Wool socks

banana-clip

banana-clip

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Jun 7, 2007
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Does anyone have any reviews on some good wool socks?

I was looking at some Wigwam merino wool socks, just wanted to know if anyone has any experience with them.
 
Don't know about Wigwam merino wool socks, but SmartWool socks are seriously nice. I got a pair last month and absolutely love them. My older sister has had a pair for 8 years, and just now decided they need replacing.

Hope that helps!
 
+1 on the Smartwool socks. I have several pair of them and love them. I also heard good things about Merino wool but haven't tried them myself
 
Check out the "Active" merino wool socks sold by Sierra Trading Post if they ever get normal sizes in stock. Don't know where else they may be available. I recently got a pair to try out, and then caught Smartwool socks for 70% off, and ended up with six pairs for myself, and several for gifts.
Those no-name socks from STP have a looser weave on the inside, but the seams around the top cuffs are done better, and the "midweight" are heavier/thicker/warmer than the midweight Smartwool PhDs. When I went back to order some more, they had mostly women's smalls left.
The WigWams I have are Coolmax, but seem to be well made.
 
Smartwools at 70% off?! Where?

Smartwool are the best. My feet have been spoiled for the last year and a half since I discovered them. They're just starting to show wear, but I have mostly the thinner cycling socks, not the thick heavy socks.

I Love Smartwool socks, nothing beats putting on a new pair.
 
LL Bean has the Cresta wool hikers on sale right now for 10 bucks a pair. Got some in the mail today. They're all I wear now, regardless of the weather. That right kids, I wear wool socks in July. Try it. You too can kiss athlete's foot goodbye. And you don't need sprays, cremes or powders to do it. Wool baby. Pamper your feet. :cool:
 
The Darn Tough socks are also great.

I've lately been using the Costco merino wool (70%) socks that look like a direct copy of the Smartwool. So far they have been great but I don't have a long-term opinion yet. Four pair for $10 and you'll be shocked how nice they feel.

DancesWithKnives
 
I'd love to find something comparable to Smartwool that is cheaper. Every other sock I try just doesn't feel right, my feet feel sweaty all the time with other socks. They're like crack for your feet... You just have to have them.

Cresta, though?

An OwenM, next time your friend has a sale like that, tell him I have $150 to spend + shipping, instantly and any time. I wear a size 12. Thanks, sir!:D
 
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Smartwool, best I've ever had. Right up there are the comparable socks from LL Bean and REI. Probably made by Smartwool.
 
Are you guys wearing liners with your smart wool socks? I have 3 pair of the medium hiking and 1 pair of the ankle socks. I'm use to washing socks after wearing them once, but I've read that you don't want to wash wool socks that often. (Hence wearing the liners).

How often do you guys wash them? Do you just toss them in with your regular laundry or do you hand wash them with wool lite?

My local discount sporting goods store has these for $6.64 a pair
http://www.foxsox.com/catalog/produ...rder=stylenumber&code=HIKE&selectedstyle=2450
I really like them compared to the smartwools. For 1/3 the price you can't beat them.

I'm using these liners in conjunction with my smartwool socks and the FoxRiver socks.(Got mine for $3.79 a pair) http://www.foxsox.com/catalog/produ...der=stylenumber&code=ALINR&selectedstyle=4321
 
Me and my wife both have a few pairs of the Goodhew brand Merino socks. They are very warm and comfortable, and come in 2 different weights. I recommend the "lightweight" for anything other than really cold conditions, unless you like more padding. They both offer a lot of cushion; they are something like 70% Merino 30% Polyester I believe. I can't vouch for their long-term reliability, but my guess they will be around for years if I take care of them (don't let my rottweiler find them). Also, they are apparently American made, which I always consider a plus over overseas made products.

I got them for $6.00ish a pair with free shipping from sierratrading post. That is an outstanding deal for quality wool socks. Be weary of "cheap" wool socks that are often comprised of very little wool, and a substantial amount of cotton.

Here's a link, right now they have a 30% off deal. I got mine at 35% off and free shipping I believe. But even at $7 a pair they are a good buy IMO.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,2796N_Goodhew-Hiking-Socks-Light-Cushion-For-Men-and-Women.html

Edit: Here is a review from one of the guys at backpacker magazine.

http://www.backpacker.com/gear-zone-goodhew-lifestyle-outdoor-light-medium-hiker-socks/gear/14194
 
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I've tried several and only buy smartwool socks anymore. Sierra Trading Post usually has them for a decent price and I throw a pair in when I'm ordering something else.
 
The big innovation developed by Smartwool was to make merino wool socks survive machine washing well. I've washed them regularly in a Kenmore front loader for many years.

I have also been regularly machine washing the 4 pr/$10 Costco merino wool socks in the normal laundry and there has been no problem over the 3-4 months I've had them. If you try the Costcos, I would not recommend the large size for guys much under size 10. They fit me well at 10 1/2 but they do not look like they would go down to 8-9 as suggested on the label. Might want the medium size for that range.

DancesWithKnives
 
Here's the BackPackGearTest.org webpage of dozens of long term, owner's reviews of socks.
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