Initial Report:
Teko Merino Wool Hiking Sock

Product Description
The manufacturer of Teko Socks emphasizes the company’s commitment to minimizing the ecological impacts of their manufacturing process. According to the Teko website, the advantages of merino wool are as follows:

• Comfort—Merino wool cools and warms the body. Wool buffers the body's microclimate from changing temperatures, maintaining consistent comfort. Wool has the added benefit that as it absorbs moisture, the fibers release a small but perceptible amount of heat. It is the original 'intelligent' fiber.
  

• Moisture Control and Management—Merino wool fibers have a complex structure with a hydrophilic (water-holding) interior, known as the cortex, and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) exterior, known as the cuticle. Water can be absorbed into the fiber structure; and when merino fiber is in fabric and garment form, water can also be held in the fabric structure. This means that many garments made from Merino wool can hold large amounts of water without feeling damp even when exposed to rain, moisture or sweaty conditions.

• Renewable, Natural, and Ecological—Merino wool is an annually renewable, natural product. It is durable while in use, yet recyclable and biodegradable at the end of its life cycle. It is produced in free-range farming systems, which are animal and ecologically friendly.

• Easy Care—Merino wool's surface properties allow spills to be easily wiped away before causing permanent staining. Additionally, soil particles don't 'stick' to the garment through electric charge. Merino's moisture absorbing characteristics contribute to excellent wrinkle recovery of fabrics and garments. Simply applying steam to the garment will naturally help restore its form.

Features of the Merino Wool Hiking Sock (according to the Teko website) are:

• Anti-welt double cuff for comfort and fit

• Interwoven Lycra for support and decreased bunching

• Lycra holding rib for superior comfort and support

• Reinforced toe and Y-heel for durability

• Air vents for breathability

• Lycra holding rib for superior comfort and support

• Medium terry cushion from heel to toe

• Lin Toe flat toe seam for smooth fit and comfort

Initial Report
Initial Impressions—First of all, I received two pairs of socks instead of just one pair, which was very generous of Teko. Now I have one pair to wear while the other pair is in the laundry. Second, Teko does a very commendable job of minimizing their ecological impacts in the manufacture of their socks, and appropriately communicating that information in their advertising. It earned them a Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Green Award in 2005. Third, the socks are nicely presented with minimal recyclable packaging. And fourth, the socks themselves clearly project high quality when I look at them and feel them.

• Fabric— 65% Merino wool, 23% recycled polyester, 10% nylon, 2% Lycra®.

• Weight—The socks are heavy weight backpacking socks, designed to provide plenty of cushioning to help prevent blisters while carrying a backpack. The actual weight of the socks in size large is 4.2 ounces (119 g), which is on the heavy side for hiking socks.

• Measurements—Bottom relaxed is 9 in (23 cm), stretched is about 12.5 in (32 cm); height relaxed is 10 in (25 cm), stretched is about 14 in (cm); top opening relaxed is 3.5 in (9 cm), stretched is about 6 in (15 cm).

• Cleaning Instructions—“Machine wash warm inside-out, tumble dry low, no iron, no bleach”.

Test Plan
Test Locations and Conditions—I backpack nearly every week, so the Teko Hiking Socks will see a lot of trail days in the next four months. Between backpacking trips I do numerous day hiking trips in the local Colorado Mountains. This fall and early winter I will be backpacking and day hiking in the canyonlands country of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

I am an ultralight and super ultralight backpacker. My total pack weight is usually 10-20 pounds (4.5-9.1 kg), so the Teko Hiking Socks will not be used for real heavy-duty hiking conditions, in terms of weight. However, I do a lot of off-trail backpacking in really rough, steep conditions, so the socks will be subjected to some challenging conditions from that standpoint.

The testing environments will consist of: badlands desert, canyon country, forests, and high elevation alpine country. Expected extreme conditions include: snow storms, strong winds, dust/rain storms, heavy rain, intense sun, low temperatures, and high elevations with strong UV and intense thunderstorms. Terrains will be forest and desert trails, slickrock hiking, off-trail bushwhacking, scrambling, walking in water and mud, and hiking in snow.

How The Socks Will Be Used—The Teko Merino Wool Hiking Socks will be my primary hiking socks every time I go out in the next four months, which averages 3-4 days a week. I will use them in different footwear, with and without liner socks. Over the four-month test period I will put hundreds of miles on them in all types of terrains and conditions.

On each trip I will take a thermometer with me to measure the actual temperature so I can relate it to my comfort level while using the Teko Socks.  In my notes for each trip, I will record the following data in relation to my comfort wearing the Teko Hiking Socks: 1) temperatures, 2) estimated wind speed, 3) estimated humidity, 4) altitude, 5) precipitation (including what form), 6) trail (or no trail) conditions, 7) how the socks were worn (boots used, with or without liner socks, with or without gaiters, chaps, or rain pants), 7) my exertion level, 8) my comfort level in terms of how warm/cold, wet/dry, or cramped/comfortable my feet feel while using the Teko Hiking Socks, and 9) any foot problems (blisters, hot spots, foot fatigue) that I had on each trip.

Factors Evaluated—Specific factors I will be evaluating the Teko Hiking Socks for are as follows:

• Materials, Quality, and Construction--Are the socks made of high quality materials, and are they well designed and constructed? Is there extra padding to cushion the foot where needed? Is there adequate reinforcement in wear areas?

• Fit--Are they tall enough for full-height boots? How do they fit in a variety of footwear? How well do the socks fit my (wide) feet? Are they true to size? Do they maintain their size after repeated use and washings?

• Comfort--Are the socks comfortable to wear in different footwear and different hiking conditions. Are they warm in cold weather? Are they too hot in hot weather? What is their comfort range in warm weather? Is there enough padding to cushion my feet?

• Usability and Performance--Do they feel soft and comfortable on my feet? Do they provide enough cushioning? Do the socks readily wick moisture away from my feet? When they get wet do they dry out fast? Do they smell after days of use?

• Durability--How well do the socks hold up under constant, heavy use?  Does the elastic hold up over time? Do they launder well, in terms of not shrinking and not retaining stains? What is their expected life span?

• Odor Management--Do the socks have a tendency to smell (any more or less than synthetic socks) when worn on multi-day backpacking trips?

My Expectations For The Teko Merino Wool Hiking Socks
I will test the Teko Socks to determine whether the following expectations are met or not.

1. The socks will be high quality and will not show any excessive wear, pilling, abrasions, or other deterioration during the four-month test period.

2. The Teko Socks will readily fit in my boots, and will not significantly change the sizing of my boots. If I need more volume to make my boots fit properly, I will wear the Teko Socks with liner socks.

3. The Teko Socks will provide noticeably better foot comfort over a variety of terrains and conditions. I will not have any discomfort or fatigue that is caused by the socks themselves.

4. The Teko Socks will improve the performance of my boots, by means of better cushioning, moisture management, and ventilation.

5. The Teko Socks will minimize blisters, hot spots, and foot fatigue from hiking on rocky trails and on high mileage days.

Tester Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Email: willi_wabbit AT bresnan DOT net
City & State: Durango, CO 81301
Location for Testing: Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico).

Backpacking Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 47 years. Backpacking is my passion. In the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in UT, AZ, and NM. In the summer I backpack in several wilderness areas in southern Colorado.

Backpacking Style—I have been a lightweight backpacker for many years and an ultralight backpacker for 6 years. My wife and I give presentations on ultralight backpacking in the local area, and have developed a website called Southwest Ultralight Backpacking (http://home.bresnan.net/~swultralight) to share information.

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank the Teko and the Backpackgeartest Group for selecting me to participate in this test.

Will Rietveld