[Gocamino] The weight of boots, part 37

[Grant Spangler]

Ana,

I moved over to wool socks in the early seventies for daily use. Wool has 
this ability to both cushion you feet and wick the moisture away. There also 
seems to be a more skin-friendly temperature in your boot. I switched over 
to a high grade synthetic mountain sock briefly. My feet started to get a 
moisture-induced malady. It was not an athlete’s foot, but very similar in 
effect. Nothing else changed, not the shoe, the environment, my diet, or the 
weather. After putting this in the back of my mind for a bit, the answer 
migrated to my frontal lobe: ‘The Socks!’. I reverted back to wool and the 
problem quickly resolved itself.

Another thing I notice every time with a synthetic sock is how slippery they 
seem to be. I tend to get a substantial amount of heel rise with a 
synthetic. This would translate into heel blisters if allowed to continue. 
They also seem to be hotter, and less cushiony to the feet. I gave up on 
them for the shoe and boot routine, but gave them a good try with sandals. I 
have some of these neat CoolMax fabric socks I have tried with my sandals. 
My rationale was: I have plenty of ventilation with sandals, and should not 
have a problem with the overheating. Ah, nice thought. Enter the real world. 
It didn’t work. The CoolMax socks started to cause hot spots on the ball of 
my foot. Left unchecked, I would have gotten the full-on blister deluxe 
package. Now, I have rough and ready feet. Walk on hot asphalt on my way to 
the beach, walk on hot sand across the beach, then walk in deep sand 
(hammers the calves) for a few miles. Barefoot. Not for wimpy boys. I have 
robust feet. They just don’t get along with a non-wool sock.

Now, mind you, there are things I really like, in concept, about synthetics. 
Like they dry faster in the wet wilds of Galicia. Drying a wool sock is like 
drying a wet dog: usually a rather slow process. Patience is required. So 
are two spare sets of socks.

These are simply the rules of the road for my feet. Your feet and you 
neighbor’s feet may be synthetic tolerant. I take great pains to avoid great 
pains. A little bit of fanaticism up front keeps everything in motion once 
the real walking begins. I suspect many people would have similar results 
with the Thorlon wool versus the CoolMax or other synthetic. You need to try 
it and find the perfect combination for yourself. While you’re at it, try 
buying one size smaller in a sock as well. Many socks stretch when worn, and 
bunch up at the toe. Extra fabric rubbing on your toes and cause … what was 
that word … ah yes, Blisters. You need to orchestrate the whole thing. You 
will probably end up buying things that don’t work for you. Just keep at it; 
it is both a science and an art. Only you can get it right for you.

Best of luck, and have a wonderful Journey.


Grant

Grant Spangler
GASpangler at hotmail.com
http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago
http://community.webshots.com/user/ElCaminoSantiago