Topic: The Best Wool Socks of 2023 (Read 76 times)
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While nearly all of the best sock brands are based out of the U.S., Farm to Feet takes this to the next level by sourcing the raw materials (merino wool, nylon, and spandex) from U.S. suppliers as well. That supports American workers and businesses, and cuts the overall carbon emissions by shrinking the distance raw materials travel to Farm to Feet’s North and South Carolina manufacturing facilities.
Farm to Feet’s Damascus sock is well padded on both the top and bottom, and made from a high-performing blend of merino wool and nylon. For our testing crew, the elastic along the upper was a hair tight on our calves (serious backpackers rarely have skinny legs), and the extra bulk from the upper padding took up a noticeable amount of space in our shoes. While this sock doesn’t quite have the versatility of the Darn Tough Light Hiker, it’s an excellent mid to late season option. When the temperatures run even colder than that, check out Farm to Feet’s Kodiak.
It’s tough to convince our testers that there might be a sock that they like more than Darn Tough, but the Tough Cutie Merino Wool Hiker came close. The Tough Cutie Hiker has a great fit, wrapping around the arch with just a touch of spandex to stay in place. It’s cushioned across the heel and the entire ball of the foot. There is great venting and flex across the top of the ankle, maximizing range of motion.
The only drawback is that there are no wide width or men’s options currently available, which may be limiting for women who typically purchase men’s socks and shoes to acco*modate a wider width foot.
Merino wool remains the most popular fiber for socks because of its inherent qualities: temperature regulation, moisture management, odor control. And the more merino wool your sock contains, the better job it will do at all of those things. But maximizing the amount of merino wool in your sock can have trade offs: with co*fort and with durability—even high-grade merino wool isn’t as soft and durable as nylon and polyester. Most so-called wool socks really top at about 60 percent merino wool, with several of our top picks not even clearing 50 percent.
The Icebreaker Crew sock had the highest percentage of merino wool of any of the socks we tested. In addition to merino’s natural wicking ability, it also had a very thin upper, maximizing its performance in hot temperatures. Where it suffered most was in co*fort: The texture of this sock was just rougher, thanks to all that scaly merino wool. For colder weather, try Icebreaker’s Merino Mountaineer Mid Calf Sock.
While very few of the socks in our test actively caused blisters on our testers’ feet, the Montbell Merino Toe Sock was the only one that actively prevented them. Typically, blisters show up in between toes when they rub against one another when you hike (particularly if you are sweating), creating a pocket of fluid that eventually bursts. By encasing each toe in its own separate pocket, the Montbell Merino Wool Travel 5 Toe Socks allowed our toes to glide smoothly without rubbing together. It did take our testers a bit of time to get used to the feeling of fabric between their toes, but most were able to forget about it after only a few miles of hiking.
While these socks were some of the most affordable in our test, they did lack the underfoot cushioning and venting on the upper that are typically associated with best-in-class hiking socks. Testers also noted that the fabric felt more like a synthetic than a typical wool sock, but that this didn’t detract from its performance or co*fort.
Read Next: Should You Pop a Blister While Hiking?
Our Oregon Coast Trail testing trip took us from chilly 40-degree mornings to 80-degree full-sun afternoons. We oscillated between puffer jackets (and puffer pants) and shorts with the best hiking shirts. But our socks had to pull double-duty, keeping our feet warm at the start of the day without overheating when the mercury jumped. Of all the socks we looked at, the Smartwool Hike had the best ventilation on top, which accentuates the wicking power of its 56 percent merino content. It was also one of the softer socks we tested, earning praise from our testers.
The biggest downside to the Smartwool Hike is its warranty—only two years. If you’re looking for a true lifetime sock, one of the other picks on this list will serve you better.
While Smartwool also makes our favorite sock for skiing, for everyday cold-weather temps their Mountaineer Classic Edition Maximum Cushion Crew Socks is a best-in-class choice.
Our testers struggled with the Point6 Essential Light Crew. While other wool socks in this test hugged our feet, staying put on days where we hiked upwards of 15 miles, the Point6 sock tended to slide around. On the first day of hiking, when assistant gear editor Ashley Thess knocked out 19 miles between the start of the Oregon Coast Trail and the town of Gearhart, she ended up with blisters on her feet. She was the only tester with blisters on the first day.
However, if you wear some of the best hiking shoes for wide feet, the Point6 Essential Light Crew would be an excellent choice. The less constructive feel of these socks will easily acco*modate a wider volume foot without needing to go up a sock size (where the heel placement may be incorrect for your length of foot). And while our testers felt this sock was less co*fortable to the touch than others we looked at, its overall construction (particularly the high merino content) makes this a solid choice for both day hikes and overnights. For colder temps, check out the Point6 Trekking Heavy Cushion Crew.
Smartwool’s body-mapped ventilation excels in a ski sock when you’re working your calves and your feet are stuck in thick, tight ski boots. I prefer this location-specific breathability opposed to an all-over thinner sock because Smartwool’s targeted cushion protects my shin and feet from hot spots. The women’s specific fit means the sock doesn’t slip or bunch even in high-intensity uphills when backcountry touring.
The cushion is perfectly placed giving me noticeable co*fort and temperature control for long days on the slopes. They repel odor so well that as long as I properly air dry them after use, I can re-wear them for up to two weeks, skiing two to three times a week. While Darn Tough has my heart while hiking, these are my go-to ski socks. —Ashley Thess