Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Integral Designs Hot Socks > Jack Corrigan > Field Report

Product Name:

Integral Designs Hot Socks

Personal Biographical Information:

Name: John (Jack) Corrigan

Age: 40 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters)

Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)

Torso: 20 inches (51 centimeters)

Shoe Size: 9.5 Mens

Email: jack@jackquest.com

Region: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Spotsylvania County)

Report Date: 3FEB2004

Background:

I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska. I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through the outdoors.

My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling, hunting and canine search and rescue activities. My last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Integral Designs

Manufactured Date: 2003

Manufacturer URL: http://www.integraldesigns.com

Listed Weight:
Product Catalog- 4.7 ounces (135 grams)
Product Web Page- 4 ounces (no metric weight listed)
Product Hang Tag- 4.7 ounces (133 grams)

Delivered Weight: 4.7 ounces (133 grams)

Note: Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale.

Additional Product Information:

Color: Black

Size: Large

Listed Packed Size:
Product Catalog- 7 by 3 inch (no metric size listed) Silcoat Stuff Sack
Product Web Page- 6 by 3 inch (no metric size listed) Silcoat Stuff Sack
Product Hang Tag- 7 by 3 inch (no metric size listed) Silcoat Stuff Sack

Delivered Packed Size: 7 by 3.5 inch (18 by 9 centimeter) Silcoat Stuff Sack

MSRP: $35.00 US Dollars

Location:

Field testing locations were in northern Virginia and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Description of Location:

The terrain for these field testing locations was lightly forested regions in mountain "elevations" of 200 to 1500 feet (60 to 460 meters).

Weather Conditions:

This field test period was conducted from approximately November through January.

Conditions were varied and included clear crisp evenings, rain and snow. The "warmest" night time temperature was 48°F (9°C) while the "coldest" was 28°F (-2°C).

Product Experience:

The Integral Designs Hot Socks were mainly used in combination with REI Midweight and Expedition Weight MTS Bottoms/Zip T-Necks as sleepwear during this test period. I have not experienced any material failure and I have not had to wash the Hot Socks yet.

Prior each use, my feet were slightly over heated from normal around camp activity in boots with a liner sock/wool sock combination. The Hot Socks were always at "room" or should I say tent temperature. There was definitely a chilling feeling when the socks were first put on, but that blast only lasted a minute or two before a comfortable cozy feeling was felt. I did venture out for a midnight "stroll" with about 2-3 inches (5-8 centimeters) of crunchy snow on the ground. It was odd walking on snow in just socks and I was only out as long I needed, if you get my drift! After a few minutes of standing still, I could feel the cold making its way through the sock.

Sleeping in the Hot Socks was very comfortable. The inside material is very smooth and soft against the skin. My initial fear that the socks would not stay on never did materialize. Despite my frequent tossing and turning, not once did they come off. Instead of stowing the socks in their stuff sack, I just keep them in the sleeping bag.

Around the cabin the Hot Socks were once again comfortable to lounge around in. I had thought that in heated room temperatures they would be too warm. But this was not the case and they "insulate" from the cooler wood floor.

So far the Integral Designs Hot Socks have performed better than expected, I was concerned that they would not stay on during the night, but that has not been an issue. I plan to try and establish a low temperature threshold, if both weather and schedule will cooperate. I also will increase the around the cabin use to further check the durability of the outer fabric, there hasn't been much wear and tear inside the sleeping bag!

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Integral Designs Hot Socks > Jack Corrigan > Field Report