I have never written a review on the products I use, but I believe this one deserves it.  This is for the Drymax Trail – Maximum Protection socks.  It’s $29.70 – the MOST EXPENSIVE pair of socks I have bought to date.  I bought these socks based on the reviews, and the people who have been using them.  Heck, if these socks survive the toughest ultras out there, they must really be good.  My feet are prone to hotspots and blisters no matter what socks I put on.  So days before my trip to VA for the TNF ECS, Washington DC, I bought a pair from Amazon.com.

Feel.  These are thick, not soft, with very little stretch.  A little harder to put on compared to the others socks I’ve owned, but not an issue.  Fit is tight but not compressing.

Actual Test – The North Face Endurance Challenge, Washington, DC – 50K.  The course was wet and muddy, with stream crossings.  And did I say MUDDY?  On the get go, my shoes and socks were already wet.  The socks are not waterproof (and there is no claim that they are).  My feet felt wet, but surprisingly not uncomfortable and squishy.  The tight fit has not changed.  No ‘play’ or rubbing from any part of the feet.  As I kept going, the socks started to feel just damp, not wet, without any change in the fit.  And when we got to the dry section of the course, the socks felt dry.  And after going through mud after mud, puddle after puddle, and stream crossings, the socks felt dry and comfortable. And I am not exaggerating.

After the event, no hotspots, no blisters on both feet.  My legs were tired, but my feet were fresh.  This is why I wrote this review.

$29.70 for a pair of socks?  Yup.  Although I wish they’d come cheaper…