You finally got the best combat boots, but those ankle socks you wear with your tennis shoes aren’t doing you any favors. Which socks are the best for combat boots? Well, there are several things to consider. You don’t want sweaty feet because too much moisture can cause trench foot, or promote foot fungus. Yet you do need to keep your toes warm when it gets cold out. It’s a puzzle, but fortunately, there are plenty of cutting edge solutions to keep you on the move in any situation. I’ll explain how to keep your combat boots dry, warm, breathable, and also stink-free so you can worry about other critical survival issues.
What socks do you wear with combat boots? Wear tall socks designed for military or work boots with your combat boots. Footwear has come a long way since you were a kid wearing cotton socks, and it’s time for an upgrade for your feet. Choose weather-appropriate boot-length socks to stay on the go in a survival situation.
Why Your Socks Matter Under Combat Boots
You need to know what the right socks for your combat boots are far more than you realize. The wrong socks can ruin more than a casual hike. Sadly, your feet aren’t something most people think about until there’s a problem, which means it’s easy to cause one. Foot pain and problems can quite literally stop you in your tracks. Hence, without good socks, you’re not going anywhere.
There are plenty of things that don’t matter so much when it comes to survival. The style of spork or silverware you use, for example, is mostly a personal preference. Similarly, people think of socks as a mere accessory, but they’re not. You need socks that solve four different issues with your boots.
Four Sock Issues with Combat Boots
The four reasons you need to know which socks to wear with your combat boots are all avoidable. First, and often most immediately noticeable is cold feet. Secondly, you don’t want sweat buildup to keep your feet wet all day. The third is the smell, which is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. Finally, the wrong socks can rub painful blisters and damage the skin.
Cold Feet
Let’s start with cold weather because that’s when people most quickly notice their feet are unhappy. Cold toes aren’t a big deal in normal circumstances, like when you’re driving home. You can kick those heels up in front of a fire or heating vent with no trouble. However, when you’re out in the wild, or the power is gone, you need toasty toes. Otherwise, you could lose one.
Frostbite and poor circulation are no joke. A good set of boot warmers will help in extreme weather, but they can also make your feet sweat, which causes other problems. Opt for a natural fiber like merino wool.
I recommend Danish Endurance Merino Wool Hiking Socks from Amazon. Worn by Rasmus Kragh, the first Dane to climb Mount Everest without assistive oxygen, these socks are made to keep feet comfortable in extreme weather. Moreover, this family-run, sustainable company has its socks tested by Olympic athletes so that they can take a beating. Find out more by clicking here.
Trench Foot
According to the CDC, preventing trench foot is simple. You need to clean and dry your feet regularly. Unsurprisingly, it’s also vital that you change your socks frequently. Dirty, cold, and moist feet are the root of this problem, named for soldiers who were stuck ‘in the trenches’ during WWII.
Like frostbite, trench foot can cause lost skin, nerve damage, and even lost toes. It’s not something you want to risk. Hence, getting good socks to go with your combat boots is the only sensible solution.
Staying Dry
An excellent pair of combat boots need good breathable, moisture-wicking socks inside. To help avoid sweat and water-related problems, you need to keep your feet dry. Proper foot hygiene depends on clean socks. Regardless of the weather, you need the appropriate solution. Hence, hot weather socks are also vital.
An excellent thermoregulating sock for hot weather will prevent heat and sweat related foot issues. Unlike cold weather, you want a cotton sock instead of one made from animal wool. Breathable and light is the key to avoiding trouble in hot conditions.
Everyone should practice proper foot care. However, it’s especially essential to those who have preexisting foot issues like diabetic neuropathy or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). If you already have damage or problems, you do not want to make it worse in an emergency scenario.
A high-quality breathable sock such as the 281Z Military Boot Socks from Amazon will go a long way toward keeping your feet healthy in the heat. Made from organic brushed cotton, these incredibly soft, eco-friendly socks also protect you from nasty chemicals. When you don’t want to absorb formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, or nickel through your soles, choose 281Zs. See the exceptional reviews right here.
How To Prevent Stinky Combat Boots
It might surprise you to learn that the solution for stinky boots is the same as you need for sweaty feet. When your body produces sweat, that liquid has proteins in it that can feed bacteria naturally present on your skin. The better you feed it, the more it grows.
The smell doesn’t come from you, but rather from these bacteria overpopulation inside your shoes, or armpits as the case may be. Hence breathable, moisture-wicking socks are twice as essential.
Fortunately, if you’ve already got stinky combat boots, there are some easy ways to fix the problem. Start by always washing your feet before you put your shoes on. Also, make sure you are completely dry, even between your toes.
First, don’t wear them every day unless you have to. Interestingly, airing out your boots matters a lot. Additionally, set them in the sun for a day and let the natural UVC light do its job of killing bacteria. Finally, you can add baking soda inside your shoes, or activated charcoal. Either of these natural and easy to get solutions will make your boots a hostile environment for those nasty, odiferous microbes.
Blisters
Blisters from bad combat boot and sock combos are incredibly common. A little fabric bunches up, and then it starts to rub. Next thing you know, there’s a painful bubble of fluid swelling up on your foot.
If you’re lucky, the blister won’t pop and rub off while you walk. Open wounds on your feet can bleed. Sadly and more importantly, they’re a breeding ground for bacteria and a point of ingress for sickness and infection. Long story short, a blister is annoying on an average day, but when SHTF, it is a real threat.
Hopefully, you will always have soap, running water, and sterile bandages available. Regrettably, that’s a pretty unlikely scenario for anyone. So you need to make sure your socks aren’t rubbing you raw.
Check out APTYID Moisture Control Cushion Boot Socks for a more comfortable fit. The elasticity helps provide arch support and holds the tops of these socks up, so you don’t have scrunched up fabric rubbing your ankles or calves. Moreover, the reinforced toe and heel are durable. You won’t wear holes in them while you walk. Plus, the extra padding helps relieve foot fatigue to keep you on the trail—Order APTYIDs from Amazon by clicking here.
When to Replace Your Socks for Combat Boots
Now that you understand which socks are essential for combat boots, there’s one other issue people struggle with. When should you replace your socks? Particularly when we’ve invested in high-quality socks, it can seem a little hard to let go. Still, there comes the point when your favorite pair is doing more damage than good.
According to anklefootmd.com, there are some elementary rules to live by when it comes to tossing your toe-warmers. For example, any sock that’s not the correct size for your foot can go right now, even if they’re brand new. Additionally, run through this quick checklist and make a pile of any sock that has one or more of these traits.
- No match, no problem. You don’t need that solo sock unless you only have one foot.
- Is it stained or dirty looking when it comes out of the wash? Toss it.
- Does your sock rub you the wrong way? Blisters, sores, or even mere annoyance is a good enough reason to get rid of a sock.
- Worn out socks have to go. If any part of your sock is getting thin, stretched out, or simply not holding shape as it should, then it’s time to send it packing, and I don’t mean you should put it in your EDC.
Hoarding bad socks will not do you any favors. Ditch those trashed out tubes and start fresh. A good rule of thumb is to check your socks as often as you check other perishable emergency items, at least every three months. Though you can do it more often if you walk a lot, and your feet and combat boots will thank you for the service.
Final Thoughts
In addition to getting the right high-quality socks to wear with your combat boots, you need to learn to blouse your pants. This isn’t for vanity. Instead, it keeps the fabric loose around your leg and breathing so you can move comfortably. Additionally, it will keep you from tearing the bottoms of your pants or stuffing them uncomfortably inside your boot.
Once you have the right socks, boots, and technique for wearing them, you’ll discover it makes a surprising difference. Comfortable feet are the foundation of any movement-based activity. I cannot stress enough how vital it is to take proper care of your feet, shoes, and socks.
Choosing socks should never be an offhanded or thoughtless task. The right foot coverings can mean the difference between blisters, pain, and infection, or staying on the go effortlessly.