Review by Bagnano

July 2015
This July will be remembered as the hottest on record—let’s hope there aren’t any worse ones in the future.
I haven’t tried testing anything new in quite some time, precisely because of this sweltering summer. But after all, Oxyburn makes gear suitable for all conditions, right? So let’s get started testing the brand-new outdoor socks, model 1530
With the package in hand (the packaging is always top-notch), I’m happy to see that Smart-HD technology is also used in this model. But the materials it’s made of—and especially the percentages—make me skeptical: 38% MERINO WOOL? What’s going on? And I’m supposed to wear wool socks when the temperature is close to 40°C? I take on the challenge anyway, fully convinced that my doubts will be swept away.
The middle two weeks of July begin; it’s early morning, and I’m getting ready to head out. I pick up the socks and am immediately amazed by their exceptional softness. Putting them on feels like slipping into long, extremely snug gloves with just the right amount of stretch—it makes me want to go for a walk without any shoes.
Setting out: I’m still lucky enough to be able to walk to work—a gravelly, uneven path often overgrown with thick vegetation. The route is about 3.5 km and completely flat; I’m wearing trail running shoes and moving at a brisk pace. They feel great, despite the already uncomfortable heat: excellent breathability; the sock fits snugly without causing irritation or chafing; it’s
significantly lighter and thinner than its older sibling, the “1320” model (my favorites for outdoor use), and it’s also a tad longer. I arrive at my destination, take them off, and find my feet completely dry… I’m almost tempted to put them back on even with my safety shoes… but I resist so as not to wear them out prematurely. I retraced the same route to go home in the afternoon, with temperatures above 36°C and unbearable humidity. Back at my destination, I was even happier to be returning home and to have confirmed the socks’ exceptional performance. I repeated this round trip seven times. I can confirm my positive impressions, adding that they dry quickly and have absolutely no odor after use (without any in-between washes, of course). Test passed with flying colors.
But I expect much more from an Outdoor sock, so I also tried them out on two short trail runs along the Agna Creek and in Maddalena. Despite the even greater stress compared to brisk walking, I want to highlight the model’s excellent overall performance. In this case, the well-structured second-level compression also comes into play, providing excellent support for the muscles that are getting less oxygen during this period.
The final test is still to come: using them with hiking boots: with our “Bug a Trekkers” group, we tackled the ascent to Lake D’Arno in Val Camonica—a route that wasn’t particularly challenging but held some pleasant surprises, including a rather technical section of trail: a steep descent over slippery rocks, a narrow path, and dense vegetation.
The hike was quite long given our slow pace; we often stopped to take photos and enjoy the moment. The sole effectively cushions the impact of each step, even though the midsole isn’t overly thick. The socks don’t shift at all; they fit perfectly and are just long enough to reach mid-shin, so they fit over even the tallest hiking boots. I can confirm their excellent breathability and lightness; muscle support is outstanding thanks to the truly well-
-calibrated compression. They dry extremely quickly, even after the first wash. No loss of shape, perfect elasticity.
After nearly 60 km of use, I’m absolutely satisfied; I’ll be getting another pair in a different color thanks to the various color combinations available.
I thought I’d end up with skin irritation—I’ve never been a big fan of wool… Never has a prejudice been more wrong!
Highly recommended—a worthy replacement for the 1320s for summer hikes. I’ll be taking them with me to Val d’Aosta when we climb to altitudes near 3,000 meters.
Keep it up, OXYBURN!
Rating: 10/10
SIMONE BAGNANO