I live outside a small town in northeast Alabama. I also enjoy hunting, fishing, canoeing, and most other outdoor activities. Backpacking is my favorite pastime. I consider myself a knowledgeable backpacker but I am not an expert. I enjoy hiking with my friends and family or solo. I limit my hiking to areas fairly close to home, usually within a day's drive of home. I hike throughout the year and actually hike the least in the hot humid months of summer. My style is slow and steady and my gear is light. However I will sacrifice weight for comfort and durability. A typical 3 season load for me is around 20 lb (9 kg) not counting food or water. I usually sleep in a hammock and cook with an alcohol stove. I generally hike in New Balance 806 trail runners but will wear several different shoes and boots during this test. My backpacking trips are usually 2, 3 or 4 days in length.

Product Information

Test Item	Hiking Level 3 Wool/THOR•LON® - TREKKER crew TKX (socks)
Web Address	http://www.thorlo.com
Sock Size	13 (unisex = mens US shoe size 9 to 12.5)
Color	Lt Grey
Weight	n/a on packaging or website
Checked Weight	4.6 oz (130 g )
MSRP	$15.99 US

Product Description
The Hiking Level 3 Wool/THOR•LON® - TREKKER crew large TKX will be referred to as the TREKKER socks throughout the report. The TREKKER socks are a blend of materials (FIBERS) to maximize performance. Nylon, for example, adds durability. The breakdown is as follows; TKX Fiber Contents:
44% THOR·LON® Acrylic,
39% wool, 8% stretch nylon,
6% insulating hollow-core polyester,
3% stretch nylon

The TREKKER socks are designed for extended hiking in all weather conditions. They look like traditional boot socks but are padded in ways to benefit hikers. The diagram of the TREKKER'S shows where the extra padding and other features are located. I can feel the socks and find these features but testing will reveal the true story.

(1) Ventilation panel enhances wicking.

(2) Heavyweight padding in the heel and ball protect the foot from shear and impact forces helping to prevent painful blistering.

(3) Lace pad protects the top of the foot against boot lace pressure.

(4) Elastic and low density padding in the arch create a snug fit.

(5) Full padding around the toe area for ultimate comfort.

Thorlos warranty
Thorlos feel better than your 'ordinary socks' or your money back. This means that within 30 days of purchasing Thorlos, if you decide that your feet do not feel better in Thorlos than in your ordinary socks, we will refund the full retail price of your Thorlos.

Thorlos do not have a durability warranty since no product made from textile fibers is indestructible.

Initial Impression
When I saw the TREKKER socks on the Thorlo website I was impressed with the array of other socks offered. I counted 96 different types of socks (using the retail price list). I came away with the impression that Thorlo is serious about their socks. The TREKKER socks arrived packaged just like the ones I saw in outdoor stores I haunt. I also received a Thorlo product catalog and a retail price list.

The TREKKER socks are rated for all weather conditions. I have to say, they look like some serious winter socks to me. They are about as heavy as my other boot socks, go as high up on my leg as my other boot socks etc. The 39% wool in the socks is not itchy at all. The size 13 fit my feet well but are a tad looser than I was expecting. I wear US size 11 or 11.5 shoes which fall right in the middle of the range of sizes for the size 13 sock. I will have to see if the slightly big fit leads to bunching when I hike long distances in the socks. Overall the TREKKER socks look and feel great and I am itching (but not from the socks) to get out and test them.

Test Plan
I have a complicated test skeem set up...wear then wash, repeat over and over. But I will be trying the socks in a variety of shoes from trail runners to full on winter boots. I will use them in some warm weather (hot weather is over this year) and report on any over heating or excess sweating if I notice it.

I will follow the guidelines Thorlo recommends in caring for the socks. The website has detailed care information as well as other recommendations on getting the most out of socks like not wearing them for house slippers. That said, I don't plan to baby the socks either. They will be used for short hikes with and without a pack as well as for some serious winter trips I plan to take during the next several months.

I will mostly be concerned with how comfortable the socks wear with all my hiking shoes and boots, especially after a long day of hiking. I will answer how easy it is to care for the socks at home and on the trail. I will answer how well the socks hold their shape and how well they fit after repeated washings. I hope to find out the socks are warm for really cold weather. I will report on how well they dry in the field after I get them wet from sweating or after washing.

My testing will be conducted on hikes in the southeastern United States. I will record all weather conditions and other relevant information as I conduct my test.

I would like to thank BackpackGearTest.org and Thorlo for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Read more reviews of Thorlo gear
Read more gear reviews by Coy Ray Starnes

Initial Report

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