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Of all the gear in the world to review, nothing — nothing, I tell you — is more difficult than socks. I mean really, how much can you say about socks? I hear tales of gear glory all the time, like, “That $10 snake bite kit saved my dog’s bacon after he tangled with that gila monster,” but I can’t think of a single time socks were the obvious hero. I suppose there was one time when I forgot to bring coffee-making paraphernalia on a two week trip and ended up with a designated coffee sock for filtering grounds, but really, cowboy coffee would have sufficed.
Of course the opposite is also true. It turns out that, if you have nothing much to say about socks, it means they work as advertised. That doesn’t mean I have literally nothing to say, though. Far from it. In fact, I have brought to bear my full scientific thinking powers to bring a sock-reviewing method to the madness.
Wigwam Ironman Spark Pro Features
- 42% Stretch Nylon, 33% Dri-release, 21% Acrylic, 4% Spandex
- Dri-release dries super fast
- Lightweight sole
- Foot hugging fit
- FreshGuard eliminates odors
- Breathable mesh air vents
- Seamless toe closure
Wigwam Ironman Spark Pro Review
Made primarily with runners in mind, the Wigwam Ironman Spark Pro is feature-rich big brother of the Ironman Triathlete Pro.
Do I think about these socks when doing my thing?
Not even slightly, and that’s a great thing. I should be worried about my rickety elbows, my newly repaired lumbar spine and wether or not my dog is getting enough water, not my socks!
Are my feet uncomfortable in shoes that were previously comfortable?
The thought hasn’t even crossed my mind. Still, a little bit more cushioning wouldn’t hurt.
Did the socks’ qualities change after a few wash cycles?
No change whatsoever! After roughly six washings, these socks look and feel the exact same as when they were brand new.
How long did the socks last under heavy use?
This is hard to answer, since it sort of depends on how many pairs of socks are in my rotation. For me, a non-backpacker-occasional-runner with something in the neighborhood of twelve pairs of socks I wear regularly, I had better damned well see at least a year out of my socks before the elastic weakens and I start to see my foot through them. Something in the neighborhood of two+ years is average. Three+ years is awesome. (If you only have five pairs of socks, adjust your perspective appropriately.)
Unfortunately, I haven’t had these socks long enough to say how well they held up over time. I’ll revisit this review every six months or so to update. Bookmark it now!
How do these socks look?
This is perhaps the least important attribute of a sock, but still, my Wigwam Ironman Spark Pros are not too shabby in the looks department. I have the black version, which is a little bit geeky, but there’s some color in there, too, and a lot of gray to mitigate the I’m-wearing-suit-socks-with-my-sneakers effect. It comes in three other color styles, too, and a couple of them look nice and outdoorsy.
Bottom Line:
The Wigwam Ironman Spark Pro is fantastic compromise between light and feature rich. It wicks moisture like you’d expect from a sock with the word “Ironman” in its name, and has just enough cushion for trail pushin’.
Buy Now: Slip into a pair of Wigwam Ironman Spark Pro socks.
;)
