sock talk
Traveling in transitional seasons and/or warm weather brings its own set of challenges, not only for selecting clothing and shoes but also travel hosiery. I’m not comfortable without a layer of something between my feet and the inside of most shoes (sandals and some open-toe shoes being the exceptions). Cool weather? No problem: just pack a few warmer mid-calf styles to wear under trousers or with boots, and opaque tights for skirts/dresses, and I’m good to go. But I’ve always found the combo of warmer days and closed shoes more difficult to get right. Too-warm feet are no picnic so I’ve been “road testing” a few options for warmer weather travel hosiery.
I learned early on to avoid cotton socks, as they tend to stretch out, bunch up and hold moisture. Some of the newer high-tech synthetic fabrics are very comfortable and breathable, and also wick away moisture. Don’t be afraid of nylon, polyester, and spandex; these can be surprisingly comfortable in warm weather and durable.
Don’t get too hung up on hosiery being “invisible.” Last year in Paris I noticed that stylish Parisiennes of all ages weren’t averse to visible hosiery….as long as it was pretty. I saw lace peeking out from ballet flats, printed ankle socks underneath cut-out booties, and even patterned tights with open-toe shoes.
Here are the best options I’ve found so far:
1. Compression socks. We’ll start with the least glamorous of the bunch. Even if you’re planning to wear only sandals once you arrive at your destination, if you are traveling by air, I’d encourage you to wear closed shoes and compression socks. These not only are intended to help prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis) on long flights, but can also help prevent swelling in feet and legs. And I find that my feet often get quite cold in flight (have you ever noticed how cold your bag feels after it’s been sitting underneath the seat for a while?) which makes closed shoes a necessity. If you prefer socks in bright colors or patterns, some fun ones here.
2. Knee highs or “trouser socks” can look polished and be very lightweight. My inclination is to avoid plain sheer nude knee highs and go for some color and pattern. Be sure to look for styles a wider band at the top, both for comfort and to avoid a visible indentation underneath slim or knit pants.
3. “No-show” liners. Intended for wear with lower vamp shoes, they’re often better in concept than execution. I had just about given up on these types of liner socks; I tried several brands and styles, and even the ones with silicone on the heel would slip off my heels after walking for a few minutes. Then on a whim I tried the lace ones from Nordstrom based on the nice look and good reviews, and am sold! They stay up on the heel (even with my most “sock eating” shoes), are pretty and comfortable, and even have a little bit of padding underneath the ball of the foot. I’ve stocked up on these in both colors.
4. Cushioned insoles. If you have shoes that are comfortable without hosiery except for the insoles, removable moisture-wicking insoles might be a good option. I’ve tried several with minimal success, but finally hit on a winner with these Foot Petals “Sock-Free Saviors”
which can be trimmed with scissors for a custom fit, are thin, comfortable and washable. They don’t adhere to the insoles, so can be switched easily between pairs of shoes. They can also be used to add a little more sole cushioning, or “pad” shoes that don’t fit at snugly as you’d prefer.
5. Athletic ankle socks. These ASICS Quick Lyte Single Tab Socks
are great with sneakers or low boots. They will show a little bit over most sneakers, but are available in lots of colors so you can coordinate if you like. Very lightweight, stay up, and keep feet comfortable.
6. Pattered Tights. Visually lighter (and less warm) than opaque tights, to wear with skirts and dresses. No age limit. 😉
What hosiery do you prefer during warmer seasons? Do you have favorites for travel?
(See my travel shoe suggestions here.)
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Merci pour ces conseils! c’est exactement ce qu’il nous fallait! Perfect!
This is a very good post for me as I absolutely need some sort of foot coverage fo any closed type of shoes. Thanks for doing all of the footwork. Pun intended.
For public, I have a wide variety of light socks in wild colors and prints. For private, I love suntan knee-highs.
If I’m not wearing sandals, I have new wool ankle socks or merino wool socks (for cooler temps). I also have Superfeet insoles…a full pair for most shoes, and a half insole for dressier flats.
Re compression socks, I cut the toes off, because as good and necessary as they are for long flights for legs, compressed and squeezed toes aren’t a happy place for me! Also if you’ve ever seen the gyrations and grunts necessary to pull these things up with in the confines of airline seats, put them on BEFORE you board!
I also don’t travel with cotton, another reason is that they take forever to dry and as I like to wash out nightly when I can, high tech synthetics are perfect for this.
And Bodyglide or a similar silicone stick is a must for travelling with bare feet under sandals at friction points; I find I need it more at the start of the sandal season and as my feet toughen up, I can do with less.
Compression socks without the confining toes are available, too. You might have to shop the internet for them. Ames-Walker is one source. Second the motion to put these on before boarding as in order to compress your leg veins, these babies have to be tight!
This product doesn’t provide foot coverage, but it’s an ingenious solution to the sockless-comfort problem. Zbeest insoles are made of flexible cardboard — sounds crazy, I know, but it really works — and come in shoe sizes. They keep your feet fresh, provide a layer of comfort, and are disposable and recyclable. (Depending on how much I walk, I change them every three to seven days.) Made in Southern California! http://zbeest.com/ (I’m not connected to the company — just a fan.)
The best source I have found online for compression socks is http://www.compressionstockings.com/ . They have a huge range of styles from sheer hose like fabrics to the athletic styles in variable compression levels. They have open toe, closed toe, wide calf and just calf sleeves in variable fabrics too. And ditto on the Bodyglide, a must for any areas prone to chafing when doing lots of walking.
Susan thank you so much for this post! The lack pedi from Nordy’s looks like just the ticket. And I’d forgotten about patterned trouser socks.
SmartWool footies feel so good, don’t slip and come in many colors in addition to cream and black. Wearing them now while visiting San Fancisco.
I love all Smart Wool styles. They are light weight, dry quickly if they get moist, and warm if needed, but breathable! I wear them year round, and they are extremely long lasting.
I guess for us in England the weather is always transitional – at least I reckon a warm summer by whether I can wear sandals barefoot sometimes ! I hate cold feet . Sorry I love cotton and it can be found with lycra(spandex) to keep it up and smooth . However my discoveries this year have been silk socks and bamboo socks . Both fibres are much more absorbent than cotton and dry more quickly than wool or cotton . Silk is harder wearing but of course more expensive ; bamboo being after all a form of viscose rayon . The largest selection of socks I know can be found at http://www.sockshop.co.uk with the exception of silk for which you need http://www.patra.com who even have silk/lycra compression socks .
Thanks to an article in the New York Times a few months ago, I discovered several new brands of surprisingly chic compression socks and tights: “Item m6” and “Vim & Vigr.” There is also a website called RejuvaHealth that has an excellent selection, including its own brand.
I appreciate your suggestions and the suggestions of your brilliant readers. Thanks.
Years ago, before insoles other than highly orthopedic ones were easily available, I decided to take a pair of old cotton socks, cut out a foot-shape from the soles, and put them inside my shoes. I was really amazed when this worked perfectly to absorb moisture, keep my foot comfortable, and protect the insole of the shoe. Cost – the time it takes to cut the insoles from a pair of worn-toes socks. I feel quite smug about this, I must admit.
I purchased a couple of pairs of silk socks when in Italy. What a revelation, they weigh nothing in your luggage, dry quickly and look very crisp. Wish I had bought more for our mild, subtropical winters.
No show liners…. I agree I have given up too. They always show because my shoes are always just a little bit different in cut then the sock. And indeed they slip off. Glad you found a pair that stays on.
I often have blisters on my toes in summer in shoes with a nose. But I have found a terrific solution to that. I cut off the front of a cotton sock that I am about to throw out. And I cut it in shape, stick it around my toes and put my foot in the shoe. Stays on, doesn’t ladder and keeps my feet from blisters. I also do this with normal tights and funnily enough, they don’t run after I have cut them. Isn’t that weird?
Greetje