By Rick Shandley

SOLE dual-layer performance socks can make a difference in keeping your feet comfortable and healthy on long treks. The pair of dual-layer SOLE socks in this review have been worn on many day hikes and several multi-day backpack trips in more than six months of assessment.

Two layers of protection are designed into a single sock unit. To visualize the design, imagine one sock pulled inside out and connected to its mate. The result is a mirror image of that sock, separated only by the SOLE brand moniker that simply states, “Love + Thanks.” It’s one of the most functional and comfortable type of sock I personally could tell a difference with on a long trail trip.

Three fabric types of 52-percent Tactel, 35-percent Coolmax, and 13-percent Lycra are blended to create day-long comfort. Comfort stood out, as did the absence of hot spots and blisters on the feet. Wearing traditional, relatively heavy, mountaineering boots and heavy backpacking boots all day can create hot feet. And although there’s not a whole lot you can do sometimes about warm weather and exerting energy, the breathability of good modern boots, insoles, and socks do tend to combine in reasonable comfort. You can appreciate these qualities especially when you tackle multi-day trips where one bad foot day can mess up a trip.

This writer wore several types of boots, on various occasions, but the constant aside from these SOLE dual-layer socks, was a pair of SOLE Ed Viesturs Footbeds. Even though the LOWA, Merrell, and Wolverine hikers all have perfectly comfortable footbeds from the factory, I switched them out for the arch support of the Ed Viesturs Footbeds, the cushion, and the constant combination of the SOLE dual-layer socks and the footbed. The boots were the only variable.

The most recent excursion evaluating these socks was a situation that would provoke blisters. On a hike coming off of Thunder Mountain, we descended several black diamond ski runs that day, sans snow. They are deceiving. If ever there is a litmus test for the comfort and performance of any foot gear, it is descending a 45-to-50-degree shale, and crumbly loose granite slope for hundreds of yards. Not only is traction negligible, but if your feet are going to torque and twist inside the boot, this is a scenario where friction is king.

If the friction is against the skin of your feet, your feet will be raw in minutes, not hours. A black-diamond run, without snow, can challenge your sense of balance and ability to stay upright; even with trekking poles. Some pitches can prompt you to use both hands and feet to avoid a tumble. The stiffness of the boot, ankle support, and caution, are the principle elements keeping you on your feet. If blisters were going to happen, they would have happened on the black-diamond runs. There were no blisters. And, in addition to the comfort of the SOLE dual-layer Performance Socks, the blister protection is a major asset to wearing these.

After washing the SOLE dual-layer socks, they may become inverted to where the inside sock layer looks like the mirror image of the outside layer. It’s like a two-toed sock joined at the cuff, or a sheep born with two heads; one head where it should be, the other head at the tail end. It’s not a big deal just to feed the interior sock layer into the outer layer. You’ll just want to make the sock is even with the SOLE logo and make sure the dual layers line up smoothly.

What I value most about these SOLE dual-layer socks are the comfort and the enhanced protection against friction blisters and hotspots on the skin of the feet. We all know that most modern mountaineering, backpacking, and light-hiking boots don’t require a lot of break in time. That is until you get blisters on day two of a five day trip. It’s still a good idea to wear new boots long enough to be certain blisters aren’t a problem before you depend on a new pair of boots for a multi-day trip or an overnight trek. These SOLE dual-layer socks provide that extra measure of protection against blisters on that first long trip in a new pair of boots. And if your boots are already proven to fit correctly, these SOLE dual-layer socks simply offer that new-sock cushy comfort.

FEATURES

• Dual-Layer Blister Protection
• Tactel®, Coolmax®, & Lycra® Blend
• TensorFit™ Arch Band
• Breathable Mesh
• Hand-Linked Toe Seam

TECH SPECS

Three Component Material Blend
The Coolmax®, Tactel®, and Lycra® blend is soft yet durable with incredible moisture control, increased strength, and excellent stretch recovery.
52% Tactel®
35% Coolmax®
13% Lycra®

Size Range
Men’s: 3-15
Women’s: 5-12

SOLE socks are available for sale on https://secure.yoursole.com/us/ and through hundreds of local retailers found through here: http://www.yoursole.com/where-to-buy/

SOLE Lighweight Sport socks retail for $9.50 – $12.50 depending on style – https://secure.yoursole.com/us/socks/lightweight-sport/

And SOLE Dual Layer socks retail for $12.50 – $15 depending on style – https://secure.yoursole.com/us/socks/dual-layer/