Whatever you do, avoid cotton. Sounds strange to say it, but a thin, quality wool sock is better in hot weather. It's very good at wicking sweat away.
http://community.smartwool.com/why-merino-wool/the-comfort-of-merino/your-body-in-wool/
This might be too much for me to do this year on the bike. I despise sand (unless its in the dunes on a TRX250 or next to a cabana by the ocean) and need to learn how to ride in it.
What kind of support do you think might be needed?
I don't have a trailer but I do have a trusty old 4runner and some mild mechanical skills to assist if a 'chase' vehicle is needed.
Yes, I have them on both the SMT and the ADV, they fit well and they have protected the engine case from multiple events, despite the bash plates. The rubber-like brake pedals on all KTMs bends and digs into the engines case, so I have even swapped out the cover (and the pedal) once after a major spill, and the engine case was untouched. The covers on both sides show battle scars.