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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Dahlgren Backpacking Socks > Ken Bigelow > Field ReportDahlgren Dristride Alpaca
Backpacking
Socks
Personal
Biographical Information:
Name: Ken Bigelow Age: 26 Gender: Male Height: 5’ 8” (1.7 m) Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg) Email: krb84108 (at) yahoo (dot) com Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Date: January 3, 2004 Backpacking Background: I was first dragged on a backpacking trip seven years ago and have been addicted to it ever since. My adventures vary in length from a weekend to over two weeks. I consider myself a lightweight backpacker, but still like to pack along a few luxuries, such as a tent. From fall through spring my adventures are in canyon country and in the summer I retreat to the mountains. I typically see a wide variety of climates ranging from 10 F (-12 C) with snow to 90 F (32 C) and sunny with just about everything in between Product Information: Manufacturer: Dahlgren Footwear Website: www.dahlgrenfootwear.com Model: Dristride Alpaca Heavy Backpacking Sock Size: Large Listed weight: 4.2 oz (119 g) Measured weight: 4.2 oz (119 g) Color: Olive MSRP: $17.00 (US) Fabric content: Toe/Heel – 45% Alpaca, 45% Merino Wool, 10% Nylon Arch/Instep – 75% Wickspun Acrylic, 25% Nylon Leg – 90% Wickspun Acrylic, 10% Nylon Field Conditions: The socks have been tested on hiking and backpacking trips in Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Zion National Park, the Grand Staircase Escalante, and the Wasatch Mountains. Additionally, the socks have been worn in and around Salt Lake City at least once a week. Terrain has included gravel washes, muddy hills, slick-rock and dry dirt paths. The weather has ranged from sunny and 70 F (21 C) to snow and 15 F (-9 C). Elevations have ranged from around 280 feet below sea level to (-85 m) to 9,100 feet (2774 m). Field Findings: I usually wear the Dahlgren Dristride Backpacking with either my Vasque Zephyr GTX backpacking boots or in some cases New Balance 475 all terrain running sneaker. I have tested the socks and observed how they compared with the manufacturer’s claim of handling moisture, providing comfort, performance as a backpacking sock, and product durability. Overall, the socks have performed rather well in the field. The cushioning zones at the toes and heel performed marvelously. After climbing and descending steep trails my feet normally feel like a fire hazard. That was not the case while hiking with these socks on. After tackling steep terrain in Bryce Canyon and Zion I was impressed to find my toes and heels quite dry and comfortable. Boulder hopping produced similar results and I am amazed at how well the socks shift perspiration away from my skin. The moisture is transferred away from the toes and heel areas just as the manufacturer claimed. The socks also take Mother Nature’s water pretty well. My socks were dampened while crossing the Escalante River and a few of its tributaries. They were not soaked so I continued hiking in them for a few miles until I reached camp. I was shocked to see my feet were blister free when I arrived. They dried over night and were wearable the next morning. While bushwhacking through extremely rocky washes in Death Valley my feet never needed a break for discomfort. Walking around camp wearing only Dahlgren socks on my feet allowed me to leave camp shoes at home and save a little pack weight. Camp shoes are not the only place these socks see double duty. These socks are so warm and comfortable that they are now used as slippers when I am at home. The socks kept my feet warm and toasty on a chilly night in Zion when the temperature dipped near 15 F (-9 C) and 6 inches (15 cm) of snow fell. The following day it never made it above freezing so I had to wade through snow and mud. At no time did my feet ever feel the chill that my face and fingers had to endure. These are definitely cold weather socks. I normally sleep with my socks on but in Death Valley I encountered evening temperatures around 50 F (10 C) which actually forced me to take off my socks at night so I could cool off and fall asleep. So far the sock’s ability to perform well came into question only on my initial hikes while wearing my hiking boots. On my first two hikes with the socks I noticed my heel would slip from side to side inside my hiking boots when going up steep terrain. Tightening the laces on my hiking boots fixed this problem on both occasions. I believe this issue is related solely to my hiking boots as I have never had this problem while wearing my trail running shoes. The socks have not yet shown any durability problems. They have been washed about once a week and no loss in their elasticity or insulation ability has been noticed. Washing the socks multiple times has not yet shown any deterioration of the material. Odor buildup is not yet an issue as foot odor can still be removed through washing them. The manufacturer indicates that the socks will become fuzzy while wearing them (washing them returns them to normal). Initially this was true, but after three or four washes the socks have not become fuzzy even when wearing them for consecutive days. The manufacturer does warn that after washing the socks will shrink, but wearing them will stretch them back to their original fit. I have not noticed this at all. From what I have observed so far, the durability of Dahlgren Dristride Backpacking socks surpasses the manufacturers claim. Long Term Testing Plan: I will continue to wear and examine the socks performance for the remainder of the test period. Features to investigate include: Moisture – Will the socks continue to absorb and transfer moisture away from the toe and heel area of the foot? How long will it take them to dry when completely soaked? Performance – Will they allow my feet to slip inside my footwear or is tightening the laces permanently solved the problem? Comfort - Will they remain comfortable through the remainder of the test period? Will they lose their ability to insulate? Durability – Will the socks show any major wear and tear after 6 months of testing? Do they stretch over time? When will odor start to build up? Summary: Thus far the socks have met or exceeded the manufacturer’s claim of a comfortable, warm backpacking sock that helps move moisture away from the feet. Additional, they have withstood the abuse I subjected them too and do not have any scars to show for it. In closing, I’d like to thank Dahlgren Footwear and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test the Dristride Alpaca backpacking socks. Read more reviews of Dahlgren gear Read more gear reviews by Ken Bigelow Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Dahlgren Backpacking Socks > Ken Bigelow > Field Report | |||