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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion > Test Report by Paul Schilke
DARN TOUGH VERMONT MOUNTAINEERING EXTRA CUSHION
INITIAL REPORT - November 19, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been a genuine backpacker since 2002 and enjoy lightweight camping. Nowadays, I prefer using water filters to chemical treatments. I have camped under a tarp, but have also spent several sleep-deprived nights buzz-bombed by rodents at popular backcountry campsites. Although I have spent up to 7 months backpacking, I am lucky to get out for 3 to 5 days. I have almost no use of my left arm. I snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter. My wife and I have a two-year old daughter who enjoys hiking and camping with us. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Cabot Hosiery Mills Inc INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Each pair of Darn Tough Vermont Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks arrived at my home in its own hang tag package. The packaging promises that Darn Tough Socks will be the most comfortable socks the purchaser has ever worn and backs that promise with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. A sizing chart is provided which relates shoe size to sock size. A brief history of the company is given with an 800 number and the company website URL where readers are directed to review a complete list of Darn Tough Vermont products. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS The care instructions on the package state that the Mountaineering Socks should be washed "in warm water on gentle cycle with the socks inside-out. Do not bleach. Tumble dry on low. Do not dry clean." The bar-code sticker blocks a couple of letters of the care information but not enough that I cannot comprehend what is said. TRYING IT OUT
For many years, I have been purchasing and wearing size medium socks and ignoring the sock sizing information provided by manufacturers such as Darn Tough Vermont. I do this to avoid droopy socks, probably because most of my socks are tube socks. SUMMARY
I like the socks. The sizing on the package is accurate. The socks are true-to-size. The socks make my feet extra toasty both when hiking in the forest and while wearing them around the house. I will have to be careful that my feet do not become too warm and subsequently sweaty when wearing the socks with insulated boots. FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I have used the Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks on twelve excursions in the Apache National Forest at elevations ranging from 7000 to 9000 feet (2100 to 2700 meters) and on one hike in the Superstition Wilderness at elevations ranging from 2400 to 3600 feet (730 to 1100 meters). All use was in the state of Arizona. I have used them in temperatures ranging from 20º to 54º F (-7º to 12ºC). I have used the socks while snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and while hiking. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks were great performers. These socks are for activities in cold weather. When I wasn't using the socks in snowy conditions, my feet were apt to heat up quickly to the point of sweating. When wearing the lowtop hiking shoes, I didn't notice the sweatiness as much as when I was wearing the boots. Perhaps this is an indication that the socks do not retain as much of the sweat when given the opportunity to breathe. SUMMARY
The Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks were very comfortable when worn in a variety of footwear. They were more comfortable when worn in cold weather activities. The sizing chart indicates that I should be a size large. At first I thought the size medium was too tight, but after wearing both sizes over time, I found that I preferred the size medium. When it wasn't cold, my feet produced a lot of sweat in these socks. My feet enjoy wearing the Mountaineering Socks in cold weather. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS In addition to the locations listed in the Field Report section, the Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks were used on a three day hike on the Arizona Trail in the Four Peaks Wilderness. The socks were used at elevations ranging from 4100 to 6200 feet (1300 to 1900 meters). The temperature ranged from 40° to 60° Fahrenheit (4° to 16° Celsius). At first the socks were used as overnight camp socks. On the third day, during the hike out, the socks were worn while hiking on-trail and off-trail. About 10 miles (16 km) were covered. I wore the socks while hiking to protect a blister which had developed on the first day because I had not treated a hot spot when it first appeared. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The socks performed quite well as camp socks and exceeded my expectation as hiking socks in temperatures exceeding 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius). Each night, after camp was set up, I enjoyed slipping the comfortable thick and warm socks onto my worn and tired feet. A nice pair of camp shoes would have made my comfort complete. On the third day, I wore the socks while hiking in Vasque Wasatch boots. At first my feet were uncomfortably warm. After 15 minutes of hiking, I no longer noticed my feet as being too warm. Later, when hiking to get back to the ridge where the trail was located, I climbed down and back up a steep incline. Throughout the day-long hike and the evenings in camp, the socks performed admirably. The Merino Wool truly regulated body temperature, either heating or cooling as needed. Throughout the duration of the test, the socks were durable and tough. SUMMARY The Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks are comfortable socks which regulate body temperature. Circumstances gave me the opportunity to wear them while hiking in rough conditions in temperatures greater than 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius). Although they were uncomfortably warm at first, after 15 minutes of use, that discomfort disappeared. Overall these are great socks and I enjoyed testing them. CONTINUED USE
I will continue to wear the Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion Socks for hikes in Fall, Winter and Spring conditions. Also, I will carry the socks with me as camp socks when backpacking all year round. Read more reviews of Darn Tough Vermont gear Read more gear reviews by Paul Schilke Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Darn Tough Mountaineering Extra Cushion > Test Report by Paul Schilke |