hi Martin
I have tried synthetic socks but always go back to merino wool ! I also use leather boots and now go to Whalley Outdoor as they do a free service that measures feet and also looks at how you walk and feed it all into the computer, it then recommends a boot specifically for your foot shape etc. Well worth it, it is a free service with no obligations to buy. I find Miendl boots the only ones that fit me well as I have small but very wide feet. A specialist fitter may also be useful in giving advice re the toe

Just asking for advice on best solution or socks to prevent holes in socks and wearing the goretex layer out in boots. I seem to be eating through socks as my big toes are putting holes in socks. I have been using leather boots and have never noticed any issue with boot leakage. Last year I bought a pair of Salewa boots (not leather) and noticed with a few months and not a lot of use they leak and I have worn through goretex layer already. Local outdoor shop were helpful and suggested sticking with leather boots in the future but this will still not prevent the wear. They were good enough to give me a free pair of socks and recommended not going for the Merino wool types such as Bridgedale but synthetic types. My big toes do point up slightly. This week I have been to another outdoor shop and came across 1000 mile socks double layer approach socks to try. I used to use this make with running shoes years ago. The sales person also said he always used 'Darn Tough' socks but these are also Merino.

Now I have wore the goretex layer its almost a double whammy of wear for the socks?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.