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Product Information Product: Women's X-Hale Trail Diva Socks Manufacturer: Bridgedale Outdoor Limited Year of Manufacture: 2009 Manufacturer Website: www.bridgedale.com Guarantee: 3-years Listed Weight: None indicated on the manufacturer's website or the packaging. Actual Weight: 1.65 oz (46 g) Sizes Available: Small US 4-6, Medium US 6 1/2-8, Large US 8 1/2-10 (European and UK sizing information is available on the manufacturer's website) Size Tested: Medium US 6 1/2-8, UK 5-6 1/2, Europe 38-40 Available Colors: Heather/damson, Stone/sage, Natural/blueberry Color Tested: Natural/blueberry MSRP: Not indicated on the manufacturer's website Care: The recommended washing instructions on the packaging are as follows. "For best results wash inside out. Wash dark colors separately. Do not use fabric conditioner. 40 C (104 F) wool cycle. Do not bleach. Do not iron. Tumble dry on LOW Heat. Do not dry clean." The Bridgedale Women's X-Hale Trail Diva Socks are part of the Fast and Light Series of the Bridgedale sock line-up. The manufacturer indicates on the product website that this series of socks "are designed to be worn with lighter more breathable footwear in warmer conditions and during more fast moving activities. Whether hiking in the Summer, adventure racing or training indoors." The Trail Diva Socks have a cushion rating of 2 (lightweight) out of a maximum of 5 and a warmth rating of 1.5 (cooler) out of a maximum of 5. The socks are made of 44% nylon/polyamide, 27% Merino wool, 27% Endurofil/polypropylene, and 2% Lycra/elastane. The Lycra is knitted under the arch and above the heel to prevent the sock slipping down while in use. Lycra is also used in the cuffs of the socks to help them stay up. These socks have a double cuff and are 3/4 height (crew type of sock). There are supportive weaved ribbed bands that surround the socks at the ankles and the mid-portion of the socks, supporting the arches. The bony prominences of the ankles (the malleolus) are cushioned with extra padding. There is also extra padding on the Achilles tendon, the heel bone, the toe region, and the bony prominences below the large toe and the small toe (this also covers the ball of the foot). The area of extra padding is a combination of a light and dark blue color. The rest of the sock is a medium gray color. The socks have two small Tactel mesh woven areas on the bottom and a larger area on the top. These areas are woven in dark gray and appear to have a larger weave than the rest of the socks. The Bridgedale name is woven in dark gray near the toes. The sizing of the socks is woven in dark gray on the bottom just below the toe area. The Trail Diva Socks are manufactured with Merino wool and Endurofil. The purpose of the Merino wool is to absorb moisture and the Endurofil is to help wick the moisture away. This is Bridgedale's WoolFusion technology. This technology is claimed to result in socks that perform at the highest level. The WoolFusion technology is claimed to provide supreme lasting comfort. This technology is unique to the manufacturer. The socks have an anti-compression T2 knitted loop construction that is claimed to rebound the cushioning by using a resilient inner loop to help the outer loop stay aloft, the end result being optimized padding without bulk. Initial Impressions I was quite surprised on how much padding these socks have for being designed as a light-weight sock. I like the extra padding on the normal wear areas and the bony prominences of my feet. Since these socks have extra padding I have no fear of using them with my mid-height backpacking boots or with my trail runners while carrying my fully loaded backpack. I looked at the socks on the manufacturer's website and the information about the fibers, sizing information, and the sock warranty was not listed on the main product page for the Trail Diva socks. The only information on the product page was the colors that are available. I would have liked to see some product information/specifications about the socks listed. The information used in my report was obtained from the sock packaging. The size medium socks fit perfectly. They are not too snug even though I normally wear a women's US size 8-9 shoes and boots. I did not want to try the large size as I was afraid that the heel would be too big and the socks would not be snug enough for my liking. The socks are soft against my feet and I did not feel any itching from the Merino wool. I can feel the extra padding against my feet and it has a soft cushiony, supportive feel.

Testing Locations

During the field reporting phase the Women's X-Hale Trail Diva socks were worn in the following locations.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, California: I wore the Diva's on two day hikes to this park during the testing period. They were worn with trail runners and low boots. The day hikes ranged from 3-5 mi (5-8 km) at a starting elevation of 800 ft (244 m). The temperatures ranged from 65 F (18 C) to 85 F (29 C) on my visits to the park. I also wore the Diva's during a mountain bike ride in this park.

Aliso and Wood Canyon Regional Park, California: I wore the Diva's while mountain biking and with my low boots for a 5 mi (8 km) day hike after my mountain bike ride. The high temperature was around 77 F (25 C) and the average elevation was 300 ft (91 m).

Wasatch-Cache Mountain National Forest, Utah: On one day-hike in the area totaling 5 mi (8 km). The temperatures were in the mid 40's to low 70's F (7 to 21 C) and it was partly cloudy to raining. The Diva's were worn with low boots at a starting elevation of 7,760 ft (2,365 m).

Huntington Beach, California: I wore the Diva's for 7 days with my trail runners on the beach path during my fitness walks. The temperatures were in the mid 70's F (24 C). Typically I walked 4 mi (6 km) on the beach path which is located at sea level.

Costa Mesa, California: During evening fitness walks on the river trail and my usual loop around the neighborhood. Typically the walks were 3 mi (5 km) in length at an elevation below 100 ft (30 m).

Performance in the Field

The extra cushioning of the socks seems to be targeted for all the right areas. The heels, balls of the feet, toes, and the ankles have this extra padding. My mid-height hiking boots were causing blisters on the one heel of my foot and the Diva's provided the extra padding needed to help prevent further hot spots and blisters. I actually love all the extra cushioning in a sock that is intended for summer use.

Testing Locations

During the past two months the Diva socks were worn on one backpacking trip, three hiking trips, around town, mountain biking, and on the beach path (rollerblading and walking). I wore the socks about 25 times during the testing period.

Wasatch-Cache Mountain National Forest, Utah: I wore the Diva socks here on two day-hikes that turned into night hikes. The hikes were from 4 to 6 mi (6 to 10 km) in length. The temperatures ranged from the upper 50's F (10 C) to the upper 60's F (16 C). The elevation range was from 8,200 ft (2,499 m) to 10,220 ft (3,115 m).

San Jacinto State Park, California: This was originally a backpacking trip that turned into a day hike, due to me having an injured toe. The high temperature was 78 F (26 C) and sunny skies. The high elevation was 9,400 ft (2,865 m).

Yosemite National Park, California: Three days backpacking in Yosemite National Park. The temperatures ranged from 43 to 80 F (6 to 27 C) mostly sunny skies except for a thunder, rain, and graupel storm our first afternoon. The trails were mostly dirt, rock, and wet rock down the Mist Trail. The trip was approximately 20 mi (32 km). The starting elevation was 8,600 ft (2,621 m). I wore the Diva socks the first day, at night, and around camp.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, California: The Diva socks were worn at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park while mountain biking two times during the testing period. The temperatures ranged from 70 F (39 C) to 92 F (51 C).

Huntington Beach, California: I wore the Diva's for 6 days with my trail runners on the beach path during my fitness walks. The temperatures were in the upper 70's F (24 C) to low 80's (27 C). I also wore them three times while rollerblading at this location.

Performance in the Field

I am very pleased with the performance of the Diva socks. The only thing I can possibly complain about is the eye sore of the contrasting colors of the cushioned areas. They hold their shape, do not stink or stretch, have great cushioning, and are not too warm for summer use.

During the long term reporting phase I wore the Diva socks with my trail runners and with my mid-height hiking boots. There is nothing really new to report from my field report. The socks have good ventilation and help keep moisture off my feet. I encountered a blister while wearing them with my mid-height hiking boots. But, I do not necessarily believe this is from the socks since I got blisters in those boots while wearing other socks.

I also had the opportunity to try the socks while mountain biking and rollerblading. My feet were comfortable while wearing the socks during these activities. My feet were slightly warm while wearing them rollerblading, just because my rollerblades do not offer much ventilation. However, the extra cushioning of the socks was a plus. As it helped dampen the vibration from rollerblading. While mountain biking I tend to hike some sections of the trail. The socks were more comfortable than my light weight biking socks. This is because of the extra cushioning. I had no ventilation issues and my shoes still fit even though the Diva socks are slightly thicker than my biking socks.

The socks have not stretched or shrunk during the entire testing period. I was concerned that the ribbed bands would stretch, but that is not the case. The socks stay up in place and the ribbed bands around my arches provide a supportive feel. There is a fuzzy appearance on the cushioned areas of the socks, but this is not affecting the performance of the socks. I washed the socks at camp and they dried in the sun within a few hours. During the testing period I washed the socks at home over 15 times.

Things That Rock:

• Cushioning
• Breathable
• No odor
• They did not stretch out or shrink

Things That Are So-So:

• The contrasting colors of the cushioned areas

Summary

I am very pleased with the Women's X-Hale Trail Diva socks. They are lightweight, comfortable, breathable, do not stink, and provide padding in the areas that I feel I need it most.

Remarks

This concludes my reporting on the Women's X-Hale Trail Diva Socks. A thank you goes to Bridgedale Outdoor Limited and backpackgeartest.org for providing me with the opportunity to test this product.