Fox River Women's Socks

Fox River socks recognise that not all feet, tastes and circumstances are the same so they focus their expertise on blending fibres to accommodate this as well as provide comfort and durability. The significant fibres are:

• Tencel: made from sustainable eucalyptus cellulosic fibre which disperses water vapour to wick away moisture, dry fast and inhibit bacteria growth. Soft to feel it is also easier on the environment as it uses 10-20 less water than cotton to produce. 
• Primaloft: you have no doubt heard of PrimaLoft as an insulating down alternative. When it comes to a yarn for socks think soft, warm, dry and durable. 
• Merino wool: You’ll find Merino wool in nearly every Fox River socks collection which is not surprising given it is luxuriously soft, non-itching and temperature regulating. Best of all it’s super natural. 
• Thermolite® polyester: a lightweight fibre that provides breathability and warmth whilst wicking moisture thanks to its hollow core fibres.
• - Silk: Yep, that’s right, the natural, smooth, soft fibre that comes from the silk worm which provides high tensile strength and thermal retention.
• Nylon: The workhorse yarn—strong, versatile, hard-wearing—used with other fibres to give added stretch or improve durability. 
• NanoGlide Nylon: specially designed to be friction and abrasion resistant, which reduces heat and excess wear. These fibres are especially used on high wear areas such as the heel. 

Or tech-knowledgy as Fox River socks describe it with their one hundred years of sock study behind them. The notable technology and fit systems applied in the socks we tested out are:

• Wick Dry moisture management technology where hydrophobic (moisture repelling) and hydrophilic (moisture attracting) yarns are specially woven together to draw moisture away from the skin.
• HELIX FIT Volumetric Compression where Fox River socks have essentially looked at every angle of the foot, ankle and leg to determine how they can best articulate the sock to the body to ensure the sock stays where it is meant to and supports your body where needed. This technology uses volumetric compression around the leg, memory knot construction, a cross flex heel pocket, anti-slip anchor zones, tapered comfort toe, comfort mesh ventilation zones at the top of the foot, everwear shield at the heel, reinforced toe and heel finished off with a comfort rib top. Sounds like a lot of work went into this one. 
• URfit System which stands for Ultimate Response Fit System pulls together many of Fox River socks’ popular features such as memory knit construction, contoured rib top and spandex compression zones. 

Price: $13US
Material: 45% nylon, 18% TENCEL, 18% polyester, 16% NanoGlide® nylon, 3% spandex

Part of Fox River’s Peak Series Sport Collection and made using TENCEL for long wearing performance and moisture management, each design is highly articulated with sock fitting technology. 

• HELIX FIT™ Volumetric Compression
• Wick Dry moisture management technology
• Vented Panel
• Everwear Shield
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Lightweight for a variety of activities with all the above features. 

• Knitted and designed to articulate to each foot (L/R)
• Wick Dry moisture management technology as well as vented panels to move moisture and stay dry
• NanoGlide Nylon reinforced toe and heel for durability and comfort
• Cushioned leg and sole for insulation and shock absorption 
• Medium Weight for shorter activities and cooler weather

Price: $15US
Material: 75% Merino wool, 24% stretch nylon, 1% spandex

Classic merino fibre hiking sock:

• Full lining cushion on sole to absorb shock and insulate
• Reinforced toe and heel for longer sock life
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Medium Weight for shorter activities and cooler weather

Price: $13US
Material: 40% nylon, 29% Merino wool, 29% acrylic, 2% spandex

Part of the Adventure Cross Terrain Collection made Merino wool combined with acrylic and nylon for warmth, comfort and durability.

• URfit System
• Wick Dry moisture management technology as well as vented panels to move moisture and stay dry
• Reinforced toe and heel for longer sock life
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Lightweight with cushioned sole for all day comfort 

Price: $13US
Material: 42% nylon, 28% Merino wool, 28% acrylic, 2% spandex

Part of the Adventure Cross Terrain Collection made with Merino wool combined with acrylic and nylon for durability features include:

• URfit System
• Wick Dry moisture management technology as well as vented panels to move moisture and stay dry
• Reinforced toe and heel for longer sock life
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Lightweight with cushioned sole for all day comfort 

*NEW for 2017
Price: $17US
Material: 38% nylon, 31% PrimaLoft  acrylic, 24% Merino wool, 5% NanoGlide  nylon, 2% spandex

Designed for performance and comfort by integrating Primaloft and merino wool fibres.

• URfit System for arch support and memory
• Knitted and designed to articulate to each foot (L/R)
• Wick Dry moisture management technology as well as vented panels to move moisture and stay dry
• NanoGlide Nylon reinforced toe and heel for durability and comfort
• Lightweight over-the-calf with cushioned shin and sole for insulation and shock absorption 

Price: $15US
Material: 33% Merino wool, 33% acrylic, 32% nylon, 2% spandex

Merino wool combined with acrylic and nylon for warmth, comfort and durability.

• URfit System for arch support and memory
• Wick Dry moisture management technology as well as vented panels to move moisture and stay dry
• Reinforced toe and heel for longer sock life
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Lightweight over-the-calf with cushioned shin and sole for insulation and shock absorption 

Price: $16US
Material: 57% Thermolite polyester, 40% nylon, 3% spandex

A non-wool sock made with highly insulating and moisture wicking Thermolite.

• URfit System for arch support and memory
• Wick Dry moisture management technology as well as vented panels to move moisture and stay dry
• Reinforced toe and heel for longer sock life
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Lightweight over-the-calf with cushioned shin and sole for insulation and shock absorption 

Price: $22US
Material: 47% nylon, 35% Merino wool, 15% silk, 3% spandex

The luxury and performance of Merino wool and silk with advanced anatomical fit for pro-level boots.

• Knitted and designed to articulate to each foot (L/R)
• Memory knit construction to keep shape after washing
• Reinforced toe and heel for longer sock life
• Smooth, flat comfort toe seam
• Ultra-lightweight ‘boot-fitter’ socks which mean minimum sock between you and your boot

Going by the array Fox River socks has on offer each design utilizing specific fibres and engineering there is no doubt they have their bases and our feet covered. I have reviewed a few other sock manufacturers specifically for ski socks but none have offered the diversity that Fox River socks offer and based on the socks I have tested there is no doubt they know their stuff when it comes to engineering socks. From high performing technically detailed socks to classic good ole fashioned socks they offer designs ranges to suit all feet, activities and tastes. Truth be told I have really enjoyed testing out these socks and while I can’t go through every particular feature of every sock I will outline the highlights. Let’s start with what’s new for 2017—the PrimaHIKE and PrimaSKI socks—soft, articulated and true to the moisture wicking claims these are quality technical socks where all angles of the design have been looked at. I found the 5550 PrimaSKI LT great for spring ski touring.  I am sold on the Tencel® fibre of the Versa ankle socks, they leave cotton for dead—these are now my go to for a brisk walk/hike up our local mountain after work, they don’t move or bunch which is a testament to their advanced fit which uses the HELIX FIT™ system and left me wishing I had tested other HELIX FIT socks like the Zermatt LW ski sock. The URfit™ System is equally impressive and would suit those who prefer a sock that offers a quality technical fit with less compression. On all socks, I had no issues with hot spots on toes thanks to smooth flat toe seams. 

The Bromley ski sock is a worthy alternative to wool with it use of soft Thermolite® polyester which offers excellent moisture management. That said, I am biased when it comes to Merino wool, I am a life-long fan of Merino wool and find the socks that retain that feeling of warmth and softness wash after wash are the ones that have the highest percentage of Merino wool such as the Wilmot  LW ski socks and the classic Trail Master. Speaking of the Trail Master with 75% Merino wool content it won the prize for most cosy but if you plan intense activity I would opt for the articulated fit of the PrimaHIKE or Basecamp Crew where you won’t risk bunching or hot spots. The Mariposa ankle sock is less performance and more comfort than the Versa ankle sock thanks to the full cushion sole and higher Merino content. I was dazzled by the fact the VVS® UL PRO ski socks combine Merino wool with silk fibres and despite the superb, pro-ski anatomical fit, they didn’t retain the warm to touch, quality feel after washing a few times which left me feeling the percentage of nylon may be a little too high. I might leave these socks to the ski racers. I did notice that the socks with a high synthetic fibre content are prone to pilling on the heel so that’s another thing to watch out for. 

All Fox River socks offer a great choice of colours, with articulated and padded areas highlighted well.