Farm to Feet introduces Damascus Elite hike sock with title sponsorship of Appalachian Trail Days

MT. AIRY, NC (APRIL 07, 2016) – In conjunction with its title sponsorship of Appalachian Trail Days, Farm to Feet, makers of 100% American socks, introduces the Damascus Elite hiking sock. The Damascus is named for the Virginia town that annually hosts the weekend long celebration of the Appalachian trail.

2016 marks the 30th anniversary of Trail Days, scheduled for May 12-15. Over 20,000 people, comprised of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and outdoors enthusiasts alike, will descend on the town of about a 1,000 to camp, mend gear, recuperate and celebrate the trail.

“Trail Days is an amazing gathering of the hiking community and showcases the spirit of the trail,” said David Petri, Farm to Feet VP of marketing. “We knit our socks less than 100 miles away from Damascus, and Trail Days is a great opportunity for us to share our story and hear the amazing stories of the thru-hikers.”

During Trail Days, Farm to Feet will provide each thru-hiker with a pair of the new Damascus Elite hiking socks and will have an area set for the hikers to relax and refresh in. Through out the weekend Farm to Feet will be documenting the stories of thru-hikers as they search for hikers to profile on next year’s Damascus packaging.

Farm to Feet names all of its socks for locations related to the brand and features personalities associated with them on the packaging. The current men’s and women’s packaging of the Damascus features multiple Damascus residents including: 

• Tim Williams- Damascus vice mayor and chairman of the Trail Days committee.

• Tuesday Pope- Damascus town clerk and one of many Trail Days organizers

• Paul and Shelly Gadola- co-owners of Iron Mountain Community Fitness that provides outdoor-focused training and wellness instruction

• Terry Kammer- former electrician who maintains a five-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail and Trail Days volunteer

• Anne Maio- Trail Days committee member and past president of the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club.

The Damascus Elite hiking sock features all the typical construction highlights found in Farm to Feet socks, including a seamless toe closure and 100% American materials, plus micro channel circumferential ventilation, 19-micron US merino yarn, targeted hexagonal reinforcement, and an enhanced Comfort Compression Fit featuring LYCRA® fiber.

“We challenged our designers and pushed the capabilities of our knitting machinery to create the best hiking sock,” said Petri. “A bad pair of socks can ruin a day hiking, but with the Damascus you can be ensured comfort for days and even weeks on the trail.”

Made using the same 200 needle knitting technology used for Farm to Feet’s popular Greensboro Adventure Sport socks, and a new finer 19-micron yarn, the Damascus Elite hikers have a high US Merino wool content that gives the comfort of a thicker sock, but in a lightweight package.

The Damascus will be offered in three styles for men and women including lightweight and mid-weight crews that provides calf support and protection from trail debris, and a lightweight quarter crew designed for approach and lower height hiking footwear.

The LYCRA® fiber knit into the skeleton yarns help form the Damascus Comfort Compression Fit. Not only does the construction ensure that the sock stays in place, but its superior elasticity provides additional muscle support. The Comfort Compression Fit with LYCRA® fiber, runs from the top of the sock through the bottom of the arch to create a snug fit that locks the foot into the heel pocket to avoid slipping and provides maximum comfort throughout the day.

Circumferential ventilation channels run vertically along the rear two thirds of the shaft of the sock from the welt down to the heel and arch areas. The micro channels help increase airflow and reduce heat build by allowing air to circulate in and out of boots. Additionally, cushioning bars alternating with ventilation channels placed under the lacing area help to further increase airflow while providing top of foot comfort.

Hexagonal patterned knitting in the high impact and abrasion zones around the forefoot and above and below the heel, including the lower Achilles, provides abrasion resistance. The targeted areas with the hexagonal pebble design also feature full density cushioning which together help defend against abrasion while massaging the foot with each step. The mid-weight style has additional full density cushioning in the shaft of sock

As with all Farm to Feet socks, the Damascus has a seamless toe closure and is made completely with US materials via a transparent US supply chain.

Damascus Elite technical hiking socks are available nationwide at better outdoor retailers and online at www.farmtofeet.com.

For additional information and a complete schedule of events for Appalachian Trail Days visit www.traildays.us.

ABOUT FARM TO FEET 

Farm to Feet™ is committed to the single, simple goal of creating the world’s best wool socks by exclusively using an all-American recipe: US materials, US manufacturing, and US workers. With its supply chain completely within the U.S., Farm to Feet is able to ensure the highest quality materials and end products, while having as little impact on the environment as possible. Once the wool is grown and sheared in the Rocky Mountains, the remaining processes take place within 300 miles of its sustainability-focused knitting facility in Mt. Airy, NC. All Farm to Feet socks feature seamless toe closures, a comfort compression fit from the top through the arch, and superior cushioning for ultimate performance and comfort. Learn more at www.farmtofeet.com.