summer gear guide 2022

THE KNOWLEDGE
Some brands use bamboo in their socks – particularly BAM, for whom bamboo
is the cornerstone of their whole offering. But isn’t bamboo a type of wood?
Yes, though the bamboo plant also has leaves and a soft inner pith at the
centre of its trunk. These are crushed before being soaked, washed and spun
into a yarn. You’re left with a material that feels really soft and silky, and is
stretchy and excellent at absorbing moisture away from your skin. It costs less
to produce than cotton, and if responsibly farmed and manufactured, it can be
a good eco option too. Bamboo: not just for pandas, then.
EDZ
ALL CLIMATE
MERINO SOCK £18
Designed to be as handy in winter as
in summer, these adaptable socks are
well-padded and great at wicking
moisture. edz.co.uk
BRIDGEDALE
HIKE LIGHTWEIGHT
MERINO PERFORMANCE
£18.50
Can’t say much cos of the long name
but: probably the best walking sock in
the world. That’s all. bridgedale.com
LORPEN
T3 LIGHT HIKER £19
A lighter option than the Midweight
in the Masterclass, these superb
all-rounders are fantastic in summer
and just as good through spring and
autumn. lorpen.co.uk
MEINDL
MT3 MERINO MAGIC £22
Multi-day walkers take note: these
lightweight socks won’t smell even if
worn on consecutive days, thanks to
the antibacterial qualities of the merino
wool inside them. meindl.co.uk
DARN TOUGH
DECADE MICRO CREW
£23
These socks can be worn in just about
any weather – they’re really tough,
and they feel fabulously smooth.
absolute-snow.co.uk
SMARTWOOL
HIKE LIGHT CUSHION £23
Created for numerous terrains, with a
light layer of cushioning across the sole,
extra ankle flex and amazing durability.
smartwool.co.uk
SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 2022 19