Name: Bob Sanders
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 190 lb (81.6 kg)
Shoe Size: 11 U.S. 44.5 European
Email: sherpabob(at)mac(dot)com
City: Boulder, Colorado

Backpacking Background: I went on my first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout at the age of 16. Over the years I have hiked the Wonderland Trail in Washington and section hiked parts of the Florida Trail and the Appalachian Trail. In 2003 during a seven week period I hiked 740 mi (1191 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail. Best vacation I ever took. I continue to backpack and hike year round in the Colorado mountains. I have evolved from a heavyweight backpacker to a lightweight backpacker. My three day summer solo adventures (using a hammock) have me hovering around a 12 lb (6.8 kg) base weight.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Manufacturer: Wilderness Wear
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Manufacturer Website: www.wildernesswear.com.au
Size: Fits Shoe Size (Aus & UK 7-11) (US 8-13)
Listed Weight: Unavailable
Measured Weight: 4.25 oz (120 g) per pair
Color: Black
MSRP: AU $18.95 (US $14.28) At current exchange rate during test period

Manufacturer's Specs (from website):
Australia’s best selling and most sought after technical outdoor performance sock. Made from Australian Pure Merino Wool (80% content), Nylon (15%) and Lycra (5%), “Y” Gore line seam in the heel held together with Lycra around the foot to keep the sock comfortably in place. The double welt band at the top reduces calf pressure and helps ensure leg comfort. The heel, toe and sole areas have full terry cushioning, with extra Nylon in the heel and toe for strength and reinforcement.

In my Initial Report I discussed my out-of-the-box impressions and a detailed description of these socks. In this report I will discuss and evaluate the field performance over the past 2 months.

FIELD REPORT

Testing locations and conditions: These socks have been used on almost a daily basis in and around Boulder, Colorado. Temperatures have been between 60° and 0° F (16° and -18° C) and elevations between 5000 and 9000 ft (1524 and 2743 m). I have used these socks to climb Mt Sanitas (numerous times), Green Mountain, Boulder Peak and on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have also worn these socks to work and I have slept in them.

Between walking the dog, daily fitness walks, weekend hikes in the mountains and one backpacking trip I estimate I have worn these socks nearly 20 days of the 60 testing days. Of the three pair sent for testing I rotate two pair and have reserved the third pair for comparison purposes.

Sizing: I requested the size (US 8-13) (Aus & UK 7-11) to fit my size 11 foot. The socks fit my foot well and are not too tight nor too loose. Nice snug fit. Even after repeated washings the socks still have a snug but comfortable fit. Even the elastic at the top around the calf seems to be holding up well.

Comfort: I would classify these socks as midweight. They are not thin lightweight summer liners nor are they thick heavyweight winter socks. I have worn these socks in temperatures between 60° and 0° F (16° and -18° C) with and without liners and they have kept my feet warm and reasonably dry. The socks have not caused any blisters and are still soft and non-itchy. Being a midweight sock I would not wear these socks in temperatures above 70° F (21° C). Just too warm.

Moisture management: I'll admit it I have sweaty feet. If I am backpacking or hiking for longer than a couple of hours I bring additional pairs of socks to rotate them every couple of hours. I hang the socks on the outside of my pack and they are usually dry by the time they are ready to be used again. Depending on weather conditions and humidity I estimate the socks take between 2 to 4 hours to dry hanging on the outside of my pack. At night before I go to bed I change into dry socks and either hang them inside the tent or put them inside my sleeping bag with me. By morning they are dry. These socks seem to do an excellent job of wicking moisture off my feet while I hike. My feet never felt wet, only slightly moist to the touch.

Stink Factor: The Merino wool seems to keep the odor level at bay. Even after several days of continuous use the socks are not odor free but are very tolerable. Synthetic fiber socks never seem to fair this well.

Care and washing: These socks have been washed and dried probably 10 times per the manufacture's suggestions (turn socks inside out, wash separately first wash, warm water, medium cycle, no bleach. Do not tumble dry). As you can see from the photo below the socks have shrunk slightly. The sock on the left is the sock used for this test. The sock on the right is the original unused sock reserved for comparison purposes. This shrinkage has not affected the fit. They still fit my feet snugly.

Socks after washing

Durability & Appearance: As I mentioned in my Initial Report I was not thrilled to have received the socks in the color black. I was concerned that black is not a good color for hiking and backpacking because it shows every little speck of dirt and debris the socks come in contact with. My other concern was pilling (the clumping together of the wool fibers into little balls on the surface of the fabric). As you can see from the photo below (I lightened the image slightly to show texture) the socks pick up a lot of debris and the piling is significant. None of this would be as obvious if the socks were not black. I know hiking is not a fashion contest but I point this out merely as an observation for others to consider.

Sock comparison

FURTHER TESTING

I will continue to wear these socks for the next 2 months while I walk the dog, go on my daily four mile exercise walk and my weekly hikes in the mountains and foothills of Colorado. I also have several backpacking trips during which I will test these socks.

I will continue to evaluate the socks on the above criteria.

I would like to thank both BackpackerGearTest and Wilderness Wear for the opportunity to test these fine socks.

Read more reviews of Wilderness Wear gear
Read more gear reviews by Bob Sanders

Field Report

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