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Owner Review: Wigwam Ironman Triathlete Socks
Review Date: April 18, 2005
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| Biographical Information |
| Name: |
Phillip Engle |
| Age: |
40 |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Height: |
6' (1.8 m) |
| Weight: |
180 lb (82 kg) |
| Email: |
pjengle@hotmail.com |
| City, State, Country: |
Austin, Texas, USA |
| Backpacking Background: |
I've been backpacking since about 1975 (30 years). Since 1995, I've made at least one long (10-14 days) trip every year - two when I can manage it - and a number of shorter trips (3-5 days). I've spent a lot of time in Maine, the New Hampshire Whites, Colorado, New Mexico, California, a little time in Washington (too little), and, of course, Texas. I've section hiked the Northern 400ish miles (640 km) of the Appalachian Trail (AT) (North-South). I'm planning to alternate my annual long trip each year between section hikes of the AT, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and Continental Divide Trail (CDT). |
| Product Information |
| Manufacturer: |
Wigwam |
| Year Model: |
2001 |
| Date Purchased: |
January 2001 |
| Price: |
$5.50 MSRP |
| Website: |
http://www.Wigwam.com |
| Listed Weight: |
1 oz (28 g) per pair |
| Delivered Weight: |
1 oz (28 g) per pair |
| Product Description: |
An ultra-light, ultra-thin synthetic sock with moisture control. 35% Olefin, 30% Lumiza Acrylic, 20% Stretch Nylon, 15% Spandex. Comes in white or black. |
| Field Information |
| I have worn these socks in a variety of locations. I’ve run marathons in them alone. I’ve hiked in them (as a liner) in sub-freezing conditions through ice and snow on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, and in hot and dry conditions through the Grand Canyon and West Texas, and during a very wet (rained non-stop for 14 days) trip on the Appalachian Trail. I also wear these socks daily to run or anytime I wear my running shoes. |
| Summary |
| I have notoriously tender feet – especially at the onset of a trip – and tend to be susceptible to blisters. As a result, I have always worn liner socks as I’ve found that they reduce the amount of friction produced between my skin and my outer sock or shoe/boot. The light weight and low volume of these socks lets me take a clean pair for every day on the trail. I’ve found that they are durable and comfortable, similar in my opinion to cotton. These socks come just over the ankle which helps with ventilation in hotter/wetter environments. I have a few pairs that have snagged on sharp rocks or thorns (my own fault for walking around camp in them) and one pair that was chewed by my dog (but which I still use). Some pairs I’ve had for 5 years with no pilling at all, only a loss of elasticity after about 1-2 years of twice-a-month use. The socks are of uniform weight or thickness throughout, and I have yet to wear through any portion of the sock (heel, toe, etc.) – except for the pair that snagged and the pair that my dog chewed through. Typically, when hiking, I wear a clean pair every day, but the socks do dry in my pack or bag overnight. They also wick moisture very well and have eliminated my chronic case of “trail foot” on all but the soggiest trips. They have no special care requirements and any smell is gone with a single washing. |
| Pros |
Cons |
- Comfortable
- Durable (even with damage)
- Wick moisture well
- Light weight
- Low volume
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- Snags easily
- Poor performance as dog chew toy
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Read more reviews of Wigwam gear
Read more gear reviews by Phillip Engle
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