Anyone who has ever had to treat a blister in the middle of a 20-mile day hike will tell you that socks are one piece of gear you can't afford to scrimp on. That said, in an era where we're all trying to do more with less, do you really need to spend $12 on a single pair of socks? Depending on what you plan to do in those socks, how long you intend to wear them, and how intense your activity level is - you just might. Knowing how to choose the right pair of socks for any activity can save the day, both in overall comfort and protecting your feet.