Large Open Socks by Darn Powerful
Socks. The unsung hero of our each day lives.
I’ve been a fan of Darn Powerful socks for years, as soon as I lastly realized that $25 for a pair of socks was price it for the standard. For informal use, I can perceive the price appears excessive, however the Merino wool maintains temperature, reduces odor, and wicks away moisture. At RoadTrailRun, we obtain plenty of gadgets for free of charge, however I’ve by no means obtained free Darn Powerful socks. I’ve a number of different manufacturers that I rotate via, however these are my go-to socks, and I discover them well worth the worth.
Talking of Darn Powerful, Large Open’s packaging and product look very comparable, and there’s a motive for that. The corporate was created by Cabot Hosiery Mills, the Vermont-based textile producer of, you guessed it, Darn Powerful socks.
[Image from Wide Open: women’s cushioned micro crew sock]
The most important and most evident distinction between the 2 manufacturers is within the identify: WIDE Open. Large Open socks are purported to stretch to 4E and had been created to supply the identical high quality as Darn Powerful socks for people with extensive toes and legs.
I don’t have extensive toes or legs, however I perceive how Darn Powerful socks match solely a choose form and measurement. They’re tight. I like that tight really feel for outside actions, particularly path races in muddy or moist circumstances. I wore Darn Powerful socks for the 2023 (very muddy) Black Hills 50 and for the 2024 Bighorn 52 miler (two pairs as I switched
I obtained my first pair of Large Open socks at The Working Occasion in 2023, which was the cushioned “no present” sock with 59% Merino wool. A ladies’s small matches sizes 4.5-7 and a medium matches sizes 7.5-9.5. For trainers, I put on a 7.5 or 8, often an 8.
My measurement medium within the no present sock was a bit free across the ankles and though I put on the socks casually, I didn’t discover them as snug for working as in comparison with my Darn Powerful socks. Nevertheless, that’s all within the sizing. In the event you don’t have extensive legs or toes, a measurement down is perhaps helpful. The no-show sock’s ankle/foot opening will likely be free for anybody with common to slender width ankles. In fact, that’s the level of the product: to be wider than Darn Powerful.
[Photo: Wide Open women’s cushioned micro crew]
Large Open despatched a ladies’s measurement small of the cushioned micro crew sock, and it was a significantly better match for me as in comparison with a measurement medium within the no present sock. The micro crew foot opening has some stretch to it, but it surely didn’t slide down.
The Merino wool is 65% as in comparison with the no-show sock’s 59%. The socks don’t particularly appear “extensive,” quite they’re softer and stretchier as in comparison with Darn Powerful socks. The wool pils faster and extra simply, however I’ve not seen the long run sturdiness being affected, simply the looks. For comparability, I’ve a number of pairs of Creepers model Merino wool socks, which have a comfortable, stretchy mix of material. Each manufacturers pils the identical, which is on par for wool that has some stretch.
My first outing with the micro crew socks was via an ungroomed path in a number of nettle and weeds. I had burrs caught to my socks and pulling them out brought about some seen piling of the wool. Whereas I typically wash my Darn Powerful socks on heat and put them within the dryer, Large Open socks will last more by rigorously following the really useful care for laundry.
In the event you like Darn Powerful socks however want one thing that’s not so tight, then go together with Large Open. Folks with out extensive legs/toes would possibly contemplate a measurement down particularly in case you are between sizes in working/mountaineering sneakers.
For match, the “extensive” comes from the stretch of the fabric itself, not essentially the circumference or measurement. Whereas working, I favor my Darn Powerful socks due to the tight match. For mountaineering and different outside actions, I just like the softer, extra stretchy Large Open.
For individuals who want extensive sizing, and never merely a stretchier materials, I’m not positive Large Open affords what you want. The product is nice high quality, simply not a solution for individuals who are on the lookout for a a lot bigger, wider sock than what’s already available on the market. I believe it’s price making an attempt although, particularly given their return coverage, which affords free delivery on returns for 90 days out of your date of buy. Additionally they give a Army, First Responders, and Medical Professionals low cost.
Large Open Socks can be found at
AMAZON
WIDE OPEN
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of working and writing began. She isn’t that superior of a runner, however she tries actually laborious. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles happen on rural nation roads in Nebraska, that means mud, gravel, dust, hills, and the occasional area. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and three:26:45 for the marathon.
