Re: Supply Division Wish List
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Wed, 18 Dec 1996 14:53:48 -0700
Re: Cotton content in BSA Clothing:(Change Scout Socks to Thorlo Acrylic)
A particular problem has been the 80% cotton content of BSA Scout socks
with the red border. At Jamborees, we have experienced a high number of
Scouts and Leaders with blisters resulting from only wearing one pair of
the Scout socks and no polypropylene sock liners. Our experience has been
that those folks who wear liners under the socks seldom have a problem;
however most Scouts were not aware of this as being the source of their
troubles and did not know why they got the blisters in the first place.
We sent many of them to the trading post to buy polypropylene liners but
they even ran out of stock on those early in the Jamboree.
It is hard to reach everyone to inform them on the problems caused by
wearing only one pair of mostly cotton thin socks, so it would be best if
they were simply replaced by socks that won't cause the problem in the
first place, and which are certainly more comfortable to wear since they
wick moisture away from the foot, are padded, and don't cause blisters.
Most Scouts either don't have or forget to put on sock liners anyway so
it would be most prudent to simply have socks that prevent the problem in
the first place.
The best solution would be to get Thorlo to replace the Scout socks with
their version of a high bulk acrylic crew or hiking socks. They can be
dyed to the olive green and red trim to qualify as "official" Scout socks
and will certainly give superior service to the present version. The cost
may be slightly higher but the return on investment from lack of blisters
and increased comfort and life will be well worth any additional expense.
BSA sells Thorlo hiking socks through their supply service anyway so why
not take it a step further and get them made up in official "colors" to
both meet uniforming code and provide proper protection from blisters.
It would be great if this could be done soon so Scouts
attending the Jamboree won't suffer a similar malady again this time.
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
and Medical Technician, Subcamp 9/National Scout Jamboree
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
