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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Teko Eco Merino Hiking Socks > Kathy Waters > Field ReportField Report: Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks Contents: Tester Biographical Information <back to top> Name: Kathleen Waters Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 on a gorgeous fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs, CO. Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the winter. When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) and then one whole weekend day. Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily wooded. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere! Product Information (from website) <back to top>
Description: For a detailed description of the Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks, please see my Initial Report Product Information (from tester) Size: Medium Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results <back to top> In the two weeks that I have had the Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks, I have worn them a total of 36 hours. Most of the testing has been for one to three hours at a time while doing short hikes locally. However, I was able to perform two six hour tests while hiking in the Gaylord/Bellaire area in northern lower Michigan. Fully half of the "hikes" were actually snowshoe hikes since we have been blessed with wonderful early snow this year! The terrain has ranged from flat surfaces to gently rolling hills, nothing real strenuous and no real elevation changes worth noting. The trails have mainly been hard packed (snowless) dirt trails on the earliest tests to (now) wet soft snow on unbroken paths through the woods. It's been COLD with temperatures no higher than 25 F (-3.9 C), all the way down to 5 F (-15 C) on a couple of night hikes. While I have been out testing during snow storms/showers, I haven't had any experience with rain (and don't expect any during this testing period)) and wind hasn't been a factor either. Pack weight has also been a non-factor so far during this testing with a day pack weight of under 5 lb (2.3 g) thus far. However, when snowshoeing, I have the added weight of the Yukon Charlie 825 Chinook snowshoes of 4.3 lb (2 kg) to contend with. The Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks have performed perfectly for the short period of time that I have been testing them. They fit well and true to the Teko size chart on the website and on the packaging, however, the toe is a bit roomier than I would like. I have to be very careful to adjust the toe of the sock before I jam my foot into my boots or the sock bunches up a bit at the toe. This is not too big an issue, but an extra second or two of patience is required. Terry cushioning in the arch area snugly gives extra support to my arches and my feet definitely appreciate this feature, especially after several hours of pounding hard dirt. No creeping cuffs means less time pulling up socks from deep down in my boots and Teko keeps its promise of stay-put cuffs that are not-too-tight, but just right. The cuffs are nicely positioned at mid-calf on me. With the temperatures hovering around 15 F (-9 C), I have been very comfortable wearing the Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks both hiking and snowshoeing. At no time have I been aware of cold toes. My feet have been damp a couple of times after strenuous snowshoeing, but I'm not sure yet whether that is because of perspiration or because my feet have gotten wet from snow. Further testing (with different boots) should answer that question. Summary to Date <back to top> The Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks are definitely an outstanding choice for cold weather hiking or other outdoor activity. They are comfortable to wear from the start to the finish of a hike. They offer support for both my calves and arches and are soft and non-itchy! I look forward to continued testing over the next couple of month. Continuing Test Plan <back to top> I am looking forward to at least two 2-day hiking trips here in Michigan through this winter. I will be back in Colorado January 2 through 6 where I hope to get in a hike to Pike's Peak, the rest of the time will be in the Cooper Mountain area. In February, again I will be Colorado for a birthday trip to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I also plan on averaging my usual 2 day hikes (or snowshoeing trips when weather permits) per week. Hiking or snowshoeing will take place in terrain that will include the sandy lakeshore dunes of Lake Michigan in western lower Michigan and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Elevation will range from 177 ft to 14,110 ft (54 m to 4301 m) and I anticipate that temperatures over the remaining days of winter will vary from 10 F to 60 F (-12 C to 16 C). I'm sure to experience cold, wind and rain and snow in Michigan and most certainly at Pike's Peak and the Sangres in Colorado. Some questions still be to answered I will be mainly concerned with the durability issues of the Teko EcoMerino Wool Hiking Socks for the second part of the testing period. I have deliberately worn only one of the test pairs of the socks thus far so I could compare the wear and tear of the tester socks against the "new" pair. After one washing, I see no real changes, but I will be making comparisons between the "used" and the "new" socks after a couple more washes. Other questions are:
· Do the socks stretch out after washing? · Do the socks shrink after washing? · Does the elastic remain stable after repeated use and washing/drying? I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period. Kathy Waters Read more reviews of Teko gear Read more gear reviews by Kathleen Waters Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Teko Eco Merino Hiking Socks > Kathy Waters > Field Report | |||
