhaps red hehe?  Or is there anything else that can be done to stop me going back to my trusty wellies!

 Yep, my hillmasters required some breaking in despite what the blurb said. Stands to reason really, they are leather boots and it takes a while for leather to mould to the foot, but not quite as long as other leather boots. I got mine ages ago, they are not the GTX variety, but the Air 8, and they have been absolutely fine, no water yet and a comfortable foot after they had took on my foot shape a bit.

Socks, well I use ex military combat boot socks, they are excellent and cheap, in fact when I first discovered these things some eighteen years ago, I have stayed with them since. Since when not out walking, I wear ex army high leg combat boots or New Rock boots, and I use the combat socks, they are always warm, comfortable and no blisters.

Now I am particularly picky with socks, as I suffer cold feet, but so far, I have no reason to seek something 'better' and do wonder if the humble sock is getting too technical and there expensive.

Oh, the combat socks are warm when wet too, wet comes when I am pottering about on the beach with the combat boots which moulded to my feet following wearing them wet for a week whilst doing stupid things like carrying a log in a river. Combat boots easy to put on as I have replaced the lacing with zips. 

I recently bought some Brasher Supalites after receiving several independent recommendations. They are the most vile boots I've ever owned. No combination of socks seems to work with them.(1000 miles, fat woolly ones, inner and thicker - you name it) I have a permanent blister on the back of my left heel and the balls of both feet felt as if they were on fire after about 4 miles. I may give up and try and get shut of them on ebay! Then I'll buy another pair of cheap terzano boots - I only got about 2000 miles out of them before they gave up the ghost but at least they never hurt! 

Yes, my Ex had that problem, blisters, but she kept quiet, because she were the one that raved about them so much I bought her pair. But the sort of unusual walk a person has who has a hot spot in their footwear, I soon sussed that out. Back to old methods it was, a bit of soaking in surgical spirit to harden the skin, plastic bags on feet, boots in the shower to fill up with water and seep out of the leather, (warm water penetrates better). Then with all the water drained out, wear the things. Moan, moan, complain, but when they dried they fit like a glove and the leather was softer and more flexible.  Doing this, is basically accelerating the wear in period, I still do this with leather, encourage it to fit.  Oh when they dried, a coat of liquid nikwax got absorbed like rain in a desert. Never again did she complain about her boots hurting, nor did she try to hide it and do her ministry of silly walks impression.

Me, well I was used to wearing boots, be they combat boots or steel toe capped site boots, so the Brashers were a bit like slippers in comparison.

Spid wrote (see)

I just bought a pair of brasher hillmasters which appeared to fit bloody wonderfully in the shop.  Got them home and went out in them for my usuall walk with the dog (bout 5 to 7 mile) and got back with a blister on my left heel on the bottom ... the right foot stayed great.

when it started to burn I noticed that the left foot was tied looser than the right so tightened them up which I think was simply to late.

I think maybe you've answered your own question?

Bought a pair of Hillmasters in July and wore them all week on a (very wet) mountain leader course in the lakes.  I wore any old woollen walking socks with bog standard M&S cotton socks next to my skin.  Very comfy indeed, no problems at all!

Used the same boots and arrangement for my holiday in Dorset (some twenty mile walks) and for D of E assessments in Surrey at the weeekend.

Have I just been lucky?

Take care

R

Thanks for all the suggestions. Already tried the tight lacing - it didn't seem to make any difference.  Will go for the surgical spirit n showered boots.  Didn't think I had an unusual walk - no one's ever commented