|
|
 |
Guest - Not logged in | |||||||||||||||||||
Reviews > Clothing > Socks > CEP Dynamic Merino Midcut Socks > Test Report by Gail StaisilCEP Dynamic+ Mid-Cut OutdoorCompression Socks Test Series by: Gail Staisil, Marquette, Michigan 
Page Contents: Initial Report: July 13, 2015 Tester Information Name: Gail Staisil Age: 62 Gender: Female Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m) Weight: 152 lb (69 kg) Location: Marquette, Michigan USA Email: woodswoman 2001 AT yahoo DOT com Product Information
Initial Impressions and Product Description Three pairs of CEP compression socks arrived in great condition. They are all mid-cut in length and one pair of each color was sent. The colors are Green/Black, Gray/Black and Brown/Black. The socks are midweight and are anatomically made. The right foot has an "R" on the right side as well as the left side having an "L" to designate which foot they should be on. They are also labeled as to the model and gender as well as size. No mistakes there. The toe seams are very flat and the socks are very close fitting. A Little History  CEP is the sports brand of medi GmbH&Co.KG of Germany. The company has been involved for six decades of making compression socks for doctors and hospitals. In 2007 they launched CEP to provide compression socks to the general public for athletic endeavors. What are compression socks? Although I was acquainted with compression garments and socks throughout the years, I have never used them during my activities. Reportedly compression socks allow improved blood circulation which helps in preventing muscle soreness and cramps (speeds up lactate metabolism). The compression also provides more stability for muscles and joints. Mid-cut compression socks are sized according to the circumference of a person's ankle at the widest point. A handy chart allowed me to pick the size I needed. CEP makes a whole variety of socks depending on the sport a person pursues. There are also different lengths to accommodate needs. The socks I am testing are the Women's Dynamic+ Mid-Cut Compression Socks. That model measures 15-20 mmHg of compression on the arch and ankle areas. Compression at 22 mmHg is graduated from the ankle upward to the top of the socks. The compression socks that I am testing are fabricated with Polyamide for durability (64 percent), Merino Wool (18 percent), Spandex (10 percent) and silk (8 percent). The addition of wool and silk to the product should allow them to be comfortable in warm weather. When I tried on a pair of the socks I gently worked them over my foot and slowly pulled them up my leg to end about 9 in (22.9 cm) above the bottom of my foot. They do feel supportive so it will be interesting to see how they feel during activity. I must say this is a lot more sock than I normally wear for backpacking due to the sock's medium cushion and length. Normally I wear lightweight low-cut socks. The socks are guaranteed for six months or 150-200 wearings before compression will lessen. Looks like the socks are easy to take care in my opinion. They can be machine washed with basic detergent and air dried. However, washing after every use is recommended as the compression profile can be compromised by dirt and body oils. Hopefully on long backcountry trips a little rinsing out will help this situation. It will be interesting to test these socks in the upcoming months for a variety of outings. Top of Page Long Term Report: December 1, 2015 USA Locations and Conditions During the testing period I have spent 29 days backpacking, 10 days car camping and have enjoyed the outdoors most other days. Locations of all trips were in the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Washington and ranged from lakeshore to boreal forest to mountainous areas. Elevation ranged from above 600 ft (183 m) to over 7800 ft (2377 m). Location of Trip: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan Length of Trip: 6 days/5 nights (August 21-26) Pack Weight: 26 lb (11.8 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Cloudy, rain, and very little sun Precipitation: 1.12 in (2.84 cm) Temperature Range: 43 F to 78 F (6 C to 26 C) Location of Trip: Grand Island National Recreation Area, Michigan Length of Trip: 2 days, 1 night (September 3-4) Pack Weight: 23 lb (10.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Warm, humid and sunny Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 58 F to 76 F/14 C to 24 C (Humidity ranged from 71-99 percent)  Location of Trip: Pacific Crest Trail north of Rainy Pass, Mt Rainier National Park, Goat Rocks Wilderness, all in the State of Washington Length of Trip: 9 days, 8 nights (September 12-20) Pack Weight: Approx 28 lb (12.7 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Cloudy, foggy, snow, rain and sun Precipitation: snow/rain Temperature Range: 26 F to 59 F (-3 to 15 C) Location of Trip: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Michigan Length of Trip: 3 days, 2 nights (September 25-27) Pack Weight: 25 lb (11.3 kg) Overloaded with good stuff Sky and Air Conditions: Warm, humid and sunny Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 57 F to 76 F (14 C to 24 C) Location of Trip: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Michigan Length of Trip: 4 days, 3 nights (October 2-5) Pack Weight: 23 lb (10.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Cool, sunny and cloudy Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 28 F to 59 F (-2 C to 15 C) Location of Trip: Cook County/Grand Marais, Minnesota Car camping trip while doing work/study at folk school and day hiking Length of Trip: 10 days, 9 nights (October 16-25) Sky and Air Conditions: Cold, sunny, cloudy and rain Precipitation: 0.58 in (1.47 cm) of rain Temperature Range: 24 F to 55 F (-4 C to 13 C) Location of Trip: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Michigan Length of Trip: 3 days, 2 nights (October 30- November 1) Pack Weight: 23 lb (10.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Clouds, rain and wind Precipitation: 0.76 in (1.93 cm) Temperature Range: 31 F to 45 F (-1 C to 7 C) Location of Trip: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan Length of Trip: 2 days, 1 night (November 9-10) Pack Weight: 23 lb (10.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Clouds and sun Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 35 F (2 C) to 56 F (13 C) ------------------------------------------------------ Trip Talk  Besides backpacking the CEP socks have also been worn extensively for trail running, mountain biking and general everyday wear. All three pair have been rotated regularly. Recently I have also worn them for three days of cross country skiing. The socks have been worn with several different types of hiking boots and trail shoes, running shoes, two different pair of camp shoes, bike shoes and cross country ski boots. They have worked well with all footwear. Foremost what I like about these socks is that they are so comfortable. Even though they are compression socks they are easy to slip on and once they are in place they don't move!! I like not having to deal with socks that bunch up during a long hike. It took me more than a few times to check if I was putting the right sock on the right foot but even if I goofed they were easy to change (It has been easier to mess up with the black and brown pairs as the letters don't jump out at me as much). They have also been comfortable in a wide range of temps from below freezing (32 F/0 C) to around 80 F (28 C). I have worn them wet as well (due to boots leaking) with no ill effects. As far as comfort I have never really noticed that the compression aspect is tight or anything. It just feels slightly supportive and nothing more. I can't really evaluate if the compression aspect is helping my feet and ankle areas but I have had no issues with them and I haven't noticed any swelling in those areas. Even though the socks don't feel very soft (by touch they wouldn't be the first ones that I would be inclined to select out of my sock selection), I have never had issues with comfort while wearing them. The tops of the socks fan out a bit...it can be seen in the initial report picture but they look about the same now. I do think the socks are a bit easier to slide on now although they really weren't that hard to put on from the initial wear. The socks have held up remarkably well for the long haul. I see no thin spots which often happens to some other socks I own. There is some piling and they do seem  to attract pet
hair. I have no pets of my own but have been around cats and dogs
for extended times at family/friends homes...I always walk around in
socks indoors with no footwear. The animal hair seems to hold on
longer than normal even after going through the wash cycle. And
speaking of washing, all three pair have been washed regularly and
line dried with good results.Will I continue to wear these socks?...for certain as they have replaced some of my former preferences. I do prefer low-cut socks in the warm months but I quickly got used to wearing a higher version. I think I would still prefer a low version if I were wearing shorts instead of pants but I have worn them with hiking skirts and it didn't bother me. Pros
Cons
Tester Remarks Thanks to CEP and BackpackGearTest.org for this opportunity to test the socks. This concludes my Long Term Report and the test series. Top of page Read more reviews of CEP Compression gear Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil Reviews > Clothing > Socks > CEP Dynamic Merino Midcut Socks > Test Report by Gail Staisil | ||||||||||||||||||||