The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is quickly approaching and Darn Tough Vermont revealed that it will have a new sock to introduce at the show. Darn Tough Vermont plans to show its Light Cushion sock, which has a number of new features. Continue reading ORSM: Darn Tough Vermont to Unveil Light Cushion Sock
Tag: wool
Hands On: Hi-Tech Wool Socks
“Wool is warm and stays warm even when it is even wet.” At least this is the type of statement that we heard throughout high school while participating in a Lifetime Activities outdoor program. Instead of playing baseball and football as our sports; we would bike, hike, canoe, go spelunking and rock climb all around Western Pennsylvania, the East Coast and sometimes out even West.
It was often cold and sometimes damp during these activities which is why our instructors insisted on a wool wardrobe for each of us. We would use old wool button down shirts and wool Army surplus pants along with heavy calf-high wool hiking socks. These garments would certainly keep us warm, even when wet, but there was one major drawback – they were itchy! Continue reading Hands On: Hi-Tech Wool Socks
Clever Socks From SmartWool
Winter means extra thick socks. These help keep the toes warm, but the right socks can also ensure that they stay dry and in place through athletic activity as well. SmartWool has new pairs of socks for the upcoming ski and winter sport season that are downright clever.
The SmartWool PhD Ski and Snowboard collection offers high performance socks (yes, there is such a thing these ays), which are keep feet warm, protected and dry throughout a day on the slopes. A mesh ventilation zone further helps the feet breathe to reduce sweaty feet – which in turn can mean cold feet as activity slows down. These feature a unique 4 Degree Fit System that ensures that socks stay in place and won’t bunch up or worse slip down. This not only makes for more comfortable socks, but also helps prevent friction and potential blisters.
The SmartWool PhD socks are made from high grade Merion wool, which is a natural insulator and can help regulate temperature to keep feet warm when it’s downright cold outside. Wool in itself is an antimicrobial that can further prevent odor causing bacteria from building up.
Additionally, the socks are nothing short of genius too, and can do much more than just piling on a second pair. These will actually provide cushion thanks to SmartWool’s WoW technology that includes high density impact zones with custom-fit feeling. There is even extra cushioning provided around the shin, heel and instep. This won’t exactly put springs in your step, but will help you feel like you’re walking on fluffy snow even if it is hardpacked.
Break the Ice on Wool
Wool is probably the last material you expect to wear while running or doing other exercise. All the new technical fibers, many made from old soda bottles, are known to wick sweat and keep you warm or cool, depending on their purpose. Many of those fibers mimic natural fibers such as wool. Now a company called Icebreaker features wool from New Zealand with just enough of the manmade stuff (lycra) to give you a snug fit and hold shape.
Icebreaker began as a base layer company, making thermal underwear and snug tops for layering made of wool. It’s still a strong part of the company’s business, but some of the new designs can take you from the office to the trail with style. The Amazon Scoop ($64.99), a women’s top that can easily be worn on the street, keep you warm on the plane, or wick sweat as you take your bike for a spin. Icebreaker outfits you from head to toe with foot specific wool socks for different sports.
If you’re curious about how your wool became an Amazon Scoop or other style, each garment comes with its own Baacode, which tracks back to the farm, or station, where it was raised. It doesn’t track to the specific sheep, but you get the flavor of the countryside.