Sock Shop Heat Holders Original Thermal Walking and Hiking Socks
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Heat Holders Original Thermal Walking and Hiking Socks Vital Statistics: Colours: Black, Red, Charcoal, Earth Brown, Denim, Forest Green, Stonewash, Navy Sizes: UK 6-11, UK 12-14 SRP: £6.00

Heat Holders Original Thermal Walking and Hiking Socks

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Black, Red, Charcoal, Earth Brown, Denim, Forest Green, Stonewash, Navy

Sizes:
UK 6-11, UK 12-14

SRP:
£6.00

Features to Note:

Fabric: 91% Acrylic, 5% Nylon, 3% Polyester, 1% Elastane
Extra heavy bulk yarn
Long pile cushioning
Soft brushed inner
Tog Rating of 2.34
Manufactured in the UK

In-use Test:

I've been trying out the 'Men's Original' Heat Holders Thermal socks for some short woodland, canal-side walking during some really quite cold late January/early February weather.

Having taken them out of the packet, I thought they looked like a typical thick pair of socks. On closer inspection, I saw that their inside is really very 'fluffy' looking and is incredibly soft to the touch. I immediately thought that these were socks my often cold feet were going to appreciate!

They come in two size ranges - so potentially a pair could be quite generous in size depending upon where in the range is your normal shoe size. I was wearing the 6-11 and my usual shoe size is 10 and a half. So the fit for me was ok. The tops of the socks are elasticated and the yarn itself does have some stretch in it - the socks did stay reasonably well in place. Given that there is no wool in the yarn mix, they really are surprisingly lovely and warm - and that is obviously their main strength.

When compared to more walking specific socks, I did think they lacked some additional padding in areas such as the toe, heel and ball of the foot. The mainly acrylic yarn did appear to wick reasonably well in the cold conditions in which I was wearing them.

So far they've washed very well without any obvious 'flattening' of the brushed interior.

Buying Advice:

Sock fit is really important in avoiding the dreaded blister scenario, so I do have reservations about the non-specificity of the Heat Holders socks' sizing. I think as well that, for longer day's hiking, specialist walking socks with additional padding/reinforcement in key areas are a really worthwhile investment.

However, these Heat Holders socks have been fine for me on shorter length (4-5 miles), cold weather walks. They are also a splendid option for general leisure use during cold weather.

What do you think?

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