Image: Carhartt · source
Carhartt Fleece Hat (A207)
Carhartt · Budget
The Carhartt A207 is a unisex fleece hat made of 100% polyester fleece, with a Carhartt patch sewn on the front and a one-size cut.
Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Light Cushion Crew Socks
Smartwool · Premium
The Hike Classic Edition Light Cushion Crew is a Smartwool hiking sock knit from 67% merino wool, 32% nylon and 1% elastane, with cushioning along the entire bottom of the foot.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Why Railfans Carry It
Smartwool describes its merino as helping you stay dry from sweat, resistant to odors and comfortable at the right body temperature year-round. The brand says this Classic Hike has remained mostly unchanged. Smartwool says its Hike socks come in various heights and cushion levels to help your feet feel their best from start to summit. The brand says it invented the original Merino wool performance sock, the Classic Hike, and describes its Merino as responsibly sourced and naturally performing.
In the Field
Smartwool lists this sock as pairing well with a hiking boot, a trail sneaker and a sandal. The cushion level is described as light, with padding placed along the entire bottom of the foot, a thinner choice than the full, extra and maximum levels that the brand shows in its own cushion chart. The toe uses Virtually Seamless technology, which the manufacturer says creates a flat knit toe seam. Care is simple: machine wash on a gentle cycle in warm or cool water and tumble dry low. The manufacturer says the sock is made in the USA of imported yarn and sells it in S, M, L and XL, with a size chart that also lists XX-Large for unisex socks. The page's attribute tiles list the sock height as crew, the Merino content as 67 percent wool and the knit style as comfort. Smartwool's unisex sock size chart puts Small at US men's 3 to 5.5 (women's 4 to 6.5), Medium at men's 6 to 8.5 (women's 7 to 9.5), Large at men's 9 to 11.5 (women's 10 to 12.5) and X-Large at men's 12 to 14.5 (women's 13 to 15.5). The product page also carries Smartwool's go far. feel good. Guarantee: if you are not completely happy with the gear within two years of purchasing, the company says it will get you into replacement gear.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- 67% merino wool blend with nylon and elastane
- Light cushioning along the entire bottom of the foot
- Virtually Seamless flat toe seam
- Crew height
- Machine washable, made in the USA of imported yarn
Weaknesses
- Care limits: tumble dry low only, no ironing, no bleach and no dry cleaning
- Only three colors are shown by the maker for this style: Alpine Blue, Light Gray and Taupe
- Cushioning is the light level; Smartwool's chart places Full, Extra and Maximum cushion above it, with Maximum described as the brand's thickest and warmest offering
Key Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Toe | Virtually Seamless flat knit toe seam |
| Care | Machine wash gentle, tumble dry low, no iron, no bleach |
| Brand | Smartwool |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Colors | Alpine Blue, Light Gray, Taupe |
| Origin | Made in the USA of imported yarn |
| Cushion | Light Cushion, along the entire bottom of the foot |
| Composition | 67% Merino Wool, 32% Nylon, 1% Elastane |
| Sock height | Crew |
| Style number | SW012900 |
Who It’s For
Adults who want a Merino-blend crew sock with light cushioning along the entire bottom of the foot, which Smartwool lists as pairing well with a hiking boot, a trail sneaker and a sandal.
Alternatives
Smartwool's own cushion chart describes Full Cushion as medium thickness with full sock cushioning, Extra Cushion as heavy thickness with full sock cushioning and Maximum Cushion as its thickest and warmest offering. The same chart describes Targeted Cushion as strategically placed cushioning for comfort without the bulk.
Image: Carhartt · source
Carhartt Iconic A18 Watch Cap Beanie
Carhartt · Budget
The Carhartt Iconic A18 Watch Cap Beanie is a 100% acrylic rib-knit cap with a fold-up cuff and a Carhartt patch, sold in one size.
Image: Carhartt · source
Carhartt K121 Marquette Loose Fit Midweight Hoodie
Carhartt · Mid-range
The Carhartt K121 is a loose-fit midweight hoodie, in most colors a 10.5-ounce 50% cotton / 50% polyester blend, with triple-stitched main seams, a three-piece drawcord hood and a front handwarmer pocket.
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