Point6 Blog

The “Contender” part of the brand new cycling line offered in Spring ‘13

Point6, makers of premium merino wool socks engineered to deliver the ultimate in performance and comfort, will debut a new collection of performance merino wool cycling socks at the 2012 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

Since the brand’s inception in 2008, Point6 continues to gain traction as a favorite among hard-core cyclists and elite athletes for high quality, exceptionally comfortable and long-lasting performance merino wool products. Positive feedback from customers, and growing demand from specialty retailers, sparked the brand to fully redesign its cycling collection, taking the collection from a few successful offerings to a robust new category.

The new Point6 cycling collection boasts ten new styles and a fresh new look, incorporating new colors, designs, trends, and sock construction techniques geared for the cycling lifestyle. Sock designs range in varying heights from 1-inch and 2.5-inch minimalist cuffs, all the way up to 5-inch and 7-inch cuffs for riders who prefer tall cycling socks.

“Cyclists in different regions prefer different sock heights,” said Patty Duke, co-CEO and creative director for Point6. “And it’s not necessarily a matter of weather or climate. It’s more a matter of personal style preference.”

So in addition to fun new designs and colors to complement a wide array of attire, we also took a close look at style trends and construction techniques that would resonate with this demographic,” Duke continued.

All Point6 cycling socks are engineered with minimal-to-no cushioning for a performance fit and maximum comfort during long rides. Whether logging miles on the road, cyclocross racing or tackling challenging singletrack in the backcountry, Point6 has mastered fit with cycling-specific sock designs and new innovations, including the new “buckle cushion.” This design features light cushioning strategically placed on the instep-area only to ease buckle pressure from stiff cycling shoes.

Arch and achilles brace support cradles the foot without impairing circulation, while ventilation panels enhance breathability for long rides in the heat. Every detail is meticulously constructed to prevent hot spots, blisters and swamp foot.

“Merino wool is proven as an excellent performer for cyclists in any climate thanks to the temperature stabilizing properties of merino fibers,” added Peter Duke, co-CEO for Point6. “Combined with the Point6 signature fit, high quality merino, and contemporary styles and colors, the new cycling collection will greatly expand our market share in this important category.”

Point6 exclusively uses 100-percent compact spun merino yarns and the highest quality merino wool, combined with advanced knitting and sock construction techniques, for products of the utmost quality, comfort and durability.

For more information, please stop by the Point6 booth at the 2012 ORSM trade show, booth # BR501 or visit www.point6.com.

This past weekend a few members of the point6 tribe headed up to Steamboat’s rugged backyard and hiked in the Zirkel Wilderness to Gold Lake and Gilpin Lake, i.e., the Zirkel Circle. 

Considering the monsoon season that brings afternoon thunder and lightning storms to the area, we set out early and managed to be hiking on the trail at 7:20am.  It was the perfect summer morning; crisp air, dewy plants, rushing creeks, and bright sun rays poking through the aspens as we made our way toward Gold Lake.  The “Circle” can be done clockwise or counter, we chose counter which brings you up a little mellower grade first, but either way, you’re getting about 3,000ft in elevation gain.

 After a couple creek crossings (which resulted in one pair of completely soaked feet), shedding our long sleeve layers, and a couple water breaks, we made it to Gold Lake.  This lake was relatively easy to reach and is stunning, with peaks rising on all sides, it sits in a nice basin where the fish frolic and the views abound.  I definitely plan on bringing our old dog up to Gold Lake in the near future for a nice morning of fishing and soaking in the beauty.  But on this day, we were pushing on to Gilpin.  After Gold Lake, the trail heads east and wraps up toward the final ascent to the top of the pass.  This saddle is the perfect place for lunch.  Does smoked gouda, salami, apples, and dark chocolate ever taste as good as it does when you’re enjoying it on the top of a mountain?

Gilpin Lake is a beauty. 

From the top of the pass, the trail zig zags down to the lake, around it, and then starts the quick and steep descent back to the parking lot.  Keeping a pretty casual pace and stopping for a good lunch break, we got back to the car just before 1:00pm (10-11 mile loop).  Just in time for the thunderstorms to bring in quite a show.  There was electricity in the air. 

There are about six creek crossings total.  Plenty of opportunities to soak your feet.  Remember, merino wool is the best choice for hiking socks.  Whether your feet get swamped in a creek or you manage to stay on the log, even the natural moisture created by your foot can be troublesome in a synthetic or cotton sock.  Learn more about the wonders of merino wool here.  I have a light hiking shoe with a pretty hard sole, and the hiking tech extra light mini crew was the perfect height and weight for me on this hike.  A bulkier hiking boot may require a thicker or taller sock, and for more technical terrain or a longer distance, I would recommend a light to medium weight hiking crew sock.  Throwing an extra pair in your pack can be a great idea as socks can double for mittens or a dry pair may be needed in case of emergency or needing to spend the night out.  If you're unsure which socks would best suit your endeavor, just drop our customer service a quick email:  info@point6.com and we'll make a recommendation for you.

All week we have been frantically encouraging our fans, friends, family, strangers, on-lookers, spammers (not on purpose) to give us a vote at the missionsmallbusiness.com website.  We need to reach 250 votes by June 30^th to even get our foot in the door for consideration.  Considered for what?  A $250,000 grant to be given out by Chase and LivingSocial.  Pretty much a game changing amount of money for a “small business.”  A small business qualifies by having been in business more than 2 years, having less than 100 employees and by being Awesome.  Well that last one isn’t in the rules, but goes without saying.  Every time someone votes for a small business to get them to 250 votes, Chase donates $5 until the pot reaches $3 million.  All of the businesses that manage to get the 250 support votes by June 30^th will then have their applications reviewed by a committee of distinguished people with important titles who work for super cool companies that do rad stuff.  This committee will then pick up to 12 businesses to receive $250,000 grants!  It's kind of a big deal.  So, now you know why we’ve been plastering our social media outlets with pleas for votes.  Thank you for your votes, ReTweets, Shares, Likes, and for putting up with the insane  ridiculous annoying ample amounts of requests.  We’ll keep you posted when  if we receive the grant J 

In case you haven't done so, please vote HERE.