• Merino wool for superior warmth.
• CoolMax® helps keep feet dry.
• Unique Power Bands of Lycra® hug your entire foot for maximum support.
• The Perfect Toe™ (No irritating toe seam.)
• Perfect blend of natural and high-tech fibers.
• Famous Fit & Feel™ – Won’t slip inside your shoe.
• Warms and protects without the bulk.
• Size indicated on each sock for easier identification/matching.
• Content:
  • 35% CoolMax® Polyester
  • 28% Merino Wool
  • 18% Acrylic
  • 17% Nylon
  • 2% Lycra® Spandex

Arrival [return to top] The socks arrived on May 5, 2006, on a standard retail hang-card with a hang-tag for their Perfect Toe technology. The card contained sizing fabric, and washing (Machine wash warm. Tumble dry. No bleach.) information. The package was received undamaged.
Description [return to top] The Outdoor Quarter Crew (also available in crew length) is the latest addition to the Feetures line of socks. They have a ribbed cuff about 1½ in (4 cm) high, and a ribbed Power Band the same width wrapping all the way around the mid-foot. A decorative – and trademarked – line about ¼ in (5 mm) wide goes forward from the ankle, over the top of the toe, and back to the ankle. The size – “M” in this case – is indicated on the left of each sock, just below this line and on the Power Band.
First Impressions [return to top] The socks are exactly what I expected based on the web site, with one exception. In my experience, men’s size Large socks are usually US shoe size 10-13 – and are large enough to be too long for my feet – so I stick with Medium, as I prefer socks be slightly too small than slightly too large to prevent bunching. Feetures’ size Large socks are US size 9-12.5, although there is no sizing chart that I could find on the web site telling me this. This sizing would put me in the lower range of Large instead of the upper range of Medium. I have worn the Medium, however, and am very comfortable with the snug fit.
Field Information [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 30 ºF (-1 ºC) to highs around 95 ºF (35 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (two down – many to go!) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge. My son has begun working on the Hiking Merit Badge, which requires the completion of five 10-mile (16 km) hikes and one 20-mile (32 km) hike, and needs a buddy to accompany him on these hikes (i.e. me). These hikes, only two of which have been done so far, will likely be done at relatively low elevations in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a possibility of doing a short section of the Appalachian Trail (in Pennsylvania) for the 20-miler. I generally wear socks while hiking, foregoing them only around camp in my sandals. As I hope to be on some even more varied terrain in the coming months as our Scouts start choosing new destinations for our monthly trips, I think it is time to add additional socks to my pack, both to keep my feet dry and to try different types out. I plan to wear the socks on all coming outdoor trips, including camping and hiking, as well as wearing them to work (in an office) at least once a week, checking for both comfort and durability.
I currently plan to wear the socks with the following footwear:
Generic leather (?) store-brand sandals from a department store
Coleman Sandals
KEEN Venice Sandals
New Balance 851 Trail Runners
Cherokee (Target-brand) Hikers
New Balance 747 Country Walkers (possibly)
Things I am/will be looking for: Fit. Do they fit me? Is the sizing on the web site accurate? Fabric. Is it durable? Does it stretch (permanently)? Does it fade? Is it windproof? Waterproof? Does it pill, pull, or snag readily? Warmth. How cold can it get and still keep my feet warm in sandals? How warm can it get and still keep my feet cool in boots? How much warmth do they add to my sleep system? Comfort. Do they keep my feet dry? Is the padding well located? Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Do they dry well? Do they hold much dirt in the first place?
My findings so far: Fit. They fit quite nicely. I prefer to be at the upper end of a size range, since I’d rather my socks be slightly too small than slightly too large. As noted above, the sizing does not quite match what I am used to. Comfort. They feel nicely padded where I need them to be.
Things I like [return to top] Well padded. Comfortable. Things I don't like [return to top] Sizing doesn’t match what I am used to, but that is more a website/documentation issue than a sock issue.
Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Feetures Outdoor Quarter Crew > Chuck Kime > Initial Report