The new Men’s Merino 250 Sport Pattern Hoody from SmartWool is getting a lot of press this season. That’s because they’ve combined their 250 weight Merino baselayer material with DWR treated shoulders and pockets. It is an athletic fit that won’t lose its shape.
It’s also available in an all Black variant.
www.smartwool.com/shop/mens-merino-250-sport-pattern-hoody
SmartWool has just released their new PhD Elite line of socks featuring their 4 Degree Elite Fit System and ReliaWool Technology.
I wore the last go around of SmartWool PhD socks for quite awhile. I loved the fit but the heels wore out. Every single pair. Oddly enough, the SmartWool hiking socks I was issued in the service lasted forever so I’m glad to hear that they’re integrating this new ReliaWool technology.
As these were just released to stores I haven’t had a chance to try them out yet, but I’m looking forward to it and I’ll let you know what I think. T-shirts, underwear (unless you go commando) and socks are the closest clothing to your body. Don’t skimp on them, regardless of brand. They are critical to comfort and performance.
SmartWool’s foray into the compression began with endurance athletes a little over a year ago. Military personnel are athletes as well and currently operating in some of the most extreme environments on earth. Naturally, some forward thinking folks in the military have put them to the test.
Active recovery helps reduce edema by helping force blood away from the feet back towards the trunk. To further aid the wearer passive recovery aids post event by supporting the musculature and once again reduce edema.
To put this into perspective, the average travel compression sock offers about 12 mmHg (millimeters of Mercury) in compression while the SmartWool socks come in at about 25 mmHg. Anything above 30 mmHg is considered medical grade compression.
SmartWool offers two weights of compression socks; ultralight and light cushion. Already, the ultralight is being looked at as a liner sock by some in the aviation community. Additionally, ground pounders have worn them as well for use while patrolling under a heavy pack.
