Country Walking Magazine (UK)

A BOOT’S BEST FRIENDS

A great boot will only do its best work if you’re wearing the right sock…

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WE MAKE NO apologies for being able to write a thousand words on the importance – and the joy – of good walking socks. But let’s keep it short and simple: a good walking sock makes a walking boot work better; one that grips to the footbed, manages moisture, cushions the vulnerable parts of your foot, and won’t end up a wrung-out mess at the end of every walk. Here’s the perfect illustrati­on of why the humble sock is actually the cleverest bit of kit you can buy…

GRIP

Try wearing a regular cotton sock inside a walking boot over some tough terrain and you’ll soon find your foot slipping around inside, risking blisters. But a good walking sock has a denser yarn, made from a blend of fabrics such as wool, nylon and elastane, allowing it to grip firmly to your foot and the insole of your boot.

CUSHIONING

A good sock should have cushioned areas across the Achilles, around the heel and over the widest part of the forefoot, to reduce friction as you walk and thus prevent blisters. The midweight micro cushioning in this one does all that while also staying light and breathable.

STAYING POWER

Good socks should hold their shape and yarn for at least three years of hard use. Always ask about guarantees and after-service. Bridgedale are so confident in the quality of their socks that they offer a lifetime guarantee against workmanshi­p and materials.

BREATHABIL­ITY

Your sock needs to wick moisture away from your skin and outwards to the boot’s interior, and thence to the exterior via the boot’s membrane. Merino wool is the ideal breathable fabric, and it’s used to perfection here.

COSINESS

A good walking sock just has to feel fantastic. Warm but not too warm, soft but supportive, light but grippy: once you wear a decent walking sock, you’re unlikely to want to wear ‘normal’ socks again unless you really have to.

SHAPE & STRUCTURE

Look for a good, close fit that won’t loosen up over time. This sock has a carefully shaped heel cup, while the supportive Performanc­e Fit also ensures it won’t slip or bunch down in your footwear. The Thermo Fit process used in its manufactur­ing ensures it returns to its original shape and size after every wash.

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