Down Socks

[Ben Smith]

I have begun making down socks for sleeping, and wanted to let you guys know about it. They use 1oz of down per pair (I can put more for a custom charge if desired). I am using black 0.9oz nylon taffeta for the fabric, and they have elastic ankle closures.

The price is $60 shipped to CONUS.
$7 extra to Canada or Mexico.
$9 extra anywhere else.

I offer them in 5 sizes:

X-Small: Men's size 4-5
Small: Men's size 6-7
Medium: Men's size 8-9
Large: Men's size 10-11
X-Large: Men's size 12-13

Custom sizes are available also for a $5 charge.

Let me know if you have any questions!

– Ben Smith

[Zachary Crane]

How about some photos?

EDIT: I saw them in your other thread. Might consider posting them here too though.

[Link .]

.

[Ben Smith]

These photos are of the prototypes that I made out of 1.9oz breathable ripstop. They are the XL size, and with the stuff sack, weigh 3oz exactly on my scale.

[Ben Smith]

Please use the website.

[david richardson]

I just found this thread, sent you a paypal payment, thanks dave

[Jolly Green Giant]

@Ben, I just sent a PayPal order. It said the money was sent to "Susan" based on the e-mail address you provided. Hopefully this was the right place. Thanks.

[Backpack Jack]

Payment sent. Thanks Jack

[jim draucker]

Hello Ben

Just sent money. It appears that fit is relaxed. Does foot width make a difference? I wear a 10.5 4e and ordered a size large.
Thanks Jim

[te – wa]

Ben, they dont look full to me. even when on your feet, they should be "puffy" que no?
are the photos not serving justice?
also, you did not mention the FP of the down..
it seems to me, in my experience, that evan a half-ounce of 800fp down would make those things burst at the seams..

let us know?

[Ben Smith]

I am using 800+ fill power down. The pictures are actually of a pair that I made with a little less, maybe .66 to .75oz of down for the pair, just to see how much loft, etc. they would have. I will be using .5oz of down in each sock, so they will have a little more loft than the ones in the picture. I received the fabric and the down, so I will make a pair in size large before the day is over and post the pics of the final product.

EDIT: The 1.9oz (maybe 2.2oz) fabric may also be hindering loft a little…

I appreciate your questions and comments. Any more?

– Ben

[jim draucker]

Hello

A picture is worth a thousand words. Can't wait.

Jim

[te – wa]

"I will be using .5oz of down in each sock, so they will have a little more loft than the ones in the picture."

cool!

im in the market for such a beast.. winter here will be over soon but i still have time for some cool weather socks. it'll be nice to add a bit of boost to my top quilt.
I noticed, there are a few newbies to the down bootie/sock market, including BlackRock Gear, Western Mountaineering has a nice pair for a measly $65 and being WM, i bet they're great.
Im looking forward to your pic of the newest model. I wear an 8.5 so it may be on the fence, perhaps more custom than usual?

[Ben Smith]

I have completed one sock with the new material in a size Large. Once I get the other done, I will post pictures.

This one has about 3.5" of total loft (laying on its side) and weighs exactly 1.0oz on my scale.

[jim draucker]

Hello Ben

I am starting to drool:)

Jim

[Ben Smith]

Sorry guys, I forgot I left my camera at my other residence. I will be there tomorrow evening and will post pictures then.

The two pairs that I made tonight turned out great. They both have around 3 to 3.5" of loft. Each pair weighed 2.3oz in the stuffsack on my scale (size Large).

[A Wilson]

Great idea and a great product; I'm glad of your initiative.

Personally I would look for a different kind of thing. I always wondered what down booties were for, other than for around a chilly house, until I moved to Europe and started sleeping in refuges. The mountain huts encourage you to remove footwear. They are often supplied with slippers of some kind, which are OK for summer, but in fall winter, down booties with closed cell foam beds and abrasion-resistant bottoms make shuffling around freezing cabins much more tolerable. The same would be useful mountaineering, but a good friend had to rescue a client who slipped 1000ft down Mt. Ranier after stepping out of his tent in such booties, so I'm wary of them in that application.

[Ben Smith]

I have some material coming to test out making an external shell made of a dyneema x sole and a silnylon upper with a drawstring shockcord at the top. I would expect these to weigh somewhere around 2oz extra. I was thinking about using some of the Gossamer Gear ThinLite for the sole. Let me know what you think.

– Ben

[Ben Smith]

Based on my patterns and how the finished product is turning out, I have slightly altered the sizing. If anyone has sent payment and would like to change a size, please let me know.

– Ben

[Michael Crosby]

Payment sent
Thanks Ben

[Scott Smith]

Greetings Ben:

1) Can you post your new sizing Chart ?

2) I ordered a Med… and wear a size 9 ( 9 1/2 in a hiking boot) so I want to make sure that Med's will fit ..

Thanks !

[Ben Smith]

I offer them in 5 sizes:

X-Small: Men's size 4-5
Small: Men's size 6-7
Medium: Men's size 8-9
Large: Men's size 10-11
X-Large: Men's size 12-13

These are fairly roomy, so even if you are right on the line you can go either way.

I have a size 13 foot, and I can fit into a Large with just a little down compression at the toe.

[Scott Smith]

Thanks !

I'll stay with my Med .. then ..

[Ben Smith]

Great! Just finished making them. I will ship them out tomorrow!

– Ben

[Ben Smith]

Here are the promised pictures…

I have made pairs of Medium, Large, and X-Large. The Mediums weigh 2.2oz on my scale, the Larges weigh 2.3oz on my scale, and the X-Larges weigh……. 2.4oz (what a surprise).

– Ben

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