Never thought much about socks and walking shoes until walking the cobblestone streets around the Vatican put me in bed for 2 days on my trip last year.  My toes on one foot starting rubbing together until they were raw.  So after talking to some friends etc,.I decided to buy these for an upcoming trip later this year.  I tried these right on with the new shoes so I can 'break them in', and between the shoes and the socks, it's like 'night and day' from the running shoes and regular sox I've been wearing!  There can be a difference.  (then in three days time, the 'thrill is gone' as you expect them to feel like they do. Ah, the human condition...)  I wouldn't get these as a rule cause I really don't need them, but why put a $5,000 trip in jeopardy 'cause your feet hurt?  I learned the hard way last year.<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Merrell-Men-s-Moab-Ventilator-Hiking-Shoe/dp/B004I9X420/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe</a>&nbsp;here's the link to the shoes.  And I got some compression socks to wear mainly on the plane ride (many hours).  They were also very cool to try out and I expect them to help my overall comfort on the flights.  They were Pintoli Style 1067 Men's  Support Travel and Dress Compression Socks, 15-20mmHg. For some reason, I can't get the link to go there....?