Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Dahlgren Backpacking Socks > David Posalski > Long Term Report

Personal biographical information
David Posalski
30
Male
5’11", 180 cm
265 lb , 120 kg
dposalski at msn.com
Aloha, Oregon, USA
04/05/05
I started backpacking as a kid in the Boy Scouts doing overnighters.
In the last few months, I have had a desire see things that a
relatively few people have seen. This has drawn me back to
backpacking. I have found it to be the most enjoyable thing I know.
I have gotten my wife involved and we get out and hike at least once
a month. I have lowered my pack weight from about 40 lbs (18 kg) and
am in the process of decreasing that weight to 20 lbs (9 kg).

Manufacturer’s data

Manufacturer- Dahlgren Footwear
Website- www.dahlgrenfootwear.com
Model- Dristride Alpaca Backpacking
Size- Large
Color- Dark Olive
Weight- 4.2oz (119 g)
MSRP- $17.00
Fabric content:
Toe/Heel- 45% Alpaca, 45% Merino wool, 10% Nylon
Arch/Instep- 75% Wickspun Acrylic, 25% Nylon
Leg 90% Wickspun Acrylic, 10% Nylon

Geographical Information

I have used these socks in the Western Oregon area in altitudes from sea level to about 5000 ft (1500 m). I hiked in the area around Timberline and used them during some sledding and skiing up there. I used the socks in wet, rainy conditions as well as sandy, beach conditions. I wore them while hiking on the beach at Seaside, Oregon. The hike was about four miles on the beach to the area where the river that runs through town empties into the ocean. The wind was blowing sand into the dunes that run parallel to the water and across my feet and the socks. We had rain and wind. I wore them while we were crabbing. This requires a lot of just standing or sitting around. My feet did not get cold during any of these activities. They have been used on trails through the sand dunes and on the open beaches. I used the socks for any hiking that I have done as well as during all outdoor work that I have done. I have worn then while cleaning gutters and other wet and cold activities around my house. We have taken numerous walks through the neighborhood training for this summer’s trips. I have worn the socks every weekend since I received them and have washed them about 15 times. Temperatures have been between 10 F (-12 C) and 70 F (21 C). I have worn these socks in wet weather while it was raining and in snow in the mountains. All of this in a year that was more mild than we typically see in this part of the world.

My Long Term Evaluation

Dahlgren has a winner in these socks. I must say that the durability of these socks has far exceeded my expectations. The socks have been put through a grueling trial on my big feet and through my washing machine. I have worn them for as many as four straight days without washing and have had no issues with odor or discomfort. They hold well to my calf and do not drop down my leg. I would have expected by this time that they would drop down my leg, but have not found that to be the case. I have many other pairs of hiking socks that do drop down my legs. After wearing them and washing them 5-6 times, they don’t stay up. The bottom section of the sock that crosses my arch is not as padded still supports the arch of my foot. This band of sock that runs beneath the arch across my foot does not show any pilling and still has lots of its elastic quality.
The padding at the toe and the heel is still there. They do have some pilling, but that is what I would expect to have in a sock like this. It shows some pilling, but not a lot. I have not found it necessary to "shave" it. I have a pill remover and use it when my socks just become so bumpy as to affect the fit. This has not been the case with these socks so far. The elasticity in these socks has been excellent. They have the same snug, controlled feel when I put them on as they did when I first got them. I still have to give a little extra effort to get them over my heel as my big feet can get a little wide in diameter as they pass over my heel. I have other socks that have lost their elastic quality to a point that I can grab the top of the sock and just slide it all the way on. With the Dahlgren socks, it takes a little more effort, as the elastic quality requires me to gather the sock down to the toe and slowly work the socks on to my feet. It takes more effort to put them on, but the comfort and support delivered is well worth the effort. The time spent pulling on the socks is saved on the trail by not having to lean over with a full pack and pull up the socks as I hike.
These socks are very warm. I never felt cold feet in them and often used them to warm up my feet when they were cold. My feet would go from ice cube status to comfortable and warm within 20 minutes with nothing added except these socks. I have cold feet when sitting and then I get very warm feet when walking or hiking. I have found that my feet do get warm in the outdoors during cold weather, but have never felt any excessive perspiration or discomfort. I never found that the warmth of these socks was excessive. The wicking ability of these socks has been as good as is needed for the conditions that I have been in. I did not have any problem with them holding sand after the hikes at the beach. I simply shook them out and then dropped them in the washer after I returned home. All of the sand seems to have left the sock and I don’t see any damage from the experience. My boots did contain some sand after the walk, but after emptying it out and letting it dry, the remainder of the sand was easy enough to shake out.
I have had no problem with these socks sliding down into my boots or into my shoes. I typically have problems with this when I am skiing. At various times during the day, I reach down deep into my ski boots and pull really hard on the top of the socks. I did not have to do that with these socks. I know that these were designed to be backpacking socks, but they did the job for me as ski socks. They have caused me no blisters and they have not caused sliding in my boots. I have found that my feet are very secure in my boots and that tightening my boots has not been an issue. I have found myself wearing these socks around my house as they keep my feet nice and toasty. I almost use them like slippers in my house. They are soft and very comfortable. The padding in the heels and toes has been effective and I have enjoyed the extra comfort.

Cleaning these socks has been very simple. At home, I throw them in the washer with everything else and have had no excessive deterioration of the sock. There are no holes or gaps in the knitting. I find that with lighter socks, I either tear holes in them when pulling them on, or I wear holes in them around my heel. I have had no problems of this sort with the Dahlgren socks. I use a store brand detergent and use medium temperature water. Even without special care, which I am not likely to perform, they have retained their qualities well. When I have been in the field, I have not had an opportunity to wash them due to the cold weather. I have not had any extended trips that required me to wash them in the field because they never got to a point of walking by themselves (really stinky). I found that they never developed an odor like other socks, and my feet smelled fine at the end of a day. I attribute this to the excellent wicking properties of the socks.

I would rate these socks a ten out of ten. These socks are not only durable, but they are very comfortable and fit the expectations that I would have for a high-quality sock. I found no areas that I would change in the sock, as they have done exactly what they were designed to do.
I truly appreciate the opportunity that Dahlgren has given me to test a great pair of socks. I probably would not have bought this pair of socks before seeing a review of them due to the variety of brands in this marketplace. I hope that this review will convince others to try these excellent socks.

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Dahlgren Backpacking Socks > David Posalski > Long Term Report