ProView – EXPED Down Socks
After the summer sun has faded away and the fall foliage has shed its coat for winter, most people put their backpacking gear away – not me! Snow camping is one of my favorite things to do in the winter; less crowds and beautifully snow-covered landscapes. The only trouble is those sub-freezing temps! That’s why I am a firm believer that anyone that gets into snow camping must have a pair of down socks in their backpacking kit.
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: $59 MSRP
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Quality
(5)
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Fit
(5)
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Design
(5)
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Usability
(5)
Summary
EXPED did a marvelous job with these Down Socks. Snow camping involves a lot of heavy gear that I usually tend to dread carrying – not these! They are so lightweight I forget I even have them in my pack. I can’t wait to continue to use them throughout this winter and beyond. If they can get me through the sub-zero temperatures of Idaho they will be great at home in the NW. If you are looking to get into snow camping, particularly if you suffer from poor insulation, get yourself a pair of the EXPED Down Socks – you will thank yourself a million times over.
Overall
5Pros
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not suitable for walking around outside (Although I can’t really fault them for this as EXPED does not advertise them as outdoor down booties; they are down socks)
The EXPED Down Socks were a fun piece of gear to test as I am no stranger to this gear category. I have an old pair of REI-brand down booties that have worked out well for me thus far, so I was eager to see how the EXPED Down Socks compared. Long story short, the EXPED blew my old down booties out of the water! Being that EXPED’s are lighter and warmer I can confidently say that they have now replaced my old pair and have solidified a spot in my backpacking kit.
I had the pleasure of testing out the EXPED Down Socks while snow camping along the river in Bellevue, Idaho (just outside of Sun Valley). With wind chill the temps got into the negatives – but my feet stayed warm and toasty. To be honest, I am not someone that suffers from being “cold blooded.” I typically run on the hotter side. However, every once in a while, my feet get chilled and I find it very difficult to warm them back up. I never had to worry about that with the EXPED Down Socks. I also felt that they were nice and breathable. Since I tend to run hot my feet can start to sweat if I don’t have proper ventilation. They kept my feet warm and sweat-free all night.
Fit/Comfort
The EXPED Down Socks are like a down jacket for your feet – once you put them on you will never want to take them off! They are so warm and cozy it was hard to put my hiking boots back on when it came time to break camp.
Look/Style
I love the bright colors that EXPED offers the Down Socks in – they are easy to spot in your bag and make for quite the fashion statement around camp!
Features
The elastic cuff hold adds a nice touch in insulation and helps keep them snug on your feet – something competing brands fail to deliver. I also appreciate that there is uniform warmth throughout and no cold spots (particularly around the toes).
The down is also responsibly sourced, and EXPED is certified by the Responsible Down Standard since 2016 for their involvement in responsible animal welfare practices.
Function/Performance
The EXPED Down Socks kept my feet nice and toasty when the overnight lows got into the negatives. They offer everything I’ve been looking for in a down sock and then some.
Durability/Construction
After wearing them two nights in a row they still look virtually brand new. The nearly seamless design helps prevent snagging – which is a plus. If you take good care of them and don’t wear them outside I would be shocked if these didn’t outlive the majority of your gear.
The Final Word
EXPED did a marvelous job with these Down Socks. Snow camping involves a lot of heavy gear that I usually tend to dread carrying – not these! They are so lightweight I forget I even have them in my pack. I can’t wait to continue to use them throughout this winter and beyond. If they can get me through the sub-zero temperatures of Idaho they will be great at home in the NW. If you are looking to get into snow camping, particularly if you suffer from poor insulation, get yourself a pair of the EXPED Down Socks – you will thank yourself a million times over.
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About the Gear Tester
Kelly Dona
Kelly is a PSIA-certified alpine ski instructor from Seattle, WA who has a passion for the outdoors. When she is not teaching skiing you will most likely find her hiking, backpacking, or snowshoeing throughout the Pacific North West with her labradoodle, Daisy. Find her on Instagram, @kellll_bell89!
