Zirr bin Hubaysh (may Allah have mercy on him) says: I came to Sayyiduna Safwan bin Assal (may Allah be pleased with him), and he asked: "What has brought you?" I said: "I have come in search of knowledge." He said: "The angels spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of pleasure with what he seeks." And I asked him about wiping over the leather socks, and he said: "In the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) we used to wipe for three days and nights for the traveller and a day and a night for the resident."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب الصاد / 7348