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Prairie Wool Socks vs. the Extreme Winter

An Experiment in Winter Survival

Just how warm and comfortable are our Prairie Wool Socks? We sent our socks to scientist Mors Kochanski who tested them in the extreme northern climate... and in that frozen environment, he literally did walk a mile in our socks.

Mors Kochanski of Karamat Wilderness Ways is a master of wilderness living skills. Having devoted a lifetime to research, experimentation and instructing survival skills, few people can offer the level of wisdom which Mors possesses.

According to Mors, "Nothing out ranks clothing as the most significant factor in successful winter survival in the Northern Forest". Having experimented with how much and what types of clothing work best in the Northern Forest, he is adamant about the value and importance of wool socks. He says, "if you aren't wearing wool socks, you are courting cold, if not frozen feet and a very miserable time".

Why are wool socks so good at keeping you comfortable? Wool has a tremendous capability of keeping you warm even if your socks are wet from sweat or outside moisture. In fact, it acts like a wetsuit. The moisture that is next to your skin becomes warm and helps to keep your feet at a comfortable temperature. Not only that, but wool socks will also wick away excessive moisture and allow it to move through the socks and away from your feet. We already knew these great properties of wool, but Mors took them and our socks a few steps further.

Contrary to what your best judgment and common sense might tell you, Mors recommends that you walk in your wool socks only, and without outer footwear if you have an emergency during the winter where your feet have been submerged in water. By leaving your boots on, there is no way for the water to escape, and it slowly makes your feet cold, or even frozen and frostbitten. By taking them off, however, the water will drain out of your wool socks and it will be wicked away by snow. The small moisture remaining will warm up to your body temperature and act as a wetsuit. In these conditions, Mors is actually wearing 3 pairs of wool socks, and the outer socks will start to freeze and form a "boot", while the inner pairs will keep you comfortable.

Mors Kochanski decided to record this experiment for a Karamat Wilderness Ways Instructional Video. To perform the experiment, we provided him with some of our Softest White Wool Mohair Socks. On a winter day with a temperature of -18°C (0°F) Mors put on his 3 pairs of wool socks, dipped his feet through a hole cut into the ice on a lake into the subzero water, and then walked over the snow and ice for a mile without his boots. This is what he had to say about our socks:

"I've been trying to wear these socks out for sometime. Of the countless socks I've worn out in my life, I'm very impressed with the durability of these socks and the sock definitely fulfills the requirement with regard to reacting to submersion of the feet."

While Mors usually prefers the 100% wool socks, he was very pleased with the wool/mohair blend socks because of the added strength and durability and softness of the mohair.

Obviously we don't expect everyone who wears our socks to put them to that kind of test, but we are proud of Mors Kochanski's results. What we do know and expect, though, is that everyone who wears our socks is very pleased with the comfort and durability - whether they like their wool socks for hiking, working, playing, or just for wearing around the house. To add a comment about wearing 3 pairs: Mors Kochanski is the expert when it comes to wilderness survival; but we can guarantee that our socks are some of the thickest and most comfortable wool socks available... even if you just wear one pair at a time! And now, for those that do like the extra thickness, we've got something new.

Not by coincidence, since we are featuring our wool socks this month, we have added some new wool socks to our Prairie Wool Socks line - our new Extra Thick All-Wool Socks. You can view them in the Kaleidoscope Wool Shoppe.

- Bill Purves-Smith

© Photos Copyright Karamat Wilderness Ways. All rights reserved.