Dahlgren Footwear Dristride Alpaca Backpacking Socks

Initial Report

Report Date: October 26, 2004

Reviewer Information

• Name: Edward Ripley-Duggan
  
• Age: 51
  
• Gender: Male
  
• Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
  
• Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
  
• erd@wilsey.net
  
• Catskills, New York State
  
  

Reviewer Background: See end of report

Product information in brief

• Manufacturer: Dahlgren Footwear
  
• URL: http://www.dahlgrenfootwear.com
  
• Product: Dahlgren Dristride Alpaca Backpacking socks
  
• Size: Extra Large (XL)
  
• Color: Black
  
• Manufacturer's weight: 4.2 oz (119 g), size unstated
  
• Weight (as measured): 4.4 oz (125 g) for XL size
  
• MSRP: US $17.00
  
• Fabric content (as noted on packing):
  
• Toe & Heel: 45% Merino Wool, 45% Alpaca, 10% Stretch Nylon
  
• Arch/Instep: 75% Wickspun Acrylic, 25% Nylon
  
• Leg: 90% Wickspun Acrylic, 10% Nylon
  
  

Delivery and contents

The socks were delivered on October 22, 2004, adequately packaged and in good order. Within the package was a pair of Dahlgren socks as described above, in the printed cardboard display packaging. These were very much in line with my expectations based on the description on the Dahlgren website.

Introduction

Almost as much as boots, socks are the foundation for backpacking. A poor-fitting sock, or a sock that collects moisture, will create havoc on the feet in terms of blisters and other painful complications. Also important is adequate cushioning on high-impact areas of the foot. I'm not sure the perfect sock for backpacking exists, but I continue to quest, and naturally hope that these are that grail!

Construction

Alpaca is wonderfully soft, lustrous wool, gathered from the South American sheep of that name (I use the term sheep advisedly—despite the difference in appearance of the animals, attempts were made in the early nineteenth century to interbreed the two species). I own other alpaca garments (but not socks) and, in my experience, though they are inordinately comfortable, they are not as resistant to wear as conventional wool. A pure alpaca sock would be a bit of a disaster, hence the careful selection of blends in the Dahlgren sock.

Merino wool is stronger, and intermingled with alpaca, should add considerably to the durability that alpaca lacks (that was the rationale for the breeding experiments noted earlier). The sole of the sock, which is in contact with that part of the foot where sweat gathers the most, is made of Dahlgren's proprietary Wickspun Acrylic. Examining the packaging, it is clear that (as the name implies) the function of the Wickspun Acrylic is to wick moisture away from the sole up into the calf portion of the sock, from whence it can evaporate.

The website, which is well-designed and contains all the information necessary for sizing and ordering, describes some further features of the socks (see "sock features"). There is a band directly below the arch that is intended as arch support (this can be seen on careful inspection of the sock), a mesh instep panel on the top of the foot (for added breathability) and the "ActiFlex Zone" (Dahlgren's term) that is knit in such a fashion as to prevent bunching in those areas where flexing occurs. Though not noted anywhere, so far as I can see, the top of the calf is elasticized so it will stay put.

The interior of the sock is worthy of note. In all areas except the top of the foot, there is pile that is in contact with the foot and calf. At the point where the sole of the sock meets the mesh instep, there is a selvage. It seems extremely soft but it will be interesting to observe if there is any potential for rubbing there. Overall, this appears to be a very well-made and well engineered garment for its purpose.

Packaging

The packaging, designed to hang from a store display peg, enables the socks to be extracted for examination before purchase and contains a great deal of useful information. In addition to the firm's various logos, it notes the following points about the socks.

• Enhanced thermal control
  
• Maximum durability
  
• Superior moisture management
  
• Extremely soft
  
• Warmer than trekking
  
  

The sides bear sizing information on the left and Dahlgren's very reasonable thirty-day satisfaction guarantee on the right (full refund when accompanied by sales receipt). The guarantee also covers failure within the first year of purchase.

The rear of the package provides a combination of sales text and further information about the construction of the sock, some of which I have drawn on above. On a fold within (not as obvious as it might be—it could easily be overlooked) are Alpaca sock tips. These are as follows.

Alpaca socks naturally become fuzzy when you wear them. After washing, they will return to normal.

When you wash them, Alpaca socks may seem a bit smaller. Not to worry, though, they'll return to the original size when you put them back on.

The laundry instructions (in the same section of packaging) are to turn the socks inside out before washing, to wash on a cool, gentle cycle, and tumble dry. Dry cleaning and fabric softeners are not advised.

Fit

According to Dahlgren's literature, my size 13 feet need an XL sock (which can accommodate up to size 16). I have found the fit to be true, with no obvious bunching or other issues.

Initial impressions

The socks arrived the day before a backpacking weekend. I wore them that evening while preparing my pack and running errands. In a regular shoe, the socks felt luxurious but a little warm. This is to be expected, as they are, according to the website, intended for cool to cold temperature wear. Worn the following day on a long ridgeline ascent in cool but sunny weather, they proved comfortable and I experienced no chafing or other difficulties.

I did find that my foot seemed a little more prone to movement within the boot, and I am slightly concerned that the depth of pile, combined with the smoothness of the surface of the sock, may have caused a little more slop in the boot than I care for. I retied my boots once, with some slight improvement, but I didn't use any special boot knotting that might have improved matters. I'm loath, at this stage, to attribute the problem to the sock. It could equally have been caused by careless tying of the boot, or (considerably less likely) a problem with stretching of the leather.

It should be noted that I rarely use liner socks, except on long backpacks to cut down on sock use and laundry.

Testing locations and conditions

I will be testing in the fall, winter and spring in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains (New York State) and possibly the White Mountains (New Hampshire). In the New York setting, I expect temperatures down to at least -15 F (-26 C) on occasion; in the Whites, possibly lower. I will be using the socks for day-hiking, snowshoeing and winter backpacking in the mountains, some of which will border on light mountaineering. Weather conditions will include rain, snow, sleet and hail (and, with luck, some sunshine). Most testing will be at elevations up to 4000 ft (1200 m), frequently in deep snow-pack.

Testing plan

What follows are the points that I initially intend to investigate over the six-month duration of the test.

• 1. Fit. Does this remain true? Is there any tendency for the socks to stretch out of shape over time? Does any bunching occur?
  
  
• 2. Warmth. Are these socks adequate for low temperatures? They seem heavy, but not of expedition weight. How well do they combine with an oversock, such as a Serius Stormsock? How well do they work with a liner sock or a vapor barrier?
  
  
• 3. Wear. Over the test period, how do these stand up to repeated wear and laundering? Is there any noteworthy loss of pile, or other evidences of deterioration? Does the elasticity of the sock keep it in place on my ankle?
  
  
• 4. Moisture: Do these keep my tootsies reasonably sweat-free? If they become wet while hiking (e.g. with rain, melted snow, etc. slipping through the gaiter), can they be walked dry easily?
  
  
• 5. Other points. Is the smoothness of the sock a slight liability, or was the impression I mention above an anomaly?
  
  

Issues not noted above that may surface during the testing process will be addressed in the Field Report (two months) and Long Term Report (six months).

Reviewer Background

I enjoy walking in all its manifold forms, from a simple stroll in the woods to multi-day backpack excursions. Though by no means an extreme ultra-light enthusiast, from spring to fall my preference is to carry a pack weight of 12 lb (5.5 kg), more or less. In recent years, I've rapidly moved to a philosophy of "lighter is better," within the constraints of budget and common sense.