Sweaty feet and drenched socks

[theycallmeJ]

Maybe it's just me but I've been getting this a lot lately with hitching-- maybe it's just that I'm walking so much and it's so dang sunny, but there have been times my feet have sweated worse than anything during the daylight hours-- anybody know a good way to keep this from happening so that I don't get ingrown toenails or trench foot?

[RangerChris]

Get some foot powder and rub it in every mornin, change your socks around noon and repeat. Ive got the same problem brotha...

[FeatherAxe]

be sure to hang them on a make shift clothes line to dry while you walk.

Get two sticks, secure them to your pack, run a clothes line between them, and hang your socks.

[merlan]

change you,re socks and give you,re feet some air when you,re chillin for the day! i have the same issues...foor powder!

[theycallmeJ]

Yep, I've been trying out gold bond foot powder for a while-- it seems to help a little bit.
I use running shoes because they dry quickly-- my pack is an external frame so I have the clothesline idea downright good (stringing it over my top bar between, it looks pretty funny-- otherwise I just take off my shoes and socks and let them air as much as possible.

Glad I'm not the only one suffering I did find that if you're willing and able for it, you can tuck your boots or shoes in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night if they're a bit wet or cold. This goes for socks too. That keeps them fairly warm. I also have a stuff sack my sleeping bag fits into, so I usually turn it inside out and stuff the bag inside when it's wet-- then when it's somewhat dry, I put it back in with regular style and it's right as rain.

[RangerChris]

I forgot to suggest checking army surplus for insoles. Alot of troops use these waffle weave insoles with a moisture wicking fabric on top, they allow the sole of your foot to breath. I swear by them;)

[theycallmeJ]

I just discovered wool socks today-- tried them out for a nice long walk and my feet sweat but they're not getting drenched. Apparently wool is a great fabric for it's ability to dry quickly, keep fluffy and warm and to stay in good shape. I tried two pairs out and at the end of the day I just washed them in an icy cold stream and am letting them dry-- I checked on them and they're about as fluffy as can be. Try out three pairs with you-- take one for morning, one for afternoon and one for night and let the others dry on your pack. That's your best bet for keeping your feet warm an dry.
Don't do vapor barriers either-- experimented with those and they make your feel as wet as hell.

[RangerChris]

You were using cotton? #1 issue right there, its a sponge which takes along time to dry and when wet saps warmth. Wool retains 80% of its warmth soaked and drys fast, I dont use anything else. Wool paired with polypropylene liner socks make the best combo around.

[theycallmeJ]

Definitely not cotton-- I know from working even at a store that my feet sweat like crazy in cotton socks. I've been using hiking socks I bought at wal-mart which do well, but on the road they do get sweaty.

[slipshod3484]

a trick i learned from backpacking trips whilst a boy scout is to wear a pair of nylon dress socks (the stretchy, hose-ish ones) under your warm ones. they keep the moisture off your feet.