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SmartWool PhD Outdoor Medium Crew Sock
Available Colors / Styles
The Smartwool PhD Outdoor Mid Crew Socks aren’t about slapping a ‘My socks were on the honor role’ bumper-sticker on the back of your car. Not that you won’t want to brag about the Wool-to-Wool technology that cushions your heels and forefeet for shock-absorption on the trail, and the upper mesh zones that cool your dogs on the ascent. Since smart socks hardly want to smell like a football locker room, Smartwool made these with odor-blocking wool. The cuff height and midweight wool work well when you carry heavy loads for backpacking trips.
Bottom Line: No smarty-socks bumper stickers, please.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
Great all round sock
By:
Kasper Nyegaard
December 25, 2011
The form fitting cut of this sock is great. No sliding around either. It should be noted that they are on the tighter side comparatively speaking (a small fit); hugging your feet and ankles almost like a compression sock, which over time is not that great. My legs are very slim. I got size L for a 10.5.
The fabric surface does not retain very well, after two days the surface was fluffy. Image is taken after three days of light wear, no hiking or long walks!
First Hike/Climb in them
By:
John Nigro
April 24, 2012
So I just bought these and decided to test them out on Longs Peak, CO over the weekend. I personally like my sock thinner than most in winter conditions and these were the right weight. They fit great, I am a size 10 shoe and 10.5 Mountaineering boot. I bought size MD and LG, MD fitting better since I have small ankles. If you have a fuller foot/leg and are in-between sizes I would go for the larger one. They are not constricting around the ankle and lower calf (crew socks) and are the right length for my La Sportiva Nepal Evo's. After 6 miles up to Camp with a 35lb pack through dirt, snow and ice I had no hot spots, no rubbing and plenty of cushion. My feet stayed plenty warm (Temp ranged from 50f to 20f). The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because they started to pill after the first day and will probably not last very long.
Hey I am about embark on the kokoda track 96km of up and down
Hey I am about embark on the kokoda track 96km of up and down mountains in very high humidity. What would you recommend for a good comfortable sock
By: jtw4655456
August 12, 2011
Smartwool has always worked great for me. I'd go for medium or light weights, as long as your footwear will not be slipping. Also, if your footwear doesn't breath well, consider chaining socks at lunch.
By: knanier
August 12, 2011
light and dry
By: Trail Mix
July 8, 2010
Comfortable, light, dries quickly. Phd model is pretty form fitting. a bit of wear at the heal. Does not hold odor. Medium or Light models are not hot up to 100 degree temperature.
Wow.
By:
John Langer
December 1, 2011
My feet are in love with these socks. Period. My socks used to be like John Candy's in Planes Trains and Automobiles, but these things breathe so well and feel so comfortable I never want to take them off!
my go to backpacking socks
By:
jason spellman
April 21, 2011
love these guys. extra padding in the heels and balls of your feet. compression over the top is great! i feel like i have fewer weird sore spots the next day. wick well. have never stunk near as bad as any of the cotton or synthetic socks i have ever used. great great socks!!!! i have some light ones for warmer weather. i wear these in cooler weather under my boots.
would these be to much cushion for everyday wear? rather than
would these be to much cushion for everyday wear? rather than the light cushion version of the same sock?
By: ash2518947
May 18, 2010
Probably--I like the medium for tennis and soccer and the light for running or everyday wear under regular shoes.
By: bru100403060
July 17, 2011
I wear both light and medium cushion in UT. It depends on what you like and how snug your shoes fit. You can't go wrong either way.
Enjoy!
By: Sandy Brown
May 19, 2010
Another angle
By: Kasper Nyegaard
January 2, 2012
1 Comment Last Comment: January 2, 2012 by: Kasper Nyegaard
By: Kasper Nyegaard
January 2, 2012
Taken after three days of very light wear.
Go to sock
By:
CycleLegacy
December 30, 2011
I have always loved all the PhD line from Smartwool. This one follows suit just fine. Good thickness, warm, support. No bad odors after two days of wearing them. Go to sock when they are in the drawer!
THE best
By:
Stephen Schalk
December 17, 2009
There is a reason they're pricey, they really are the best socks I've ever owned. The fit is much better than any of the Bridgedale, IceBreaker, Patagonia...whatever socks you want you want to compare them to. I think they're the closest you can get to a "stink-free" pair of socks, which might be a moot point because my feet never seem to sweat with them on. If I'm wearing shoes, I'm wearing these.
Not blister free
By:
Chad Boyer
June 27, 2011
If you suffer from chronic heal blisters, as I do, these are not the cure. However, I do agree these socks are one of the best. They wick moisture away from your feet with true speed and efficiency. I have never felt uncomfortable while hiking in the summer or using them with my Keen winter boots. They fit well and are truly comfortable as an everyday sock. Good job Smartwool.
Fantastic Socks
By:
mat2973573
April 14, 2011
Best work/backpacking socks I know of. Smartwool has never steered me wrong.
Multiple-day OK
By:
steamboatdog13
March 29, 2011
These are the socks I live in Memorial Day to Labor Day when the trails call my name. In fact, they are the only socks I trust. No blisters, no rub - even after multiple days of use. The wool blend wears well.
only brand i wear
By:
buc3868412
January 3, 2011
these are the only socks i wear at work. my feet feel so much better with these. smartwool brand is the only sock that i have recommended to others
Thank you Smartwool
By:
Nathan Webster
February 27, 2009
These are great socks. Period. Okay, I was unsure about spending $20 on a single pair of socks, but it is possibly the best $20 I have ever spent. The tight knit on the top keeps the socks in place, and saves room for the padding where you need it in the bottom. Multi-day hike foot pain is now all but gone. Buy some and your feet will thank you.
all others bow down
By:
Joe Sanchez -IADiscGolfer-
February 23, 2009
I LOVE these socks. Great cushioning and wrap around your foot great. The odor blocking wool is nice after a long hike , so your feet don't smell like (insert something stinky).
A great all-rounder
By:
pugetmarco
March 23, 2010
Smartwool has really upped the ante on their wool socks. These are comfortable as you slide them on, provide good support and cushion, and are a delight to wear all day. The fit is as expected, on the money. Recommended!
not bad
By:
ko53249184
March 7, 2010
the socks are not bad. went on a 4 mile hike and didnt have a problem at all.
Best socks for me, so far....
By:
mor2910964
January 17, 2010
I have been wearing these socks on and off since just before New Years both with my work boots and my hiking boots. In both cases they are warm and comfortable. I have had no problem with them bunching up or cutting into my feet like some of the much cheaper socks are prone to do. These socks are expensive but worth it.
Great socks
By:
kpe3260123
January 19, 2010
I bought these socks for my Dad. He absolutely loves them! He loves them so much that my Mom has a difficult time getting him to take them off so that she can wash them. Thank goodness SmartWool socks have a natural aversion to smelling!
Warm comfy and stinky
By:
steve
January 14, 2010
Warm and comfortable, but I must have some smelly feet because the odor blocking didn't work.
2 Comments Last Comment: April 26, 2012 by: Sid Nitzerglobin
By: Sid Nitzerglobin
April 26, 2012
Multi-day no stink for me, and my feet can get pretty damn funky w/ nice anti-microbial treated synthetic socks. As mentioned you will need to let them air out for a while intermittently when the start getting sweaty.
Personally I like to have a couple pairs to rotate out, and turn the other pair inside out and hang off of my pack to let them dry/breathe. After a couple/few hours they're pretty much as fresh as just out of the washer/dryer. This system has gotten me through 5 day trips w/ no blisters or discernible foot funk at the end w/ just 2 pairs of socks.
By: Olav Johnsen
December 8, 2011
with wool socks you need them to breath and dry after you wear them (so there isn't an odor)
i have gone backpacking with these socks and i could wear them two days in a row, without any smell, even longer if you rinse them with some warm water
Change me.
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Chestnut/Black, L (15.33)
Chestnut/Black, XL (15.33)
Charcoal, M (15.33)
Charcoal, L (15.33)
Charcoal, XL (15.33)
Great all round sock
The form fitting cut of this sock is great. No sliding around either. It should be noted that they are on the tighter side comparatively speaking (a small more...
First Hike/Climb in them
So I just bought these and decided to test them out on Longs Peak, CO over the weekend. I personally like my sock thinner than most in winter conditions more...