Wigwam Ingenius Hiker Socks

[Jason Shaffer]

Since these socks are sold at so many outdoor shops (and then given as gifts to us outdoors-y types!) I thought I’d post a warning. These things are junk. I took them on a trip when I couldn’t find a 2nd pair of my favorite wool socks, but ended up preferring to make do with my woolies alone.

The concept is that they’re a warm outer sock and a wicking liner sock knitted together. First off, they are way too thick and water-absorbant for 3-season use, more of a cold weather weight. Also, even though they are supposedly 65% merino, they feel more like typical synthetics rather than quality merino, meaning clammy and gross when wet or sweaty. Maybe my Smartwools have spoiled me. But the major failure is the two-in-one concept. If you do need this kind of thickness, then a combination of a thin liner with a midweight crew sock is vastly more versatile. When they do get wet, two thinner socks air-dry far faster, and a fresh pair of liners do wonders even when you don the same wet midweights over them. Even damp liners can feel better if turned inside out. In the kinds of temps that these things are not too warm for, they basically will never dry. They don’t even provide the blister-prevention of two layers, since they are sewn together at the one place that’s so prone to friction —- the toes! Save the Ingeniuses for your adventures to the grocery store.

EDIT: after reading pj's very good comments below, I thought I'd clarify. My current sock combo for fringe weather (NOT deep winter): Smartwool liners w/ various Smartwool Mini/Micro Crews (Adrenaline, RBX, etc.). The short crews tend to be quite thin, with little or no cushioning, compared to most socks marketed as 'hikers'. This was the basis of my comparisons. I definitely like thin, quick-drying socks, maybe moreso than others. Thanks for the thoughts pj!

[paul johnson]

I'd give these socks a 2.5 or 3 at best.

The concept sounds great. The execution just doesn't live up to the marketing hype and expectations.

Unlike the Review Thread Initator, I don't find these socks thick. In fact, and perhaps b/c they've had a lot of use, they are significantly thinner than a Smartwool liner+Smartwool hiker combo – much, much thinner (at this point in time in the socks "life"). However, even starting out, they were significantly thinner than the above mentioned "combo" of Smartwool socks.

When brand spankin' new, these socks had a tad (just a tad, mind you) more "loft" (if i can use that word with wool socks). The fact that they may have lost some "loft" or cushioning (there, perhaps that's a better term to use) is probably due to the smaller pct. of real wool in the sock. PD merino socks & Smartwool hikers definitely don't lose as much cushioning with use.

To me they do feel more like wool than a synth. sock, but, having said that, they sure don't feel either like PD merino socks, or Smartwool merino hikers.

They are more robust than PD socks, but don't seem to be as robust (i.e., long wearing) as Smartwool hikers. While certainly NOT wearing out despite the use i give them, they show more wear (no thin/thinning spots though) than Smartwool hikers that have several times the miles on them.

Speaking of use, i really don't use them trekking. I just don't think that they are up to what i need in a sock when i need more than one or two pair of liners. That is, i'd prefer to wear Smartwool liners+Smartwool hikers instead of these socks. Hence, these socks are relegated to daily wear which involves walking to & from my car at work (~1mile r/t involving a, maybe 15deg, hill) & walking around the factory (1-2mi per day, depending) + a 1mile walk at lunchtime.

Just in the interest of "science" (conducting an "uncontrolled" stink test), i have worn them more than one day in a row w/o laundering. Didn't really stink after several days of wearing (as i might do when on the trail).

However, they have had a lot of laundering & perhaps this accounts for their appearance at this point in time. However, i generally only use the "Delicates" cycle of my washing machine for washing most things (unless very heavily soiled) due to the agitator.

I wouldn't buy another pair, unless i desperately needed socks and other merino wool socks weren't available.

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