It’s a gelid Saturday morning in November, and Western Washington’s autumn delivers its usual chill that makes my fingers and toes to go virtually numb. This sudden cold snap has provided the perfect training ground to take my new Swiftwick Pursuit socks for a spin. After taking a hot and rejuvenating shower, I donned the socks and prepared my feet for some performance experiments.
I own nearly 30 pairs of socks—2 of these are comprised of 100% wool. In all honesty, I love my wool socks except for the sporadic itching that comes along with it. The moment I put the Swiftwick socks on, I waited for the scratchy feeling to start. It never happened, and I found this to be a tremendous boon. Now, I can conduct my tests without fear of clawing at my feet.
Phase One: Gentle Use
By simply wearing these socks around the house, I tested them for warmth and durability. In terms of warmth, the Swiftwick Pursuit delivered. With the Merino wool, my feet heat was securely locked in and did not cause any noticeable perspiration. The socks feature an extra thick sole that serves three purposes—added cushioning for compression, a soft inner surface for blister-free movement, and moisture wicking to keep the feet dry. Being used gently, the opportunity for making blisters is almost nonexistent. So, for the durability test, I ran across the hardwood floors and slid many times. Every time, I slid across the floor there was no observable wear or tear on the soles of the socks.
Phase Two: Three-Mile Hikes
After getting positive outcomes from gentle use, I decided to up the ante and take the socks on a three-mile journey across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The walkway is paved and virtually flat. I tried to be cognizant about whether my feet would start to perspire and if the wicking would take place. Also, I wanted to be aware if my feet would begin to slide inside the shoe or sock. By the end of the walk, I noticed that my feet had perspired, but weren’t overly wet. There was no foot sliding either, and therefore, no breeding ground for blisters. After washing the Swiftwick Pursuit socks, I decided to take another three-mile hike with a more varied terrain—Tacoma’s Snake Lake. The pathway around this lake has small hills and all kinds of rocks and foliage. Using the same criteria as before, I found that the socks performed just as well.
Phase Three: Cardio
For a true test these socks’ wicking ability, I took a ten-minute run on a treadmill. This time round, I also wanted to focus on the cushioning that the thicker footbeds can provide from running. After the run, I was pouring with sweat and my feet were damp. There is no question that their wicking worked well. Since my feet were definitely perspiring, I appreciated the fact that there was no foot slippage within the sock or shoe. The padded footbed added comfort for my feet during the run. I felt that the socks did a fine job for a run, however, they wouldn’t be my first choice for running a long distance.
The good:
- Thick and durable sole for comfort and friction reduction
- Very warm socks for those cold days
- Made from wool, but not itchy whatsoever
- Wicking ability is impressive
- Available in 8 different height styles and a variety of colors
The bad:
- Not ideal for long-distance running
- Not as soft after washings, but still performs well
Swiftwick Pursuit socks are currently available at Amazon.
Note: Swiftwick provided me with a product for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by the company.
All photos by Anthony Frohlich