Gear and Wear
A comprehensive review of gear and clothing for the active lifestyle, run and written by an avid hiker, runner, and all around fitness junky. The aim of the Gear and Wear is to fill the gap left from the lack of complete and thorough reviews available anywhere else. As such, all products reviewed by Gear & Wear have been used extensively before being reviewed to insure only reliable information is being passed on to other consumers. Reviews can be found categorized as a piece of gear (for hiking, camping, climbing, boxing/MMA, working out or other), wear (for footwear, shirts, jackets, pants and shorts or accessories) or by their brand name. Additionally we'll also upload a review on some food to keep you fueled! We can also be found on Twitter @GearandWearBlog.
Cost: $17.95 Cost: $36 (for a 3 pack) Great for: Yoga or wearing with a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes. The good: These are some of the best athletic toe socks on the market. The bad: They feel a little thinner than standard athletic socks. Rating Variety/Appearance: 8/10. They come in 3 colors, none of which are very flashy. However, they all look good because of their sharp design and customized look. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. Everything about these socks screams comfort! The top of the sock is designed to fit comfortably around your ankles and not pinch of squeeze. Directly under that there is a patch of ventilated mesh to allow fresh air to get to your feet and really help them breathe. Lastly, the toe spaces are properly sized and stretchy allowing for maximum comfort. Quality/Durability: 10/10. The thinness of the socks had me worried that some durability would be lost, however that was not the case. These socks have lasted me about 2 years now and still look and feel great. Value: 10/10. This is the go to brand for anyone looking for athletic toe socks. While they are pretty expensive they last long enough to make that investment worth it. Other: 10/10. Most Vibram owners do one of two things: go sock-less or buy some Injinji socks. When you go sock-less you realize really quick just how fast your shoes can and will get dirty and smelly. The fact is that it is a lot easier (not to mention faster and cheaper) to clean these Injinji socks than try to clean your Vibrams. Overall: 48/50. Verdict: This is truly a great pair of socks. Anyone with Vibrams should own a pair or two. As for other people, I also think they work great for yoga or to wear in standard shoes just to have more "wiggle room". The decision to buy for just those reasons then turns into are you willing to spend the money (because quite frankly the cost is the worst thing about this product). I personally don't think anyone would be upset if they purchased these socks though. Cost: $25.99 Great for: Skiing, snowboarding, casual use or running in the winter. The good: It really contours and fits your foot the way a sock should fit. The bad: It's price is a little scary, especially since it is a smaller/lesser known company. Rating: Variety/Appearance: 7/10. You only get the option between two very dark socks, but the design is impressive. There is a lot going on with this pair of socks that really sets it apart and makes it noticeable. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. This is where Fits socks shine. It is extremely soft and warm, which makes it great for snow, and you can really feel the padding when you wear a pair. Quality/Durability: 10/10. Absolutely no complaints. You really are paying for quality with this product. Value: 10/10. The only thing that I really dislike about these socks is the lack of options they come in, which isn't really an issue since they will be covered when worn anyways. Other: 10/10. Whoever designed this sock needs a raise. The amount of times I've bought long socks and they were horribly uncomfortable because of the poor design is too high to count. There are two main things that make this sock fantastic: the heel and calf spaces. Most socks offer no change in diameter for the calf and when they get to the heel just tapers to one side and the bump is for your heel. Fits socks have a special heel space that actually fits a persons heel comfortably! As for the calf, Fits was smart enough to make the calf widen at the opening and smaller by the heel (because that's how a leg looks!). Overall: 47/50. Verdict: If you live in or frequently visit an area that snows this is a sock for you. Even wearing it for casual purposes will be worth the investment because of how great these socks fit and feel. Cost: $12.99 Cost: $100 Great for: light hiking, water sports, and wading through water (with minimal rocks). The good: These make for fantastic water shoes. The light webbing makes for a light but still supportive shoe that also has an extremely quick dry time. As an added bonus the open design makes for an easy clean of dirt or sand. The bad: The same webbing that lets in water and easily washes away sand offers little resistance for pebbles and small rocks which can easily become stuck between your foot and the shoe. Rating Variety/Appearance: 9/10. With a wide array of color schemes to choose from there is certainly a style for everyone. Feel/Comfort: 8/10. There is certainly enough support and the webbing feels very soft against your feet, but the heel strap tends to dig in more than I'd like. Quality/Durability: 8/10. Precise stitching and strong but soft cloth are highlights. However, the outsole leaves something to be desired, a little more traction would go a long way. Value: 5/10. The hefty price with minimal functionality is offset by the high quality and good design making this sandal fall in the middle of the pack. Other: 10/10. The fact that this shoe doesn't look like other shoes on the market certainly makes it a head turner and gives it some flair. Overall rating: 40/50 Verdict: A great shoe for water activities or as a "specialty" shoe but not justified for much else.
Cost: $100
Great for: Hiking, camping, being in or near water, and casual use. The good: Super protective toe box and rugged outsole means you can take on most terrain. The bad: Not as water friendly as other shoes (like UNEEKs). Rating Variety/Appearance: 7/10. It is a little bit of everything but still completely its's own. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. Extremely soft fabric (that is also antimicrobial) feels soft while also being supportive. Quality/Durability: 10/10. Very well made, even with all of their uses they take the punishment and continue to perform. Value: 10/10. Considering all of the shoes it replaces it is a steal. Other: 10/10. The toe box gives the added bonus of keeping pebbles and rocks from entering your shoes which was problematic in some of Keen's other shoes (check out my UNEEK review for further details). Overall: 47/50. Verdict: Everyone can get use out of the Newport H2s, making it a no brainer. Cost: $39.99
Great for: Endurance running. The good: The sock widens at the calf a bit (like all socks should) for a comfortable fit. The bad: I'm all for spending money on good products but this seems like it's pushing the limit. Rating Variety/Appearance: 4/10. A great look, but there could be some other colors or designs added. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. Quality/Durability: 10/10. Value: 9/10. This is easy one of the best socks on the market. It's certainly worth more than its' competition, but it still feels like the price could be a little lower. Other:10/10. It's hard to describe how much of a difference running in these socks is, but it is almost like comparing running in some beat up shoes vs running in a brand new pair. Overall:43/50. Verdict: A great investment for a dedicated athlete, otherwise it's going to be too expensive to justify buying. Cost: $80 Great for: Light hikes and rocky terrain. The good: The outsole is extremely rugged and offers a ton of traction. The bad: Constant rubbing on the inside of the heel causes quick wear (and is kind of unavoidable due to the lace-less design). Rating Variety/Appearance: 4/10. Extremely limited color options and a pretty uninspired design leaves me wishing for more. Feel/Comfort: 7/10. With a proper fitting these shoes will feel fantastic, however as the heel starts getting ripped up the comfort drops. Quality/Durability: 8/10. Besides the heel everything is made to last. My pair have seen numerous winters and continue to impress. Value: 9/10. These shoes are going to last. Ignoring the heel, the rest of the shoe will hold up for years meaning the only reason you'll need a new pair is when you finally wear down the outsole. Other: 10/10. The beefy outsole but low cut design fits a nice niche most shoes don't. It is perfect for day or weekend trips where you have minimal gear to carry (and therefore need less ankle support) but some rugged terrain to traverse. Overall: 38/50. Verdict: An excellent pick for weekend hikers as long as you don't mind the few drawbacks Cost: $55 Great for: Casual walks, runs, and working out (leg day). The good: You can instantly feel the difference in your legs when walking with these shoes. Additionally, the minimalist design targets muscles that other shoes don't hit. The bad: The fabric between the toes is an easy place for water to seep through. Rating Variety/Appearance: 3/10. I hope you like the color, it's the only option. The design and overall look is good but the blue can be too much at times. Feel/Comfort: 10/10. If these shoes don't feel great you're doing something wrong. Quality/Durability: 10/10. After putting in a few hundred miles they still hold up fine, and, besides the insole, looks relatively new. Value: 8/10. This is a great shoe for a very reasonable price, but the color can be too much for certain occasions causing a loss of flexibility in use. Other: 9/10. Vibram shoes hit muscles no other shoe does while simultaneously making the minimalist lifestyle comfortable. Overall: 40/50. Verdict: A fantastic shoe for a good price, I just hope Vibram will give some more options style wise. |
About your Reviewer: Joe P.Growing up in Michigan and around the Great Lakes has made it easy to be an avid outdoors enthusiast and conservationist my whole life. I love doing anything that keeps me staying active and being outdoors. This ranges from running, lifting, climbing, hiking, camping, biking, etc. All of these hobbies of mine are things I take very seriously and love to do. Because of this, before I make any purchase for one of my passions I try to do as much research about a product as possible to insure I am getting a product that I will enjoy for years. That has led to me starting this site in hopes of helping others avoid the guess work I went through by providing honest and unbiased product reviews. If you have any questions, concerns, or request please contact me at [email protected] ArchivesCategories
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