Kilt hose, sock liners, and foot comfort

[tyger]

Many years ago I found out that, by wearing a thin pair of socks underneath my thick wool socks, my feet were more comfortable- and warmer- than when I just wore thick socks. Hunting, fishing, hiking, any activity applied.

Later, I found out that I was not alone- wearing that thin pair of socks was a common practice among those who were "in the know." Even later, I read articles about this in the hook and bullet press.

Of course, now these socks are known as 'sock liners'. For anyone who is unaware of the benefits offered by wearing sock liners, this might be a timely subject: highland games, and winter, are coming on!

[ForresterModern]

Tyger

I am with you on this. I wear liners with my wool kilt socks almost every time I put them on, as it helps my feet breath a bit more and keeps some of the itchies away when my feet begin to sweat, just the time the wool would typically start to get to me. Only problem is that I can only find liners in white, navy blue, or black, and some of my hose are not as thick in the body as I might like so the liners show through when stretched over my calves. My wife noticies it and it shows up in pictures. Obviously not a problem with dark or white/cream hose (unless I stupidly put on the opposite collor liners), but with the middle blue, red, green and yellow hose it it pretty obvious. Any suggestions anybody has would be greatly appreciated. This is becoming less of a problem as I am obtaining thicker hose over time but still a problem with some of my standard everyday wear hose.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A quick rummage through my kilt box has turned up a couple of pair of liners in flesh tones-- I think they may be silk, I'm not sure. I bought them years ago at the Kelty Pack store in Glendale, California if that's of any help.

[St. Amish]

I wear a pair of ankle socks underneath my kilt hose for two reasons:

They keep my hose clean for longer, and they reduce blisters from walking and standing all day at the Games.

We don't really get cold enough here that I would double up for warmth.

[tyger]

The synthetic sock material (polypro is best) is warmer in winter, and cooler in summer, than is cotton. The reason is: moisture from your skin goes into the synthetic sock. Moisture won't stay in the sock liner: it wicks to the outer layer, be it wool, cotton, or a blend. Your skin stays drier, hence warmer in winter, and cooler in summer. Ditch the cotton and you will be impressed. The same applies to body tops and bottoms, and anything you put over either your head, or your face.

The other side of the comfort factor is sock/skin movement. One finds that a damp cotton sock rubs the skin. When wearing a sock liner/outer sock combination, the sock liner moves with the skin (not against it), and movement is between sock layers. Hence, a comforable foot/toe skin with no rubbing, chaffing, or blistering.

Jeff, you are correct that a thicker sock will solve the see-through dilema. For now, I would seek a low height sock liner rather than full-length, and use the light color liner with the light color hose, and similarly dark/dark the others.

I have never seen a quarter sock or lower height sock liner, they all seem to be a low dress standard height. However, it would be a simple task for a seamstress to alter a sock. If it were me, I would simply turn down the cuff and sew it in place and make a low height sock liner from the dress sock height.

[Wild Macrae]

Never thought about wearing liners under kilt hose. Thanks for the idea. I wear silk sock liners all the time under my ski socks to keep my feet warm and dry so I can stay out on the slopes longer. You should be able to buy them at pretty much any outdoors/snowsports store.

[Smayniac]

Only problem is that I can only find liners in white, navy blue, or black, and some of my hose are not as thick in the body as I might like so the liners show through when stretched over my calves.

I have several pairs of light grey polypro liner socks bought at a cycling store. They are shorter than dress length and a lighter, but not white, neutral color. I've worn them under dark kilt hose with no bleed.

Bob

[unaspenser]

I often use a pair of knee-high nylons under hiking socks for comfort and to prevent blisters. I can see how it would really come in handy with kilt hose!

[Garry Oak]

I'm new here, but I'll still offer what I've learned. I like polypro sock liners, too, and silk liner socks are comfortable and warm. Long before trying either, though, I learned to wear a pair of thin wool socks inside my thick wool socks when wearing boots. This makes walking more comfortable in warm weather as well as in cold. I do the same in cold weather with ordinary shoes. I've done it for snow shoveling, mountain climbing and many things in between. It's the job that I assign my wool dress socks when they become too worn to look good with dress shoes. They're made of fine, non-scratchy wool and don't make me itch. Thin wool dress socks are of course available in almost any color you might want.

[mbhandy]

The other thing about wearing a liner is your kilt socks last longer. Less holes and wear.

MrBill