I'm working on upgrading my sock repertoire.  One of my latest purchases was intended for KOP but turned out to be too lightweight for winter there.  I'm trying to figure out if it would work well in Iraq for winter, work well as a summer sock, or if I should send it back. Has anyone tried and/or gotten feedback on the Fox River AXT Wick Dry Off Road Crew ?

JOCEE,

I can't give you any info on any kind of socks in particular, but I suspect that the troops on patrol (esp. medics in infantry outfits) would just appreciate any kind of decent hiking socks in general if you already have them on hand.  There is one of our medic contacts, SPC Collin Starr that requested in his last update 11/30 good quality hiking socks.  He said that they are a medical team that operates out of a forward aid station on an outpost. 

I suspect that he would really appreciate them.

Gran

The socks should work for Iraq, even in the winter Iraq, gets cold at night and during the day, it is relatively mild. The further south they are the warmer it is there. Good socks are sought after for sure and they will be used by whomever they are sent to and will be well received. When i was on the Turkish border at the I.B.P outposts, it was cold and there was alot of snow, but down past Irbil and below Mosul they rarely see the snow. They will be fine.

 Steve

Hey, Steve!  A very Happy New Year to you, your family & your team!  Socks are something we often need advice on, so thanks! 

Take care & stay safe!

--Marilyn

Hi jocee, I've sent lots and lots and lots of socks. I get the whole range at very reasonable prices from an ebay store http://stores.ebay.com/Catawba-Valley-Investors 

I've had nothing but good feedback from the guys and I've sent em to the KOP mostly. Both the thin army issue for spring and the thick boot socks are available here and if you email the seller, he'll send all green or black instead of multicolor lots. He's very good. From what I understand, cotton is undesirable for what happens when it gets wet, looses it's warmth/promotes foot problems. Wool or special sport type synthetics are better for the KOP.

Shelly

Shelly,

 There's six pages of socks there.  Is what you've been sending the '6pr Men's Wool Blend Boot/Hiking sock'?

Oh, I've sent a variety from there. I'm bidding on my first Hot Chilly's now (don't outbid me! lol) so we'll see how those go over.

In the past I've mostly sent these in the winter to the KOP (I haven't sent off KOP saince they are grey and I don't know what most posts allow for that) http://cgi.ebay.com/6pr-Mens-Wolverine-85-WOOL-Boot-Ski-Socks-GREEN-10-13_W0QQitemZ320200338825QQihZ011QQcategoryZ11511QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

and these spring/fall/ or off the KOP http://cgi.ebay.com/6pr-US-Army-Boot-Socks-Anti-Fungal-Military-Black-10-13_W0QQitemZ320202613195QQihZ011QQcategoryZ11511QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Hope that helps!

Thanks.

Carl LaFong

joCee:

I'm working on upgrading my sock repertoire.  One of my latest purchases was intended for KOP but turned out to be too lightweight for winter there.  I'm trying to figure out if it would work well in Iraq for winter, work well as a summer sock, or if I should send it back. Has anyone tried and/or gotten feedback on the Fox River AXT Wick Dry Off Road Crew ?

I can tell you from my experience in Minnesota cold, nothing beats Smart Wool socks.  They are a blend of wool and synthetic. I've been out in the horse stable for hours at 5 degrees recently, smart wool is the only thing that works. I know that REI carries them, but I am sure many camping or hunting retail outlets do.    Wool insulates whether it is wet or dry. You can also e mail Fox River or Smart wool customer service off the web, describe the environment situation, and the research department will e mail back suggested socks.  It may take a week, but I got a response that way.  Don't forget to check out www.SierraTradingpost.com for socks on sale on the web.

Hi All.   Who knew buying socks could be such a science education.   And I was worried about the color. I've not yet narrowed my search down to 'the #1 best", but may be close.

Keeping in mind:........   http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,93820,00.html  "Under direction of Marine Corps commanders in Iraq, wearing synthetic athletic clothing containing polyester and nylon has been prohibited while conducting operations off of forward operating bases and camps. companies like Under Armour, CoolMax and Nike  When exposed to extreme heat and flames, clothing containing some synthetic materials like polyester will melt and can fuse to the skin."....    Please read the entire article.

 While searching for that perfect sock I discovered "Fox River Mills" & was very impressed with the company & their interest in our troops. Please check them out. They have a 'Soldier Wish List' program. For civilians: If the shipping address is an APO or FPO, Fox River will cover the cost of shipping & include a personalized note from you. http://www.foxsox.com/Catalog/category.aspx?code=SLDIR

I noticed that some of their products I was interested in contained some of those forbidden synthetics, so I contacted the company about the need for safe winter socks for soldiers with the link for the article from Military.com. The company's reply was immediate & follows here.

[[[......... Thank you for sharing this.  I have passed it on to our president, John
Lessard.  I know there are natural fibers that also do moisture-wicking,
and I wonder if our military favorite, Wick Dry Maximum, could be made
with different fibers to the same effect.  We'll see.  In the meantime,
I wanted to tell you about another military offering we have currently
that actually protects the feet from burns in case of exposure to fire.
Check this out:
http://www.foxsox.com/catalog/product.aspx?type=subcategory&sortorder=stylenumber&code=MBOOT&selectedstyle=6072   

It is relatively new, but I have sent samples to some soldiers, and
several have bought these as well.  One of our current soldier wish
lists has some of these on their list.  It is also popular with fire
departments and police forces stateside.

Sincerely,
Janeen McNiff  .........]]]
              

The web site has a 'store locater' feature. There is supposed to be a ski shop in my city that carries Fox River products. If so I'll check out this fire protectant sock. Web priced at $13.49 seems a reasonable price. I spent hours web searching for dark colored boot length sock with the highest quantity of natural fibers. Some were priced over $40.00 a pair.

this site is very informative. It was helpful to me in my search for the perfect sock.  

  Sharon

http://www.foxsox.com/catalog/product.aspx?type=subcategory&sortorder=stylenumber&code=MBOOT&selectedstyle=6072

I've been shipping SmartWool almost exclusively since the initial post.  I never got feedback on the FoxRiver socks sent in January.  I have slipped a couple pair of FoxRiver sock liners in packages this winter for the guys to try but ...  SmartWool also makes a nice sockliner.

Links are in the Links thread http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/t/8114.aspx

The feedback I have gotten from a contact in Iraq on SmartWool Light Hikers in Taupe: "The socks really hit the top and as far as the color they are within guidelines."  I send the Expedition Trekking ones to A-Stan in winter.

Hi,

 Sierra Trading Post has Smart Wool socks at a pretty good price. I was just looking at them. My oldest daughter specifically requested them for Christmas this year.

I also found some decently priced liner socks that wick away moisture at Walmart in the hunting/camping section. They had them in two pair packages, one black and one white. I think that they might be very useful.

If you like the Wigwam 40 below socks, Campmor has these for 2 or more pair at 7.99 each right now.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___09330

hi! I just ordered socks for the KOP-firebase Vegas............30 pairs of the Wigwam 40 below socks (black-as requested)...I ordered them from

http://www.gobros.com/gc/customer/product.php?productid=19752&cat=100843&filter15=1 

Go Bros is a local Long Island based company and they offer FREE SHIPPING to any APO/FPO address-no matter how much you spend.

I asked them for a discount and they gave me 10 percent off - the promo code is RPC89-the price of the socks is $7.99 for one...

Also,no sales tax since they were shipped to APO.

Just sharing!

Joanne