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Legal Eagles

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Here is a pic I just took of the sole of my SJs. I've been wearing them almost every day since February. Pavement, concrete sidewalks, hardpack. They definitely won't last two years.
Honestly, I don't get the whole "softer than 100 lug sole" deal. These things aren't gel cushioned. If I poke my fingernail in a lug it seems just as hard as the black V100.
View attachment 1487298
Anecdotal evidence only, but when I stand on concrete, to me - subjectively - the Honey Vibram feels softer (and hence more comfortable) than the black.

But there are several blacks... 100, 100F, 100R, etc...
 

chicagoan2016

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I am going to send tracings and measurements to Baker but need to wear the 'boot' socks for that. Since I am investing in White's, I should probably up my 'socks' game too ( been wearing regular brands of socks from stores).
Any suggestions? please keep in mind I wear boots year-around.
Thank you
 

fushaw

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I am going to send tracings and measurements to Baker but need to wear the 'boot' socks for that. Since I am investing in White's, I should probably up my 'socks' game too ( been wearing regular brands of socks from stores).
Any suggestions? please keep in mind I wear boots year-around.
Thank you

Darn Tough or Stance have always been good for me. You can get cotton or wool (thick and thin) which covers pretty much all of my socking needs for the year.
 

klank74

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Here is a pic I just took of the sole of my SJs. I've been wearing them almost every day since February. Pavement, concrete sidewalks, hardpack. They definitely won't last two years.
Honestly, I don't get the whole "softer than 100 lug sole" deal. These things aren't gel cushioned. If I poke my fingernail in a lug it seems just as hard as the black V100.
View attachment 1487298
Interesting. I already placed my order with the honey vibram. I’ll give them a shot and see how it goes. I’ll be alternating them with another pair of boots, so hopefully that helps extend their life. Oddly enough, I’m 320lbs, but usually pretty easy on the soles of my boots. I have a pair of thorogood moc toes right now that I’ve had for 2 1/2 years, and their not even worn smooth yet. I’ve been alternating them with some redwing 606’s, 3 years old, and they’re in even better shape.
 

klank74

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I am going to send tracings and measurements to Baker but need to wear the 'boot' socks for that. Since I am investing in White's, I should probably up my 'socks' game too ( been wearing regular brands of socks from stores).
Any suggestions? please keep in mind I wear boots year-around.
Thank you

I wear darn tough hiking socks year round. I’ve had the same ones for about 4 years now and their just starting to get thin in the heel area. They’re not cheap, but they’ll replace them for free if you ever wear a hole through them.
 

chicagoan2016

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Darn Tough or Stance have always been good for me. You can get cotton or wool (thick and thin) which covers pretty much all of my socking needs for the year.

I wear darn tough hiking socks year round. I’ve had the same ones for about 4 years now and their just starting to get thin in the heel area. They’re not cheap, but they’ll replace them for free if you ever wear a hole through them.
Thank you, they have a ton of different socks on their website

How to choose? :) I will ordering BHs and smoke jumpers (may be packers later on).
 

Luscombe

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Thank you, they have a ton of different socks on their website

How to choose? :) I will ordering BHs and smoke jumpers (may be packers later on).
I second Darn Tough socks. I am partial to their Merino wool line. They are pretty much all I wear anymore. I do have a few Bomba's Merino wool and a couple Smartwool. As the smart wool wear out, I replace with Darn Tough.
I am in the office most of the time and wear the socks year round. Some days boots and some days leather mocs or bluchers.

All my cotton socks and off brand have exited the building. I get that the Darn Tough are expensive but made in USA, lifetime guarantee and best life cycle value IMHO.
Yeah, drop $700 ++ on a pair of boots, what's another $25 for the best socks ever.
 

chicagoan2016

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I second Darn Tough socks. I am partial to their Merino wool line. They are pretty much all I wear anymore. I do have a few Bomba's Merino wool and a couple Smartwool. As the smart wool wear out, I replace with Darn Tough.
I am in the office most of the time and wear the socks year round. Some days boots and some days leather mocs or bluchers.

All my cotton socks and off brand have exited the building. I get that the Darn Tough are expensive but made in USA, lifetime guarantee and best life cycle value IMHO.
Yeah, drop $700 ++ on a pair of boots, what's another $25 for the best socks ever.
You, Sir, have spoken like a true Chicagoan! I am looking at their Merino wool socks and even the Merino wool line have a big collection. My White's boots are going to be 8 inches tall, do I have to order socks of certain 'height'?
Thank you guys, for putting up with my 'newbie' questions.
 

wordfool

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You, Sir, have spoken like a true Chicagoan! I am looking at their Merino wool socks and even the Merino wool line have a big collection. My White's boots are going to be 8 inches tall, do I have to order socks of certain 'height'?
Thank you guys, for putting up with my 'newbie' questions.

Yeah, the Darn Tough range is stupidly complicated now. For 8" boots you might be able to get away with the "micro crew" height, but better would be the actual boot height socks. As for the cushioning, I generally buy the basic "hiker" medium and light cushion micro-crew varieties (for winter and summer), which have cushioning on the sole and heel, but not the top or shaft. For cooler weather I have some full cushion boot socks, too. Generally if the description is just "cushion" it means it's a regular medium cushion sock, otherwise it will specify "light" or "full". AFAIK there's very little difference between the Hike, Hunting and Work ranges, although the "steely" line does have additional cushioning around the toe (for steel-toe boots)
 
Last edited:

ThreeLions

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Anecdotal evidence only, but when I stand on concrete, to me - subjectively - the Honey Vibram feels softer (and hence more comfortable) than the black.

But there are several blacks... 100, 100F, 100R, etc...

I find the Honey Vibrams to be much softer and springier than the black ones. However, I must admit that I’m comparing them to the 100 F fire rated soles that are on my standard configuration wildland fire fighting Smokejumper boots. The 100 F soles are built like rocks though. I’ve been wearing them almost every day for 3 1/2 years, and they are nowhere near needing resoling.
 

Luscombe

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You, Sir, have spoken like a true Chicagoan! I am looking at their Merino wool socks and even the Merino wool line have a big collection. My White's boots are going to be 8 inches tall, do I have to order socks of certain 'height'?
Thank you guys, for putting up with my 'newbie' questions.
We lived in Wheaton from 1986-1990 and I did commute to downtown.
Madison, Wisconsin now
 

Sledge42

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All my cotton socks and off brand have exited the building. I get that the Darn Tough are expensive but made in USA, lifetime guarantee and best life cycle value IMHO.
Yeah, drop $700 ++ on a pair of boots, what's another $25 for the best socks ever.

I... and my 21 pair of Darn Tough Socks concur!

?
 

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