Fox River Mills has been making socks, mittens and gloves in the USA since 1900. Originally located in Appleton, Wisconsin, Fox's primary focus during their first 60 years was selling products to hunters, fishermen and lumberjacks.
Fox Expanded their line in the 1960s with newer styles and colors to maintain a competitive edge in the expanding outdoor sports market. They ultimately moved their plant to Osage, Iowa in 1971 and continue to manufacture quality US made products there today.
To test the Outlanders, I wore them inside a pair of insulated Goretex boots during several mountain bushcrafting trips. Even with temps dipping down to the single digits they were comfortable, breathable and warm each time. The merino wool blend was also soft and itch-free.
My favorite cold weather socks are normally Smartwool Mountaineering Socks, but I have to say the Outlanders gave them a run for the money.
Though lower in wool content, the Outlanders are also half the price, yet give similar performance. Long term durability is still in question of course, but I'll post an update to this review a year from now to see how the socks are holding up. So far so good.
So next time you're shopping for a great pair of socks for cold weather adventures, check out Fox River's Outlander socks.
Fox Expanded their line in the 1960s with newer styles and colors to maintain a competitive edge in the expanding outdoor sports market. They ultimately moved their plant to Osage, Iowa in 1971 and continue to manufacture quality US made products there today.
SPECIFICATIONS
Style- Over the Calf Boot Sock w/ Wick Dry Technology
Material- 62% Acrylic/20% Stretch Nylon/17% Worsted Wool/1% Wool
Weight- 4.5 ounces per pair
Country of Origin- Made in Osage, Iowa USA
Weight- 4.5 ounces per pair
Country of Origin- Made in Osage, Iowa USA
To test the Outlanders, I wore them inside a pair of insulated Goretex boots during several mountain bushcrafting trips. Even with temps dipping down to the single digits they were comfortable, breathable and warm each time. The merino wool blend was also soft and itch-free.
My favorite cold weather socks are normally Smartwool Mountaineering Socks, but I have to say the Outlanders gave them a run for the money.
Though lower in wool content, the Outlanders are also half the price, yet give similar performance. Long term durability is still in question of course, but I'll post an update to this review a year from now to see how the socks are holding up. So far so good.
So next time you're shopping for a great pair of socks for cold weather adventures, check out Fox River's Outlander socks.
For more information or to purchase these directly from Fox River, please click here
Jason Schwartz is the founder and senior editor of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft. He is a former Red Cross certified Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor, and has taught bushcraft and wilderness survival techniques to the Boy Scouts of America, interned with the US Forest Service, and studied wilderness survival, forestry and wildland firefighting at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. Jason has also written for magazines such as The New Pioneer and Backpacker, including writing the "Tinder Finder" portion of Backpacker's "Complete Guide to Fire," which won a 2015 National Magazine Award (NMA). Email him at rockymountainbushcraft @ hotmail.com (without spaces)
About the author
Jason Schwartz is the founder and senior editor of Rocky Mountain Bushcraft. He is a former Red Cross certified Wilderness & Remote First Aid Instructor, and has taught bushcraft and wilderness survival techniques to the Boy Scouts of America, interned with the US Forest Service, and studied wilderness survival, forestry and wildland firefighting at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. Jason has also written for magazines such as The New Pioneer and Backpacker, including writing the "Tinder Finder" portion of Backpacker's "Complete Guide to Fire," which won a 2015 National Magazine Award (NMA). Email him at rockymountainbushcraft @ hotmail.com (without spaces)
Love these socks! They're my go-to pair. Why pay so much for Smartwool when they wear out so fast?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Cheers, J
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