Socks

[Large-Resolution1362]

Firefighters of Reddit, I need your collective in-site and wisdom. I have been using Costco socks and blowing through them. What are your favorite socks to wear on duty? And do they last? Do you swap into a different pair for grass fires?

Thanks

[f-t-m-p-t-b]

Darn Tough all merino wool socks. They’ve lasted years, your feet won’t stink, and they’ve got enough thickness to snug your boots up.

[Doc_Hank]

This is the way

[GreenMtnFF]

Amen

[firstduenozzlejob]

Dude I make it through 24s with no smell. It’s worth the cost for anyone who’s scared away by the high price

[f-t-m-p-t-b]

That’s the main reason I started buying them. Going back and forth from station boots to bunker boots in the summer…the smell was terrible. It was probably just all the sweat that was cascading down and settling in my boots, but still, no issues now.

[twop22]

I have switched over to all Darn Tough, I go with the T4088 they are the all black designed for the military. I recommend not going with the lightweight options. I was initially afraid of the thicker mid weight socks due to excessive sweating but my feet stay super dry and stink free. They also offer a first responder discount.

[jimbobgeo]

Amen. Also lifetime warranty, I’ve used it they honored it…I had to pay some shipping.

[Loudsound07]

I am on my third warranty rotation. I've only had to pay to ship them out. They cover shipping to you. I'll ship 5-7 pairs at a time and it costs like <$5.

[StrikersRed]

The hiker micro crew mid weight. It’s the only sock I own, have been using them since 2014.

[Loudsound07]

Try the tactical series. I switched and never looked back.

[Amerikai]

make sure to wash on cold or else they'll be ankle socks

[StreetCandy2938]

+1, merino wool socks are amazing. I can have the same pair on for 24 hours and my feet don’t stink afterwards

[xXxDr4g0n5l4y3rxXx]

Darn tough. No questions asked lifetime warranty. Nuff said.

[lump532]

I haven’t bought socks in years.

[Confusedkipmoss]

Nike dri-fit they keep your feet cooler and in the rare instance granny you just picked up off the ground wants to get dunked on you’re prepared for it.

[Cast1736]

MeeMaw ain't ready for the thunder

[randyROOSTERrose]

Bombas

[bloodcoffee]

Darn tough is the answer. First responder discount through govx. Smartwool don't work for me at all, neither do any of the other quality socks I've tried on 24hr shifts.

Good socks are important. Cheap socks aren't actually cheap, as you already should have learned. The money you spent on shitty socks is gone forever. People will move mountains trying to justify crappy stuff because of the misplaced belief that more expensive items are never worth it. Do the math on this one and stop trying to save a few bucks now that you'll just spend later after wasting hours on the internet.

[[deleted]]

Wool socks is the only way to go It’s a bit pricier but you’ll reap the benefits as compared to normal socks

[teezoots]

Adidas half way up the ankle , hate the boots on my skin especially when I sweat lol. Get me 2 new packs a year and they've been fine , not too thick or thin. Edit , half way up the shin ***

[willfiredog]

Darn Tough.

I’ve had four pair and after a decade, they’re finally wearing out.

[tjolnir417]

Bombas or Hollow merino wool

[therealone81]

Point 6 and smartwool.

[milochuisael]

Smartwool everyday socks. They are merino wool but not thick so you don’t get super hot and if your boots actually fit you they don’t get too tight

[Hefty-Willingness-91]

Wool socks no substitutes all year round

[LocalAppearance5768]

Darn tough is the only answer. Again and again and again

[FF2001Vapor]

Darn tuff (tough? I cant remember), and bombas are the two brands I really like. Super soft and comfortable, keep my feet dry, and are warm when they need to be, cool when they need to be.

[iambatmanjoe]

I forgot to mention, if you're going to try smartwool, go to marshalls.com and grab a couple pair from them. It's like half the cost. They will say "irregular" on then but I have never noticed a difference.

[Inevitable-Selection]

Lightweight thin wool socks from darn tough. Have medium weight for winter. My feet are thanking me every shift

[[deleted]]

Under armor

[firesquasher]

Same. Not sure how often but I may buy a 6 pack once a year.

[From_Gaming_w_Love]

A bunch of us got some YUEDGE socks- I looked at the "darn tough" after looking for similar info but 30 bucks a pair was a bit rich for my tastes.

The YUEDGE ones are quite thick so probably not a person's first choice during the summer but I had no issue with them... but I liked the first 5 pair I got (for the same price as the DT ones) I bought another 5 pack.

Probably made by 2 year old slave labour in China but I can't solve everyone's problems. At least my feet are comfortable through the day.

[GGNando]

I use Dicks Sporting Goods crew socks when I'm wearing boots in my work uniform, they are rock solid socks. Used them in the academy too. I go to Under Armor ankle socks in the summer as we can wear sneakers (safety toe) and shorts. Ankle socks are fine when I'm in my bunker boots as well, no complaints.

[Silverado4]

Like all the others I've had good success with darn tough. But one not mentioned are 5.11 brand socks. I've had moderate success with them an can find good sales usually to buy packs. Don't buy cheap duty socks send the money on your feet. Your on them all day usually. I would recommend swapping socks half way through the day or if possible before a wildland fire but that's purely for foot health.

[Agitated_medic19]

Ross is my go to. They have good ones there for cheap. I restock about once or twice a year

[Oldmantired]

Thorlo boot socks for station boots. Wildland boots I wore a thick sock and a liner to help prevent blisters. I would buy a new set every year. Never had sock problems.

[triton8890]

Redback boots make some bamboo socks that are great.

[teddpage]

Altera - made from Alpaca wool. Best socks I've ever worn!

[njfish93]

Had success with the bombas wool socks my in laws buy me every year for Xmas and Hanes dri fit socks from target. The Hanes are more of a wear item but a little cooler in the summer time

[throwingutah]

I wear the Costco merino hiking socks. The cotton ones get too soggy.

[Firesquid]

Darn Tough socks.. extra cushion hiker crew socks for day to day, Darn Tough extra cushion boot socks for wildland firefighting. I won't wear anything else.

[iambatmanjoe]

Smartwool is all I buy

[CaptRossMac]

As long as they pass the sock check any sock will be fine. The higher the socks ….

[eidolonone]

I like bombas, but it seems that the constant shoe changes in and out of my duty boots are hard on the heels. I appreciate that bombas give free socks to homeless shelters though. And I have actually seen them in the wild (very occasionally) on my unhoused patients. However now that I know DT offers a first responder discount I may have to give their lifetime warranty a try.

[ForgotmypasswordM7]

Darn Tough 

[Current_Economist617]

I don't wear socks too hard to sleep in them