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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Minus 33 Mountain Heritage Micro socks > Test Report by Brian Hartman

MINUS33 MOUNTAIN HERITAGE MICRO WEIGHT FULL CUSHION FULL LENGTH SOCKS
TEST SERIES BY BRIAN HARTMAN
November 9, 2020

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME:Brian Hartman
EMAIL:bhart1426ATyahooDOT com
AGE:52
LOCATION:Central Indiana
GENDER:M
HEIGHT:5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT:155 lb (70.30 kg)

I have been backpacking for over 20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid weight backpacker. I use fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the bare essentials with me while on the trail.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Minus33IMAGE 1


Year of Manufacture: 2020
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.minus33.com/
MSRP: US $20.99 per pair
Listed Weight: 
2.7 oz (76 g) per pair
Measured Weight: 2.7 oz (76 g) per pair
Size Tested: Large

Available Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Available Colors: Black, Patriot, Olive Drab, Oatmeal, Coffee

Fiber Content: 61% Merino Wool, 22% Nylon, 16% Stretch Nylon, 1% Spandex
Wool Source: Australia
Made in New Hampshire, USA

Features:
Full Length
Micro Weight
Full Cushion
Vented Zones
Heel / Toe Plating
90/10 Yarn

HISTORY AND INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Mountain Heritage micro weight full cushion full length socks (hereafter called Minus33 or Mountain Heritage socks) are Merino wool/nylon socks, made by Minus33 in New Hampshire USA. They are Minus33's lightest weight socks but are full length and have full cushioning to provide warmth on the coldest days of winter.  

Before talking about the socks, I want to mention the history behind this company because it's fascinating.  It dates all the way back to 1916 when their parent company L. W. Packard started in the textile manufacturing business.  The company survived the Great Depression, became a mainstay in the woolen industry, and created one of the most modern textile manufacturing facilities in the world in Ashland, New Hampshire.  It was there they made cashmere garments for high end retailers until the early 2000's when textile manufacturing moved to Asia.  Adapting to the times they reinvented themselves as a Merino wool clothing company under the name Minus33, with the guidance of a fourth generation Packard family member who still runs the business today.  Last year they brought manufacturing back to Ashland, New Hampshire with the introduction of their Mountain Heritage sock line.  In addition to socks the company sells a wide variety of other Merino wool-based clothing including men's and women's base layers, mid layers, beanies, gloves, headbands, scarfs, and blankets.  The company, and people working there, have a remarkable story and a dedication to succeed and so it was exciting to read about them.

The Mountain Heritage socks are available in four weights, based on the amount and type of terrying that goes into manufacturing them, the type of yarns used in the socks, and the thickness of the yarns.  The four sock weights are micro, lightweight, midweight, and expedition.  I'm testing the micro weight socks which have no insulation.  The lightweight socks have terry insulation throughout the socks.  The midweight socks are made with thicker yarns and have thicker terry insulation throughout the sock.  The expedition socks use the thickest yarns and have the densest cushioning throughout.  Socks are also available in six different heights, from full length, which is what I'm testing, all the way down to 'no show', which goes below the ankles (see picture below from manufacturer's website).  Finally, the micro weight socks are available as liners, with minimal cushioning only at the toes, light cushioning which includes modest cushioning at the heals and toes, and full cushioning across the entire foot bed.   

The socks I'm testing are comprised of 61% Merino wool, and 38% nylon for durability.  They're incredibly soft, they don't itch at all, and they appear to be very well made.  The entire bottom of the socks as well as the heel and toe areas are cushioned, and they feel like they'll be very comfortable to wear and do a great job of wicking moisture.  In addition, Merino wool is known to have antimicrobial properties to reduce odor.  With so many great features I'm excited to put them to the test.


IMAGE 2 IMAGE 3 IMAGE 4

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

jkhljMinus33 recommends doing the following to care for these socks: first off, always turn them inside out before washing to prevent pilling due to abrasion against other clothing as well as the washing machine.  Machine wash them sparingly in cold water using a gentle or wool-specific detergent.  Tumble dry on a low setting or even better lay them out flat to air dry.  Don't use bleach or fabric softeners.  Don't iron.  And for long-term storage put them in airtight plastic bags or containers.  



TRYING THEM ON

The socks were easy to slip on and incredibly comfortable to wear.  They were soft with no itchiness whatsoever, and they had considerable stretch, so I don't think I'll have any problems with them staying up.  They're well-constructed and have no loose threads or frayed ends.  They've got lots of cushion but they're not bulky at all so I should be able to wear them with most of my hiking shoes and boots.  I ordered size 'Large' socks based on the sizing chart on the manufacturer's website and they fit perfectly so the sizing chart seems to be spot on.  My initial intent was to try them on for a few minutes and then take them back off, but I ended up wearing them for several hours.  They felt great while walking around the house and while sitting down, so much so that I didn't want to take them off.  I would have worn them outside on a walk, but it was 76 F (24.4 C) and I was wearing shorts.


SUMMARY

The Mountain Heritage socks are well designed and have top quality construction and detailed workmanship throughout the product.  I really like their micro weight design and the fact that they have full cushioning and are full length.  During the next few months, I will evaluate their comfort and durability and see how well they perform in the field.

This concludes my Initial Report for the Mountain Heritage socks.










LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

IMAGE 1During Long Term Testing I wore the Mountain Heritage socks for 62 days and approximately 176 mi (283 km). This included two backpacking trips and fifty-six day hikes in a variety of weather conditions.  Temperatures during testing ranged from 6 to 37 F (-14 to 3 C).

My first trip was to one of my favorite places in Indiana (IN), the Charles Deam Wilderness, where I camped for three days. The area includes 20 mi2 (52 km2) within the Hoosier National Forest that was designated as wilderness by Congress in 1982. It's densely forested with hardwood trees and has over 36 mi (58 km) of hiking trails. Skies were mostly cloudy during my stay with occasional light snow showers overnight.  Daytime highs were in the upper 30s F (3 C) and
overnight temperatures dropped to near 30 F (-1 C). I covered approximately 9.5 mi (15 km) on this trip while backpacking both on and off trail.

Location: Charles Deam Wilderness
Type of Trip: Backpacking, both on and off trail
Distance: 9.5 mi (15 km)
Length of Trip: Three days
Backpack Weight: 33 lb (15 kg)
Weather Conditions: Most cloudy
Precipitation: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
Temperature Range: 30 to 37 F (-1 to 3 C)


My second trip was to Franklin County in Southeastern IN where I hiked approximately 5 mi (8 km) during the course of three days. Skies were clear and sunny most of the time and temperatures were cold.  I camped in a valley at the edge of a large forest to stay out of the wind as much as possible.

Location: Franklin County, IN
Type of Trip: Off-trail hiking
Distance: 5 mi (8 km)
Length of Trip: Three days
Backpack Weight: 35 lb (16 kg)
Weather Conditions: Clear and breezy
Precipitation: 0.0 in (0 cm)
Temperature Range: 22 to 28 F (-6 to -2 C)

In addition to overnight backpacking I did a lot of day hiking during the past few months, mostly at local parks and on walking trails. Temperatures ranged from the mid-30s to 6 F (1 to -14 C).

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Minus 33 Mountain Heritage socks performed beyond my expectations during Long Term Testing. They were simply outstanding in the four categories I reviewed: fit, comfort, durability, warmth, and breathability.

IMAGE 2 IMAGE 3

I ordered these socks in size 'Large' since I wear size 10 to 10.5 shoes, and they fit perfectly.  I had no problem wearing them in even snug fitting shoes since the fabric wasn't bulky.  They were also easy to put on and take off and there was no excess material to bunch up in the toe or heal areas.  Even though the fabric was thin, or micro weight as the manufacturer described it, the socks were plenty comfortable.  They had full cushion along the entire bottom of the socks, including the heel and toe areas, so my feet never felt tired or sore after a long day on the trail. In addition, the wool/nylon yarn was soft and smooth, never itchy.  Elastic, sewn into strategic spots on the socks, made sure they stayed in place and didn't twist in my shoes or slip down my calves. Even after
176 mi (283 km), they haven't loosened up, a testament to their durability.  Comparing the socks I tested to a brand-new pair of Mountain Heritage socks (photo below left), the worn socks on the left look really good, even after four months of abuse and several cycles through the laundry. Looking at the photo bottom right, it's obvious the fabric on the heals is stretched and compacted from wear, but the socks still look remarkably good and function as if they were a month old.  They have no holes, no thin spots, no noticeable color fading, and no major pilling, which again is tribute to their durability.  

Regarding care, I washed them a handful of times and air dried them, even though they can go through the dryer. When not in use, they hung out in my sock drawer. These are the tallest socks I own, and prior to testing them, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about them being full length. I was concerned they might be too warm and feel sweaty, and I thought they might slide down my calves and bunch up at my ankles as has happened with previous socks. Fast forward four months, and neither of those things has happened.  And the additional warmth was nice when cold air came up my pant legs.  

IMAGE 4 IMAGE 5

I wore the Mountain Heritage socks in temperatures down to 6 F (-14 C) and they always kept me warm.  Even when hiking in wet and slushy snow, with the socks noticeably damp, they kept my feet and ankles warm. Once home, the socks dried out in a matter of a few hours.  And the socks never smelled, except on my second backpacking trip, when I wore them for three straight days.  Now, normally I change my socks every night, but I did this to see how far I could push them, and even then, the socks weren't too bad, smelling better than polyester socks do after one day on the trail.

Finally, I found the socks to be quite breathable. Even when hiking aggressively, they did a good job of absorbing moisture from my feet and releasing it, so my skin didn't get wet.  My feet never felt clammy and I never got any blisters or warm spots, which happens when wearing wet socks.  All in all, the Mountain Heritage socks performed very well which is testament to their design and top quality.


SUMMARY

The Mountain Heritage socks were a joy to wear during testing and I look forward to using them for the next several months until temperatures warm up. These are great socks for winter backpacking or any winter activities.

This concludes this test series. My thanks to BackpackGearTest and Minus33 for the opportunity to test these socks.




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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Minus 33 Mountain Heritage Micro socks > Test Report by Brian Hartman



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