I have recently added the leech socks into my tropical rainforest gear kit. After years of sharing my blood with the jungle leeches, I suddenly come to realize that all the blood that I lost plus the itch scratching that I have endured is simply plain unnecessary. Or perhaps I have grown beyond the years of being ‘gung-ho’ and have become more of a ‘softie’ person…favoring to avoid the scaring bits and possibilities of infections.
The leech socks are actually not all that technical or special actually. The one that I have is made of plain beige colored cotton with a drawstring at the top. I have used it on several occasions and have found them to be quite effective. The only down side of it is that it tends to slip down as the drawstring sometimes comes undone. This can be easily rectified I suppose, using a bungee cord or stretch band instead of a string. Below is my leech socks.
Leech socks
There are better looking leech socks for sale definitely. Some are made of polyester material with already sewn in elastic calf bands. These will of course cost more but if you are heading into the bush often, they are perhaps the better choice. Mine costs me only RM15 when I bought it last year in Endau Rompin.
Yes, they are so simple that I reckon anyone can make a set themselves as long as they have a sewing machine. All you need is to actually find a suitable material that is comfortable to wear with your shoes and the weaving of the material is tight enough to keep the leeches out. Add a drawstring or better still an elastic band and you are all set.
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Have tried a few under the KINABALU equipment brand years ago and it was out of curiosity. I probably looked like a bloody japanese soldier!!! Looks strange too when I was wearing the famed Adidas Malaon@Adidas Kampung!
Id rather spray my football socks and shoes with Baygon rather than wearing these so called leech socks as they rip off easily after a few days of in and outs of the water through the jungles.
It could be me and it’s only my honest opinion.
The best way not to get leech is – don’t go into the malaysian jungles
Hi Forestgump!
Yeah, heard of that brand before. I tried contacting them but they never replied.
I too used to use Bygon until someone told me it is really bad on the skin. And it makes matters worse as it is keeps other small creatures away, which I wanna photo.
But gotta agree with you, if you don want leech, stay at home.
So…I will use a leech socks and go take photos, if I get leech bites, it really is part and parcel of the jungle.