Wigwam Hiking Outdoor Pro Review

Fully synthetic and fairly priced, the Outdoor Pro is a great sock for most seasons. It's comfortable, dries quickly after getting wet, and the looser fit allows for using a liner in colder temps, should you desire.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Outdoor Pro is cozy and comfortable, but not like Merino wool-blend contenders. Composed of 32% polypropylene, 29% X2O acrylic (designed for odor defense), 23% stretch nylon, 15% polyester, and 1% spandex, this sock feels good on the skin. The material is soft against the skin, with the looped fabric on the interior of the sock making for comfy wear. It also features a unisex fit that works well for both men and women.

While the Outdoor Pro has some elasticity in the material, the sock is quite loose and not very fitted. Compression panels around the ankle and arch of the foot do not exist, which causes the sock to move around while exercising. When hiking on a long day, we found ourselves constantly tugging on the top of the sock to keep it up on our legs. The level of cushioning in the forefoot and heel is not nearly as plush as other socks tested, but enough to carry you on multi-day hikes. If you intend on taking on super technical trails, this isn't our top recommendation, as the sock can slip, resulting in increased friction and potential blisters. However, for less technical trails, we would recommend it wholeheartedly.

Wicking and Breathability

As the highest-scoring synthetic-blend sock in this review, we love the wicking capabilities and breathability of the Outdoor Pro. Even though the material seems thick in some places, the fabric is not tightly woven, allowing better airflow. On a hot day running in Peru, we anticipated foot sweat and discomfort but were surprised to learn that the fabric breathed easily, keeping our feet dry in temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, it does not readily absorb water, making it an ideal option for wet weather.

While this sock wicks and breathes quite well in most conditions, it loses performance when it actually gets wet. This is why it doesn't score the highest in this category. On warm days, it does a great job of keeping feet dry and comfortable. When temperatures plummet, however, so does the fabric's wicking capabilities. For example, while splitboarding in Alaska, we found ourselves hiking uphill with our feet getting super hot and slimy, which didn't happen with Merino-wool blends. Sometimes, synthetic socks can have that “plastic bag” feel, and this one is no different, although it performs better than most. Overall, we like the Outdoor Pro sock for most conditions. We think it's a great option because of its breathability and water-wicking capabilities. We'd just recommend using a liner on colder days when the mercury dips below zero or switching to a thicker sock.

Warmth

For a synthetic sock, the Outdoor Pro is surprisingly warm in a variety of conditions. It retained its insulating properties in both wet and dry tests, though it didn't retain as much heat as Merino-wool blend contenders. Overall, it's not our first choice. One tester noticed after a long workday crammed into farm boots that his feet were a bit more clammy than with the wool-blend contenders.

Wool socks keep your feet warm in both wet and dry conditions. In dry tests, the synthetic Outdoor Pro provided enough insulation for sufficient performance. Ultimately we preferred a wool sock for the snow, though. Our testing showed that this fully synthetic sock did not stand up to the Merino wool blends for warmth during wintry activities. It still provides average performance in temperatures that are above freezing.

Durability

We were satisfied with the durability of the Outdoor Pro hiking sock. The high-quality polypropylene fibers are generally more durable than Merino wool. The looser stitch is the only reason these tested a bit lower on the durability scale. After stretching them out, putting them through the grime, and testing them over all kinds of terrain, our test pair still looked like new.

While other hiking socks in our lineup pilled or showed some form of wear and tear in areas of high use, this sock showed little to none. After 60 miles, the fabric didn't stretch out (beyond the already looser design), and there was no pilling. The breathability and wicking power of the Outdoor Pro also stayed strong. Not only that, but some of our testers have owned a pair of these socks (or similar from Wigwam) that have lasted well over six years. Even though this model only comes with a two-year guarantee, the construction is impressive.

Drying Speed

We are impressed with this sock's ability to dry. This isn't surprising, though, as synthetic fibers can wick and dry faster than organic fibers. In our dryer tests, the Outdoor Pro was one of the quickest to dry in its class. In our field tests, we observed the same trend, drying even more quickly than a thinner synthetic contender. Drying this sock out on a rock (after being drenched in a river) took just under two hours on a hot summer day in the sun.

We would recommend this hiker for not-too-technical multi-day adventures where you might encounter rain, creek crossings, and more. Its fast-drying speed will allow you to have dry feet the next day.

Should You Buy the Wigwam Hiking Outdoor Pro?

If you're looking for a synthetic sock for your next adventure, the Outdoor Pro is a versatile choice. It will perform well in a wide range of conditions. It'll keep your feet comfortable and dry in the heat and fairly warm in the cold, though we'd recommend a thicker option if temperatures are frigid (or a sock liner). The Outdoor Pro is quick to dry, so a good choice if you are planning to encounter a lot of moisture in warmer weather. We grew to love this sock as a good choice for day hikes in the shoulder seasons when daytime temperatures are still warm but not sweltering, and there's that first bit of nip to the nighttime air. There are many reasons why this sock earned an award. At such an affordable price, we see no reason not to give it a try.

What Other Hiking Socks Should You Consider?