Icebreaker: Hike Mid Crew

OK. Time for my first road test.

The sock is the Hike Mid Crew, from Icebreaker. These socks cost me £15 from costwoldoutdoor.com (in fact from their shop on Picadilly). The sock is 65% Merino, 32% Nylon and 3% Lycra.

OK - time to put them on... It comes up to the mid calf on me, not too high I think. It is quite a bit thicker than the socks I am used to, but as an introduction to Merino socks - this is awesome. Just fantastically comfortable. There is some really foot-hugging cushioning around the ankle and the instep and the top elastic is snug but not too tight. Although the sock is quite thick, it fits in the shoes OK, but much more sock in that shoe than normal. Lets see how I get on

Have worn this all day at work today and felt incredibly comfortable all day. No blisters, no rubbing, no sore bits on my feet. I know this is day 1 of the test, and I am probably getting carried away - but THIS IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE SOCK EVER! Really really impressed.

OK, so for the negative bits. Got to try and be balanced. This sock is expensive. No doubts about it. £15 for a single pair, and I am yet to find out how well they will wash and age. I am not sure that this is sustainable. I reckon I need a minimum of 10 pairs of socks in my drawer, not sure I would feel comfortable shelling out £150 for 10 pairs of these.

Second negative - probable a little too thick for all my shoes. OK with the heavier leather shoes and boots, but trying them on in my trainers seems a little too snug. Not a deal breaker - but probably would like them slightly thinner/lighter for daily wear.

So overall after day 1 how do I feel? Basically I am massively impressed. The Icebreaker sock is really great to wear. Expensive, but insanely comfortable. I would be more than happy wearing these all day every day, but not sure that I could afford it.

The thing that I have learned above all else though, is that merino socks can be so much more comfortable than the thin cotton socks that I am used to. Cant wait to try the next pair tomorrow.

It's all about Merino

Day 2 of my quest to find the best socks on earth. I have been doing some research (as is necessary when undertaking such endeavours) and have decided that Merino Wool is the way forward.

This wool comes from cute sheep that look like this:

According to the internet (I dont want to kid you into thinking that my research was more extensive than a quick google) Merino wool has numerous qualities that seem to make it the ideal material for making the perfect sock. I will list just a few.

1. Antibacterial properties:
Athletes-foot-proof-wool sounds a bit far-fetched (I think that my lack of athleticism will have that base covered), but if the lanolin in the wool helps limits the growth of bugs, then hopefully feet wont smell. This is definitely a plus.

2. Multiple days of wear:

This at first sounds a bit gross, but probably due to the lack of smelliness, proponents of merino wool claim that you can wear the same stuff for days on end.

3. Durability:

Some wools can get a little misshapen and battered easily. Merino wool is by all accounts very durable. Good news for a sock.

4. Warmth:

Merino wool is super warm. Clearly a bonus as we approach the winter. I can attest to this being true - I have a Smartwool merino baselayer. Really light, but weight-for-wright the warmest thing that I have in my wardrobe.

5. Comfort:

Probably the most important thing on this list. Merino wool garments are really really comfortable. Super soft wool, which is really pleasant to wear against the skin. With no itching or scratching like the woollen jumpers of my childhood, merino feels cosy all day long.

Right then. Decision made. Phase I of the mission - MERINO WOOL SOCKS..

Now need to get shopping and get testing!

Welcome to The Perfect Sock

Hello and welcome to The Perfect Sock.

My story starts on a wet September evening in London. My feet are aching after a long day at work (traipsing around the hospital, where I work as a junior doctor) and I decide that my threadbare cotton socks are doing me no favours. For the rest of the evening, I decide to put on an old pair of ski socks. Bright red, up to my knees, but unashamedly comfortable. The socks are cosy, comfy and keeping my size 12s very warm indeed.

Then I wonder; Why is it that I only wear my most comfortable socks once a year when I go skiing. Why cant I have this much snugglyness every day at work? (I guess the answer is perhaps, because ski socks wont fit in my shoes, will come up to my waist and are bright red) There must be a third way.

So I decide to find the perfect sock. Something that I can wear every day, and yet something that feels comfy, warm, luxurious and maybe even make me smile. Is this to much to ask from a pair of socks? Perhaps it is. Nevertheless, I intend to find out.

So on these few pages I plan to document my quest for the perfect sock. This is very much the beginning of the journey. I am sure that I have a lot to learn, and will appreciate any help along the way that you can give me.

well then.. let's get started.