Sock Selection: Your First Layer of Comfort

Select the right sock and you’re on your way to comfortable feet.

Admittedly however, choosing the right sock can be confusing and complex undertaking. Read any of the product packaging and you’ll find yourself ambushed by a slew of technical names, sounding like a bunch of mambo-jambo. X-static, Coolmax, Ultimax, Lycra, Thermolite…ugh, enough already!

Let’s make this simple. It’s all about your physiology, or in other words, are your feet hot or cold, sweaty or dry?

The two things you want to keep in mind are temperature and dryness.

If you have cold feet, wool would be a great, all-year-round choice for you. Wool absorbs moisture away from your feet, while keeping you warm in the winter and cool during summer. Merino wool in particular offers a soft and comfy feel. Wool socks can also take up some of the slack when your boots are fitting a little big.

However, if your feet are warm and sweaty, go with a moisture control sock. In this instance, wool would be too warm of a choice for those of you with warm feet. Moisture control socks typically use heat as a driving force to move the moisture away from your foot.

A word of caution regarding our old time favorite fabric: Cotton. Sure cotton is soft, comfy, and cheap, but it sucks like a Hoover when it gets wet. Cotton transfers heat and cold 23 times faster when it’s wet, making your feet even hotter or colder.

One last thing, keep in mind that what works for you may not work for the next guy.

Take a peak at more in depth information about choosing the right sock.

A Cut Above: Danner Boots

Okay, I get this question all the time. “What’s the most comfortable, rugged brand of boots you guys got?”

The answer is Danner boots. That’s easy, but no one ever asks me why they’re the most comfortable and rugged work boots. So, here’s my run down as to why Danner reins as the “Work Boot King”:

• Leathers: Danner is picky, picky, picky. They stress test the hides religiously, and, like a surgeon, are careful to make their cuts from all the right places.



• Stitching: Heavy duty, and triple stitched where it counts.



• Gore-Tex® Waterproof Liners: Wet feet are miserable feet, so Danner equips most of their boots with Gore-Tex® waterproof liners to keep your feet dry.



• Vibram® Outsoles: Ahh, the Cadillac of outsoles. Just like Gore-Tex®, Danner uses Vibram® outsoles in many of their boots.



• Comfort Design: Typically lightweight and comfortable from the start. Danner boots tend to hug your feet, wrapping them in a durable comfort.

So, there you have it, all the reasons why Danner stands at head of the work boot class.

New Carhartt Clothing for Fall ‘06!

I just got a sneak peek at the all new Carhartt clothing available for Fall ’06, and I gotta tell you, these guys just seem to get better and better. Now don’t get me wrong, a little competition’s healthy and I would love to see other competing brands do more, but Carhartt gives ‘em little chance.

The hottest new gear for Fall ’06 is Carhartt's waterproof / breathable line (think Gore-Tex® on steroids). Slated to be available in a jacket, coat, waist overall and gloves. These new Carhartt jackets and coats feature a waterproof breathable membrane, a mesh lining (great for layering), storm cuffs, snap-on removable hood, and plenty of pockets for all your stuff.

In my experience, there are certain items you come across that you just know are going to be home runs. Well, this is line’s a grand slam!

Warm Up to Uninsulated Work Boots

I agree, there’s nothing more miserable than having wet and cold feet. Even so, there’s little need to splurge on 200, 400 or even 600 gram insulated work boots. That is, unless you live in extremely cold environments.

Think in terms of flexibility and savings.

Observation #1: In most areas of the country, your only going to need to wear insulated work boots three or four months out of the year.

Observation #2: Given Observation #1, you’re going to have to spend hard-earned money on yet another pair of work boots for warmer weather.

Observation #3: The solution would be to pick up a couple pairs of socks with varying degrees of thickness. Similar to layering with outerwear, choose the thickness of sock to wear based on the weather, maybe even doubling up on really cold days.

Here’s another idea. Buy a pair of waterproof-lined work boots, like Gore-Tex®. Waterproof-lined work boots not only keep your feet dry, which is key ingredient for comfy feet, they’re also equivalent to about 200 grams on insulation, keeping your feet warm as well.

Doubling Up Carhartt for a Major Cost Savings

No, I’m not suggesting you purchase twice as many Carhartt jeans. We’re talking about a “cost savings”. Remember?

What I’m suggesting to you is making a wardrobe switch to double knee pants.

“What exactly are double knee pants?” you ask.

Quite simply, double knee pants or jeans are work pants with an extra piece of fabric sewn onto the knee area. The knee area is the part of the pant that typically wears out first, and takes a greatest amount of abuse from grueling work conditions. Adding this extra “patch”, therefore, lengthens wear and durability.

Okay, why does this matter to you? Because it saves you money!

Carhartt double knee pants or jeans cost, on average, a few dollars more than their traditional single knee counterparts, but can significantly add to the lifespan of the pant.

So, double up, kick butt and salt away your savings!

Supersizing Carhartt a Big Mistake?

Stuck in the darkness of my closet, my new Carhartt jacket sits practically new, and I’m fuming mad at the money wasted because Old Man Winter wussed out and made an early exit.

No, I don’t exactly live in Alaska. In fact, the weather here in Washington State is actually pretty mild, not like the frigid Midwest winters where I grew up.

So, this got me thinking, why did I buy a heavyweight lined Carhartt jacket anyways? What the heck was I thinking? How many guys out there, like me, wasted their hard-earned moola on a jacket or coat destined to never see the outside of the closet?

Let’s face it, Carhartt makes some of the most rugged workwear available, but it’s not exactly cheap. And, although skyrocketing gas prices have leveled off for the moment, I’m sure all you guys out there can benefit from a few smart buying decisions that will help your workwear purchases go even further, pleasing your better half while providing more money for the finer things in life – a few cold beers.

So, let’s examine a few cost-saving ideas.

Layer, layer, layer!
Yes, the art of layering, it’s that simple. Even the venerable weatherman can’t predict the weather accurately, so why should you?

Solution: Save money and buy a midweight or even lightweight lined coat or jacket (depending on your geographic location) and layer up on cold days. Carhartt jackets in particular have a thick, water-resistant outer shell, which acts as a great windbreaker, keeping you warmer as well.

These lighter jackets, commonly referred to as a 3-season coats or jackets, combined with an extra long-sleeved shirt or a comfy sweatshirt should more than make up the difference in warmth.

Admittedly, layering won’t save you much money initially, but buying a coat or jacket with a lighter lining gives you the flexibility to wear the same jacket all year by adding or removing “layers” according to the weather therefore eliminating the need to buy two different types jackets for varying degrees of weather.

Yet, another benefit of going for a lighter weight jacket is flexibility.

Heavyweight-lined jackets are usually stuffed like Thanksgiving turkeys leaving you with an unpleasant, stiff, constricting feeling sort of like being hugged by your Aunt Bea when you were a kid. Ugh!

Whether your pounding nails or hanging siding, you don’t want to feel like the Stay-Puffed Marshmallow Man. I guess that’s why work vests are so popular these days.

So, layer for warmth, and layer for savings!

Later, I’ll explore specific layering techniques, the cost-saving benefits of double knee pants, and ways to save when buying your next pair of work boots.