If you think that buying a pair of hiking boots is difficult, then just wait until it comes to getting a suitable pair of hiking socks.

Now socks are socks, right? Well, when it comes to hiking, grabbing any old pair of sports socks out of the drawer simply won’t work. Unfortunately, sports socks are not hiking socks and you don’t want to wear the same socks that you use for jogging or playing football when you head off on a lengthy hike.

Good hiking sock need to be comfortable but they also need to be thick and very hard wearing with terrific thermal and moisture-wicking properties. Remember that, even if you are just hiking modest distances at the weekends, you’ll probably cover getting on for 1,000 miles in a year and you should expect a good pair of hiking socks to last just about that distance.

Most importantly, you want your socks to provide you with comfort for that 1,000 miles. Problems such as chafing, blisters other foot damage can quickly turn a two or three mile hike back to your car into sheer agony if your socks aren’t up to the job.

Good moisture-wicking is also an absolute must. ‘Wicking’ is a process similar to that provided by the wick in an old-fashioned oil lamp and simply means drawing sweat off the surface of your feet to keep them dry. If your socks don’t do this, you will develop chafing, blisters, fungi and other less pleasant results. And, if you’re worrying about bad smelling feet, this will be a minor issue – we’re talking about real health problems here.

Whether you’re spending a lot of time hiking, or just undertaking short hikes at the weekend, you will also need good thermal properties from your socks. In hot weather your socks have to conduct heat away from your foot and out through your boot and, in cold weather, they need to keep your feet at a comfortable temperature.

It might seem strange to think that one pair of socks could cope with both hot and cold conditions, but modern materials and manufacturing technology means that this is indeed possible today.

A good starting point when looking for a pair of hiking socks is to start with cotton, which is one of nature’s materials that offers the range of attributes you are looking for. However, clever engineers have now been able to improve on Mother Nature and blends, such as Lycra, wool and others, combined with micro-geometry manufacturing, can also produce hiking socks with great support and comfort, excellent thermal control and superior moisture-wicking.

All hiking socks should also have thickened areas around the toe, ankle and heel as these are the area that will get the most wear. You should also make sure that there are no ridges, particularly near the toes or at the ankle bone. Ridges can irritate your feet as quick as a stone in your boot. Socks should also be long enough to come well above the top of your boot so that they can be folded down.

All socks will lose elasticity at the top and often folding them down over the top of the boot is necessary to stop them sliding inside the boot as you walk. Despite this fact, you should still try to buy socks which will not lose their elasticity too quickly.

Hiking socks are not cheap and you can expect to pay $10 a pair, or more, for a decent pair. Nevertheless, this is one investment that, like your hiking boots, is well worth the cost and you should arm yourself with at least three or pairs of hiking socks and always carry at least one spare pair with you in your backpack.

By: Donald Saunders

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Rooney asked:


These flying bugs are not nats, not fruit flies they are tiny little flying bugs my house is clean i don’t know what to do Help please.

Fishing is an activity of hunting fish or aquatic animals such as cool water fish, warm water fish, various types of shellfish as well as squid, octopus and turtles with a rod, line and hook. It is a popular, ancient practice involving many techniques and traditions. Also called angling, fishing originated as a means of seeking food for survival.

Fishing traces its roots back to the Mesolithic period that began about 10,000 years ago. It is the major occupation of many coastal inhabitants. The catches vary according to the season and fishing place. Basically, there are three types of fishing – beach, rock fishing, and boat fishing.

The method of fishing varies according to the region, technology available and species being fished. Fishing tackle, fishing rods, fishing reels, hooks and fishing lures are commonly used fishing equipment. Some of the traditional fishing techniques are hand fishing, spear and bow fishing, kite fishing and dynamite or blast fishing.

Fishing for commercial purposes has become a big business. Trawling, seining, drift netting, hand lining, long lining, gillnetting and diving are common commercial fishing techniques. Recreational fishing is mainly for pleasure or competition and is done with a rod, line and hooks attached to any of a wide range of lures or baits. Fishing competitions are organized for fishermen to compete for prizes. Falls River Drainage, New Jersey Striper Fishing, Connecticut Striper Fishing, Conasauga River, Lake Logan Martin and Lake Amistad are some of the best fishing destinations. Fishing clubs offer countless opportunities for fishing from streams to rivers, canals, and lakes.

By: Steve Valentino

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DED asked:


I was wonder how long before and after the launch do they close restricted area R-2935. Its sits rights above Space Coast Regional Airport where I plan on flying into. I will call for notams before I go but im trying to get an estimate. Anybody ever flew in for a launch?

What is recreation? How do recreations differ from leisure? Recreation is in a way a rejuvenating experience involving therapeutic treatment of the body and mind whereas leisure is more of an entertainment activity. It is the bane of civilised society that along with wealth we have forgotten our old art of walking and have become couched potatoes.

We don’t mind sitting idle in front of the TV or internet for days and months at a time. This curbs our physical activities and we end up overweight and obese, inviting conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. But many take recreation as trivial and consider it as escapism. Like any other thing, too much recreation time can be harmful and can divert our attention from necessary work and we become lethargic in yet another way. But research has shown that recreational activities contribute to the satisfaction of life, health and also improve the quality of the life we lead.

There is evidence to show that the indigenous people of the US indulged in many recreational activities. Then when did they lose it? The saying “all work and no play makes Jim a dull boy” holds ground here. Recreation enhances longevity and counteracts stress. It is reported that in the US, stress is killing more and more people. So indulging in recreation can be a real help to live a healthier life.

In some jurisdictions many recreations are actually termed illegal. They are gambling, producing ******* pornography, bellydancing and alcohol consumption. Sometimes recreation turns into an organised activity of the government. Public parks are built to facilitate recreational opportunities for people. It can help you from becoming bored and avoid unnecessary anxiety. Recreational activities include organized activities like playing baseball, football, table tennis, card games, sports and arts.

Recreation can be both indoor and outdoor depending on our preference. Some people like video games, playing cards or playing table tennis while some others may wish to sweat it out in the sun. Wherever you play it is sure to pep you up and provide you ample relaxation. For people with no passion for sports they could go on a travel expedition. Hiking, biking, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, kayaking are all recreational activities. To explore the unexplored, to hear the sweet singing of nightingale, to lay back bare on the bosom of mother nature and be one with her.

Anything that gives you peace of mind and happiness is deemed recreation. The world is moving at a fast pace and the need for recreation has been doubled. After the tiring schedule of workplace, people run short of energy, resulting in poor performance both official and domestic. An activity that a person would love would put them on track to pursue the serious goals in life.

This is not restricted to adults. Children should also get their share of recreation to develop motor skills. Now there are career opportunities also. Recreation specialists are there to look after the recreational needs of the community and individuals. These people who are qualified professionals work in parks, recreation centers and in venues of organized sport. Indulge in things you love and see the world through a new perspective.

By: Robert Kokoska

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Ryan D asked:


I was fishing today by a bayou (canal) and I could not catch a thing. Could it be the weather? Is there a way to move the line to get fish easier? Did I not wait long enough? Could they just not be biting today? What?