Initial Report: Wilderness Wear Kosciuszko Socks
Date: 1-10-06
PERSONAL INFORMATION
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)
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.
INITIAL REPORT
Four pair of socks arrived in a reinforced shipping bag. Three pair of Kosciuszko socks (color: black) and one pair of Merino Fleece socks (color: heather gray) I am assuming they sent the Fleece socks as a nice perk and to let us know about other socks they offer. The major difference between the socks is the thickness. The Kosciuszkos are midweight and the Fleece socks are heavyweight. Both are made of Merino wool. I will only be testing the Kosciuszkos in this report.
First Impressions: I have to admit I was a little disappointed in the color they sent me. Black is not a color I would have selected for hiking socks. There are 23 colors listed on their website. I understand we are not guaranteed of receiving the color we requested, but anything but black. When I pulled them out of the shipping bag they looked like really nice medium weight dress socks. Only when I turned them inside out did I realize these are not dress socks. I could see the way the socks are constructed around the heel, instep and toe. There were several loose threads I will keep an eye on during testing.
I put a pair on and wore them all day around the house, took the dog for a walk and even slept in them. The socks are very comfortable and warm. My only complaint is because they are black they show every piece of lint, carpet fuzz and dog hair that is not black. I think being wool they also attract a lot of fuzz. The socks are labeled "technical boot length" and come up about 7 in (178 mm) above my ankle, which is well below the widest part of my calf.
Sizing: I requested the size (US 8-13) (Aus & UK 7-11) to fit my size 11 shoe. The socks fit my foot well and are not too tight nor too loose. Nice snug fit.
Comfort: The socks are very soft to the touch with a smooth fine knit on the outside and a medium terry loop on the inside. The toe seam is flat and smooth on the outside but much more pronounced on the inside. I will be watching this during the testing to determine if this pronounced seam will irritate the top of my toes. I would classify these socks as midweight. They are not thin lightweight summer liners nor are they thick heavyweight winter socks. I will be curious to see how well they keep my feet warm while hiking this winter.
PROPOSED TESTING
I will be wearing these socks almost exclusively over the next 4 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 have several backpacking trips planned and at least one snowshoe trip I would like to try these socks on. It is winter here in Colorado and the average daily temperature is from 50° F to 20° F (10° C to -6° C) and night time temperatures from 20° F to 0° F (-6° C to -17° C). I will be testing these socks by themselves, with thin liners and possibly wearing two pairs depending on the weather.
I will be looking closely at:
• Comfort — will the socks keep my feet warm and will they keep my feet dry? I will also be looking at the seams (especially the toe seam) to determine if they create any irritation or hot spot on my feet.
• Durability — how well will the socks hold up after many trail miles? I will also be looking at pilling.
• Field maintenance - I like to rinse my socks daily while on a backpacking trip. How quickly do the socks dry and what is the stink factor?
• Fit - will the socks continue to fit snug or will they begin to stretch out over time. I will also testing how well the socks stay up.
I will follow the manufactures washing instructions which read: turn socks inside out, wash separately first wash, warm water, medium cycle, no bleach. Do not tumble dry.
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
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