socks - cotton, silk, wool or bamboo

[art walsh]

Can't find any posting re: bamboo socks.
what I've found is marino wool is first choice.
Anyone with experience with bamboo? reviews on web say is good wicker and soft.
Aren't cheap, but my feet are worth it !!!

[Token]

I like bamboo socks. Dryness is a bit below wool but durability is better.

If they were more affordable...

Wool still has an edge in my book.

[some seeing eye]

Welcome to ePlaya with thousands of years of combined burning man experience!

Socks are part of your "burning man packing list"

Black Rock City is a temporary short term community where visual appearance is a signal for meeting strangers. So many people have costumes and outfits!

Socks are connected to the footwear part of outfit and socks are a skin health necessity. The reason is that the playa dust is extremely alkaline. It dries skin and it commonly causes cracking on the feet and hands. Then the alkali gets in and causes extreme pain.

The historical wisdom is to bring a large supply of cotton socks to fit the ankle-calf height of the footwear. Then change the socks when you wash your feet, and liberally apply moisturizing cream to the feet and put on new socks before sleeping. So many people bring 2-3 pairs per day of cotton socks bought in bulk inexpensively, white, black, or colors.

You could bring a smaller quantity of exotic socks, but if you wash them, they will gather the irritating dust drying them, if you reuse them dusty or wear them more than a day, that is a bad plan.

Your "burning man regional" is a great source for planning your participation!

[Canoe]

Can't find any posting re: bamboo socks.
what I've found is marino wool is first choice. ...

Depends on the style of sandals.

[some seeing eye]

Depends on the style of sandals.

Actually teens are wearing white socks with sandals now. As for the burn, I always bring my 5000 mile Tevas.

[The Rod]

Wool is best. Thin socks for daytime and thicker ones for colder nights. The thin bamboo ones are great for the daytime heat. 1-2 pairs for each day and night. I'm usually on playa for 10-14 days, thats a lot of socks and I'm not bougie enough to own close to 30 pairs of wool and bamboo socks so most days on the playa I'm wearing cheap cotton athletic socks with no issues. Save the cushy premie socks for when my feet need em, like after a long day/night out on foot or the drive home.

[Jackass]

I just grab a bag o' socks from big box retailer store, virgin white cotton socks feel like absolute luxury when you slip them on... so good. No need for expensive, exotics.

[gaminwench]

I'm a sock-o-holic. So many socks, but I only wear socks and booty shorts on playa, so there's that.

[Token]

Can't find any posting re: bamboo socks.
what I've found is marino wool is first choice. ...

Depends on the style of sandals.

Post of the year!

[Token]

There is something immensely cathartic about peeling a stiff sweaty sock off the foot and tossing it in the burn barrel.

[DoctorIknow]

I just grab a bag o' socks from big box retailer store, virgin white cotton socks feel like absolute luxury when you slip them on... so good. No need for expensive, exotics.

Truth!
I bring enough for 3 pairs per day.
The devilish thing about "playa foot" is that it happens before you have any symptoms.
As you change your socks, look for even tiny "cracks" in your heel area. Take care of them pronto.

[Savannah]

I just grab a bag o' socks from big box retailer store, virgin white cotton socks feel like absolute luxury when you slip them on... so good. No need for expensive, exotics.

Truth!
I bring enough for 3 pairs per day.

That's an excellent amount, when you have the space. I bring at least 2 pair per day. Just cotton "Gold Toe" brand with a smidge of spandex to keep shape, plus any pairs of super tall socks for fun.

I once met a fellow volunteer who had forgotten to pack socks! Any socks at all. Talk about a nightmare.

I had forgotten any fun pairs of fishnet stockings.

We made a trade.

(I didn't end up getting around to wearing what I traded her for).

The devilish thing about "playa foot" is that it happens before you have any symptoms.
As you change your socks, look for even tiny "cracks" in your heel area. Take care of them pronto.

This is so true. The ONE time I started getting playa foot, it was especially insidious . . . because it was developing between my big toe and my second toe! . . . I was washing and moisturizing my feet one evening, and just happened to take a peek, and it was like a goose had walked over my grave. *shiver*

I slathered on the unguents and creams, and my feet never saw the light of day again--that week, anyway.

[burner von braun]

Well ya know.. you really can't beat a pair of Crosby-Dobbisano socks, but if I understand correctly, they had to halt production a few years ago.