I am woman, watch me hike in my Thorlo Crews
Written: Mar 21 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comfortable, durable, extra padding, made to fit a woman's foot.
Cons: The price.
The Bottom Line: I will buy another pair of these I like them so much. Extremely comfortable and wash well.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Thorlo Womens Light Hiker Crew |
I went to Eastern Mountain Sports to buy a pair of hiking boots. I already own Ultimax hiking socks but wanted another pair. The very helpful clerk took out a pair of Thorlos and said they were his favorite so I bought them.
About my socks:
Let’s talk about the price first. If you have never bought hiking socks you might be surprised to know that a well known brand such as these will run you $14.99. I could have bought two pair of EMS brand socks at the same price which is what my Ultimax cost me. I read what they were made with though and they were not identical. Not only weren't the contents the same but my Thorlos have some special aspects to them that my Ultimax or EMS does not. That is the reason for this high price. The contents are 51% Coolmax, 6%, 6% Spandex, 26% Thor-Lon acrylic, 14% Nylon and 4% Cotton.
These contents may mean nothing to you so we’ll take a closer look. Coolmax is a soft and lightweight wicking fabric used most often in summer clothes. Wicking means that it keeps moisture away from your skin. Thor-Lon (Acrylic) yarn was invented by the company which is written, Thor-Lo. It gives the socks more durability and softness. Acrylic, a synthetic fiber holds up well in the wash, holds its shape, can be knit to provide extra cushioning and has wicking properties not found in natural fibers such as cotton.
The sock design and fit:
Mine are called Women’s Lt. (Light) Hiker. They have lightweight padding and are made specifically for women, for warm weather hikes who are wearing lightweight boots.
There is a usage guide on the back of the package. Mine, which have CoolMax, are for moderate/hot weather. The Hikers with Wool/Silk are all weather socks. Both are lightweight, made for day hiking and for varied kinds of terrain. I chose these because my feet swell even if it isn’t warm. I like these so much that I will buy another pair for times we walk or hike in the cold weather. Those will be the Wool/Silk variety.
The clerk showed me a couple of designs of the socks I found interesting. One is a strip of yarn knit differently which runs down the side of the sock for 7”. This is a flat knit ventilation panel which enhances the wicking action of the CoolMax and THOR-LON acrylic. There is low-density padding along the top of the foot which protects against abrasion caused by the pressure of laces and folds in your hiking boots. There is low density padding with spandex around the arch and instep that prevents bunching, allows your boot to “snug closer” and support the arch better. There is lightweight padding under the ball of the sock and heel that provides extra cushioning and protection so you won’t get blisters. In addition my socks have structural design enhancements that the company claims will fit a womans foot.
These inlcude extra stretch yarn added to conform to the ankle area, a smaller heel pocket for more comfort and a better fit for women’s heels which tend to be smaller than men’s. The toe pad is custom designed for our forefoot which is wider than a man’s. (This information has been adapted from the package.)
My experiences and thoughts:
My gym socks have extra padding and I thought my Ultimax at $8.00 pair were good, but Thorlos are really worth the price. They are very soft and durable. I have washed them so many times at this point and they fit just as well as when I first got them. I find that my feet, which hurt me oftentimes, feel better after a day of hiking wearing my Thorlos versus other hiking socks. My feet do swell but I got new hiking boots as well and the combination of the socks and boots keep the swelling to a minimum.
I can feel the extra padding in all the spots the company claims there is padding. I love the height of them. They are called crew. I don’t like low socks for hiking. These measure 7” from the ankle to the top of the sock. I can roll them down if I want, but I don’t have to. They look great either way. They are gray but due to the way they are knit it isn’t a solid gray. There is a mixture of white in the yarn. In addition in the areas that have extra padding the color is different. It is in the olive green family. These areas aren't visible with boots on.
After I bought Merrell 2000 Eagle Low Hiking Boots Womens 5.5 I bought a second pair of hiking boots. I got a blister from them and returned this second pair. Perhaps if I had been wearing the Thorlos I wouldn’t have gotten a blister, I don’t know. I do know that I’ve had no irritation to my feet or skin at all when wearing these socks even after a whole day of hiking.
Note that although these are made for hiking, there is no reason they can't be worn for walks and under sneakers. Just remember that they are thick. Unless you sneakers are big on you, you will have to buy another pair to make up for the thickness.
Jo’s final thoughts:
There are expensive, in my opinion, but worth the price. I will buy another pair and will stick with this brand. I love the way they feel; I love the cushioning and the ease of washing them. They should be washed and dried inside out to fluff the pads and it is suggested that liquid fabric softener be used after each use to lubricate the fibers for a longer life. Although bringing liquid fabric softener camping isn’t as convenient as a sheet I can throw in the dryer, it is worth it if it extends the life of the sock.
There is a 30 day guarantee by the company. You can just send them back with the receipt and they will give you your money back. However one of the reasons I went to EMS was because they accept returns like L.L. Bean does. At any time, in any store, for whatever reason - keep your receipt in case something does happen to them. I don't expect them to last a lifetime and wouldn't return them in two years but I do like guarantees.
Please feel free to leave me a comment or question.
Other reviews in which you may be interested:
Nalgene Color Bottle
Leki Wanderfreund Hiking Pole
Merrell 2000 Eagle Low Hiking Boots
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 14.99
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