Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Dahlgren Light Hikers > Laurie Corbin > Long Term Report

Long Term Report–Dahlgren Dristride Alpaca Light Hiking Socks

Personal Information:

Name: Laurie Corbin

Age: 40

Gender: Female

Height: 5' 6" (1.69 m)

Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)

Email: mslimpsalot@yahoo.com

City, State, Country: Cumming, GA USA

Date: May 15, 2005

Backpacking Background:

In the last four years, I have returned to backpacking and hiking. Although I took 18 years off, the woods kept calling. I have been a three-season backpacker but recently ventured into winter backpacking and truly enjoyed it. My three-season pack weight is about 25 pounds total (11.34 kg) but I am really trying to lighten up.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Dahlgren Footwear, Inc.

Manufacturer’s Website: http://www.dahlgrenfootwear.com

Listed Weight: 2.9 oz (82 g)

Actual Weight: 2.8 oz (79 g)

Color: Sage

Style: Crew

Size: Medium

MSRP: $15.50 USD per website

Per packaging:

Toe/Heel Content: 63% Merino Wool, 27% Alpaca, 10% Nylon

Arch/Instep Content: 75% Wickspun Acrylic, 25% Nylon

Leg Content: 90% Wickspun Acrylic, 10% Nylon

Long Term Testing:

I've continued to use the socks for the daily walks of about 5 miles and the socks are holding up well. They show no signs of excessive wear and still perform well after almost daily use. They still cushion well and wick like crazy. The socks are a little fuzzier now but it has not affected their performance. I am impressed with their cushioning after all these months of use. Most socks I have used seem to flatten out but these just keep fluffing up time after time. They have been washed and dried according to manufacturer's instructions and have been easy to launder.

I have used the socks on two backpacking trips since the last report. One trip was an overnight into the Nantahalas. The temperature was near 45 F (7 C) during the day with occasional blowing sleet. Night temperature was about 18 F (-8 C) with high winds and sleet/snow. I wore the socks during the hike in and out. Even though these socks are light hikers, they performed well in the cold temperatures. My feet stayed warm and dry with no frozen toes. I put the socks in the sleeping bag during the night and by morning they were dry and ready to wear.

The second trip was a three day trip with day temperatures near 55 F (13 C) and night temperatures about 45 F (7 C) with lots of rain. Even when very wet, the socks cushioned well and managed to move enough moisture that my feet stayed warm and blister free. The socks were hung in the tent and in shelters at night and by morning, they were still damp but wearable. By the third day, they were slightly smelly but not really offensive.

My initial considerations were:

1. Durability—The socks have held up well to near constant use. They are fuzzy in the heel and the ball of the foot but still perform well. I was concerned by the sagging of the uppers but the problem has not gotten worse. It just seems to be a more relaxed fit. They have laundered well at home and on the trail. I am very pleased with the way these socks have taken the abuse.

2. Temperature control—I've had no heat rash while wearing these socks. They wick well and keep my feet warm and dry in the cold and cool and dry in the heat. They also manage not to stink quite as badly as other wool socks I've worn.

3. Fit—The socks have not shrunk or sagged in the foot area. The upper is a little relaxed but not to the point it is falling down around my boot. These socks are also the softest sock I've worn. They still fit well and are as comfortable as the day they arrived.

Things I liked:

1. Very soft

2. Wick well and keep my feet dry

Things I didn't like:

None

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Dahlgren Light Hikers > Laurie Corbin > Long Term Report