Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Teko Summit Series Midweight Crew Socks > Owner Review by Kathleen Waters

TEKO SUMMIT SERIES MIDWEIGHT CREW SOCKS
BY KATHLEEN WATERS
OWNER REVIEW

July 11, 2009

TESTER INFORMATION

I started hiking in 1998 after an eye-opening climb up Hahn's Peak in Colorado. Hooked, I return to Colorado often. I've hiked/snowshoed glaciers, rain forests, mountains and deserts in domestic and exotic locations, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley. At home, I plan for 2-3 hikes of 6-8 mi (10-13 km) weekly and one weekend hike monthly. Weekday hikes take place in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a mixture of heavily-wooded moderate hills and flat terrain. Weekend hike locations vary. My hiking style is comfortable, aiming for lightweight. Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) including food and water

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Teko, LLC Year of Manufacture: 2009 Manufacturer's Website: http://www.tekosocks.com MSRP: US $18.95 Listed Weight: N/A Measured Weight: 3.5 oz (99 g) Colors Available: Delta (blue) and Lavender Color Tested: Lavender Sizes Available: Sm, Med, Lg Size Tested: Women's Medium (Women's 6-9.5/Men's 5-8.5/EU 38-41/UK 5-7.5) Other details: (From the Manufacturer's website) * Medium terry cushion throughout the entire sock * Reinforced footbed for durability * Seamless toe for smooth fit and comfort * Lycra arch band for excellent support and comfort * Heel gore - Y-heel for an articulated fit * Style #9944

Picture Courtesy of Teko

Content: 74% EcoMerino Organic Wool, 23% Nylon, 3% Lycra®

Made in USA of imported wool.

Care Instructions: Machine wash warm inside-out, tumble dry low, no iron, no bleach
Guarantee: "Wear these socks for a year, and if at anytime you are not 100% delighted with the performance of your Teko socks, return them for a new pair or refund."

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

At first glance, the Teko Summit Series Midweight Crew Socks (hereafter, just called "Socks") are a substantial looking pair of socks. Cushiony yarn lends a thickness to the Socks above what I expected for a midweight sock. Uncompressed and laying flat, the height of the two sides of the ribbed calf measures almost 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). From the bottom of the ribbed calf to the top of the 0.7 in (1.8 cm) cuff measures 7.8 in (19.8 cm). From the toe to the heel is just about the same. This is after numerous washings. I hadn't thought to take measurements when the Socks were new.

Various sizes of stockinette knitting give definition to the sections of the Socks with shades of the very soft heathered lavender accenting some of those areas. A compression band around the arch of the Socks' foot is highlighted with "teko" in oh-so-slightly darker hue on both sides of the Socks.

Inside the Socks, I found the seams to be flat, almost concave. The surface is reminiscent of cotton terry more than wool. A faint "teko W M" is imprinted (I can't discern whether it is stitched, knitted or what) on the Socks' inside cuffs.

Inside Heel Seam

Inside Toe Seam

FIELD CONDITIONS AND USE

According to the Teko website, "The Summit Series offers a more relaxed fit and chlorine-free, undyed merino next to your skin. Great for backpacking and extra warmth while hiking." I have to concur wholeheartedly!

Since I received the Socks in January, I have worn them a total of 21 times both casually and while hiking and backpacking. Most of the wear has been hiking/backpacking. However, since we are currently "roughing" it in a 35-foot (11 m) recreational vehicle on 35 acres (14 hectares) in Colorado while waiting for our house to sell in Michigan, the Socks have been worn around the "house" and our building site as well. The terrain is high desert with lots of flakey shale to slabs of granite and dirt from the consistency of baby powder to sun-baked, jack-hammer-hard mud. If I am stepping out the door, most likely I will be wearing boots! Through experience, I've decided that well-fitting, well-cushioned socks are almost as important as the boots that go over them.

Nice Fit!

I wear a size 8 US women's hiking boot in most every style while wearing a 7.5 US women's regular shoe. The fit of the Medium Socks is perfect for me with no undue tightness in the toes or excess fabric in the toes or the heels. I don't, even after six months' use, have to tug or pull on the Socks to get them into place on my feet. Once in place, the cuffs of the Socks sit 10 in (25 cm) up my calves from my heel and they stay there fairly well during moderate hiking. The cuffs are rather tight - that's why they don't sag much - and while they don't cut off the circulation in my legs, I do end up with noticeable ridges in my skin when wearing them. I'll take the trade-off though; I'd rather not have to constantly adjust my socks in the field.

All the cushioning built into the Socks makes the Socks very comfortable to wear particularly when I'm on uneven and rocky ground or carrying anything more than a daypack (15 lb/7 kg). I feel less fatigue in my arches than with a lighter weight sock thanks to the compression arch band and the thick terry loop knit.

As with any wool or wool-blend midweight sock, I generally think of these Socks as being mainly for cold weather and they do shine at keeping my tootsies toasty. But, the Socks are not just for sub-freezing temps. I've worn them in blazing heat up to 102 F (39 C) just this past week and not been overly uncomfortable - at 102 F (39 C) I don't think ANYTHING would have been really comfortable except maybe frozen gel insoles. (Hmmm, there's a thought!) My feet were hot and the Socks had that ripe, dusty, wet wool smell when I finally took them off after 5 hours, but my skin was not wet and I didn't get a single blister. Strangely enough, I can't wear the Socks to sleep at night; they are too warm and constrictive in any temperature for me when sleeping.

Over the last 6 months, I have washed the Socks about 6 times, usually after having worn them for a couple days in a row - hey, I have to go to a laundromat so I don't toss clothes in the wash after wearing them for only an hour!. Also, commercial washers and dryers are notoriously harsh, so I try to limit my gear's exposure to them and the Teko Socks are no exception. I've washed the Socks in cold water, with no bleach, inside out and since they are so light in color, in with my "white". Never have the Socks seen the inside of a dryer, but they have been line-dried - well actually since I don't have a clothes line - they have been dried hanging over a towel rack in the bathroom or draped over a chair outside. Here in Colorado with our dry high desert climate, the Socks dry in little more than an hour or two. I have not washed and dried the Socks in the field. However, once when I got the Socks wet crossing Beaver Creek, I changed into dry socks and hung the Teko Socks from my backpack (facing the sun). The Socks were completely dry when I checked them 3 hours later.

The only signs of wear so far are some pulls on the Socks which I suspect are from encounters of the close kind with Pear Cacti which abound in our neck of the woods, ah, the desert. Try as I might, when hiking and gawking at the landscape, I still miss noticing one or two of these thorny plants until they reach out and touch me to remind me they are there. The resultant snags don't appear to be structurally detrimental to the Socks as of yet. They simply mar the Socks' good looks a little.

Fuzz from Cacti Encounters

STAR ATTRACTIONS

1.) Warm and cushiony
2.) Stay put on my legs during hiking
3.) Made from a sustainable material and in the USA!

MINOR DISTRACTIONS

1.) Showing some signs of "fuzzing" after only five months

SUMMARY

These Socks feel just wonderful on my feet, more like soft cotton terry than wool. I especially like how well the Socks stay up when I am hiking, no slippin' and slidin' at all. Wicking is something most wool socks do very well and the Summit Socks are no exception. I like them a lot and I'm planning continue to wear them for years to come. The Teko Summit ecoMerino Socks have earned a permanent spot in my gear sock drawer.

Thanks Teko for this quality product!

Kathleen (Kathy) Waters

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Teko Summit Series Midweight Crew Socks > Owner Review by Kathleen Waters