Socks are something I never thought about when addressing tactical gear. Not until my first deployment and I realized how valuable good socks are. I got my hands on the Legend All-Weather Compression socks and have put some miles on them. Proper socks are so damn important.
I deployed with the bargain bin socks the PX sold and didn’t think twice. An Any Marine Package showed up from a lovely group of generous individuals and packed away were expensive hiking socks. I can’t remember the brand, but they had an REI price tag on them and were made for hiking. After my first patrol equipped with good socks, I realized just how damn important good socks are.
The Legend All-Weather Compression socks are boot-length socks that go all the way up. They are made from a combination of merino wool, spandex, and nylon. The combination offers flexibility, comfort, and proven performance.
The Legend All-Weather Compression Socks In Action
That thought has been reinforced by the Legend All-Weather Compression socks. I strapped these bad boys almost a month and a half ago and since then have put more than 100 miles between both pairs. My goal was to put 50 miles per pair, and after that, I stopped counting the miles. Since then, I’ve worn them extensively in normal sock rotation, and whenever I need to hike, I grab them.
The Cold and Wet
I hit the ground running in a variety of environments. All-Weather is a mighty big claim, so I put that name to the test. I put miles on these bad boys in the cold rainy foothills of South Carolina. At a firearm’s media event, I climbed through various environmental conditions. I crawled up muddy hills of clay in cold and wet conditions.
Yet, my feet never felt cold or uncomfortable. They were just right for the 30 to 50-degree temperatures I was facing. The Legend All-Weather Compression socks even got a good dose of being wet due to some uncomfortable puddle jumping. Yet, they dried quickly and didn’t leave me wet for long.
Keep in mind the moisture was minimal, and it was resigned to the toe of my sock. A full submersion would not dry very quickly.
Turn Up the Heat
Florida sucks y’all. If it wasn’t for the lack of state income taxes, I’d leave these swampy states. It’s almost always hot, and even in March and April, the heat is righteous. I rucked in hot and humid conditions.
My longest hump was five miles at high noon in Florida. I’m a big fella, and I sweat a good bit. That includes my feet, and normally I get nice gross, sweaty socks. The problem here is that wet socks rub, and they create blisters.
However, the Legend All-Weather Compression socks are moisture-wicking. My feet never felt wet and sweaty even after mile 5. The moisture-wicking really made a difference.
The Comfort Factor
The Legend All-Weather Compression socks are super comfortable. On these longer hikes, I noticed my feet didn’t go numb. That’s an issue I tend to have with normal socks when I add weight and ruck for time. The graduated compression hosiery promotes better blood flow and gives you the ability to ruck faster and farther.
The cushion on the sole and around the legs keeps blisters away and keeps the boots from rubbing your legs raw. Better yet, the sock never rolled downwards or sagged. The Spandex is in play here, and I’m grateful for it.
Overall I’m impressed by the Legend All-Weather Compression socks. I’ll probably take them out of my normal rotation and save them for hiking and field use. I’d hate to wear them out too fast. I plan to purchase a few pairs extra and toss them in the bug-out bag as well. Legend knocked it out of the park and if you are the type to hike, hump, ruck, conduct foot patrols, fight fires on mountains, then you owe it to yourself to get good socks for your feet.
