Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
clammy in the cold and soggy in the heat. The moisture will also lead to blisters and unpleas-
ant odors. Trust me, you don't want to be known around the hostel as the person with the
terrible smelling feet.
As mentioned previously, socks come in multiple weights and cuts. During the summer,
you'll want to stick with lightweight socks, but you could go to a mid-weight pair if you want
a little extra cushion for long walks. In the spring and fall, I generally stick with a mid-weight
pair. If it gets cold, you can always wear one thin and one medium pair for extra warmth. Fin-
ally, in the winter, I prefer heavyweight or mid-weight socks.
No matter what style of socks you purchase it is imperative that they it well. They should
be snug and there should be no movement when you walk, because bunching and rubbing
will quickly lead to blisters.
When it comes to socks, my favorite brands are SmartWool, Icebreaker, Wigwam, and Darn
Tough (lifetime warranty). These brands all make socks that are 100% wool or a wool/synthet-
ic blend—which means they're generally the most expensive at about $12 to $20/pair. Quality
synthetic socks will generally cost $8 to $12/pair.
If you're traveling extra light you just need two pairs, but most travelers will want four or
five pairs. Do a quick wash in the sink every few days and you'll be all set.
Underwear
Wash your underwear at night and they're dry by morning.
Another area I don't skimp on when I travel is underwear. Just like with socks, many seasoned
travelers avoid cotton. Luckily, there is a new breed of high-performance synthetic underwear
that is made for travel and athletic activity. The benefits of quality performance underwear
are:
Quick drying.
High-tech synthetic material dries extremely quickly so you can wash your
underwear at night and they'll air-dry completely in just a few hours. This means you can
bring fewer pairs—which will save you space in your bag. For reference, a pair of cotton un-
derwear can take more than twenty-four hours to air-dry (and even more in high humidity
climates).
