This five day thru-hike was maybe the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life. The Superior Coastal trail is demanding shoreline terrain, alternating between huge rocks, and beach after beach of small to medium-size rocks. The days were cool, which was great for walking, but the nights were cold, often down to 8 or 9 degrees.

For this trip, I packed two pairs of 4ply socks. I decided it was time to put some of my Opal socks to the test, and was not disappointed with the results.

Pro tip : Pair your wool socks with boot liners, if you’re going to be carrying a lot of weight. Wool is amazing for warmth, for how it deals with moisture, and how well it stands up over time. However, repeated friction against your feet when you’re carrying a lot of weight can mean blisters, fast. Silky liners can help you avoid that, by allowing your feet to slip back and forth without creating too much friction. 100% would recommend.

 

Main takeaways : 1. You don’t have to venture too far from home to “get outside”. 2. Northern Ontario is stunning. 3. Pairing a sock liner with your woolies goes a long way. 4. Hiking in a pair of socks you made yourself is still really satisfying.