I'm curious if anyone has experimented with different substitutes for "liner socks?"

I was looking through a close-out bin at a local store and noticed very thin, 100% Nylon dress socks for sale at a fraction of the price of liner socks.

They looked to be very well made (they were probably formal/tux socks), the right length and they didn't have any seams in the wrong places. I was thinking about giving them a try but thought I would ask about them here first. Thanks.

very thin 100% Nylon dress socks

That's what I use. They work great for me. I find that if they don't get ladders in them, they're nearly indestructible. Mine were cheapies from Sears, as I recall.

I haven't bothered with liner socks for years and get along better without them. With merino wool (I use Smartwool) there's no need to protect the feet from itchy wool. With trail runners, I no longer have problems with blisters. I suspect this is another of those "Your Mileage May Vary" issues.

My experience is that blisters are the product of heat and friction at the same time. For me, the trail runners allow plenty of ventilation, which helps radiate away the heat that comes with exertion. The nylon liner socks, being quite slick, eliminate most possibilities for friction. I think both factors are helpful for my avoiding blisters. But, as you say, YMMV.

I'm in the same crowd with OM and Aimless - since I switched to trail shoes and merino wool or even mostly synthetic (I think something like 85% synthetic and 15% wool?), I haven't used liners and have never had a blister.

I love my Smartwool liner socks in cold weather, or when it's hot.They're well made, Merino wool that wicks sweat to the outer sock in the winter snowshoeing and ice fishing, in the summer, just a very comfortable light hiking sock. Very well worth the 11 bucks to me.

I tried a pair of sock liners years ago, and they did work well, but I never really stuck with it. I've never really had a problem with blisters as my feet seem to be very finicky when it comes to comfortable footwear. I usually have to take a lot of time to find something that fits good for my feet. My socks of choice though, without liners, usually were a wool blend of some sort.

Now, it's like I have liners on all the time. I have to wear compression leggings now all the time, which is a pain, but the ones I have act like a sock liner. They're like pantyhose, except thicker, heavier, and a lot harder to put on. The one thing that I find though it that they are a bit hotter on my feet, and I found that the same with the liners. The wicking part is good, but the heat would get to me on hot days.