My great grandpa would hike in with a spare pair of wool socks tucked in his jacket then put them on at his deer stand and stuff the ones he took off in his jacket and rotate as necessary. It was a tactic used during his time in the Finnish military by snipers that he brought with him to Northern Minnesota after the war.
Thats genius. Dry socks make a huge difference. I always advice western game hunters to take 2 pairs of socks so they can change mid-day in order to keep their feet warm, dry, and avoid blisters.
The moisture is why I recommend a thinner alpaca, merino, bison, or yak baselayer sock (all with some synthetic for greater durability), with a thicker, semi loose fitting polypropylene sock over it. You can take off the PP sock, wring and/or swing most of the water out of it, put it back on and it will dry very fast after. That is because the PP sock doesn't absorb any moisture into the actual material itself, water just gets held in the fiber/yarn interstice (free, porous areas). And because the surface of PP socks tends to be very hydrophobic, that water comes off very fast and easy. Also, PP has one of the lowest thermal conductivity of materials commonly used for clothing. Only things that are better, are fibers with significant hollow space/voids in them, like Thermolite, alpaca, etc.
Do people not layer socks anymore? For work i wear costco merino wick away socks then put over that thicker merino wool sock. You need to keep the moisture away from your feet and allow the moisture to escspe. otherwise feet will get cold and stay cold. Once i added moisture wick away sock layer, my feet have never been cold.
All the big boys are saying layering with socks is bad for sitting, too much foot constriction is counterproductive. But if you are working or walking, I don't see a downside.
I typically run a liner sock and a merino wool sock either darn tough or kuiu. Just got a bunch of alpaca socks that I’m using for work and they’ve been nice although not as durable as the darn tough socks
In most cases, layering socks, especially when they're super thick means you're going to start affecting circulation and ultimately have the opposite effect resulting in colder feet.
Moisture in your feet is BECAUSE you're wearing double socks, socks that are too warm, or are otherwise overdressed. I've never needed double socks at any temperature.
I left a couple of comments on your older sock test video. To continue on a theme. A couple of points about the finer points of insulation (for general public viewing/reading). The most important aspect of insulation is fiber size and how many per a give volume. The smaller the fibers you can pack, with air space between them, in a given volume, the more insulation you will get. This is why high fill power goose and Eider down are so ridiculously insulating. The fibrils that come off the shaft are ridiculously fine and there are many branches of these. The next important factor is whether or not the fibers are more solid or hollow. Alpaca fibers have these pockets of relative void/empty spaces in them, which help to boost the insulation some, especially when wet. But, if you compare say a layer of coarse alpaca verse and equally thick layer of very ultra fine merino, the merino will be more insulating, because again fiber size is more important when there is a significant difference. The next important factor is fiber shape. Perfectly round fibers will not still as much air as a shaped fiber with more surface area, whether that is trilobal like silk fibers, or fibers like the Coolmax that is round but with the side channels, or Octa fibers. A simple thought exercise is taking some cord of different shapes and packing them parallel to each other, or twisting them one over the other. The perfectly round fibers will have less void space between their surfaces than the shaped cord with more surface area. Same principle for clothing insulation but on a more micro level. Then material matters some, both the thermal conductivity, the moisture regain and how fast it dries or not. Cotton sucks because the material has high moisture regain and doesn't dry fast, while the fibers are more ribbon and flat (and tend to lay flatter the wetter they get, so more surface area of conductive material touching your skin and less trapped air pockets), and the material has higher thermal conductivity, especially when wet, than wool, alpaca, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylic (but its dry thermal conductivity is lower than nylon's). Its a perfect storm of various different factors in combo with moisture that make it a poor active and outdoor cold and/or wet insulator. (It is actually a pretty decent dry condition insulator though). On my other comments, I mentioned how I really like using a 2nd layer of thicker polypropylene sock over a thin. A good alternative to that, is a thicker thermolite sock that you treat with a silicone treatment (thin some 100% silicone caulk with naphtha in a 1 part silicone to 30 parts naphtha by volume). If the thermolite sock is made to wick, this will completely ruin the wicking, but that is ok. It will still dry faster than the non treated version (especially if you wring and/or swing the water out of it). (Btw, if you want to add some anti odor properties, mix in some very fine copper oxide particles in with the silicone naphtha slurry before treating the Thermolite socks. Hopefully some of that will get embedded more towards the surface of the silicone coating, which should cut down on microbial growth. I will be trying this with some synthetic fishnet baselayers. I have some nylon-spandex blend ones, and some acrylic ones that I want to treat with this process).
I love your channel dude, it has been so helpful. I have a low tolerance to the cold and the sock series has been great for me. Despite having highly insulated boots i still feel like my socks have been the weak link. I will try out some of these and let you know how it goes!
Awesome! Thanks for watching. Be sure to try out putting some hot hands in your boots too. I lightly tape them above my toes with a tiny bit of loose masking tape.
If you hunt from a tree or ground stand rather than stalking, a great investment is a pair of fluffy down 'overboots'. I love mine. They pack down to a very small size, fluff up with a shake or two, go over your hunting boots in the stand. I use them in my ice house lake fishing too.
I've worn wool socks, sweaters and coats and pants in colder conditions. My sons being younger get after me about being " old fashioned" . Well, I my be old to a 26 and 29 year old but wool works.
Wool is hip and trendy again if you put the word merino in front of it lol. But in all seriousness, for socks wool is the best thing going, there is no close second.
Awesome test and video. Thanks for all the effort you go through for us George. It's almost like even on high, the heated socks tried to keep you at body temp without sweating but I'm guessing it's just a coincidence.
Thanks! I've used lower grade heated socks in the past they got uncomfortably hot, then you sweat, then you freeze because they are cotton, lol. These merino socks do not get as hot and they hold a nice stable temp longer, much smarter design, and of course they are wool.
I picked up a pair of the Lincoln outfitters last summer at a flea market without knowing anything about them except they were merino wool. I layer them over cotton socks and it works pretty well for me sitting in a tree all day.
Most those socks are almost to heavy imo. In Illinois we'll get those -5 degree days. Problem with socks is they'll get wet from sweat so an overlay heavy sock will cause em to sweat. People should look into a hiker liner sock to pair with their heavy weights. A liner will control moisture better and keep the foot more comfortable all day. Also don't wear those heavy socks on the drive out
Having more than one sock with you can make a big difference. People often don't think about changing socks, but throwing on a dry pair can be a game changed.
Great job. Thanks. I bought a pair of a Hollow Alpaca socks. Pretty good. The percentage of wool in the sock material might make a difference. I’ve seen socks listed as Marino wool with only 20%. I have Marino with 80%.
I don’t know where you’re from in Pennsylvania. I’m from Kutztown Pennsylvania. I love your test. You’re great. I love your shows and thank you very much.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide I'm from Erie, PA, where all the children are below average, the wives have tattoos and the men are their cousins. We DO know enough to come in from the cold but don't know enough to take our boots off - even in bed.
Looks like I may need to try some alpaca socks! Here’s what I do for hunting, wear a light pair on the way to the stand. After a couple hours I change them out for a pair of heavy wool socks. Keeps my feet warm all day. I put my light pair in a zip lock bag after I change them out to help with sent control.
Just found your channel, great stuff! I subscribed. Really nice/thorough review. I love darn tough, and will always have them, but I’m going to give those warriors a try for those really long sits on cold days.
Thanks! The Darn Tough are my favorite for all around hunting and walking alot. But for sitting motionless for long cold days, the Warriors are the warmest for sure.
Great video. I’ve been considering buying quality socks for years. Every year I just stick with my random Cabelas thick wool socks over normal socks. They suck. I freeze, I complain. this year I finally plan to make the switch.
Good socks can make a big difference. Especially if you cover alot of ground or get wet. They can also last a long time. I obviously have more than I need and more than I even wear. You don't need 10 pairs. 1 or 2 is plenty.
I have KUIU’s three varieties of socks, Darn tough in thinner and their thickest models and Hollow alpaca socks in thin and thicker varieties…I truly love them all, the alpaca are the softest and most comfortable by far…due to the darn tough warranty, I think I’ll hike in one of their thinner socks and use those as the workhorse sock (can replace them if they wear dow, so my feet don’t sweat, then have a thick pair of alpaca socks or the KUIU ultra merino sock for after the hike while I’m sitting and glassing
Fieldsheer makes gear for motorcycle traveling. Moto boots are frequently water proof and block wind really well but don’t always have much room for high loft socks
I remember reading somewhere how darn tough uses a type of high density knitting that is very durable, but they aren't quite as "fluffy" as a result. Still can't beat darn tough for durability but I will start using alternatives for those long days in the stand.
Fox River socks 👍🇺🇸👍 Darn Tough are good to, I'm about 12 miles from there shop in Northfield vt. Wigwam is not bad and on and on !! Like allways that Vermonter!!
Good old fashion virgin wool is an excellent thing to keep feet hands head your whole body warm. Think about it sheep can stay outside 24 seven in the rain in the cold all through the winter and they do just fine.
Friend of mine turned me onto Heatholders boot socks. Cabelas stocks them for $20. They’re definitely the thickest warmest socks I’ve encountered to date. If you aren’t already doubling or tripling up on some thick style socks you’ll have to buy larger footwear to wear them.
Love Kuiu products...packs, hunting gear, but it's Alpaca all the way for me. Alpaca covers backpacking, hunting, day hiking with easily the most comfort.
A company called Drymax makes the warmest socks you ever tried. Invented for ultra marathon runners but do hiking socks all sweat is wicked away from the foot so they keep warm and warm they stay. It’s noticeable straight away.
i've been dealing with best sock and best boot issue for many years. finally found a comfortable solution. a waterproof boot with everyday socks and stick on toe warmers.
Well this video puts some data to my disappointment in the darn tough socks I got for Christmas. The hunter medium and heavy and neither seemed any warmer than the much cheaper merino blend socks I bought off Amazon years ago. Fine as a gift, but I’d be annoyed if I had bought them with my own money.
I'll tell you what, I still wear the Darn Tough socks more than anything else because I can walk forever in them, they don't fall down, and they never wear our or give me blisters. They are comfortable and warm after 10 miles. I do not wear them in a deer stand on the coldest days anymore, but they have proven themselves to be a very important part of my gear. If I could only have 1 pair of hunting socks, it would be them. Second pair would probably be the super warm Alpaca socks for those coldest days.
I just got in a 90 percent bison fur pair of socks. I went squirrel hunting Tuesday and it was 30 degrees. I did not wear insulated boots. After sitting for an hour i pulled the boot and sock off. My feet were actually dry and warm. I have never had that happen before.Mine were from the. Buffalo wool company.They were 65 bucks but may be worth every cent if they keep my feet warm.@@TheNewHuntersGuide
I've been wearing Grip 6 socks lately, i'd like to see where they stand with the warmest of what you've tested!! They seem to stay the warmest, and dryest i've been useng!! Gr8 vid, thanx!! Tim NE Pa. 🐾
After your first test I tried to purchase some of the big bertha socks from Rural Kings on 12/4/23 and they never communicated with me via email about my order, never sent any tracking info, and today I received an email saying my order has been cancelled. I don’t think I’ll be doing any business with that company in the future!
Rural King is sort of like a cross between a discount warehouse, a feed store, a hardware store, and sporting goods shop. Bare concrete floors, free popcorn for everyone who comes in, and not much organization. I'm shocked they even have an online store. You kind of just have to go there and hope they have what you want. But if they do, its usually very cheap and very high quality.
Good stuff, George! I would like to know your opinion of the heated vests and jackets. I see guys in late archery looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy. There's got to be a better way!
I've done a video or two on them. They are useful, but not as amazing as I wish they were. A cell phone battery or small power bank just doesn't create a great volume of thermal energy. Converting batteries to heat is very inefficient. But I have a few pieces and use them occasionally. I like them, but unless its REALLY cold, it don't go through the extra work of charging them up, etc.
Great review. Would be good to know the different composition of materials in each sock, ie. wool and ply thickness, % of synthetic material (nylon, elastine etc) as these all contribute to warmth retention and thickness.
Fun follow-up test(s): Take 1 or 2 (1 is probably going to be the most convenient because of the method I will propose) of the highest performing regular socks AND the Fieldsheer then throw the waterbottle into a sock, then into a pair of hunting boots, - and leave it for 3-4 hours not just 1hour. I feel the point of actively heated clothes/socks is to extend the time you can be hot and comfortable, so it would be interesting to see at what point, if at all, an actively heated sock will start to outperform. You could also just redo with the same method you used in this video (dry) and extend the time to 3-4 hours at the same time - since you have 2 of each sock anyway :)
That isn't a bad idea at all. I actually have 2 pairs of the same boots, non-insulated neoprene. One is more worn than the other but warmth levels should be identical. So, I could test 4 socks in one go. If this video gets good response, I'll look into that as a followup test.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide Id be interested in this and definitely agree. From what I heard with the heated socks, you turn them on to take the edge off right before you're about to give up and leave. At least thats how I use my vest!
Oh man, I use them just as soon as I begin to get chilled. Hoping to keep from every reaching the about to give up point, lol. They definitely help. I have a vest I use at times as well.@@Drblood6721
It looks like there may have been a discrepancy between your initial wet test data reporting with the alpaca and the later graph you made? You first said that the alpaca socks had the warmest water temp, but then later put it below another in the graph.
Hey George I watched your first video last year and now this one. I came across a company called wiggys and got some lamilite socks. I use them when I go to Erie steel head fishing when it’s pretty cold. I would like to see how much of a difference they make. Thanks for your videos!
Thanks, I never heard of them before. Just research them a bit. Doesn't seem good for covering ground. I'd be open to testing them in the future if I do another one of these.
i never thought about trying this til i saw your video. So in skydiving, i use a canadian sniper trick with hands, I wear a latex glove under a thin glove cause i need the dexterity. Ive been in freefall speeds 120-180mph in sub zero temps and my hands will never get cold. maybe try an latex sock, probably woulndt be ideal walkiing a lot. I may give it a test. I telling you your hands stay suppppppppper warm with very light gloves. might be worth a try on the feet.
i have a long pair of thin mohair socks and they are far warmer than all my thick wool socks. When they get wet they actually heat uo. They are itchy and need to be worn over very thin socks.
My friend has an alpaca farm and has socks and sole inserts made from them. I used the socks and inserts the other day in 20deg weather and my feet were on fire. Alpaca is the way to go
O yea. I don’t hunt to much anymore but I do linework just south of you in Maryland, I’ve had success with the heavy weight darn tough socks, even in an unlined boot. I will say Alpaca socks are really good too, I am typically moving and working when I’m outside but a different story if you’re sitting still in a tree stand or what have you. I like the experiment you did!
Yea, they are for most of the year. Their online store isn't the greatest. If you went to one you'd understand. It's kinda like a farm supply store with other stuff. I'm surprised they even have a website.
Battery was on, turned up to high. They are just not the most insulating stocks, and a cell phone battery does not hold alot of power when you are converting it into heat, which is the most inefficient thing you can do with them. They are nice for certain things though, but didn't win this one.
I think the one flaw in this test is, I've never had two hand warmers that worked exactly the same. Some get hotter some don't get that hot at all. That could certainly skew your results
For whatever reason this video was suggested to me🤔 algorithm magic😉 Anyway it seems that there is a 1year gap between your sock review…so when ur up for the next “annual” review…could you find some Yak wool socks and review them as well? When searching for a thermal glove liner, I found that Yak wool beats out even alpaca wool. So what about that🤔 please inform when “this year’s” review will air😉 thx Ps. Maybe some musk ox wool socks to make it even more exotic
@ you will be surprised, just googled it myself and it’s not even that difficult…mostly because of the fact that socks are socks, no denomination of hunting required. As long as you’re taking into account that one’s search for thermal natural wool socks 🧦 automatically comes down to the same use case… Don’t mind sending a link but in my attempt YT deletes any links for that matter. Thx for your quick reply though and as mentioned online search will lead you there for sure (don’t believe me being EU should make a difference?) So Yak and musk-ox must be available in your country as well;) Grz
@@PBUNO Thanks, I just looked into it some. Honestly, I don't see anything here that's compelling to make me think there is anything more to these than merino or alpaca. I don't see anything in the material itself that seems to provide any technical or scientific reason for an advantage. It just feels like fancy marketing of a niche product. What is the realistic case for them?
@ thx, good you did. I don’t know much about the game itself. It was just an interesting idea from a materials perspective. Taking a deeper look myself I understand your point. Though again from a materials perspective it woud make sense. The only reasonable manufacturer I just found was KoraOutdoor, maybe that could be something? Otherwise a good BU case for ur own line of 100% Yak & Musk-ox socks brand? 😉
@ honestly I think my suggestion isnt that bad of an idea right? Have somebody nit some pair of socks of those materials and according your requirements for hunting/outdoor socks. And put them up to the others in your test? And if it works out💪 …I’m not in the same league as you are…but my background is in business strategy so…who knows…anyway hope u get my point…u have all it takes to work it out for sure.
That is the source jacket. I'll do a review at some point. I wear it in alot of videos becuase it's quiet and doesn't swoosh when I talk with my hands, and the camera doesn't distort or blur the camo pattern. It's a good jacket but it meets my audio/visual needs for videos lol.
Electric socks are "apples and oranges" when compared to plain knit socks. The hollow alpaca fibers SHOULD provide greater warmth compared to other wools and synthetics - and they DID!
I would like to see you do a test of zero fit socks. They claim to create heat with the touch of your body. They say they are the warmest out there. Japanese ingenuity they say.
I have also been looking at a company called Brynje for base layers They make what you call wool mesh apparently it is better because you won’t sweat in it. And their attic stuff looks really good also. I am also super happy to see alpaca won the sock contest I have been buying socks for hunting this year from purely alpaca and I’m hoping they are as good as the ones you tested. They have a high alpaca content. One of the highest I could find.
Would be worth mentioning if you left the socks out for 8 hours, the fieldsheer would be the only one showing any heat whatsoever without any foot providing heat. No competition for stand hunts if you don't have insulated boots.
After 8 hours they would be dead and the water bottle frozen solid just like the rest. They don't last long on high. And they don't create much heat on low. The handwarmer packet would be the only thing still generating appreciable heat. The electric socks seem more impressive than they really are. Cell phone batteries cannot carry much power when you consider you are converting the power into heat, it causes them to deplete rapidly. They just cannot put out many thermal units. They may get hot to the touch on high, but if you wear a sock under the electric sock, you pretty much feel nothing. They do not add many thermal units into your boots.
I literally and I’m not exaggerating on time, just out of a 8 hour stand hunt an hour ago. Wore the exact same socks you just demo’d, and had them on high for 3 hours, switched it over to medium because my feet were getting too hot, and the batteries are still reading 25%. So, I gotta respectfully disagree with just about everything you just said. Love the reviews, you’re the soul reason I’m wearing the base layers I am. When you take into account heat from the foot + power though, I really don’t think it’s close. Now would I wear them anywhere except a deer stand, 100% not. All the other options would outshine them if you’re working up heat through movement.
Interesting test but very arbitrary since every person has their own type of body heat, circulation, sweatiness, etc. so this is purely a subjective metric. If I wear too thick of socks I sweat and then my feet get cold so I wear thin socks and don’t sweat which keeps my feet warm.
@ agreed this is what I was drawing attention too bc a heavier sock isn’t going to help my feet stay warmer, maybe in raw heat retention terms. Keeping my feet dry is the most important aspect for me in long term warmth. A more accurate title would be best heat retention sock bc yes warmth is a subjective metric in a sense that there is no “warmest sock” bc my wife needs to walk around with heavy merino and slippers while I need a thin merino even in the winter or my feet will be cold from being sweaty. Anyway it peaked my curiosity bc I wasn’t sure what metrics you’d use for testing since my first thought was “how can you test that other than doing actual field testing and accounting for a bunch of variables.” Not bashing you but as a viewer I’m sure I’m not the only one who had these same questions.
Unless you put a hot hands pack in with the others. Then they will do better. You don't have 4 hours worth of full power with the electric socks either. You'd have to go with low or medium. They don't put out or retain as much heat as you'd think.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide are you sure the socks were even on? They might not have even kicked in with the hot water bottle in there tripping the system off. I would trust the test more if you moved from luke warm to outside temps. I would want to see more data points along the time line, over 4 or 8 hours. It's not about retaining he with a heated sock, it's about generating it. If I were a betting man, I would guess the heated socks never turned on. Probably a tempertature limit switch that was defaulted when you put the hot 149 degree bottle of water in there.
@@kene3431 No, the socks were on. They just do not generate as much heat as you think. The temp is one thing but the thermal energy is another. There isn't not that much power in a cel phone battery when you start talking about converting it to heat. If you wear a pair of socks under the electric socks, you can barely feel them. They are hot on the skin but they don't heat the bones. Don't get me wrong, these are the best electric socks I've seen so far, but they aren't that thick and no battery at this size has that much power. Converting batteries into heat is very limited.
Really? I already catch flack the intro to each video is too long already. You want me to give my entire back story with every video? Just think about the implication of what that would mean and terrible it would be for the viewing experience. The back is out there across the channels, multiple times. You can find all the details you want and plenty more I'm sure you don't want as well.
My great grandpa would hike in with a spare pair of wool socks tucked in his jacket then put them on at his deer stand and stuff the ones he took off in his jacket and rotate as necessary. It was a tactic used during his time in the Finnish military by snipers that he brought with him to Northern Minnesota after the war.
Thats genius. Dry socks make a huge difference. I always advice western game hunters to take 2 pairs of socks so they can change mid-day in order to keep their feet warm, dry, and avoid blisters.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide Solid advice .
The moisture is why I recommend a thinner alpaca, merino, bison, or yak baselayer sock (all with some synthetic for greater durability), with a thicker, semi loose fitting polypropylene sock over it. You can take off the PP sock, wring and/or swing most of the water out of it, put it back on and it will dry very fast after. That is because the PP sock doesn't absorb any moisture into the actual material itself, water just gets held in the fiber/yarn interstice (free, porous areas). And because the surface of PP socks tends to be very hydrophobic, that water comes off very fast and easy.
Also, PP has one of the lowest thermal conductivity of materials commonly used for clothing. Only things that are better, are fibers with significant hollow space/voids in them, like Thermolite, alpaca, etc.
Do people not layer socks anymore? For work i wear costco merino wick away socks then put over that thicker merino wool sock.
You need to keep the moisture away from your feet and allow the moisture to escspe. otherwise feet will get cold and stay cold. Once i added moisture wick away sock layer, my feet have never been cold.
All the big boys are saying layering with socks is bad for sitting, too much foot constriction is counterproductive. But if you are working or walking, I don't see a downside.
My understanding has always been that the second pair of socks creates sweat, there for wet cold foot
I typically run a liner sock and a merino wool sock either darn tough or kuiu. Just got a bunch of alpaca socks that I’m using for work and they’ve been nice although not as durable as the darn tough socks
In most cases, layering socks, especially when they're super thick means you're going to start affecting circulation and ultimately have the opposite effect resulting in colder feet.
Moisture in your feet is BECAUSE you're wearing double socks, socks that are too warm, or are otherwise overdressed. I've never needed double socks at any temperature.
Thank you George for doing these tests! That was a lot of work! You are amazing my friend! 👍🙏☺
Thank you so much for watching!
I absolutely love my Warrior Alpaca socks. You can't beat their comfort either.
Finally, someone who has heard of them! Yes, they are excellent, just recorded another video with them yesterday.
@@TheNewHuntersGuidewhat video did u record with them??
@@Bewsher88 This one ruclips.net/video/KrUy3iuF6bM/видео.html
I left a couple of comments on your older sock test video. To continue on a theme. A couple of points about the finer points of insulation (for general public viewing/reading). The most important aspect of insulation is fiber size and how many per a give volume. The smaller the fibers you can pack, with air space between them, in a given volume, the more insulation you will get. This is why high fill power goose and Eider down are so ridiculously insulating. The fibrils that come off the shaft are ridiculously fine and there are many branches of these.
The next important factor is whether or not the fibers are more solid or hollow. Alpaca fibers have these pockets of relative void/empty spaces in them, which help to boost the insulation some, especially when wet. But, if you compare say a layer of coarse alpaca verse and equally thick layer of very ultra fine merino, the merino will be more insulating, because again fiber size is more important when there is a significant difference.
The next important factor is fiber shape. Perfectly round fibers will not still as much air as a shaped fiber with more surface area, whether that is trilobal like silk fibers, or fibers like the Coolmax that is round but with the side channels, or Octa fibers. A simple thought exercise is taking some cord of different shapes and packing them parallel to each other, or twisting them one over the other. The perfectly round fibers will have less void space between their surfaces than the shaped cord with more surface area. Same principle for clothing insulation but on a more micro level.
Then material matters some, both the thermal conductivity, the moisture regain and how fast it dries or not. Cotton sucks because the material has high moisture regain and doesn't dry fast, while the fibers are more ribbon and flat (and tend to lay flatter the wetter they get, so more surface area of conductive material touching your skin and less trapped air pockets), and the material has higher thermal conductivity, especially when wet, than wool, alpaca, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylic (but its dry thermal conductivity is lower than nylon's). Its a perfect storm of various different factors in combo with moisture that make it a poor active and outdoor cold and/or wet insulator. (It is actually a pretty decent dry condition insulator though).
On my other comments, I mentioned how I really like using a 2nd layer of thicker polypropylene sock over a thin. A good alternative to that, is a thicker thermolite sock that you treat with a silicone treatment (thin some 100% silicone caulk with naphtha in a 1 part silicone to 30 parts naphtha by volume). If the thermolite sock is made to wick, this will completely ruin the wicking, but that is ok. It will still dry faster than the non treated version (especially if you wring and/or swing the water out of it). (Btw, if you want to add some anti odor properties, mix in some very fine copper oxide particles in with the silicone naphtha slurry before treating the Thermolite socks. Hopefully some of that will get embedded more towards the surface of the silicone coating, which should cut down on microbial growth. I will be trying this with some synthetic fishnet baselayers. I have some nylon-spandex blend ones, and some acrylic ones that I want to treat with this process).
Good points, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for your sock test. I work in a cooler and freezer every day and been looking for what to wear to stay warm!!!🙏🏽
Happy to help!
I love your channel dude, it has been so helpful. I have a low tolerance to the cold and the sock series has been great for me. Despite having highly insulated boots i still feel like my socks have been the weak link. I will try out some of these and let you know how it goes!
Awesome! Thanks for watching. Be sure to try out putting some hot hands in your boots too. I lightly tape them above my toes with a tiny bit of loose masking tape.
If you hunt from a tree or ground stand rather than stalking, a great investment is a pair of fluffy down 'overboots'. I love mine. They pack down to a very small size, fluff up with a shake or two, go over your hunting boots in the stand. I use them in my ice house lake fishing too.
Its a good idea.
Who makes yours?
Down “overboots”? From where?
@@MsRotorwings google it
I've worn wool socks, sweaters and coats and pants in colder conditions. My sons being younger get after me about being " old fashioned" . Well, I my be old to a 26 and 29 year old but wool works.
Wool is hip and trendy again if you put the word merino in front of it lol. But in all seriousness, for socks wool is the best thing going, there is no close second.
see yourself as wise not old
Awesome test and video. Thanks for all the effort you go through for us George. It's almost like even on high, the heated socks tried to keep you at body temp without sweating but I'm guessing it's just a coincidence.
Thanks! I've used lower grade heated socks in the past they got uncomfortably hot, then you sweat, then you freeze because they are cotton, lol. These merino socks do not get as hot and they hold a nice stable temp longer, much smarter design, and of course they are wool.
Awesome George thank you for giving us a starting point so we can see what works best for us, God bless you and go get them in the marsh
Thanks so much Jeff!
Awesome video! You always have great content and I for one who has had frost bite from my military days truly appreciates this test. Thank you Sir!
Thank you so much!
I picked up a pair of the Lincoln outfitters last summer at a flea market without knowing anything about them except they were merino wool. I layer them over cotton socks and it works pretty well for me sitting in a tree all day.
Nice!
get rid of the cotton layer and you like then even more. 😉
Most those socks are almost to heavy imo. In Illinois we'll get those -5 degree days. Problem with socks is they'll get wet from sweat so an overlay heavy sock will cause em to sweat. People should look into a hiker liner sock to pair with their heavy weights. A liner will control moisture better and keep the foot more comfortable all day. Also don't wear those heavy socks on the drive out
Having more than one sock with you can make a big difference. People often don't think about changing socks, but throwing on a dry pair can be a game changed.
Great job. Thanks. I bought a pair of a Hollow Alpaca socks. Pretty good. The percentage of wool in the sock material might make a difference. I’ve seen socks listed as Marino wool with only 20%. I have Marino with 80%.
Yea, only 20% feels mostly like marketing. At least the inside of the sock that touches your foot needs to be fairly dense on the material.
Very Interesting test George, I am going to try a Alpaca Socks.
Thanks. Mine are still going strong!
Great video as always. And timely as I’m about to start shopping for new socks and other layers.
Thank you so much!
I don’t know where you’re from in Pennsylvania. I’m from Kutztown Pennsylvania. I love your test. You’re great. I love your shows and thank you very much.
Thanks so much, I'm outside of Pittsburgh.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide I'm from Erie, PA, where all the children are below average, the wives have tattoos and the men are their cousins.
We DO know enough to come in from the cold but don't know enough to take our boots off - even in bed.
Looks like I may need to try some alpaca socks! Here’s what I do for hunting, wear a light pair on the way to the stand. After a couple hours I change them out for a pair of heavy wool socks. Keeps my feet warm all day. I put my light pair in a zip lock bag after I change them out to help with sent control.
Hey if that works well for you, no reason to change that plan. That sounds real good.
Just found your channel, great stuff! I subscribed. Really nice/thorough review. I love darn tough, and will always have them, but I’m going to give those warriors a try for those really long sits on cold days.
Thanks! The Darn Tough are my favorite for all around hunting and walking alot. But for sitting motionless for long cold days, the Warriors are the warmest for sure.
Great video. I’ve been considering buying quality socks for years. Every year I just stick with my random Cabelas thick wool socks over normal socks. They suck. I freeze, I complain. this year I finally plan to make the switch.
Good socks can make a big difference. Especially if you cover alot of ground or get wet. They can also last a long time. I obviously have more than I need and more than I even wear. You don't need 10 pairs. 1 or 2 is plenty.
Thanks for the video as always
Thanks for watching Ben!
I have KUIU’s three varieties of socks, Darn tough in thinner and their thickest models and Hollow alpaca socks in thin and thicker varieties…I truly love them all, the alpaca are the softest and most comfortable by far…due to the darn tough warranty, I think I’ll hike in one of their thinner socks and use those as the workhorse sock (can replace them if they wear dow, so my feet don’t sweat, then have a thick pair of alpaca socks or the KUIU ultra merino sock for after the hike while I’m sitting and glassing
Having multiple pairs really is key!
Fieldsheer makes gear for motorcycle traveling. Moto boots are frequently water proof and block wind really well but don’t always have much room for high loft socks
True story.
The firstlite zero cold heavy duty socks are the best. Keeps my feet warm under 20 degrees, never felt cold. I'm extremely impressed.
They are good. I use them sometimes
I remember reading somewhere how darn tough uses a type of high density knitting that is very durable, but they aren't quite as "fluffy" as a result. Still can't beat darn tough for durability but I will start using alternatives for those long days in the stand.
Agreed. Darn Tough socks are exactly what their name claims. They are warm too. Just maybe not the warmest for every scenario.
Fox River socks 👍🇺🇸👍
Darn Tough are good to, I'm about 12 miles from there shop in Northfield vt.
Wigwam is not bad and on and on !!
Like allways that Vermonter!!
Darn tough came in last, for the price they should be higher.
I like any study that tries to drill down on hype versus reality or performance i also think it's about the boot sock combination that = warmth
Thanks. I did another video testing different boot sock combos as well.
Good old fashion virgin wool is an excellent thing to keep feet hands head your whole body warm. Think about it sheep can stay outside 24 seven in the rain in the cold all through the winter and they do just fine.
I think my Drake socks are merino, I love them.
My DU socks are 2nd warmest, and my Browning socks are for early season.
Thanks!
Friend of mine turned me onto Heatholders boot socks. Cabelas stocks them for $20. They’re definitely the thickest warmest socks I’ve encountered to date. If you aren’t already doubling or tripling up on some thick style socks you’ll have to buy larger footwear to wear them.
Thanks, I need to take a look.
Thanks for sharing your unbiased reviews and keep them coming please. ❤
Thanks so much!
First Lite Zero Cold Weather Sock: firstlite.pxf.io/xkgK4d
Darn Tough Heavyweight Hunter: amzn.to/3hXInCT
KUIU Ultra Crew: www.kuiu.com/products/ultra-merino-crew-sock-grey-green
Lincoln Outfitters Big Bertha: www.ruralking.com/lincoln-outfitters-mens-big-bertha-merino-wool-sock-charcoal-l844-ch-xl-charcoal
Warrior Alpaca Toasty Toes: www.warrioralpacasocks.com/alpaca-socks/sock-activity/casual-socks/toasty-toes-ultimate-alpaca-socks/
Fieldsheer Men's Premium 2.0 Merino Heated fieldsheer.com/products/premium-2-merino-heated-socks-men
Love Kuiu products...packs, hunting gear, but it's Alpaca all the way for me. Alpaca covers backpacking, hunting, day hiking with easily the most comfort.
A company called Drymax makes the warmest socks you ever tried. Invented for ultra marathon runners but do hiking socks all sweat is wicked away from the foot so they keep warm and warm they stay. It’s noticeable straight away.
Doesn't sound formulated for sitting. Socks are usually best at one activity or another.
i've been dealing with best sock and best boot issue for many years. finally found a comfortable solution. a waterproof boot with everyday socks and stick on toe warmers.
That does work good!
I have been wondering about the alpaca socks. Not anymore
They are very nice. I hope to do some more testing with them in the future.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide will be waiting to see it
It would be interesting if there were a difference if you had a liner sock
True. That might be worth its own test.
Well this video puts some data to my disappointment in the darn tough socks I got for Christmas. The hunter medium and heavy and neither seemed any warmer than the much cheaper merino blend socks I bought off Amazon years ago. Fine as a gift, but I’d be annoyed if I had bought them with my own money.
I'll tell you what, I still wear the Darn Tough socks more than anything else because I can walk forever in them, they don't fall down, and they never wear our or give me blisters. They are comfortable and warm after 10 miles. I do not wear them in a deer stand on the coldest days anymore, but they have proven themselves to be a very important part of my gear. If I could only have 1 pair of hunting socks, it would be them. Second pair would probably be the super warm Alpaca socks for those coldest days.
Great test. I like the changes you made from last time.. I looking at some bison socks and sure would of lived to seen alpaca vs bison.
Thanks! I have not been impressed with the bison socks, the cost to bison ratio is pretty bad. I haven't found a satisfactory pair to buy yet.
I just got in a 90 percent bison fur pair of socks. I went squirrel hunting Tuesday and it was 30 degrees. I did not wear insulated boots. After sitting for an hour i pulled the boot and sock off. My feet were actually dry and warm. I have never had that happen before.Mine were from the. Buffalo wool company.They were 65 bucks but may be worth every cent if they keep my feet warm.@@TheNewHuntersGuide
I use darn tough heavy weight merino wool knee high socks!
And they are excellent!
Very well presented!
Thank you!
I've been wearing Grip 6 socks lately, i'd like to see where they stand with the warmest of what you've tested!! They seem to stay the warmest, and dryest i've been useng!! Gr8 vid, thanx!! Tim NE Pa. 🐾
That is a new one to me, I'll look into them. Thanks.
Wow, great channel. Subscribed!
Thanks so much!
Great test, thanks.
Thank you!
After your first test I tried to purchase some of the big bertha socks from Rural Kings on 12/4/23 and they never communicated with me via email about my order, never sent any tracking info, and today I received an email saying my order has been cancelled. I don’t think I’ll be doing any business with that company in the future!
Rural King is sort of like a cross between a discount warehouse, a feed store, a hardware store, and sporting goods shop. Bare concrete floors, free popcorn for everyone who comes in, and not much organization. I'm shocked they even have an online store. You kind of just have to go there and hope they have what you want. But if they do, its usually very cheap and very high quality.
Good stuff, George! I would like to know your opinion of the heated vests and jackets. I see guys in late archery looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy. There's got to be a better way!
I've done a video or two on them. They are useful, but not as amazing as I wish they were. A cell phone battery or small power bank just doesn't create a great volume of thermal energy. Converting batteries to heat is very inefficient. But I have a few pieces and use them occasionally. I like them, but unless its REALLY cold, it don't go through the extra work of charging them up, etc.
Great review. Would be good to know the different composition of materials in each sock, ie. wool and ply thickness, % of synthetic material (nylon, elastine etc) as these all contribute to warmth retention and thickness.
Thanks so much!
How about a base layer test with Alpaka
I've never seen one. Do you have a recommendation?
Fun follow-up test(s): Take 1 or 2 (1 is probably going to be the most convenient because of the method I will propose) of the highest performing regular socks AND the Fieldsheer then throw the waterbottle into a sock, then into a pair of hunting boots, - and leave it for 3-4 hours not just 1hour. I feel the point of actively heated clothes/socks is to extend the time you can be hot and comfortable, so it would be interesting to see at what point, if at all, an actively heated sock will start to outperform.
You could also just redo with the same method you used in this video (dry) and extend the time to 3-4 hours at the same time - since you have 2 of each sock anyway :)
That isn't a bad idea at all. I actually have 2 pairs of the same boots, non-insulated neoprene. One is more worn than the other but warmth levels should be identical. So, I could test 4 socks in one go. If this video gets good response, I'll look into that as a followup test.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide Id be interested in this and definitely agree. From what I heard with the heated socks, you turn them on to take the edge off right before you're about to give up and leave. At least thats how I use my vest!
Oh man, I use them just as soon as I begin to get chilled. Hoping to keep from every reaching the about to give up point, lol. They definitely help. I have a vest I use at times as well.@@Drblood6721
It looks like there may have been a discrepancy between your initial wet test data reporting with the alpaca and the later graph you made? You first said that the alpaca socks had the warmest water temp, but then later put it below another in the graph.
They were the warmest dry and were in the top 3 wet. I might have said it in reverse. The charts are right. Thanks!
Hey George I watched your first video last year and now this one. I came across a company called wiggys and got some lamilite socks. I use them when I go to Erie steel head fishing when it’s pretty cold. I would like to see how much of a difference they make. Thanks for your videos!
Thanks, I never heard of them before. Just research them a bit. Doesn't seem good for covering ground. I'd be open to testing them in the future if I do another one of these.
i never thought about trying this til i saw your video. So in skydiving, i use a canadian sniper trick with hands, I wear a latex glove under a thin glove cause i need the dexterity. Ive been in freefall speeds 120-180mph in sub zero temps and my hands will never get cold. maybe try an latex sock, probably woulndt be ideal walkiing a lot. I may give it a test. I telling you your hands stay suppppppppper warm with very light gloves. might be worth a try on the feet.
Its worth testing. But the feet sweat alot more than the hands. So the watertight layer may do more harm than good in the long run.
Hey awesome vid!
Thanks so much!
i have a long pair of thin mohair socks and they are far warmer than all my thick wool socks. When they get wet they actually heat uo. They are itchy and need to be worn over very thin socks.
Have you found good liner socks that aren't too tight?
i use thin, short dry max socks under the mohair - neither is tight. very comfortable
@@robertwood6297 Nice
get yourself a long pair of mohair socks - super cheap - you won't regret it @@TheNewHuntersGuide
My friend has an alpaca farm and has socks and sole inserts made from them. I used the socks and inserts the other day in 20deg weather and my feet were on fire. Alpaca is the way to go
I wore some today in the woods, very nice!
If you want the best try J.B. Fields sox from the Great Canadian sock company.
What makes that one better than these?
Should do some Military Surplus soaks for the arctic war fair.
I did some looking around, haven't found anything compelling yet.
Great information
Thank you!
O yea. I don’t hunt to much anymore but I do linework just south of you in Maryland, I’ve had success with the heavy weight darn tough socks, even in an unlined boot. I will say Alpaca socks are really good too, I am typically moving and working when I’m outside but a different story if you’re sitting still in a tree stand or what have you. I like the experiment you did!
@@NDB469 Thanks so much!
Looks like Rural King is sold out online for the Lincoln Outfitters
Yea, they are for most of the year. Their online store isn't the greatest. If you went to one you'd understand. It's kinda like a farm supply store with other stuff. I'm surprised they even have a website.
Oh, the electric sock did you do that with the battery and the heat on?
Battery was on, turned up to high. They are just not the most insulating stocks, and a cell phone battery does not hold alot of power when you are converting it into heat, which is the most inefficient thing you can do with them. They are nice for certain things though, but didn't win this one.
I think the one flaw in this test is, I've never had two hand warmers that worked exactly the same. Some get hotter some don't get that hot at all. That could certainly skew your results
Yea it is posible.
Great test! What power setting did you have the electric socks on?
Thanks! They were on max.
For whatever reason this video was suggested to me🤔 algorithm magic😉
Anyway it seems that there is a 1year gap between your sock review…so when ur up for the next “annual” review…could you find some Yak wool socks and review them as well?
When searching for a thermal glove liner, I found that Yak wool beats out even alpaca wool. So what about that🤔 please inform when “this year’s” review will air😉 thx
Ps. Maybe some musk ox wool socks to make it even more exotic
Thanks so much. Where does one even find hunting socks made of that?
@ you will be surprised, just googled it myself and it’s not even that difficult…mostly because of the fact that socks are socks, no denomination of hunting required. As long as you’re taking into account that one’s search for thermal natural wool socks 🧦 automatically comes down to the same use case…
Don’t mind sending a link but in my attempt YT deletes any links for that matter.
Thx for your quick reply though and as mentioned online search will lead you there for sure (don’t believe me being EU should make a difference?)
So Yak and musk-ox must be available in your country as well;) Grz
@@PBUNO Thanks, I just looked into it some. Honestly, I don't see anything here that's compelling to make me think there is anything more to these than merino or alpaca. I don't see anything in the material itself that seems to provide any technical or scientific reason for an advantage. It just feels like fancy marketing of a niche product. What is the realistic case for them?
@ thx, good you did. I don’t know much about the game itself. It was just an interesting idea from a materials perspective.
Taking a deeper look myself I understand your point.
Though again from a materials perspective it woud make sense. The only reasonable manufacturer I just found was KoraOutdoor, maybe that could be something? Otherwise a good BU case for ur own line of 100% Yak & Musk-ox socks brand? 😉
@ honestly I think my suggestion isnt that bad of an idea right? Have somebody nit some pair of socks of those materials and according your requirements for hunting/outdoor socks. And put them up to the others in your test? And if it works out💪 …I’m not in the same league as you are…but my background is in business strategy so…who knows…anyway hope u get my point…u have all it takes to work it out for sure.
Hey George what first lite coat are you wearing?
That is the source jacket. I'll do a review at some point. I wear it in alot of videos becuase it's quiet and doesn't swoosh when I talk with my hands, and the camera doesn't distort or blur the camo pattern. It's a good jacket but it meets my audio/visual needs for videos lol.
new sub here , great video !
Thank you so much!
where do you buy lincoln outfitters?
Rural King, in the fall.
thank you!👍@@TheNewHuntersGuide
So much more scientific than just wearing the sock and saying, "i like this one the most" lol
Haha
Electric socks are "apples and oranges" when compared to plain knit socks.
The hollow alpaca fibers SHOULD provide greater warmth compared to other wools and synthetics - and they DID!
Yup
isn't the electric sock meat to be "turned-on"?
I turned it on. You use an app to do it.
I would like to see you do a test of zero fit socks. They claim to create heat with the touch of your body. They say they are the warmest out there. Japanese ingenuity they say.
What makes them so magical?
@@TheNewHuntersGuide I have no clue they have a blend of 69 % Acrylic
14% Nylon
5% wool
2% Polyurethane
They are pretty warm I will say that.
I have also been looking at a company called Brynje for base layers
They make what you call wool mesh apparently it is better because you won’t sweat in it. And their attic stuff looks really good also.
I am also super happy to see alpaca won the sock contest I have been buying socks for hunting this year from purely alpaca and I’m hoping they are as good as the ones you tested. They have a high alpaca content. One of the highest I could find.
I have been considering that same mesh too. I might give it a test this year.@@MrChiumiento
Lincoln outfitters have the highest heat retention per dollar. Dasting
Yes sir.
Its not the warmth only! The last thing you want to have happen is your feet sweating!!! You know what happens then...They Freeze!
Would be worth mentioning if you left the socks out for 8 hours, the fieldsheer would be the only one showing any heat whatsoever without any foot providing heat. No competition for stand hunts if you don't have insulated boots.
After 8 hours they would be dead and the water bottle frozen solid just like the rest. They don't last long on high. And they don't create much heat on low. The handwarmer packet would be the only thing still generating appreciable heat. The electric socks seem more impressive than they really are. Cell phone batteries cannot carry much power when you consider you are converting the power into heat, it causes them to deplete rapidly. They just cannot put out many thermal units. They may get hot to the touch on high, but if you wear a sock under the electric sock, you pretty much feel nothing. They do not add many thermal units into your boots.
I literally and I’m not exaggerating on time, just out of a 8 hour stand hunt an hour ago. Wore the exact same socks you just demo’d, and had them on high for 3 hours, switched it over to medium because my feet were getting too hot, and the batteries are still reading 25%.
So, I gotta respectfully disagree with just about everything you just said. Love the reviews, you’re the soul reason I’m wearing the base layers I am. When you take into account heat from the foot + power though, I really don’t think it’s close. Now would I wear them anywhere except a deer stand, 100% not. All the other options would outshine them if you’re working up heat through movement.
@@connorf6862 Maybe the batteries you got are better or newer than mine.
@@TheNewHuntersGuideare your batteries about the size of a deck or cards? About a cm thick.
Just got these so it would be the newest model.
@@connorf6862 Yea, maybe even a little smaller.
What's your PhD in?
Communications Media.
Very cool!
Interesting test but very arbitrary since every person has their own type of body heat, circulation, sweatiness, etc. so this is purely a subjective metric. If I wear too thick of socks I sweat and then my feet get cold so I wear thin socks and don’t sweat which keeps my feet warm.
Well, kind of. The test is not subjective. How the data applies to each person to best help you will depend on your needs, conditions, and physiology.
@ agreed this is what I was drawing attention too bc a heavier sock isn’t going to help my feet stay warmer, maybe in raw heat retention terms. Keeping my feet dry is the most important aspect for me in long term warmth. A more accurate title would be best heat retention sock bc yes warmth is a subjective metric in a sense that there is no “warmest sock” bc my wife needs to walk around with heavy merino and slippers while I need a thin merino even in the winter or my feet will be cold from being sweaty. Anyway it peaked my curiosity bc I wasn’t sure what metrics you’d use for testing since my first thought was “how can you test that other than doing actual field testing and accounting for a bunch of variables.” Not bashing you but as a viewer I’m sure I’m not the only one who had these same questions.
HALLOW is the best Alpac wool socks ever ever worn.
Why?
After 4 hours the heated socks will blow away the other socks.
Unless you put a hot hands pack in with the others. Then they will do better. You don't have 4 hours worth of full power with the electric socks either. You'd have to go with low or medium. They don't put out or retain as much heat as you'd think.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide are you sure the socks were even on? They might not have even kicked in with the hot water bottle in there tripping the system off. I would trust the test more if you moved from luke warm to outside temps. I would want to see more data points along the time line, over 4 or 8 hours. It's not about retaining he with a heated sock, it's about generating it. If I were a betting man, I would guess the heated socks never turned on. Probably a tempertature limit switch that was defaulted when you put the hot 149 degree bottle of water in there.
@@kene3431 No, the socks were on. They just do not generate as much heat as you think. The temp is one thing but the thermal energy is another. There isn't not that much power in a cel phone battery when you start talking about converting it to heat. If you wear a pair of socks under the electric socks, you can barely feel them. They are hot on the skin but they don't heat the bones. Don't get me wrong, these are the best electric socks I've seen so far, but they aren't that thick and no battery at this size has that much power. Converting batteries into heat is very limited.
Spray your feet with antiperspirant.
I never heard of that one.
why do you say u have a PhD but not say in what? kinda sus.
Really? I already catch flack the intro to each video is too long already. You want me to give my entire back story with every video? Just think about the implication of what that would mean and terrible it would be for the viewing experience. The back is out there across the channels, multiple times. You can find all the details you want and plenty more I'm sure you don't want as well.