Walkers are generally quite good at avoiding cotton.
We’ve learnt the lesson with T-shirts, base layers and hoodies. Go for a decent walk in a cotton top and within half an hour it feels heavy, clammy and cold.
Yet many of the same people who carefully choose breathable jackets and technical clothing still pull on everyday cotton socks before heading out the door.
It seems harmless. After all, socks are small, hidden inside boots and feel comfortable when you first put them on. But in reality, socks matter more than almost any other clothing layer because your feet live in the harshest environment you create when walking.
This article explains why cotton causes problems on your feet more than anywhere else on your body, and why so many walking discomforts start there.
We All Know Cotton Is Bad for Walking… Except on Our Feet
Most walkers don’t choose cotton socks deliberately.
They choose them because they’re normal.
They come in multipacks, they’re cheap, they feel soft when dry and they’re what most people have worn since childhood. Socks rarely get questioned unless something goes wrong, and even then the boots often get the blame.
The odd thing is we instinctively understand moisture is a problem for the body, but we forget the feet produce more moisture than anywhere else.
So the place that needs the most help managing sweat is often wearing the fabric least able to deal with it.
What Actually Happens Inside a Walking Boot
A walking boot creates its own little climate.
Inside the boot you have:
- warmth from body heat
- pressure from your weight
- repeated movement
- very limited airflow
Even on a cool day your feet quickly become warm and humid. On a long walk they can remain like this for hours.
Unlike a jacket you can unzip or remove, your feet stay sealed in that environment, and the sock becomes responsible for managing everything the foot produces.
The Real Problem: Moisture, Not Distance
Blisters are often blamed on mileage or new boots, but they usually start with moisture.
Here’s the sequence:
- Feet sweat
- Skin softens when damp
- Softened skin grips the sock
- Movement pulls layers of skin apart
- A blister forms
Distance only increases the chance of this happening. Moisture is what allows it to start.
A dry foot can walk a very long way. A damp foot struggles surprisingly quickly.
What Cotton Does to Your Feet
Cotton is excellent at absorbing water.
That’s exactly why it works well for towels and why it struggles in walking socks.
When your feet sweat, cotton:
- absorbs moisture rather than moving it away
- holds dampness next to the skin
- dries slowly inside a boot
- becomes heavier and slightly rougher when wet
- loses insulating ability
So instead of helping the foot regulate itself, the sock keeps the skin in a constantly damp state.
That dampness increases friction, softens skin and removes warmth all at the same time.
Why Cotton Feels Comfortable at First (But Causes Problems Later)
The confusion comes from the first ten minutes.
Dry cotton feels soft, familiar and pleasant. Early in a walk it often feels fine, sometimes even cooler than thicker walking socks.
The issues appear later, once moisture builds.
That’s why problems often start after an hour or two rather than immediately.
Many walkers assume the boot has rubbed or the distance was too far, when in reality the conditions inside the sock have simply changed.
Why Summer Walking Makes Cotton Worse
Warm weather exaggerates the issue.
Higher temperatures mean:
- more sweating
- more dampness held in the sock
- increased slipping inside the boot
- earlier hotspot formation
Paradoxically, people often switch to thinner cotton socks in summer to stay cool, which increases the likelihood of discomfort.
What a Walking Sock Actually Needs to Do
Before thinking about materials, it helps to define the job of a walking sock.
A good sock should:
- move moisture away from skin
- keep temperature stable
- minimise friction
- continue working when damp
- dry reasonably overnight
Once you look at socks this way, the fibre becomes important rather than just the thickness.
Cotton vs Wool vs Mohair (Practical Differences)
Different fibres behave very differently inside a boot.
Cotton
- absorbs moisture
- stays damp
- increases friction over time
- cools the foot when wet
- struggles on multi-day walks
Wool (including merino)
- moves moisture away from skin
- retains warmth when damp
- reduces friction
- dries faster than cotton
- better suited to longer distances
Mohair
- transports moisture efficiently
- resists feeling wet against the skin
- maintains cushioning under pressure
- dries quickly
- performs well over consecutive days
The difference is less about thickness and more about how the fibre behaves once the walk has been underway for a while.
A Simple Rule Experienced Walkers Follow
If you wouldn’t wear a cotton base layer for walking, avoid cotton socks as well.
The same principle applies.
Your feet simply notice it sooner.
Who Notices the Difference Most
Changing away from cotton tends to make the biggest impact for:
- long distance walkers
- multi-day walking holidays
- warm weather walking
- people prone to blisters
- anyone who often has cold feet in boots
Final Thoughts
Foot comfort is often blamed on boots, fit or distance, but many problems begin with moisture management.
Once the foot stays drier, friction drops and temperature stabilises, walking generally becomes easier and more predictable.
Sometimes the smallest layer makes the biggest difference.
Further Reading
1. Hiking Socks - Capricorn Mohair Socks
2. Blister-free socks for walking
3. What are the best walking socks?
