I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips involving family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel.

Having started backpacking in heavy leather clod hoppers as a youth, I now generally wear New Balance 806 shoes, size 13 EE, supplemented with Superfeet inserts. My feet have turned quite nasty over the years, with occasionally missing toe nails, calluses, cracks, and, after a long hike, a particular fragrance that reminds one of a dead rodent. I find a good pair of socks makes a big difference.

This is the first of three reports of the Dahlgren Dri-Stride Alpaca Light Hiking Socks and is based solely on inspection at home. Future reports will describe my experiences with the socks over two and then six months.

Product Description:

Dahlgren Dri-Stride Alpaca Light Hiking Socks in package The socks arrived by FedEx in the typical FedEx box, which was rather large for the socks, but no padding was needed.

The retail package is a very friendly design. Rather than the usual sticky label wrapped around the socks, or the annoying plastic tag fastener piercing the socks to the package, Dahlgren uses a package made entirely of light cardboard. The front simply says:

MID-WEIGHT
XL Crew [my size]
LIGHT HIKING
DAHLGREN
dristride alpaca

The back has a diagram explaining Dahlgren's patented Dri-Stride system and fabric content. (More on this later.) One side describes the use intended for this model of sock and the other side has a size chart.

The package opens from one side to reveal interlocking cardboard flaps from which the socks hang. If a sock is removed for inspection in the store, it can easily be put back in the package without damage to the packaging. Inside these flaps are the following washing instructions: "Turn sock inside out. Wash in cool water. Gentle Cycle. No bleach. Wash with like colors. Tumble dry." It also mentions that alpaca socks naturally become fuzzy when worn and return to normal after washing, and that washing may make them seem a bit smaller but they will return to original size when put back on.

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price is $15.50. There is a 30 day guarantee. Dahlgren's website is http://www.dahlgrenfootwear.com.

According to the manufacturer, the Light Hiking socks provide moderate cushioning for light to moderate hikes in warm to moderately cool weather. Their website indicates these are their "mid weight" socks and that they weigh 2.9 ounces. I measured my sample at just over 3 ounces, which is what I expected given my size XL. My socks are a "slate" grey color, with "Alpaca" and the Dahlgren logo woven into one side and "Dahlgren" woven into the other side.

Dahlgren Dri-Stride Alpaca Light Hiking Sock before use. (Bottom sock inside-out) The sock is constructed with different zones around the foot. The toe and heel are 63% Merino wool, 27% alpaca, and 10% nylon for cushioning and moisture absorption. The arch and instep are 75% "Wickspin" acrylic and 25% nylon for support. At the top of the foot where it meets the shin there is a "flex zone" designed to prevent the sock from bunching. The leg of the sock, which reaches to the middle of my calf, is 90% "Wickspin" acrylic and 10% nylon to transfer moisture away.

Inside the sock, the seam at the toe is neatly finished and less bulky than I expected for wool socks. A seam also runs along each side of the sock. This seam looks rather rough and even a bit bulky (see sock in bottom of photo), but the fabric is so fine and soft that it lays flat gently against my feet.

Initial Impression:

Since I wear a size 13 shoe, I ordered the XL size sock, which fits shoe sizes 13 to 16. At first glance, it actually looked a bit small, but fit very comfortably once I put it on. The sock is very soft and comfortable, with no bunching or pressure points noted. I did find the sock is so smooth it is a bit slippery on my tile floor. Although the toe and heel have a high wool content, I noticed no scratchiness. So far, this sock feels great.

Next: The socks will be used on all my trips during the next several months. These will be primarily in the deserts of Southern California where the nighttime temperatures can dip to freezing. Subsequent trips will include a snow camp at 7,000 feet (2,100 m) in February. I expect temperatures around 15 degrees F (-9 C) and possible rain and snow. During this test I will look at:

Fit after a day of hiking when my feet swell and pronate.
Comfort, impact absorption, coolness, bunching, arch support, and (hopefully not) pressure points and blisters.
Water absorption, including how quickly they dry after a wet stream crossing.
Durability, including abrasion resistance from sand in my shoes and seam durability.
Cleaning, both at home and on the trail.
Wear (although I promise not to include any scratch-and-sniff patches of my feet).

Read more reviews of Dahlgren gear
Read more gear reviews by Bill Jeffrey

Initial Report

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