How to wear your gameshooting socks when you’re out in the field

Knowing the right way of wearing shooting socks is a key part of shooting etiquette. So should you wear them over the cuff of your breeks or under? Which way will show you know what’s what when you’re out in the field? We asked some keen Shots for their tips and advice.

Sam Adams of the British Game Alliance out in the field

Over not under

Sam Adams, shoot account manager at the British Game Alliance recommends: “A shooting sock should always be worn over the breeks, even if the breeks have a buckle in place. The sock should be brought up to knee height where a garter should be tied neatly and the sock folded back down on itself. There should be about 4-5 inches of garter shown outside of the sock.”

Socks add a splash of colour

Liam Bell, chairman of the National Gamekeepers Organisation and Shooting Times contributor says: ” Being very much a traditionalist, the incorrect wearing of shooting socks irks me somewhat, when really it shouldn’t. The stocking should always be worn over the plus- two , plus- four or shooting breek, regardless of whether it has a buckle, a Velcro strap or an elasticated bottom. The stocking should be held in place by a garter, neatly tied above the breek fastener with just an inch or two of the flash showing, then folded down. Any knit, any colour, any style, just so long as they are worn properly.”

Pull your shooting socks over the cuff of your breeks

Alexandra Doubleday of Le Chameau comments: “Shooting socks should be worn over your plus- two/fours, or shooting breeks with the knit design fully displayed at the top of your boot. The sock should be pulled up to the knee and rolled over below the knee to show off a few inches of the knit design.
If you have a garter, tie this around your calf with the knot on the outer side of your leg before turning over the top of the sock. Don’t forget to allow your breeks enough slack to not slide up when bending your knee. This will stop your breeks from pulling away from your socks.”

Not really acceptable

Patrick Galbraith, editor of Shooting Times says: “‘The proper way of wearing shooting socks? For years I wore mine underneath my breeks until an old farmer in Shropshire took me aside and told me ‘it really wasn’t acceptable’ – for the most part, though, I’m just happy to find a matching pair.”

Plus-fours

“I always wear mine over the cuffs of the breeks” says Tim Woodward, Chief Executive Of The Country Food Trust.

Rob Fenwick,  managing director of EJ Churchill replied to the question from a grouse moor: “So the proper way is with your socks over your breeks and with your garter then over the sock and the strap/buckle of your breeks. You then fold the top of the sock down over the garter which covers the bow and leaves the tassels showing a little bit. This is the only way.

Always over the cuff

Invest in socks

Campbell’s of Beauly plus-fours

Garters should be tied at the side

Order of the garter