Travel sock

I always wear 100% cotton ones that have been washed several times to make them softer. Works well for me.

I bought 2 pair of Tilley socks and love them. They have just the right amount of arch support and are the weight I like. I washed them in hotel sinks, wrung them out in a towel and they were dry by morning. They are expensive but worth it because I only need a couple pair and I believe in pampering my feet when I'm walking so many miles every day.

I have Smartwool socks that I wear at home and on the road. If I hadn't found them, I might have tried the Tilley socks as I have purchased other travel clothes from them and like them. Pam

A medium weight Wool hiking sock - far superior to cotton and NO .....does not make your feet hotter. It is the cushion effect and allow with the wicking effect. However, the sock has to be fitted with the shoe. If you normally wear a thin cotton with the shoe and switch to a heavier sock of different material, you could have a problem.

Some Tilley Travel socks and a few Smartwool (or similiar) and you're ready to go. Tilleys costs a bit but you can save them and just use for travels. I agree - Smartwool will not make your feet overheat. I wear them in the summer with work boots and NEVER have hot feet.

IMHO, investing in expensive special traveling clothing is a waste a money that could better be spent on other aspects of the trip. Socks that you find comfortable walking around Bellingham will be comfortable in the streets of Rome. If you find wool socks itchy in Bellingham they will be just as uncomfortable in Paris. So if you haven't used wool socks before I would test them first. A bit off topic but, one trick I learned in Boy Scouts is that wearing two thin pairs of socks instead of one thick pair will greatly reduce the chances of blisters if you are doing a lot of walking.

Do you need to buy socks specifically for travel? No if you comfortably walk many miles daily in socks/shoes you will use in Europe. Perhaps yes, if that's not the case. After trying many different brands, styles and blends, I prefer and use trouble-free (no blisters, etc.) Wigwam Cool-Lite Hiker socks available at REI. There's a store in Bellingham. Suggest you visit and seek advice from the staff. Happy travels!

I love my Smartwool socks for hiking, but for travel that includes lots of city walking I prefer these lightweight wicking socks by Pearl Izumi: http://www.rei.com/product/778985/pearl-izumi-select-low-sock-womens They are comfortable, blister-free, and dry quickly when washed in the sink. I wear them inside out to hide the logo and there are no troubling seams. But everyone is different. Like the person above, I suggest you go to REI and see what they have that you like. In addition to the Pearl Izumi's (in the bike section) and Wigwam socks mentioned above, you can see and try Smartwool and Wright socks. All are good, it's a matter of what you prefer. And when you find one you like, buy 3 pair and you'll get 10% off in addition to your dividend (if you are a member.)

I never wear a wool blend at home, but for travel I'd say it is worth it. We just got back from our trip and my daughters cotton socks did not dry very well after sink washing. It took days, even in the summer! I will make sure she has wool next time.

I took some thin cotton socks that I've worn at home many times and always dry in the clothes dryer. While they dried overnight in the hotel room they did not shrink like in a hot dryer...and were loose enough to cause blisters. Make sure that your socks have some spandex if you intend to be air drying them. Its not a bad idea to slip some moleskin into your bag, in case of blisters.

Since I go to Europe every summer and travel around other times of the year, I purchased several pairs of ExOfficio travel socks years ago that are both comfortable and "sink-wash-dry-overnight" ready. More expensive than regular cotton socks but well worth it to me. I also travel to Europe with several pairs of ExOfficio undershorts and tee-shirts. A good long term investment for traveling light.

I prefer cotton ones. First of all you need comfort .Cotton would be best choice for you.I think it would works because I realize It always works for me.

Since I discovered the magic of wool socks( from researching here and on other sites for my last Europe trip ) that's all I wear now, at home or on the road....they are remarkably odour free, even after extended wear, do not make your feet overheat in warmer weather ( wool socks are available in a variety of thicknesses) and wash and dry in your room easily. I no longer own any cotton socks... God bless sheep...lol

It depends; do I have to dress up or am I going casual? For dress up, I pack three pairs of identical (usually black) gold toe, non-cotton crew length socks. They are dress socks but have a lot of cushion for walking. For casual, I like the hiking wool-blend socks sold at Costco. I can wear them with khakis or with shorts and my light hikers. Again my preference is for three identical pairs (which means I have to buy at least two packs and split them up). Why only three pairs of socks? I wash one pair a day in the sink and hang dry overnight (while I'm wearing a second pair). Three pairs gives me a backup pair in case I can't wash one day. Why non-cotton? Several reasons. Cotton dries slower, I hate putting on wet socks in the morning. Cotton loses it's cushion when it gets wet. You are more likely to get blisters sweating in cotton socks. Cotton also stretches out and needs a machine wash and dry to get back in "shape". Why identical socks? If I lose a sock, I still have 2 pairs of functional socks and a spare. I can lose up to two socks and still have two pair. If I brought all different socks, I effectively lose a pair each time I lose a sock. The fewer clothes you pack, however, the fewer you lose on the road.

I whole heartedly agree with Brad regarding bring one style of socks. In fact I do the same at home. All of my regular socks are identical white athletic socks and all of my dress socks are identical black dress socks. Makes sorting socks and getting dressed much easier. Just grab two socks...put one on each foot. No need to waste time figuring out which sock goes with which sock and no single oddballs.