Touring - Sandals and what wool socks?

This is a question for those of you who wear sandals outside of the summer months while riding. I've seen a lot of posts from people who just put wool socks on and continue to wear their sandals when it gets cooler outside. I feel like I could be a sandal kind of guy, so I got a pair of Shimano sandals on closeout a few weeks ago. Now what kind of wool socks should I look for? Hiking? Skiing? What's the difference between alpaca and merino wool? What the heck is smartwool?

I just want to keep my feet warm on those cool spring and fall mornings when I'm going for a long ride or doing a multi-day event. Does anyone wear socks with their sandals in the hot summer? I see some that claim to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. How is that possible?

I rode in Shimano sandals for a year or so, I always wore summer socks to avoid chaifing and sunburn. After about 3 or 4 K miles on the sandals, my arches started to hurt when riding in the sandals. At first the pain would start after about 50 miles in a day, and gradually sooner and sooner. When they started hurting after about 30 miles, I pretty much gave up on the sandals. When I went back to regular shoes, the pain stopped completely. I don't know if the sandals got softer after they got some age on them, and didn't provide enough support, or what.
Up untile the pain started, I really enjoyed riding in the sandals, they were real comfortable and, of course, cool

I love my Lake sandals and I wear it no matter what the weather is but I live in Los Angeles so that tells you something. I'm not really answering your question but it's cool to see some other sandal users out there.

I don't ride with sandals, but I do roll up my pantlegs year round. I wear smartwool socks. It's washable, durable merino wool. Soft and not itchy at all. I love my smartwool socks a lot.

Hmmmmmm, the question of the day: Are any of you talking about SPD sandals or plain sandals? The reason I ask is because the SPD type (Lake) have a sole stiffener while the others probably won't.

I just bought a pair of SPD Lakes from Nashbar. I've heard good things about them.
Regular sandals won't have the support your feet need and it could make your arches a little sore after a short ride.

When I tour (and sometimes when I commute) I bring my Nike sandals (non cleated) to bum around in. I like sandals in the summer, too. I hope these cleated Lakes work!

Iv'e been riding with shimano sandals for a couple of years now. I've never had trouble with chaffing so in hot weather I don't bother with socks. In the winter (western Oregon, wet and mild) I usually wear a thin coolmax sock, a warm (smartwool or whatever) pair of socks, seal skins & sandals. I just discovered smart wool this year and I love it!

If it's really wet or cold I might put on my rain booties as an extra layer. When we ride our tandem it dumps buckets of water on my feet & legs, so I end up getting wet feet if it comes in over the top of my seal skins & wicks down. I stay warm though...just wet. On my single I don't seem to have this problem. I find them to be pretty comfy off the bike too.

kari

sandals rock...they make me feel like jesus...but socks are a no go with them haha. socks and sandals just dont work well, and the sandal tan you get is a good conversation starter.

steve

Hmmmmmm, the question of the day: Are any of you talking about SPD sandals or plain sandals? The reason I ask is because the SPD type (Lake) have a sole stiffener while the others probably won't.

I just bought a pair of SPD Lakes from Nashbar. I've heard good things about them.
Regular sandals won't have the support your feet need and it could make your arches a little sore after a short ride.

When I tour (and sometimes when I commute) I bring my Nike sandals (non cleated) to bum around in. I like sandals in the summer, too. I hope these cleated Lakes work!


You will love the Lakes. It's super comfy that sometimes if they permit me, I wear mine at work .

sandals rock...they make me feel like jesus...but socks are a no go with them haha. socks and sandals just dont work well, and the sandal tan you get is a good conversation starter.

steve


See I feel like Moses, it's still cool either way! Definetly no socks either....thats the whole point of sandals!

Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals

Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals

Not in North America, maybe but they do in Yurp.

Max

Hmmmmmm, the question of the day: Are any of you talking about SPD sandals or plain sandals? The reason I ask is because the SPD type (Lake) have a sole stiffener while the others probably won't.

Yes, my new Shimano's are SPD.

Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals

I'm no gentleman, so I guess that's not a problem. I don't care what people say or think, I'll wear socks if I want to.

I wear defeet brand woolie boolie in cool temps. Smartwool socks in cold temps. Both in real cold temps.

I also use a thin bootie, not the thick neoprene ones, as a wind layer in the winter.
http://www.sugoi.com/consumer/product.aspx?id=1091&srtx=95050U

another vote for smartwool. light hikers, ankle length. two pair per tour. one is usually on my feet while the other is tucked under a bungee, drying off in the wind.

Any hiking weight merino wool sock works. I have REI, Smartwool, Dhalgren, Fox River, Carhart, etc. they all work fine. While Smartwool is fine and dandy, all of them work and I would buy the ones that look the sturdiest.

I have been most impressed with REI socks, and in really cold weather I wear Carhart arctic socks. Just make sure you can fit your feet in the sandal comfortably with the sock.

Smartwool, from light hikers to expedition weight. I wear their Ultimate Sandal socks in warm temps, to protect from the straps chaffing. i have worn this combination on centuries.

A sandals post in the first week of February?

Some of you southerners are downright sadistic.

Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals
Ha ha ha - haven't been to Berkeley lately, huh? That is what everybody wears. Er, well, then again you may have a point... LOL. Why give up your Birkies just 'cause it's winter.. er, well, kinda winter...

I wear sandals all year round though I am currently on a digresion of wearing those urethane clogs. I wear socks with my sandald all year round and so did my cousins in Ireland, this no socks thing is stupid. I most comonly wear a wool dress sock. There is a local place that sells them by the three pair, and they work as well as any of the high tech socks. In winter I sometimes wear heavier socks, I don't find my feet get cold unless I step in a puddle, I live in Canada. When it rains I wrap the socks in plastic bags and keep going. Goretex socks would be a good option, but unfortunately I can't find ones I like, and the prices are ridiculous. I wear Lake sandals for cycling, and find them very good, otherwise I keep my eyes open for sales.

A sandals post in the first week of February?

Some of you southerners are downright sadistic.


In Canada here, I wear sandals year round. Best part about em, they expand unlike my road shoes to allow 2-3 layers of wool socks and a gortex sock :)

What's the difference between alpaca and merino wool? What the heck is smartwool? ... I see some that claim to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. How is that possible?

jimmuter, I don't see answers to these questions yet. As a knitter, I can't resist:

Alpaca is from an alpaca - an animal that gets sheared for its wool, just as sheep do. 100% Alpaca fiber is soft, but is almost too warm for garments like sweaters. It is nice for scarves or hats - where you want a lot of warmth from a small amount of fabric. My judgement would be that 100% alpaca would be too warm for socks, but if you're looking at a blend, then the alpaca will contribute warmth and the other fibers will keep the whole thing from being overwhelmingly hot.

Merino is a breed of sheep that produces soft, fine wool.

Here's more info than you may want about SmartWool, but it's interesting reading. (OK - to a knitter, anyway.) https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm Click on WHY SMARTWOOL.

jimmuter, I don't see answers to these questions yet. As a knitter, I can't resist:

Alpaca is from an alpaca - an animal that gets sheared for its wool, just as sheep do. 100% Alpaca fiber is soft, but is almost too warm for garments like sweaters. It is nice for scarves or hats - where you want a lot of warmth from a small amount of fabric. My judgement would be that 100% alpaca would be too warm for socks, but if you're looking at a blend, then the alpaca will contribute warmth and the other fibers will keep the whole thing from being overwhelmingly hot.

Merino is a breed of sheep that produces soft, fine wool.

Here's more info than you may want about SmartWool, but it's interesting reading. (OK - to a knitter, anyway.) https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm Click on WHY SMARTWOOL.

I have an Alpaca sweater given to me by my wife. It's branded Early Winters, which is now Sahalie, and comes from Peru, as much of Alapaca does. If you live in a cold climate, then the sweater isn't too warm or anything. In fact, it's such a nice garment that she sort of regifted it to herself :) She's been wearing all winter.

I wouldn't wear it in the 60s and 70s, but neither would I wear my thickish wool sweaters.

And: my neighbor has several alpaca down the street.