When I’m not fretting about the rise of totalitarian super powers, I like to kick back and relax in my comfy-cozy Smartwool socks.

Believe it or not, I was a dedicated cotton socks hiker for a long time.

I liked the extra texture of cotton, which kept my foot from slipping and sliding inside my shoes (compared to synthetic socks), and of course I loved the comfort of cotton.

Then I got a pair of Smartwool socks as a gift.

By that time in my life I was a bona-fide wool skeptic, convinced the stuff would always be hot, itchy, and uncomfortable.

Wow, how times have changed! Nowadays whether you catch me on trail or off, you’ll likely find me wearing not only Smartwool socks but also a Smartwool crew top and bottoms.

The comfort of Smartwool products really is superb: close enough to soft cotton as to make no difference. And the advantages of wool over cotton in the backcountry, as everybody knows, are huge (I wear a cotton shirt only for desert hikes, or hot-weather ascents in the mountains). Just switching to Smartwool socks from cotton can cure a lot of blister problems.

Smartwool’s newest sock is the Adrenaline, which features a very crafty blend of wool, nylon, and spandex in varying padding levels for a stunning fit and equally impressive performance. I always thought the one liability of Smartwool’s Light Hiker sock was its tendency to thin out in the heel and other high-wear areas. The Adrenaline erases that issue, and adds swanky looks and excellent breathability to keep you feeling frisky.

If you haven’t tried a pair of Smartwool socks, now is a perfect time to grab a pair of Adrenalins and hit the trail. Your feet will thank you!

This entry was posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am and is filed under Gear. So There.