Skip to main content

ScentLok Socks: Defeating Odor Through Science

ScentLok socks
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that foot odor is gross. All of us can likely also agree that wearing socks underneath our shoes or boots is a good idea. If you’ll permit a pseudo-syllogism, I posit, therefore, that socks that eliminate foot odor are a good thing.

Recommended Videos

Fortunately for all of us, ScentLok makes socks that destroy odor molecules. They also happen to be comfortable and even rather stylish. Believe me, I know: I’m wearing a pair right now.

The Everyday
The Everyday Image used with permission by copyright holder

ScentLok was founded in 1992 and caters primarily to outdoorsmen and hunters. The brand offers everything from jackets to pants to headgear, all of it imbued with technology (I’ll get to specifics, don’t worry) that reduce odors. This is of particular importance for game hunters, as the whiff of an approaching human can send a potential kill scurrying deep into the forest. But reducing body odor is also a plus when it comes to human-to-human interactions, I’ve noticed. And it’s in this capacity that I was thrilled to get acquainted with a few ScentLok products.

Whenever I can, I go for hikes, and the longer the trail, the better. The best parts of a trek include reaching a mountain summit, stopping in a shady hollow, or swapping stories with your companions as you slog along, mile after mile. One of the worst parts of a hike is that moment when you pull off your boots and unleash the godforsaken stink amassed around your feet during the aforementioned slog. This experience is made all the worse when it comes within the confines of tent. Add in the effects of a downpour or a misstep into a creek or puddle and it just gets worse.

The Crewmax
The Crewmax Image used with permission by copyright holder

Your feet smell because of the bacteria that thrive in the moist, warm environment created by a shoe, a foot, and most socks. ScentLok socks shift the paradigm, prohibiting the growth and proliferation of bacteria thanks to the Silver Alloy technology woven into the fibers. What is this sorcery of which I speak? Well, take it directly from ScentLok: They say their Silver Alloy technology uses “a co-extruded, silver particle-based technology combined with a synthetic fiber that prohibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, even in the harshest environments. [The] process permanently fuses Silver Alloy into the fibers so it will never wash out like most other topical treatments.”

I took the time to discuss ScentLok socks with a few folks who work for the company, including Nick Andrews, the Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for ScentLok. One of my main concerns was the longevity of the odor-blocking technology. Nick assured me that a ScentLok sock’s ability to fight odor would outlast the sock itself. “We ask people to send the socks back to us when they eventually wear out, in fact, so we can reclaim the silver and use it in future products,” he explained. So OK, that sounded pretty good.

But odor issues aside, are these socks comfortable? Yes. In fact, they are as comfortable as any socks I own, and that includes casual, dress, and hiking socks. The Everyday Sock, arguably a flagship product, features added cushioning in the sole and compression zones over the bridge and around the cap (the part that’s highest up on your calf) that help to keep your foot supported and keep the sock in place, respectively. The fabric is moisture-wicking and helps to keep your foot dry, a good thing for comfort and to even further reduce stink problems. I also tried out ScentLok’s Merino Thermal Crewmax sock which is also infused with carbon fiber for even more odor control. These tall, snug socks are ideal for hiking or for all-day use in any sort of physical pursuit, from construction work to field research and beyond. At around $30 a pair, they’re not cheap, but they are high quality.

Earth Sense
“Earth Sense” Image used with permission by copyright holder

ScentLok also offers a number of socks that look less like work and/or hiking apparel and that will blend in with almost any ensemble, from a business suit to casual clothing. I took their striped socks called The Professional for a spin (or… a walk) and was left with feet feeling great and smelling like… nothing at all.

Steven John
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
A long-awaited reopening in the Smoky Mountains is finally here
Great Smoky Mountains National Park repairs a culvert and more at this favorite hiking spot
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ever since the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has slowly but surely been reopening sections of the park following reconstruction efforts. The Cosby Area, which is a popular place for visitors to hike, camp, and picnic, is next on the list. As of May 12, 2025, the Cosby Area has officially reopened following the completion of a culvert replacement under Cosby Entrance Road.

This is one of many rehabilitation projects in the area aimed at protecting aquatic species and managing water flow, since flood damage has been a major concern. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and recent debris buildup have heightened risks in the area.

Read more
Top attraction at Sequoia National Park finally reopens after 4 years
Sequoia National Forest opens the Crystal Caverns after 4 years of closure
Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park

Crystal Cave, which is Sequoia National Park's most popular attraction since the park's opening in 1940, will finally reopen for guided tours on May 23 after four long years of closure. These closures were due to several consecutive natural disasters, including the 2021 KNP Complex wildfire, as well as 2022 and 2023 winter storms which brought heavy snow, flooding, and landslides.
“The opening of Crystal Cave is a big step forward in disaster recovery for Sequoia and Kings Canyon,” said Clay Jordan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks superintendent. “We’re excited to be able to reopen this incredible attraction to visitors and encourage people to enjoy all of the beauty and wonder these parks have to offer.”

Restoration efforts have been extensive near the Giant Forest, where Crystal Cave resides. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy replaced several power lines, stabilized roads, and removed almost 3,000 hazardous trees, with 2,000 more to go.

Read more
Do golf balls go bad? Here’s how to know when it’s time to toss them
Sketchy golf ball? Here's how to see if it's still playable
Golf ball near the hole

Maybe you've found a box of old golf balls in your garage, or an unclaimed one out on the fairway. You might be wondering, do golf balls go bad? Modern golf balls are actually pretty robust, lasting as long as five or ten years or more without significant degradation, but it's always good to check. Golf balls can degrade over time, and the signs aren't always obvious. Here's everything you need to consider when teeing up with old golf balls.
How to tell if your golf balls are bad

Look for structural damage
The first thing to look for is structural damage. If your golf balls have visible scuffs, cuts, or cracks from play, they aren't going to serve you well out on the fairway. These deformities, even if they are small, can affect the aerodynamics during flight. You might be okay with very minor dings, but use your best judgment.
Checking the health of the core
If your golf ball has no structural damage, now it's time to check the health of the core. I like to give them a gentle squeeze to see if they are firm and consistent all the way around. A bad one will feel softer or even squishy in places. Then, gently bounce the golf ball on a hard surface and compare it to a new one. If it bounces almost as high, that means that it's likely still good.
The saltwater test
Epsom salt isn't just great for getting rid of sore muscles. A while ago, Bryson DeChambeau made some waves for his creative method for testing the balance of his golf balls. Golfers have been doing this for a while, but he went on to win the U.S. Open with this golfing hack.

Read more