You might ask yourself, “Since when are SOCKS considered Level II Gear? Aren’t they, you know, basic equipment?” That is definitely the question I asked myself as I stood in REI staring open-mouthed at 6 racks and one wall of… socks. Thick socks, thinner socks, ankle socks, quarter crew socks, calf socks, men’s socks, women’s socks, unisex socks. Expensive socks.

How did I come to be here? For reference, I grew up in a decidedly non-wealthy home. I am by nature not a very fancy person. Socks generally are white or black and are purchased in a multi-pack from a store like Target (or Wal-Mart, in my youth, because our town wasn’t fancy enough for Target). In adulthood, Target or Costco. But always, always a multi-pack!

Confession: I don’t enjoy socks. My feet don’t like them. I’m a feet-out-of-the-blankets-even-in-the-dead-of-winter gal. A sandals-until-the-snow-falls gal. (Not a flip-flops gal, though… flip flops are evil.) An all-my-shoes-need-to-be-compatible-with-crossing-a-creek gal. To top it off, I have a very mild neuropathy in my feet that makes everything feel extra intense and my feet don’t like to be squeezed into anything. So socks are a challenge in general. But they’re also necessary because I’m going hiking in Shenandoah in just a few days and I’d like to have a good experience. It looks like I’m going to need some help.

Naturally, I did what any sane person does when faced with a dilemma these days… I asked Facebook for advice. And wow, did my friends deliver!! Turns out y’all have as many opinions as I have questions! Here’s what I learned: Wool and bamboo are apparently the fibers of choice. Name brands that were mentioned more than once (or very emphatically) include Fox River, Feetures (3), Balega (2), Darn Tough (3) , Smartwool, Pacas, and Bombas. I have never heard of Fox River or Feetures but now they’re on my list of things to check out.

At any rate, I was now long on advice and short on time. I leave in two days, so not enough time to order anything (I prefer not to use Amazon more than I have to) so back to REI I went. It’d been a whole 48 hours since I was there buying trekking poles. I guess that’s part of adventuring – multiple trips to the nearest Gear Shoppe. I was limited in this moment by what REI had in stock, and they’re having a sale so it was a little bit of a tornado zone in there. Here’s what I ended up with:

Good grief there are so many factors and choices! Who knew buying socks is more complicated than buying a toothbrush (and don’t get me started on that process, either!)? On the plus side, they come in actual sizes. On the minus side, the sizes don’t match between brands. But a lot of label-reading and weight-feeling and a few sighs of frustration later, these are the ones I chose.

I got the Darn Tough in a light weight, in a Women’s Large and a Unisex Medium, the Balega in a Unisex Medium, and the Smartwool in a Women’s Large. I got them all in the lightest weight available, since it’s going to be above 90 degrees there this week. The headlamp, being a shiny thing I walked by and was on sale, just ended up in there somehow. I don’t plan on any night hiking on this trip, but you never know when a versatile item like that will come in handy. Or so I tell myself.

At any rate, hiking socks are definitely properly classified as Level II Gear. I’m also 100% certain that hiking in Level I socks would have left me sad and possibly blistery, so I’m sure it was a good investment. The employee at REI also told me that I can return anything for a full year after purchase for any reason at all. I clarified, “So if I wear these hiking and hate them I can just… bring them back? After I’ve worn them hiking?” She confirmed. And while I doubt that I’ll take her up on that, it’s nice to know that the option is there and makes me feel better about choosing more than one option. REI is quickly regaining its spot as my favorite gear store.

Reviews of all of the above will come later, after I’ve had a chance to actually wear them. I’m sure you’ll be waiting with bated breath. Not baited, that’s just incorrect grammar. Bated.