Why You Need Merino Wool Socks for Canoeing

It’s a sunny day here on the Waterbury Reservoir. July lapped June, and now summer is here to stay. The lush green leaves contrast the blue waters and the rolling clouds in the sky. In July, you can understand why we call Vermont “The Green Mountain State.”

 

It’s only fitting that I write this blog post from my canoe; after all, most of my writing happens in this boat.

 

Today, I am going to guide you through the important role Merino Wool plays in canoe tripping, eddy out to some pro tips, and share some personal experiences on the water.

 

Canoeing & the Essentials

I developed a deep appreciation for and relationship with canoeing just a few years back. I was 24 and gearing up to paddle the infamous Allagash waterways in northern Maine. 

 

I was excited, nervous, and unaware my life would change for the better after that experience. That trip opened my eyes to the beautifully simple and exhilarating world of wilderness canoe tripping, and I haven’t turned back.

 

There are many essential items I would pack for a canoe trip, and Merino Wool socks are among them. Typically, I pack three pairs of Darn Tough socks on each trip. If it’s a short trip or you’re strapped on space in your drybag, two will suffice, but for me, when I’m out in the wild, simple things like a fresh pair of Darn Toughs are comforting.

 

While it may seem silly to dive into the role each sock pair plays in my gear, ask any thru-hiker or wilderness traveler and you’ll understand that each piece of gear serves a purpose… and if it doesn’t, it stays at home.

 

The Sacred Pair: Camp Socks

The first pair of socks are my designated “dry socks” or my “camp socks.” These are the socks I never wear in or on the water. They are designated to camp for the purpose of keeping my feet dry and comfortable. Not to mention providing protection from the relentlessly swarming black flies, mosquitoes, and horse flies. 

 

Pro Tip: Darn Tough’s midweight hiking socks are my go-to camp socks. The midweight thickness makes it harder for mosquitos to get your ankles, and you won’t have to worry about your feet overheating because Merino Wool is thermoregulating.

 

I recommend the Men’s 1466 or the Women’s 1903 Hiker Micro Crews for this purpose. For chilly spring trips and/or when the insects swarms are hell on earth, I recommend the Mountaineering Heavyweight Micro Crew sock to keep your toes warm at camp and the bites to a minimum. 

 

For the Unexpected: Backup Dry Socks

The second pair of socks are my “back up dry socks.” These are really meant to be used in emergencies or if there’s persistent rain and my first pair of “dry socks” get soaked. I’ll typically try to dry the wet pair out on the boat (in still water*) or at camp.

 

Pro Tip: Bring a small, thin dry bag to separate any wet clothes from the rest of your gear.

 

*If you’re going down rapids, drying socks in the boat will be nearly impossible.

 

The Daily Drivers: Wet Socks

ask, “Why in the world would you wear socks and shoes in the water?” I will get to that in the next section of rapids… I mean paragraphs.

 

The reason they’re called “wet socks” is because they’re rarely dry. One of the first things you notice about canoe tripping is that some gear gets wet and stays wet. That’s just the nature of it. And putting on wet socks first thing in the morning (as cringe as that sounds) is part of the process. This is where the powers of Merino Wool shine through.

 

Pro Tip: My favorite “wet socks” are the Men’s Light Hiker Micro Crew for summer months, and the Men’s Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Sock for spring and fall paddling.

 

Merino Wool: Your Best Friend (Besides Your Bowman) 

When it comes to canoe tripping, kayaking, packrafting — heck, even life! — it is important to set yourself up for success and keep your body healthy. While I’m not trying to turn this blog into a Huberman podcast, prioritizing health is an important rule to follow and makes life on the water easier when things get tough.

 

This is the time to ask the question, “Why would you wear socks and shoes in the water?” My response would be: This is one way I set myself up for success and keep my body healthy. You don’t want to be up a creek without a paddle… or Merino Wool socks for that matter.

 

Imagine you’re on a trip in early October. You approach a river that said it would be runnable, but due to a drought summer and fall, you end up dragging your boat miles downriver in ankle-deep water.

 

I wear Darn Toughs and Astral water shoes to prevent my feet and ankles from catching the sharp edge of a rock. They also help keep your feet warm in 40-degree water by creating a barrier of warmth from your feet and the brisk water. The performance fit of Darn Tough socks ensure I don’t get blisters when my feet are soft from soaking in the river at

Furthermore, if a section of the river requires portaging, I am ready to bushwhack my way through the woods. And while I make my way through the woods, my socks are actively drying because Merino Wool is moisture wicking.

 

These are just a few simple measures I take to be prepared, and to keep my feet happy and healthy during my wilderness travels.

 

To highlight the important role Merino Wool plays in canoe trips, I’ve created a list of its benefits with supporting material if you’re interested in learning more. Darn Tough’s Merino Wool socks are…

 

Durable: I know Darn Tough socks are going to hold their fit and integrity no matter what rigors I put them through. From the sharp edges of the riverbed to the pricker bushes in the woods, they always look out for my feet, and I notice that.

Moisture Wicking & Antimicrobial: When your feet are constantly in and out of the water, it is important to have a sock that actively dries and wicks moisture away from your feet to keep them safe from blisters, cuts, and infections.

Breathable & Thermoregulating: Hot or cold, my Darn Tough socks keep me cool when it is hot, and warm when temps drop. It important to have a sock adapt to the environment just as you would. 

 

The Bittersweet Ending

At the end of the day, canoe tripping is about balance — between comfort and grit, preparation and improvisation. You can’t control the weather, the bugs, or the miles of unexpected portage.

 

But one thing you can control is what you wear. And that’s where Darn Tough’s Merino Wool socks make all the difference. They’re dependable, versatile, and knit for the kind of wild that runs in my veins.

 

When you’re out there — really out there — it’s the little things that carry you through. Dry feet. Warm toes. A sock that doesn’t quit halfway through a portage or give you blisters. That matters more than you’d think.

 

So, whether you’re planning your first overnight or you’re deep into your tenth trip this season, don’t overlook the power of a good sock. Make Merino Wool part of your essential list. Your feet and future self will thank you when you find yourself dragging your canoe downriver in ankle-deep deep water, still grinning, still going, and still dry-(ish).

 

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