ProView – EXPED Down Sock

Do you get cold feet when it comes to winter camping trips? EXPED’s down socks are the perfect solution to keep your feet comfortable in and out of your sleeping bag without sacrificing valuable space and weight in your pack.

As I get more into ice climbing and venture further into the backcountry, I’m starting to realize that camping in cold winter conditions is inevitable. With that being said, I am always looking for more ways to make the experience more enjoyable. Let’s be real – there’s enough suffering with ice climbing by itself, let alone adding winter camping to the process. I recently tested out EXPED’s down socks on an ice climbing trip in Rocky Mountain National Park. My partner and I camped in the Park before heading up to Loch Vale to climb some classic ice and mixed routes.

EXPED Down Socks

Product Description: Cozy and warm down-filled socks for a night in a sleeping bag or for toasty feet in time spent in your tent. Made for all that want to keep their feet warm after a long day on the trail, compact and light to fit in any pack. Should be standard gear for anyone heading out into the cold and store easily with your sleeping bag so they are not forgotten. Exped's Down Socks are made with five individually down filled cross baffles that prevent cold spots. The special toebox keeps the down in place at the most sensitive spot. An elastic heel band and cuff hold the Down Socks snug on your foot.

Offer price: MSRP: $59.00 - $69.00

• Quality
  (4)
• Fit
  (5)
• Design
  (4)

Summary

I give the EXPED down socks 4 out of 5 stars. A piece of gear that I once thought was just a luxury has become a must-have item for cold weather camping. They performed exactly as advertised by keeping my feet cozy and toasty, but it was inconvenient to swap them out for shoes when I needed to leave the tent. The socks were also great for changing into after taking off my mountaineering boots at the end of a long day! I wore them on the whole car ride home before stuffing them in my sleeping bag for my next winter camping adventure.

Overall

4.3

Pros

• Warm
• Comfortable
• Packable

Cons

• Not suitable for walking around outside

• Shop on Outdoor Prolink
• Shop on EXPED

Fit/Comfort

I like to think of my EXPED down socks as a puffy jacket for my feet. What could be more comfortable than that?! With 80 grams of Responsible Down Standard 700+ duck down fill, you may never wear wool socks to sleep while winter camping again. There are three sizes to choose from that cover a wide range of foot sizes, from men’s 5 to men’s 11. With that being said, my climbing partner who is a men’s 14 was able to fit into my medium down socks. I practically had to pry them off of his feet to get them back!

Look/Style

The EXPED down socks come in four different colors including green, red, navy, and grey to match or complement your existing camping set up.

Features

The elastic cuffs hold the socks snug on your feet and trap heat inside the sock. The socks also feature five individually filled down baffles that prevent cold spots by keeping the fill where it is meant to be.

Weight/Packability

Weighing in at around 4.5 ounces (depending on size), the EXPED down booties have become a staple in my winter camping kit. I was surprised to find that even though they’re so light, the down socks kept my feet warmer in my sleeping bag than wool socks ever have. They also pack down much smaller than a pair of wool socks would, making the weight to warmth ratio unparalleled.

Durability/Construction

Although they aren’t designed to be worn as shoes, I did end up wearing the socks around the campfire and for walking short distances at camp. Though the high-quality nylon fabric showed no signs of wear and tear, tread with caution, stepping on a rock or sharp object would be unpleasant.

Room for Improvement

Here’s the kicker, the down socks do not have a sole. While they are great for sleeping or chilling in the tent, they are not made for walking outside. There were several times throughout the night when I had to leave the tent and was forced to choose between swapping them out for other shoes or wearing them outside anyways. That being said, EXPED does have a pair of down booties with a sole that would be the perfect companion for the down socks.

The Final Word

I give the EXPED down socks 4 out of 5 stars. A piece of gear that I once thought was just a luxury has become a must-have item for cold weather camping. They performed exactly as advertised by keeping my feet cozy and toasty, but it was inconvenient to swap them out for shoes when I needed to leave the tent. The socks were also great for changing into after taking off my mountaineering boots at the end of a long day! I wore them on the whole car ride home before stuffing them in my sleeping bag for my next winter camping adventure.

Find EXPED Equipment on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!

Lindsay Hastings has worked as a hydrologic technician for the United States Geological Survey for four years. As a field scientist, she has logged countless hours working in a wide range of conditions from sub-zero temperatures in the high-altitude regions of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, to record-breaking heat in the deserts of New Mexico. When she’s not working in the field, you can find her chasing her next thrill through ice climbing, rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, trail running, or practicing photography in the mountains. Lindsay recently earned a position on the USA Ice Climbing Team and will be competing in the World Cup tour both nationally and internationally this winter.