Hi, my name is Dan, and I have had the chance to try out a pair of Bridgedale X-Hale Multi Sport socks. As part of becoming an Eagle Scout I completed many hikes up Mt. Katahdin and also a 100 mile trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I am entering my 3rd year of college. I like multi-day backpacking treks. One area of special attention when it comes to gear is footwear. I wear a pair of Merrill boots. They are fairly heavy but they are comfortable and last for quite a while. So the other focus falls on to the socks. I have always felt that it is important for hiking socks to be light weight, wick water/dry fast and have some cushion.
I have been wearing the Bridgedale X-Hale Multi Sport socks for a few weeks (not everyday).
Bridgedale X-Hale Multisport
The Bridgedale X-Hale Multi Sport socks are made from various synthetic and natural materials.
The fiber contents is:
-42% Nylon/polyamide,
-28% Merino Wool,
-28% Endurofil™/polypropylene,
-2% Lycra®/elastane
The socks are designed by Bridgedale to breath, be light weight and give cushion. They come in various colors. My pair is red and black. The socks are thicker on the heel and under the ball of the foot. The rest of the sock is thinner which allows for air circulation. There is a vented section across the instep that allows warm air to escape. The socks are tall enough to come to the top of my hiking boots. I liked that they did not slip down at all. I am hoping that as time goes on, the tops will not loose their ability to stay in place. I have a few hikes coming up, so we’ll see.
The socks did provide extra cushion to the heel and ball of my foot. After walking most of the day at the end of the day my feet did not have any hot spots or sore feet. There are no rough spots or seams in the sock that caused irritation. They did a decent job of wicking the perspiration away to keep my feet dry. I found that after washing, the socks returned to like new looks and feel. Thankfully, the smell also washes right out. I don’t think they smelled any worse than any other sock I wear, and probably smelled a lot less. My feet are known for the aroma they give off on a warm summer night after being in socks and hikers all day. I often get a tent to myself after a day of hiking. I’ll be wearing the X-Hales for some late summer hikes, and will update this review. I’ll be looking at durability – and how much cushion remains after more use.