Icebreaker Socks Review

Where to Get It:

• You can find the Icebreaker socks here on Amazon.com.
• Get the Icebreaker socks on Backcountry.com
• Also, you can get the Icebreaker socks here on the Icebreaker website.

What’s Included:

• 1 pair of merino wool blend socks

I reviewed the Icebreaker Multisport Ultra Lite Micro model in grey.

Icebreaker Socks Review:

Prior to purchasing my first pair of Icebreaker merino wool socks, I wasn’t the type of person who thought much about socks. Socks were merely a thing I wore when wearing shoes, and I barely ever spent more than $5 per pair of socks. The idea that I would spend $15+ on a single pair of specialty socks made of merino wool was a concept that was hard for me to grasp at first, but after reading some rave reviews of some Icebreaker socks, I decided to give them a try.

While browsing through some products on TheClymb.com, I found a pair of Icebreaker merino socks that were about 50% percent off. Since I knew sales on TheClymb don’t usually last too long, I jumped on my opportunity and never looked back. (read my review of TheClymb here).

From the first time I put them on, I knew the Icebreaker Multisport Ultra Lite Micro socks weren’t like any average sock.

The Icebreaker Multisport Ultra Lite Micro socks are ‘ultralight’ as the name suggests. The cushion on the socks is minimal/nonexistent, making the socks light and great for traveling.

The upper part of the sock has a stretchy mesh-like material making it extremely breathable and soft, while the sole of the sock is made of a thin, but non-mesh material. The entire sock is extraordinarily stretchy.

Based on the fit of the sock, you can really tell that Icebreaker put a lot of effort and attention to detail into making the sock fit your foot perfectly. The heel area has a unique shape that almost juts out of the rest of the sock to fit snugly on your heel. The toe area has a special toe seam prevents chafing and the main elastic band fits just below the ankle.

Finally at the near the Achilles tendon, the sock has a interesting flap-like part that extends from the elastic band on the ankle. I haven’t found the flap too useful, but I guess it could be like the tongue of a shoe where you pull on it to readjust the sock or to keep the sock from slipping down your foot.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight and take up very little space
• Comfortable
• Naturally odor resistant
• Easy to hand wash
• Quick drying
• Merino wool
• Soft and comfortable
• Breathable
• Wicks sweat and moisture
• Great fit

While the socks are made of merino wool, they aren’t completely wool. The Icebreaker socks are actually a blend consisting of 55% Merino wool, 43% Nylon and 2% LYCRA®. Merino wool is like a ‘miracle material’ because it is naturally odor resistant, breathable, soft, moisture wicking and lightweight. According to the Icebreaker site, LYCRA®  was also added to the material blend because it “enhances fit and dry time”.

In my pursuit of being even more minimalist, the Icebreaker socks could potentially become my only pair of socks:

• I could wear them for 1 week straight without them smelling (I’ve done that several times)
• At the end of the week I could hand wash the pair and they would be dry by the next morning

Cons:

• Durability is a bit questionable
• Relatively expensive (retail $14)

Since the socks are so lightweight and thin, I’ve felt like my Icebreaker socks are a bit fragile. I’ve owned my pair for about 6 months and there aren’t any holes in my socks, thankfully, but there are some string sticking out of the socks. At $14 per pair, these socks cost a bit more than your average sock.

The Verdict:

I’ve been officially converted into a specialty sock evangelist/connoisseur. The Icebreaker Multisport Ultra Lite Micro socks are a great option for travelers due to it’s weight and comfort but with some limitations in terms of durability. Overall, I would highly recommend the Icebreaker socks.

Where to Get It:

• You can find the Icebreaker socks here on Amazon.com.
• Get the Icebreaker socks on Backcountry.com
• Also, you can get the Icebreaker socks here on the Icebreaker website.

What do you think? Leave your comments or questions below.

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