Comfortable feet are a key element to enjoyable water sports. We recommend you always wear shoes but what to wear inside them? Here are four different types of socks I wear depending on where I am paddling and the environmental conditions.
The socks I use are:
Bridgedale Coolmax Liners
Adrenalin 3mm Dive Socks
Sharkskin Chillproof Socks
Bridgedale Expedition Heavyweight Performance Socks
Bridgedale Coolmax Liner
Bridgedale Coolmax liners are tropical weight socks that I use in the Whitsundays and Hinchinbrook Island. They are quick dry, no pong, and most importantly they complete a shield against sandflies, protecting your ankles and lower legs when pulled up high underneath pants.
These socks come on a handy 2 pack. Coolmax is a type of Polyester that helps wick away moisture. As a ‘Liner’ they can be used as an inner layer inside your hiking socks when you are trekking.
Adrenalin 3mm Dive Socks
These are 3mm neoprene socks, but if you are allergic to neoprene go straight to the Sharkskin socks!
These work inside your kayak shoes just like a normal sock! They work great and I generally wear them with my Vaikobi or Adrenalin paddling pants in my water shoes when I know my feet will get wet. They can get smelly when they get wet but that is quite normal for paddle clothing, but they still stay warm. They can start to get cold after a long day when you are sitting in camp, but then most people would change to warm wooly socks by then.
Adrenalin 3mm neoprene socks
Sharkskin Chillproof Socks
Sharkskin socks work well, but I do commonly go for the neoprene socks if I am definitely going to get wet feet! They are good in combination with dry pants /dry suits. They are warm when wet, but they do get smelly if they have become wet.
Sharkskin Chillproof Socks
Bridgedale Expedition Heavyweight Performance Socks
Bridgedale Expedition Heavyweight socks are thick wool blend socks are the bomb for my dry pants and dry suit. If you can start the day with dry socks and finish the day with dry socks that makes winter paddling in cold water a real pleasure. Even if they do get wet beneath dry pants, if you get the opportunity to drop your pants and let the water out they still stay warm when wet, which is the key for paddle sports. After a week of paddling they do get a bit smelly.
Between the combination of all these four socks you will be set ready to go and enjoy your sea kayaking with comfortable and warm feet.
These are my thoughts - do you agree? Please comment - what are your favourite kayaking socks?