TESTER INFORMATION

I took up backpacking and bikepacking 5 years ago but I have enjoyed front-country camping and day hiking for many years. My trip length is generally one to three nights and ranges from prairie hikes to mountainous terrain. I am a 4-season hiker and typically a 3-season backpacker. My pack weight varies depending on the trip, but I tend to sacrifice weight savings for comfort. 

INITIAL REPORT

March 11, 2022

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: ODLO International AG (ODLO)
Year of Manufacture: 2022
Manufacturer's Website: https://odlo.com/

MSRP: US$20.00
Manufacturer's Listed Specifications:

• Material: 45% Acrylic, 39% Polyamide, 14% Polypropylene, 2% Elastane
• Weight: Not Listed
• Sizes Available: S (EU 36-38), M (EU 39-41), L (EU 42-44), XL (EU 45-47)
• Colors Available: Black, Winetasting

Actual Specifications:

• Material, as listed on the package: 39% Acrylic, 45% Polyamide, 14% Polypropylene, 2% Elastane 
• Weight: 78.9 g (2.8 oz) per pair
  
• Size Tested: M (EU 39-41)
• Color Tested: Black

The ODLO Unisex Active Warm Essentials Ski Socks (socks) arrived in good condition with no loose threads, holes, or any other defects. The packaging indicates the socks were made in Italy and have several features including "active warming" and "ZeroScent". The ODLO website describes the "active warming" feature as coming from their "Ceramiwarm technology". The website indicates that the socks will actively warm skin by up to 3 degrees C (5.4 degrees F) using ambient heat and the body's energy. The "ZeroScent" technology limits bacteria build-up and keeps kit "fresher for longer". The package also includes a chart of ODLO's activity control system. A scale indicates the socks are rated as "high support". The other options are "medium support" and "soft support". The package also includes ODLO's temperature rating system, where they have rated these socks as "warm". The chart below depicts the temperature range the best, as it depends on the level of activity of the wearer. The package also describes the socks as thermoregulating and fast drying.

The socks are over-the-calf in length and are primarily black and grey, with "zones" of dark grey fabric that run along the shin, top of the foot, and the ankles. I couldn't find any information as to the purpose of these grey fabric zones on the ODLO website, but they feel slightly more padded and less stretchy than the black fabric. The socks have a seamless toe construction and the manufacturer's name printed on the sock cuff. Note that the proportion of the sock materials is inconsistent between the website and the packaging, however the majority is acrylic and polyamide in both cases. 

The company's logo is a propellor which is displayed on the packaging but not on the socks themselves. The propellor represents the company's three core values: responsibility, action and transparency. More information on ODLO's sustainability initiatives can be found on their website. A few initiatives I found impressive were:

• Products marked with an eco-tag are made from recycled or sustainable sources.
• "Take Back Programme" operating in Switzerland, Germany and Austria is a reuse/recycle program for sport clothing of any brand.
• ODLO maintains "Fair Wear Leader Status" given to selected clothing manufacturers for their efforts to continuously improving working conditions in their supply chains.
• Publishing of an annual sustainability report.       
  

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The care instructions for the socks can be found on the website as well as the packaging. The instructions indicate to machine wash gentle in warm water, do not bleach, do not tumble dry, do not iron, and do not dry clean. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE

I was originally sent a pair of hiking socks which were a size large, not my requested size. I contacted ODLO customer service on February 9 and received an automated response requesting my 10-digit order number. I did not have a 10-digit order number but a message at the bottom of the email indicated that if my concern was not adequately answered, I could respond to a different email address and an agent would contact me directly. I forwarded my inquiry to this email address and received no reply. I followed up on my inquiry 5 days later, on February 14. I received a reply on February 16 indicating my request had been forwarded to the responsible department and they would get back to me. I did not hear back but on March 2 I received the correct size socks in the mail, and this time they were ski socks. Overall I would rate my experience with their customer service as good, since I received a new pair of socks in a relatively short time frame of 3 weeks. However I would not rate it as "great" considering they did not respond to my email and left me wondering for 2 weeks whether my request was being looked after.  

TRYING IT OUT

I am testing size medium, which covers the shoe size range EU 39-41 (US Women's 8 - 9.5). EU 40 (US Women's 9) is my usual shoe size. The socks fit and are true to the listed size. They extend over my calf to just below the base of my knee. They are tight around my calf but have adequate stretch so they are still comfortable. There is a bit of extra room in the part of the sock covering the foot. If I flex my foot towards by shin, the socks wrinkle on top. If I flex my foot away from my shin, the socks wrinkle above my heel, where my Achilles tendon is. I will be sure to report back on whether this bit of extra room bothers me during testing. The seamless toe construction feels comfortable walking around the house.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The socks look to be very well constructed. So far I have only worn them indoors, but they are warm and comfortable. I am looking forward to testing them outside, particularly to see if I notice the "Ceramiwarm technology". I am also looking forward to testing out the "ZeroScent" technology. 

LONG TERM REPORT

June 13, 2022

During the long term testing period I have worn the socks on one overnight camping trip and for numerous day activities including resort skiing, cross country skiing, and running. Conditions are listed below by location.

Regina, Saskatchewan

• Activity: Running, Cross country skiing
• Duration: 17 day uses 
• Distance: 279 km (173 mi)
• Elevation: 575 m (1900 ft)
• Temperature: ranged from -19 C to 0 C (-2 F to 32 F)
• Weather: range of conditions from clear to overcast skies, light rain and snow, and often wind.
• Terrain: Primarily flat, trail and pavement

Kimberley, British Columbia

• Activities: Resort skiing, cross country skiing, running
• Duration: 4 day uses 
• Distance: 60 km (37 mi)
• Elevation: 1300 m (4300 ft)
• Temperature: ranged from -6 C to 3 C (21 F to 37 F)
• Weather: range of conditions including sunny and clear to rain and wind
• Terrain: Variety of mountain terrain as well as paved and gravel trails

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Activities: Running
• Duration: Day use 
• Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
• Elevation: 1000 m (3300 ft)
• Temperature: -13 C, windchill -19 C (9 F, windchill -2 F)
• Weather: Clear and windy
• Terrain: Paved and snow-covered trail 

• Activities: Car camping
• Duration: 1 overnight camping trip
• Distance: minimal, campwear
• Elevation: 1220 m (4000 ft)
• Temperature: -1 C to 10 C (30 F to 50 F)
• Weather: Overcast and calm
• Terrain: Desert, rocky and sandy.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Over the long term testing period I've worn the socks 23 times for a wide variety of activities and in a range of conditions. I have worn the socks in snowboard boots, cross country skiing boots, running shoes, and in camp sandals. The socks kept my feet warm in very cold conditions. The coldest temperatures I tested in were -19 C (-2 F); I was wearing non-insulated running shoes and was actively running. However I did find the socks too warm when I tried running in them in temperatures above 0 C (32 F). My feet felt hot and uncomfortable exercising in the socks at these temperatures. The warmest temperature I tried testing in was 3 C (37 F). I was downhill skiing and wearing insulated snowboard boots. The socks were comfortable at these temperatures, probably because I was not actively working hard. Based on these observations I think the provided temperature range is accurate for the lower range of temperatures. I think the high temperature range is too high for these socks, at least for me. I did not find them cool enough to wear in temperatures over 10 C (50 F), even at rest. Compared to other similar socks I own, I did find these socks to be the warmest. I can't say for sure whether this is a function of the "Ceramiwarm technology" but all other things being relatively equal (sock thickness, fabric type), it certainly could be. 

Even when my feet were hot, when I took the socks off afterwards I never found them to be wet, only slightly damp. The socks did a great job at wicking sweat and keeping my feet relatively dry when sweating. The height of the socks was perfect for resort skiing as they were high enough to cover my shins and protect them from rubbing on my tall snowboard boots. The height of the socks was unnecessary for my other types of shoes but the height did not take away from their functionality. I mentioned in my initial report that there was a bit of extra fabric in the foot area that wrinkled either on top of my foot or around my heel. This bit of extra fabric did not bother me during my test activities. The socks were described as "high support" which I believe refers to their compressive feel. I would rate the level of compression as moderate. I found the level of compression comfortable during all my activities. 

I wore the socks two times in a row without washing in order to test the "ZeroScent" technology. I couldn't smell any odours after these two uses. I washed the socks about 20 times according to their care instructions: in warm water and hung to dry. The socks retained their structure and quality. I did not notice any pilling, holes, or spots of wear. These socks have become some of my favorites to wear in cold conditions, especially under tall boots like snowboard boots. However, they are too warm to wear for high activity uses in temperatures above 0 C (32 F) and above 10 C (50 F) when at rest. I found them to be great at wicking sweat and durable after 3 months of testing.

SUMMARY

PROS

1. Fits true to size 
2. Comfortable and durable
3. Kept my feet warm in very cold temperatures
4. Sweat wicking
   

This concludes my Test Report. Thank you to BackpackGearTest.org and ODLO for the opportunity to test the Unisex Active Warm Essentials Ski Socks.