Initial Report
October 2, 2008

 
Lorpen's Life Fit System

Field Conditions & Locations:

Over the past two months I used the Lorpen socks in Capital Reef National Park, Arches National Park, the San Rafael Swell Wilderness area, the High Uintas Wilderness and the Wasatch Mountains.  The elevation has been between 4,000 ft (1,200 m) and 12,500 ft (3,800 m).  Temperatures have been between 20 F (-6 C) and 75 F (24 C).  The terrain has included rock, slickrock, mud, sand, snow, ice, boulder hopping and dirt. I’ve seen everything from snow, rain, and hail to clear and sunny skies. 
 
Field Report:
 
The Lorpen Multisport Tri Layer Socks loosened in the toe a little bit after wearing them around my place for a few hours, but they went from feeling a little tight to fine long before I had my Initial Report done.  The have not loosened since the initial stretching so I suspect this is sort of a calibrating stretch.
 
I am happy to report that I have not had any blisters while wearing the Lorpen socks. I’ve scrambled over slickrock, been boulder hopping, walked through washes, hopped across creeks, chimneyed through slot canyons and trudged through mud with no blisters, hot spots or even excessively sweaty feet so I am a believer in the wicking ability of the Tri Layer Socks.  They have gotten slightly wet from splashing while crossing water hazards and from putting them on over wet feet but they were fairly dry within a half an hour afterwards.
 
They remain comfortable after the first two months of testing which was something I was mildly concerned about (thankfully it hasn’t been an issue) after just recently recovering from a broken toe.  The Lorpen socks do not keep my feet warm below around 40 F (4 C) while standing around camp or below freezing while hiking, but I do get cold easily.  I suspect I’ll need additional socks for the upcoming winter months and anticipate using these as liners and/or use them in conjunction with toe warmers to keep my feet from freezing, but I’ll see if this is indeed the case over the next few months of testing. 
 
To date I have had no durability problems with the Lorpen socks whatsoever.  I have washed them around a dozen times and have not had any pilling issues to speak of.  I have not had any fraying or loose threads either.  They don’t smell any worse than any of my other socks after a day of hiking (though they don’t exactly smell good either) and while I can tell they have been worn they are not trashed yet.
 
Summary:
 
The Lorpen Multisport Tri Layer Socks have been a comfortable sock that performs well and wicks moisture away and not causing any hotspots or blisters.  They don’t keep my feet warm in colder temperature, but they are not designed to do so.  I have not had any durability issues with them so far and will continue to use them for the next few months of testing.
 
Things I like so far:

• Comfortable
• Wicks moisture well
• Durable so far

 
Things I am concerned about:

• My feet get chilled easily in colder temperature but they are not designed for this purpose

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Long Term Testing Conditions:
 
For the final two months of testing I have used the Lorpen Tri Layer Socks in the Wasatch Mountains, the Uinta Mountains, Zion National Park and in the Red Cliffs Wilderness Area.  Elevations have been between 3,400 ft (1,000 m) and 9,000 ft (2,700 m).  Temperatures have ranged from 5 F (-15 C) to 60 F (15 C).  I have used the socks to hike/snowshoe in sand, snow, mud, dirt and ice.  I have seen snow, sleet, rain and sunny days while hiking in the Lorpen socks.
 
Long Term Report:
 
I am happy to report I have had no durability issues with the Lorpen socks over the test period.  I never encountered any pilling, loose threads, holes or any other signs of damage other than expected wear after four months of use.  The socks have retained their elasticity as best as I can tell and they fit just as well as when they were new. 
 
I have had trouble keeping the Tri Layer socks their original color.  They seem to have picked up a hint of Southern Utah red/orange tint but the majority of my gear (and even my truck) has this issue so I was not surprised by this occurrence.  I have washed the Tri layer socks after every trip and have not noticed any lingering odor after cleaning them.  If I get them soaking wet on the trail they are only slightly damp after drying overnight, but I wouldn't say they dry faster or slower than any other socks I own that are the same thickness as the Lorpen socks.

 
I have continued to not have success keeping my feet warm in cold weather while wearing the Tri Layer socks as a single layer.  They are not designed to be cold weather socks so this does not bother me, but I can feel it while hiking in blowing snow no matter what type of footwear I wear.  For colder conditions I still end up using the Tri Layer Socks as a liner. 
 
Summary:
 
The Lorpen Tri Layer Socks are a good three season sock for me.  They are comfy and have not given me any blisters.  The hold up to use whether scrambling over slickrock, hiking a typical dirt trail or passing in deep mud.
 
Things I Like:

• Fit
• Comfortable
• Wicks moisture well
• Durable

 
Things I am not thrilled about

• Don’t keep my feet warm in cold temperatures (but they are not designed to do this)

Thanks to Lorpen and BackpackGearTest for allowing me the opportunity to test the Tri Layer Socks.