• 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

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.

Field Testing [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 from lows around 50 ºF (10 ºC) to highs around 105 ºF (41 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations ranged from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m).

Each time I wore the socks I wore them for two days straight, with – at most – a rinsing at night, to simulate trail conditions as much as possible. They continue to fit and feel just as good now as they did when I got them. They did not stretch, sag, twist, rub, or do any other nasty things to my feet, and they still provide excellent cushioning. They look only very slightly worn, which is to say I can tell from looking that they have been worn and washed, but I would be hard pressed to say how many times. They actually look like they did two months ago.

Since my Field Report, I spent a week of 10-15 mile (16-24 km) days – just wandering around scout camp – at the end of July. Temperatures for this trip ranged from lows around 65 ºF (18 ºC) to highs around 105 ºF (41 ºC) with fairly high humidity creating a heat index of 115 °F (46 °C), and elevations ranged from about 800’ (244 m) to about 1,200’ (366 m) with a lot of ups and downs. The Feetures got several days of wear that week. My feet stayed dry and (relatively) cool, with no hot spots, bunching or sagging. I was very happy with the results.

I have worn 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

Things I was 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: 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 in my Initial Report, the sizing does not quite match what I am used to. Fabric. No true pilling, just very slightly noticeable wear. Definitely not waterproof, but the wicking keeps my feet dry. Warmth. The wicking has kept my feet comfortable – in my hiking boots – up to a heat index of 115 °F (46 °C). It has not been cold enough during the test period for me to need socks for warmth, but my impression and experience tell me that I will be warm enough in any situation where I would wear such short socks. Their small size and light weight should make them very nice sleeping socks in cold weather, also. Comfort. They feel nicely padded where I need them to be. Washability. Standard laundry. I have also rinsed them and hung them to dry overnight.

Things I like [return to top] Well padded. Comfortable. Durable. 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.

Summary [return to top] These have become my new warm/hot weather hiking socks, and will likely be along on all future trips, as well as remaining in my regular rotation. They are well thought out and very well executed.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Feetures Outdoor Quarter Crew > Chuck Kime > Long Term Report