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Goodhew 2-Pack Hiker: Wilson's

2 Weeks in the Wilderness

I find it incredible how few reviews there are out there about socks. Footwear reviews can be found all over the internet, for jungle boots, desert boots, hiking sandals, kayaking shoes, camp moccasins and even tent slippers. Yet I have only found a handful of reviews out there about what is worn between our feet and footwear. Our feet are incredibly important to our health, especially in the wilderness. Coming from many years of severe ingrown toenails, bad blisters and sprained ankles, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that a simple foot problem can be debilitating in the backwoods.

With that being said, I have spent years wearing different brands, from some high-end models, to army marching socks, to low-priced sales bin socks. The search for a comfortable, durable and protective sock that can handle the Canadian woodlands and hilltops has continued for years now. So when I was offered the chance to try on a pair of Goodhew socks, I figured my search was continuing on.

A pair of Medium & Light Hiker Socks arrived the day I was heading out to the woods for two weeks, to clean up my main campsite, lead some small programs and basically avoid civilization. Upon holding them in my hands I decided to put them to the test. For two weeks, I would wear this single pair of socks with my jungle boots. The only exceptions would be when I had to cool my feet down by wearing sandals or going barefoot.

The wool content of these socks was 68%, and it was Merino wool. From my past of wearing woolens in all seasons, I knew I'd love that. Merino wool is ultra-soft, very comfortable, and compared to many other types of wool, very hard wearing. It also quickly absorbs and evaporates perspiration (the whole concept of wicking) compared to other fabrics. You don't want a pure wool sock, because this will not wear for long. Pure wool is not very durable, and so other materials need to be added. Some brands just find something cheap like polyester (in fleece form) which can make the sock uncomfortable by "pilling". Goodhew chose to go with 30% stretch nylon, a flexible and long wearing fabric that is nearly invisible to the foot. The final 2% of the fabric is spandex, which Goodhew states is throughout the entire sock, offering flexibility and a snug fit. Sliding the socks on for the first time, I had to admit that they seemed to fit as if they were made for my foot (a hard statement for a guy with size 14 shoes!). The 68% wool blended with nylon is just a right mix it seemed, and I rarely had to wear my sandals, due to the natural thermoregulation of the wool, blended with the breathability of the nylon. The socks are said to have arch support, and I assume this is from the spandex and stretch nylon. Though I couldn't notice any obvious support, my ankles and arches never seemed to ache.

As the first week finished, I pulled the socks off and looked at them. Obviously the first thing I noticed was the smell, but honestly, with my feet that is expected! However I noticed soon after that they seemed fine, other than some mud and sweat, they didn't seem to be flattened, stretched or deformed by my feet. With a lot of wool socks, within an hour of drying off of a sweaty foot, they seem to turn to cardboard. The next morning I was not looking forward to what the socks looked like, let alone felt like on my feet.

When I awoke I reached for the socks and felt that they were dry. I also felt that they were soft. I slipped the socks back on and wiggled my toes around. No crusted regions at all. I grinned and slipped my boots on. As I hiked around for a few more days, I began to get more abusive; taking my boots off and walking down gravel roads in just the socks, wading through boggy marshes and swamps (full of tannins), scuffing my heels.

Wool is the preferred fabric for socks in the Canadian woods for simple reasons; it remains insulative even when soaked, it is a natural thermoregulator, and it cushions the foot well which helps to cut down on blisters. These socks were no different than others in that aspect. However they remained comfortable and in fine condition after two weeks in the woods. When I returned from the woods I put them through a single washing and they looked as good as new. They were rugged enough for the harsh treatment that I gave them, and they paid back in smiles for miles. I cannot say that they are perfect, nor can I call them the "miracle sock" simply because they may not be perfect for every person in every climate in terrain. However, for the majority of the Canadian wilderness, you can bet I will have a pair of Goodhew socks on my feet or in my pack.

Caleb "Oz" Musgrave is a Bushcraft and Survival instructor from Ontario, Canada, who specializes in long term wilderness living, and primitive technology.

—Posted on May 13, 2010

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