Review: Corrymoor Socks

- The kind folks at Corrymoor provided socks for the purpose of review -

Socks, socks, socks... Where to begin? The importance of finding the correct sock is just as important as the shoe, boot or sandal you're choosing to wear outside. It has the power to keep your foot cool, comfortable and ready to be walked on the next day. There's a couple of big brands in the outdoor world who seem to have a vice like grip on socks, great if you're happy with the socks they make but I'm always on the look out for something new, something different and something a little more local.

I read about Corrymoor in a news article recently; a company from Devon making socks that never smell with a type of wool I'd never heard of, I had to reach out to them to see what they were all about. They were kind enough to send me a couple of pairs, 1 for hillwalking and use with a boot and another for running in. Here's how I got on with them...

First impressions were good, there's a whole range of colours and types to choose from on the website, I went with the Companion for walking and the Sprint for running. 

Size wise they're pretty true to the website description, I wear a 10.5 shoe or boot and went with size medium, better to have them snug then extra fabric bunching around the toes. 

For the first few hours of use I was aware I had them on, not uncomfortable but noticeable enough. After softening up with a bit of use this feeling passed and they became comfortable. After walking 18 miles in my running shoes (no waterproof lining) with the Sprint sock I didn't notice any moisture at the end of the day, a great sign of a sock that can wick it away and keep the foot dry.

For the Companion I decided a stretch of the South West Coast Path would be a good a test as any and they handled it well, a similar start in terms of comfort and needing to soften slightly but after that they were great. 

A big part of the Corrymoor sock promise is that they don't smell, I decided to put trust in their claim and get up close and personal with my socks after a few days use in a row.. I'm happy to say that while they didn't smell of roses they certainly didn't smell bad!

I've been happy with how the socks have performed and they've been out and about with me regularly over the past couple of months. There's no signs of wear and tear and they're still a great fit even after a few washes. Great stuff!

For more information check out their website by clicking here.

Review: Salomon X-Ultra Mid 2 GTX

- product provided for the purpose of review, with thanks to Salomon -

Manufacturer's Description: Updated with sleek, athletic design details, X-Ultra Mid 2 GTX® provides stability, mid height support and the year round climate comfort of GORE-TEX®

Features:

• Breathable and lightweight stretch fabric uppers
• Gore-Tex membrane
• Mid cut ankle for support
• Gusseted tongue
• Protective rubber toe cap
• Sensifit system works to cradle the foot providing a precise and secure fit.
• An abrasion resistant lining that allows for excellent breathability and quick drying
• Non marking Contagrip sole
• Advanced Chassis
• Molded EVA provides excellent next to foot cushioning and anatomical support
• EVA shaped footbed
• OrthoLite insole
• Heel foam for cushioning
• 565g (per boot, size 10.5)

Feature Breakdown:

A Gore-Tex lined, mid-height boot for those looking for something lighter and more sporty than a traditional leather boot. Stretch fabric uppers along with the EVA shaped footbed and OrthoLite insole all provide great comfort while the sole and advanced chassis give support and strength. Plenty of technology crammed into a boot that weighs 565g!

Field Testing:

We've had a fair bit of rain in the south west over the past few months so putting on a mid-cut fabric boot while leaving my trusty leather boots behind wasn't the easiest thing to do... Since getting in to walking I've always had leather boots, something instilled in me by the walkers in my family, for the past few months though I've been looking for something more from my walking footwear, wondering if lightweight and sporty is the way forward. 

My first impressions were positive, the boots are seriously light but still feel well made. Fit obviously varies from brand to brand so I made sure to try some on in a my local outdoor store, never buy boots online without trying them on! 

On doing them up I was a bit frustrated with the tongue, it doesn't seem to wrap the ankle nicely and I found my trousers kept catching it and riding up, not a massive issue but if lightweight and streamlined is what Salomon is going for then it's not in keeping with the rest of the boot.

The Contagrip sole is up there with Vibram in my eyes, it provided good grip on a mix of terrain including loose mud and wet rock, I didn't notice any clumping of mud or dirt in the sole either.  

Out on the moor with bogs, wet grass and rain I found the boot kept water out nicely, there's no insulation so while my foot occasionally felt cold my sock was never damp when taking the boots off. This is also a sign of the boot breathing well, GoreTex can easily cause moisture build up as dirt clogs the membrane but I didn't have this issue, the outer fabric and lower cut help keep the foot cool and mean less sweat. 



Long-term use:

Over the past few months I've kept coming back to these boots, they're comfortable and light, perfect when the weather's improving and less layers means you can move a bit faster.

The build quality is great, as with most Salomon product, the boots are still going well and seem to be in top condition even after use on Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor through winter and spring. 

If you're looking for a lightweight option for big days out then this is a great choice, I'm very nearly a full convert to the mid, fabric boot! Never thought I'd say it.

Thanks again to Salomon for providing the boots to test. Thanks for reading! Paul.