Field and test information
During the four-month period covered by this Long Term Report, the Dahlgren Dri-Stride Alpaca socks were used for a mix of day hikes and overnight backpacking trips in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains of New York State, at elevations to 4500 ft (1372 m). Most of the hiking involved off-trail excursions i.e. "bushwhacks," and included a number of the more difficult Catskill peaks. Minimum pack load was 12 lb (5.4 kg) or so for day hikes and up to 28 lb (11.3 kg) for backpacks. The lowest temperatures experienced during the test period were at elevation, down to approximately -10 F (-23 C). In the months since I filed my Field Report, winter ruled in the mountains, and most of my activities involved snowshoes or skis, with a minimum of bare-booting (hiking without snowshoes or crampons). Despite a late start, the winter was a snowy one. The highest temperature at which the socks were worn was around 60 F (16 C).
Product Use and Performance
I should say at the outset that this has been a very agreeable test. A good pair of socks is critical to comfortable hiking and backpacking, and in most regards the Dahlgren socks have been exceptional. It's rather rare for me to feel near unalloyed enthusiasm for a product I'm testing, but I've extolled these to my wife, friends and anyone else who will listen!
I have the minor misfortune to have hammer toes, a deformation (probably hiking-related) that in its present form can cause pressure on the nerves in the ball of the foot. In consequence, good padding in that area is important to me. The Dahlgren socks have proved admirable in this regard, and I have taken to wearing them occasionally as regular socks when this condition is acting up a bit. This is a reflection of their well thought-out construction; they are designed (see Initial Report) with zones of varying thickness and materials to reflect the stresses to which the foot is subjected while hiking.
For the winter months in the Catskills, I don't usually (except when cross-country skiing) wear insulated boots, preferring a pair of hefty Scarpa Rio boots (good for mountain use, but largely uninsulated) or (on warmer days) an Asolo GORE-TEX lined three-season boot. In consequence, although I did test the socks at quite low temperatures frequently, I did not (for safety reasons) use them during periods when I was exposed to protracted, bitter cold.
I was snowshoeing over the winter more often than not. I found the socks generally sufficient for cold days, with a couple of exceptions. One was on a morning with an initial temperature of -10 F (-23 C), although even then my feet were not chilled to the point where I felt the need to change to something warmer. Similarly, while cross-country skiing on a 5 F (-15 C) day with a fairly strong wind-chill, my feet were again slightly chilly. This was while wearing a pair of insulated back-country ski boots, so I found this slightly surprising, but the difference between the mechanics of skiing versus those of hiking may be the explanation. These socks are not intended to be expedition-weight (though Dahlgren does manufacture socks in this category), and I was clearly close to the lower limit of what the sock could handle on both these occasions.
I wore them a couple of times with my Vasque Arctics (a boot which saw little use this winter, as I don't find them especially comfortable). These are heavily insulated, and I had no chilling problems at similar temperatures to those noted above. To reiterate, while these socks are not intended for truly severe cold, they were sufficient for most of the winter conditions I experienced, while not so heavy that my feet sweltered at warmer temperatures. They performed well with crampons (which can cause cold feet, as they conduct heat away from the sole of the boot). I did not wear the Dahlgrens with liner socks as I found it unnecessary. I also did not wear them with oversocks; that combination was too bulky for the boots I was wearing.
One reason for their warmth seems to be that they do, as claimed, wick moisture extremely well. Even under GORE-TEX gaiters I found that my feet were stayed nice and dry. Damp feet are generally cold feet in winter, so this wicking ability is a distinct asset, and (though I did not quite soak out my boots) I found that the socks helped keep my feet dry when travelling in slushy, watery snow.
A dry foot helps prevents chafing, and I am happy to report that I experienced no blisters while wearing these socks. Of course, this is partly a function of the boot, but I'm convinced that the soft interiors of the Dahlgren socks make for happy feet! While on the subject of comfort, I should note that the "slop" I mentioned in earlier reports indeed was definitively the result of stretching in the boots I was wearing at the time (since returned to their manufacturer).
These socks have been worn and washed about thirty times over the six-month period. The fit remains pretty much the same, so far as I can determine, as when they were new. They have not retained any noticeable odor. So far as wear goes, there is some very minor pilling to the fibrous sole in the interior of the sock, but of greater import is the wear evident at the heels. Although not yet worn through, much of the interior pile has rubbed away in one small area, leaving a thin spot. Failure doesn't seem absolutely imminent, but I am concerned that these have far less life remaining than I would anticipate after so few wearings. This is, after all, a premium sock, built for hard use. I have rough skin on my heels, so this damage is not totally unexpected, but does seem premature. I'm led to the conclusion that liner socks might be necessary because of my rough skin, a shame as that spoils the tactile pleasure of the alpaca/merino blend and might interfere with the wicking ability of the sock. On a final note, the ankles have retained their elasticity, and stay snugly in place.
I had previously mentioned that I had noted some staining to my toes on one occasion. I have not noted a repeat of this, and I'm inclined to attribute the problem to the boot lining, as the boot itself had got somewhat wet. All said and done, these are fine socks.
Summary
The Dahlgren Alpaca socks are warm (though not sufficient for extreme cold, for which they are not intended), extremely comfortable and resilient. They fit well, and live up to the "Dri-Stride" portion of their name with excellent wicking qualities. There may be better socks for backpacking and hiking out there, but they have not come my way.
Pro
- Extremely comfortable, with padding at all the right places
- Durable, very resistant to wear from calloused skin and repeated washings
- The wicking system is extremely effective
- Functional across a wide temperature range
Con
- Heel wear (not uncommon with my socks, but occurring here a bit faster than expected)
I thank BackpackGearTest and Dahlgren Footwear for permitting me to participate in this very interesting test.
