Over the past few months, GearScout has been looking at what's new in socks, trying socks out and gathering sock recommendations from the infantry. We've noted where we've tried a sock and will report back with the results after getting foot time in on the rest of the sample group. Click through for a rundown on six socks we gave the boot:
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SmartWool Phd Outdoor Medium Crew
$22, 79% Merino wool/ 20% nylon/1% elastic [GearScout: Best Performer]
This was a favorite of the infantry up in the Afghan mountains, and we can see why. SmartWool uses a sandwich-plated construction that places layers of merino on the inside and outside of the sock. Skeletal nylon and elastic are kept in the middle. The result is a sock that absorbs and pushes moisture all the way out of the sock. The idea is moisture will get pulled from the inner layer, across the nylon threshold, by the wool on the outer layer and transfer to the boot or hold it away from the foot while it evaporates. SmartWool accepts the lower durability of wool sandwich vs. nylon-on-the-outside sock construction by placing performance above durability in the Phd. In use, the Phd performed well but did show signs of wear after a few months, notably a little pilling, and the terry loops have begun to mat down a bit.[nggallery id=220]
Point6 Defender Crew
$18, 61% Merino wool/37% nylon/2% elastic [GearScout: Best Value]
As a sock company Point6 is a bit of a ringer. Started by the founders of SmartWool, Point6 hit the sock market with an edge, and its product shows it. Its made-in-the-USA line of public-service socks uses a plated construction that has nylon on the outside for durability. Point6 also uses compact spun wool that makes a tighter, less hairy yarn the company says is stronger and more comfortable than traditional ring spun yarn. It feels different, for sure. The sock does feels smoother, but the claims of added strength are hard to substantiate. We tried by wearing a SmartWool Phd on one foot and a Point6 Defender on the other foot for a month straight in northern Afghanistan. We raised the stakes by not washing the sock at all during the wear test to see how the antimicrobial claims fared against a month of built-up foot sweat, but the results were inconclusive. Both socks remained intact, supple and odor free(ish). Point 6 gets a slight nod for durability since the sock still looked and felt pretty much like it did on Day 1. While the Phd did show a little wear, it was overall a little more comfortable. In the end, though, it was a wash. Both socks performed, though the Point 6 might win out on value in the long run.[nggallery id=219]
Darn Tough 14021 Boot Sock Cushion
$20, 63% Merino wool/32% nylon/5% elastic
Darn Tough socks are made in Vermont in the company's own factory — something other big sock names can't say. Overseeing its own sock production gives the company the ability to do a few things other hosiery companies can't. For one, Darn Tough played a lot with the number of needles used in the knitting and came up with a 168-needle count sock. This is a little higher needle count hiking socks and means more terry loops and a tighter knit. This gives more cushion and combines with Darn Tough's wool-on-the-inside, nylon-on-the-outside construction to make a sock that has 10 times the abrasion resistance of wool-nylon-wool socks. Darn Tough has a full range of Berry compliant socks that run from white merino PT socks up to no-kidding merino FR mountaineering socks. All are favorites of SOCOM units for their fit and durability. We have had a commercial version of the 14021 boot sock in rotation for two years, and it's just beginning to show a little matting on the inside, but no holes. It's not a plush feeling sock, but offers ample cushioning without a lot of bulk. [nggallery id=223]
Patagonia Midweight Hiking Crew
$19.50, 65% chlorine-free merino wool/20% nylon/12% polyester/3% spandex
Patagonia's hiking sock is the only one we've tested that uses a felted construction. Predictably, the sock was bomber on the bottom when it was new and supple since there is no knitting to interrupt the merino under the foot. But, just as predictably, we didn't have time to air dry our laundry, and the socks made us pay for it. Within a few months, the socks shrank and stiffened to the point it was tough to get them on. If cared for properly, these socks perform as well as the SmartWool's sandwich construction socks while offering the durability of a felted sole.[nggallery id=218]
Fox River Himalaya Mid Wt. Crew
$18, 34% Primaloft/34% Merino wool/30% nylon/2% spandex
Another technical sock, the Himalaya pairs synthetic PrimaLoft yarn with merino wool to produce a sock that insulates far better than a sock this thin should. The PrimaLoft fibers not only insulate, but they are quite tough, and after months of wear, the sock showed little sign of wearing out. There is no pilling or tightening. Although thin enough to be mistaken as a summer sock, it would be a great choice for winters in the desert where it would manhandle temp swings from the 40s to the 80s.[nggallery id=215]
Bridgedale Special Operation Sock
$19, 44% nylon/27% merino wool/27% polypropylene,/2% Lycra
Bridgedale is a European sockmaker known for high-tech materials and manufacturing. We used the thin-cushioned SOS sock in Afghanistan’s arid Helmand province for a few weeks and found it dealt with heat and sweat effectively, but, the high percentage of nylon, the tight welt and a baggy shaft conspired to keep the sock from staying up. The SOS is still around in stores, but Bridgedale won’t be making any more of them.[nggallery id=212]
