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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Feetures Bamboo and Wool Hiking socks > Test Report by Jennifer Pope
These socks are pretty much
what I expected but a bit thicker. I've never worn bamboo socks before (or any clothing made from bamboo for that matter) so I was expecting
them to feel like typical wool hiking socks. Feetures! guarantees that these will be the most comfortable pair of socks I (or anyone) has ever worn. I have to say that after putting them on for the first time, I can't disagree. The socks have a silky texture compared to other wool or wool-blend socks I have worn. I have to guess that it's the bamboo that's providing that texture. It's quite nice. The toe of the sock also appears to be tailored well. It curves down around my smaller toes so there isn't a lot of extra fabric to annoy me and possibly cause discomfort. The sock is extra snug around the arch of my foot. The sock is snug around my calf but not tight. So far I am quite pleased with the fit of these socks. A word about the environment Minimizing my impact on the environment is an important issue to me and I won't belabor the point because it's not germane to this review. But it is important for me to note that bamboo is a sustainable material, as is wool. I am happy to see both of these products used here and I'm happy to see they make up 74% of the total fiber content of the sock. I am also happy to see that the cardboard sleeve is made of recycled materials and Feetures! encourages people to recycle the packaging. They also state that there isn't any plastic in the packaging. They have more details on their website. Workmanship I did notice one small defect on the socks. On the top of each sock there is one small loose thread. It's just a very small snag. It's in a similar place on each sock. It looks like it could have been caused by the plastic tags that often attach socks to cardboard sleeves or price tags but there weren't any of these on the socks. I will of course pay attention to whether this progresses into any further issue. Right now it is very negligible and almost invisible in the heather pattern. Washing Instructions
I used these socks on several day hikes in the Los Angeles area over the field test period. These hikes were all fairly short in duration (under 5 miles/8 km). These were all on maintained paths. I was wearing trail runners on all of these hikes. I also wore these socks on several more occasions under normal every day circumstances. All hiking was done under dry conditions but one hike was the day after a rain storm so the trail was somewhat wet. I think these socks have performed well over the test period so far. There has been some fairly significant pilling on the socks so far. Right now it's hard to tell if the darker colored part of the socks is pilling more or if the foot area is pilling more. It is true that the foot area has piled much more than the ankle of the sock. In my opinion that is normal for a sock that is some part wool. That hasn't affected the performance of the socks thus far. I also can't say for sure that I've always washed the socks inside out. I try to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for washing but sometimes I don't do the wash. This picture isn't really out of focus, the pilling just makes the socks look that fuzzy. Additionally, this long string decided to show up one day. I'm not sure if I snagged the sock on something or if it just came out on its own. There isn't a hole yet but I'm not going to pull the string to find out if one develops. Crazy long string and fuzzies. I have been wearing these socks with a fairly light load, usually around 10 lbs (4.5 kg), and on mostly flat trails. I have not experienced any blisters or hot spots while wearing these socks. It is winter and the temperatures are mild, so it hasn't been a strenuous test on these socks, but nonetheless, I have not had any problems with hot or sweaty feet. This is occasionally a problem for me. I will monitor this in the next stage of testing and as temperatures increase into the spring. I have found these socks to be quite warm. Here in mild Southern California, socks only need be thick enough to prevent rubbing between the foot and shoe. Warmth really isn't ever needed. I have found that I have still felt comfortable overall in these socks while hiking despite how warm they are. But, for example, when I'm just sitting around my house, my feet get hot. For some reason this doesn't bother me in the field though. On a related note, the socks are on the thick side. So they don't fit well in the shoes I have that fit more snug. I find the socks stay in place well when I hike. Initially I was a little bit concerned that the socks might be too constrictive around my calves, but that hasn't been the case so far. The socks are snug and they do leave a slight indentation when I take them off, but I don't notice it at all while I'm hiking. Wearing the socks on a hike in Malibu Creek State Park.
Field Conditions (back to top) Over the Long Term test period I spent two days in Joshua Tree National Park. The socks were exposed to the sand, rocks and dirt while inside my Crocs in camp and were used on one dayhike in my trailrunners. On this dayhike I carried a daypack with some basic supplies and gear. It was warm, in the 70s F (25 C), dry and clear. I also wore the socks on 3 dayhikes in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County. This is chaparral territory with a lot of low bushes and rocky terrain. On all hikes it was temperate, in the 60s and 70s F (15-25 C), and dry. Additionally I used the socks for some additional urban use to add to the wear and tear on the socks. Long Term Report (back to top) My experience over the Long Term test period is pretty consistent with the first half of the test. The socks have continued to perform well. Signs of wear haven't really increased since my last report. There continues to be pilling on the socks and the long string is still there (but hasn't developed any further). I haven't noticed any thinning in the heels or anywhere else on the socks. They socks still feel quite thick and plush which is nice. Over the test period I was able to wear the socks down to some pretty cool temperatures. I slept in the socks down to the mid-30s F (0 C). I was fairly bunddled up overall but just had these socks on my feet and my feet stayed pretty warm throughout the night. I was satisfied with how they worked. Before I got in my sleeping bag and tent I had been wearing the socks around camp with regular Crocs on (i.e. with holes) and my feet stayed nice and warm. I was quite comfortable. I continue to find that my feet stay quite comfortable when I'm hiking in these socks under mild or warm conditions (70s F/25 C). This is the warmest temperatures I've experienced hiking so far. I occasionally have problems with sweating between my toes while hiking and I haven't experienced that with these socks.
Comfortable, plush socks that have performed well under warm conditions and kept my feet warm on cool nights. Bonus points for being good for the planet too!
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