In trail shoes in cold and icy conditions the 1000 Mile Men’s Fusion Repreve Double Layer Walking socks have been excellent.

In my youth outdoor shops used to advise you to wear two pairs of socks with the boots they were recommending, which I now realise was an attempt to soften the imminent pain from the stiff leather boots they wanted to sell me! Despite being essentially two socks in one, the Fusions are thankfully much more low profile than that old system.

Peter Macfarlane recommends

Intended for use from autumn to spring, I’ve found the extra warmth of the double layer makes them suited to cooler months, but during milder days on lower-level trails, they haven’t overheated
Pros
  • comfort
  • especially when wet
Cons
  • leg is a little tight
  • cost
Quick specs
Price: $25 / £18.50
Weight: 112g pair, size large
Materials: Outer layer: 30% merino wool, 46% nylon, 23% cotton, 1% elastane Inner layer: 100% Tactel
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Women’s version: Yes
1000mile.co.uk

They are intended for use from autumn to spring and I’ve found the extra warmth the double layer brings does make them suited to the cooler months, but during long milder days on lower-level trails, they still haven’t overheated.

I’ve worn them above the snowline in lighter boots with microspikes and they performed well. In trail shoes in cold and icy conditions the Fusions have been excellent – comfortable and warm even when both feet have been submerged and I’ve dried them out again quickly on the move.

They work well for bog hopping trips, with the inner layer keeping grit away from the skin. The merino content does help with odour resistance, but I avoid the Fusions for extended trips, since the layers trap dirt and odours quite readily.

The fit is unusual, the synthetic inner fits in place before the outer as the two skins are joined only at the toe and the cuff. This gets more noticeable after many washes as the sock crumples in the wash, but after many months of wear/wash cycles it always pulls smooth again.

However, the fit does work for me – it feels very close which I got used to quickly. It has decent cushioning at high impact points, a smooth toe seam and a stretchy cuff – this might feel tighter if you have larger calves and ankles.

Testing conditions

Peter has a size 9UK foot with low-ish volume, a wide forefoot and a narrow heel and ankle. His feet tend to stay an even temperature across the seasons. He used the test socks over an extended period in all seasons and conditions in various footwear on trail and hillwalks as well as for extensive everyday use.

This review was first published in the May 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.