Sock Advice (Foot Problems)
 

Ok, I have to come clean. I (like most of us) are in boots all day. I sweat alot and I am currently getting trench foot. What socks do you guys recommend? I am riding in warm/hot conditions and use the Sidi Discovery (waterproof) Boot. Currently I just wear cotten socks and change them almost every day. HELP! My feet can't take this anymore...

When i was in the Army we used to use a foot powder to treat the same proble you could purchase the cream over the counter in a chemist, the name was Mycota foot powder, there must be something simular you could buy, i have the same problem every year i ride through europe, i bought some Scholls foot powder in Russia for the same problem, and this year i Latvia i bought some cream that whose packaging was written in a foriegn language, but did the job.

I am not sure what the active ingredient in the products is, but i think it may be zinc, perhaps somebody more qualified than myself can answer that one. If you speak to any pharmacist in a chemist/drugstore they will point you in the right direction, it is a common problem don't be embaressed. If you know anybody serving in the infantry forces of your own country ask them what the army tells them to use, they will know best! When your not riding the bike try wearing open type trainer sandals when your walking around to give your feet plenty of air.

As strange as it may sound i find that thicker socks of a cotton and wool mixture do a better job than thin cotton socks.

Good Luck

Go to your local backpacking store and pick up some wicking socks. The draw the moisture away from your feet. The down side to this is your feet will feel warmer as the perspiration was originaly there to cool them.

If this is a major problem they also sell lighter wicking sock liners which you can change a couple of times a day while drying the others hanging from the bike somewhere.

The 'breathable' nature of modern waterproof fabrics is rendered almost useless in hot and particularly humid conditions, it's all to do with pressure/temperature differentials, osmotic effects and other science type stuff or so I'm told. You might just have to buy some non waterproof boots.
Matt

I have Sidi waterproof boots. Forget cotton socks- they collect sweat.In 20 yrs of travel in hot SE Asia,I learned the best hot weather travel clothes are tech fabrics and silk. Get some wicking liner socks- very thin but wear like iron.Aerostich sells them for $5. a pair. They dry in an hour. OR for twice as much $, buy thin silk socks. They are also very comfy, but don't wear as well. I have also tried coolmax thicker socks, but they made my boots smelly! ?? so i went back to the very thin liner socks and no smell! if it is cold weather, wear 2 pairs of the thin ones.also, when you take your boots off at end of day, pull the innersoles out and let them air overnight.

Hi, we've also used food powder (the white stuff) when I was in Army. Other essential thing is wash your socks everynight without using washing powder, just use cold water or a bit of hand soap.
Obviously, the best thing is to see a specials though.

Just wanted to thank everyone for the great advice so far. I will definately put what has been recommended into practice and hopefully this will solve some of my current 'smelly feet' problems.