38g (Size L)
- Introduction
- Light, Breathable Sleep Socks
- Product story
- Best friend for bedtime
- Product voice
- Comfort everywhere
- Form and function
- Breathable comfort
- Thermal comparison
- Relaxed fit
- Fast-drying
- Lighter and more compact than down socks
- Upcycled from surplus materials
- Material
- Polartec Alpha Direct
- Size guide
- Notes before use
- Shedding
- Instructions
- Care instructions
- Repair
Introduction
Light, Breathable Sleep Socks
The material used is Polartec Alpha Direct, which offers an excellent balance between breathability and insulation. It’s thicker than down socks, yet lighter, providing just the right amount of warmth without causing excessive sweating, making it ideal for use as sleeping socks.
The Alpha Socks provides a snug, non-constricting fit around, ensuring that your feet are comfortably protected from the cold until morning.
To avoid throwing away surplus materials, The Alpha socks are made from upcycling Alpha Vest scraps.
Product story
Best friend for bedtime
I used to sleep with wool socks on because I tend to get cold feet, but now I wear Alpha Socks. Wool socks can feel a little restricted but with Alpha Socks I sleep with my feet feeling super comfortable. Except for the height of summer, I wear Alpha Socks to bed almost every night in almost all seasons.
The prototype of Alpha Socks was actually completed when the Light Alpha Tights were released in 2021. However, at first, I didn’t see the necessity for them, they didn’t quite replace my down socks.
But after trying them out for a season, it turned out that my initial assumption was completely wrong. They became an essential tool not only for the mountains but also for everyday life.
When thinking about hiking, while the warmth of down socks is desirable in the extreme cold of winter, for the three seasons of spring, summer, and autumn, their portability, lightweight nature, and comfortable breathability make them indispensable as sleep socks.
Additionally, due to the nature of the Polartec Alpha Direct material, when you put them on, they compress slightly. This means that when you need to make a quick trip from your tent to the restroom, you can even put your shoes on over them with a bit of effort.
Considering their lightweight and ease of use, I find them to be an extremely convenient tool.
September 2023
Product voice
Comfort everywhere
In this video Akira and Hidenori will explain the concept behind the new product, Alpha Socks, as well as the intended usage scenarios.
Form and function
Breathable comfort
By using Polartec Alpha Direct, which offers excellent breathability, Alpha Socks provide comfortable sleep without completely trapping heat and moisture.
Thermal comparison
Although it is not as warm as 1000 fill power down, the slightly thick Polartec Alpha Direct (136g/m2) is one of the best insulators available. The Alpha Direct can be used not only in action but also when resting, always keeping you warm.
The chart compares the 1000 fill power down and other insulators used in thermal clothes on the market:
- Heat retention is measured by JIS L 1096 A method, in Yamatomichi in-house test. The heat insulation property is measured by the amount of energy consumed by the heat-generating element to maintain its temperature.
The maximum value is 100%. - The values of Polartec and Primaloft fabrics are the manufacturers’ catalog specs. Other fabrics’ values are measured by Yamatomichi. 1000 fill power down includes its 7 denier nylon outer and lining.
Relaxed fit
With a relaxed fit that doesn’t exert pressure, the Alpha Socks provides maximum comfort to your feet.
Fast-drying
The Alpha Socks possesses excellent Fast-drying capabilities and maintains consistent insulation even when wet.
The achart compares the fast-drying performance of middle layer products*. It is shown that Alpha Direct is not as fast-dry as the extremely fast-drying Shadow Rip (UL Shirt), but the moisture content after spin-dry is much lower than that of wool and other fabrics, and even when wet, it dries quickly if lightly wrung out or worn for some time:
*Tested by Yamatomichi. Compared the difference of the water content after completely wet and 15 minutes of spin-dry. The larger the value, the higher the moisture content, meaning slower drying.
Lighter and more compact than down socks
Alpha Socks are lighter than typical down socks, weighing only 34g with size M, folded they’re about the size of a soda can.
Upcycled from surplus materials
To avoid throwing away surplus materials, The Light Alpha Sleeves are made from upcycling Alpha Vest scraps.
This is the cutting diagram for Light Alpha sleeves and Light Alpha Tights. It shows that Light Alpha Armsleeves are made from excess fabric that would typically be discarded during the production of Light Alpha Tights.
Material
Polartec Alpha Direct
Conventional natural down and synthetic insulators tend to contain body moisture within the clothes and as a result, can be quite stuffy. Polartec Alpha Direct, on the other hand, is so air-permeable that it can be worn even during a high level of physical activity.
Additionally, the material itself is treated with Polygiene, which safely inhibits the growth of microorganisms and bacteria by incorporating low concentrations of silver ions. As a result, it possesses antimicrobial and odor-resistant capabilities that far exceed the lifespan of regular clothing.
- Excellent air-permeability and thermal performance
- Outstanding lightness and packability
- Polygiene treatment for semi-permanent antibacterial and odor-control
It is like a fleece with longer puffy hairs.
Size guide
Size chart
| Size | M | L |
|---|---|---|
| Foot length (cm) | 22.0 − 25.0 | 25.0 − 28.0 |
Product dimensions
Unit：cm
| Size | M | L |
|---|---|---|
| A | 18 | 20 |
| B | 13.5 | 14.5 |
| C | 13.5 | 14.5 |
| D | 16.5 | 23.5 |
| E | 17.5 | 25 |
Notes before use
Shedding
While lightweight and warm, due to the structure where the lofted fibers are attached to the mesh fabric, hair shedding may occur with use and washing due to wear.
Used 3 seasons
New
Instructions
Care instructions
- Machine wash, below at 30°C, Use neutral detergent.
- Wash separately or use a laundry net bag.
- Do not bleach. Do not use fabric softener.
- Dry flat in the shade to prevent stretching under its own weight.
- When using a dryer, use a low-temperature setting (60°C or lower).
- Do not dry-clean.
- Do not iron.
- If fluff is noticeable at the time of purchase, please wash once.
Care page
Visit our Care page for detailed washing, drying, and general care instructions. Thoughtful care helps keep ultralight gear performing at its best for longer.
Payment
- We only accept payment by credit card for orders from overseas.
- Bank transfer is available only to customers with a Japanese bank account.
- We accept the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB.
- To download your receipt, please click the link included in the dispatch notice email, which will be sent once your order has been shipped.
Delivery
- You will receive an order confirmation email after completing your purchase.
- Orders paid by 15:00 JST on weekdays or 13:30 JST on weekends and Japanese public holidays will be shipped the same day. Orders paid after these times will be shipped the following day.
- Shipping and delivery may be delayed due to holiday periods, natural disasters, severe weather, high order volumes, additional order verification, or other logistical issues.
- You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your order has been shipped.
- Orders placed separately cannot be combined for shipping.
Shipping Within Japan
When purchasing this product on its own, Yamato Transport’s lower-cost Nekopos service is available.
Shipping: ¥250
- Your order will be delivered to your mailbox or parcel box.
- Loss or damage is not covered.
- Delivery usually takes one to two days after dispatch, though some areas may take longer.
- Tracking is available.
- Delivery dates and times cannot be specified.
Orders containing two or more items will be packed together in a paper bag or cardboard box and shipped by Yamato Transport.
Shipping: ¥500 / ¥950 to Okinawa
International Shipping
- Orders to North America, Oceania, and Europe are shipped via DHL. Orders to Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa are shipped via EMS (Express Mail Service). We are currently unable to ship to Russia due to Japanese postal restrictions.
- Shipping fees and delivery times vary depending on the destination and the size and weight of your order. To check the exact shipping fee, add your desired items to your cart and enter your shipping address.
Packaging Options
When purchasing this product on its own, you can choose your preferred packaging for all shipping methods other than Nekopos, including international shipping.
- Standard Packaging: The shipping label is attached directly to the product packaging. We recommend this option to reduce waste.
- Protective Packaging: The product packaging is placed inside a paper bag or cardboard box. Choose this option if you do not want the shipping label attached directly to the product packaging.
Size exchange
Choosing the right size online can be difficult. To make your purchase easier, Yamatomichi offers a size exchange program for eligible items. To request a size exchange, please use our size exchange form here. Please review the conditions below before submitting your request.
- We only accept exchanges when the item is unused (except for fitting).
- If you would like to exchange your item for a different size, please contact us within seven days of receiving your order.
- Exchanges are available only for the same color in a different size.
- If your preferred size is out of stock, we may suggest a different color instead.
- If the product is no longer available, we may need to return the original item to you.
- All shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
- We will send the exchanged item after receiving payment for the return shipping cost via PayPal.
- Please note that some countries may charge customs duties depending on the value of the item.
- We are unable to advise on local customs regulations. Please contact your local customs office directly.
Repair
We accept repairs for all of our Yamatomichi products. For inquiries on repair services including patching the holes, repairing with extra components, or fixing the items damaged over time, please feel free to contact us from the “Repair” section of the SUPPORT page.