For actual good winter socks, the percentage of wool and type of wool both matter.
Merino wool is MUCH more comfortable for most people (it's softer, more finely woven and much less itchy), Generally the higher the content merino wool, the better (at least warmer) the sock should be. Also note there are thin, medium weight and heavy weight/duty (thickest) weaves so buy according to your specific needs.
Nylon is generally the next highest percentage component because it wears really well, meaning it is very resilient to thinning, tearing and ripping.
If you want to get a lot of life out of decent quality and above Merino wool socks (really any socks for that matter), wash them somewhat sparingly (which is more reasonable with wool socks) and always air dry (or at least as as often as realistically able) the heat from the dryer is hard on both the wool and the nylon, which again, should be the two most abundant components in good quality and above winter/cold weather socks.
There is a reason the informed outdoor enthusiasts say "cotton kills", same goes for socks, cotton is fantastic for primary sock construction UNLESS/until it gets wet, once it's wet it quickly becomes a liability, especially in the cold, but also in general because the fibers fill with water and stay wet which then quickly can cause all other sorts of issues.
Sorry if this is TLDR or repetitive, wish someone would have explained some of this to me much earlier in my life. 😖🥴🤦
35% wool
These off-brand socks all come from the same row of factories in Zhangjiagang, PRC. They are using recycled wool products, or wool rejected from the Unitex factory. The fit is fine, but they wear faster on the soles than a premium wool hiker.
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Wish this was explained to my dad back in the 80s. (Although he probably couldn't afford it for all us boys.) I was told to just put on another pair of knee high white tube socks with color band at the top and to cram my foot in boots that had little to no insulation.
Trying to climb down out of a tree stand when your feet feel like wooden pegs is not easy.
Miss my dad, but not my frozen feet. Good times.
I buy wool socks at the end of season every year. I've ended up giving everyone of my nephews and my youngest brother that hunts with us a pair of good merino wool socks.
I usually sport a medium sock for most days above 35 and add a heavy sock for below 35. Two heavy socks for below teens and up to low 20s. Boots are just basic 5m neoprene boots.
Socks and thermal wear is a big deal for me to retain heat since I'm very lean.
I don't remember any merino wool socks available in the 80s. Tube socks and cut off jeans were more stylin'.
These are the best. Have been using them over two decades. Good bang for the buck.
Recently Costco has changed these from the outdoor trial version here http://costcocouple.com/kirkland-...ool-socks/
Few years ago I bought same design socks that read REAL TREE instead of FUN TOES. They are warm, but will start pilling soon. The bottoms will get thin. But same goes with other wool socks.
SlidingBike These are the best. Have been using them over two decades. Good bang for the buck.
Recently Costco has changed these from the outdoor trial version here
Would you mind sharing the link to some socks you would approve of somewhere? Like maybe amazon? You sound knowledgeable and I appreciate the information.
There are a bunch and many readily available from many suppliers/retailers. Though since this is SlickDeals, the Kirkland Signature offerings from Costco are really very decent quality for very good prices, they offer them year after year and in both mens and women's versions. Unfortunately, they don't have children's sizes. I think they are missing a pretty big opportunity there but that's a whole different thing.
Wish this was explained to my dad back in the 80s. (Although he probably couldn't afford it for all us boys.) I was told to just put on another pair of knee high white tube socks with color band at the top and to cram my foot in boots that had little to no insulation.
Trying to climb down out of a tree stand when your feet feel like wooden pegs is not easy.
Miss my dad, but not my frozen feet. Good times.
I buy wool socks at the end of season every year. I've ended up giving everyone of my nephews and my youngest brother that hunts with us a pair of good merino wool socks.
I usually sport a medium sock for most days above 35 and add a heavy sock for below 35. Two heavy socks for below teens and up to low 20s. Boots are just basic 5m neoprene boots.
Socks and thermal wear is a big deal for me to retain heat since I'm very lean.
Yeah, same! Sounds like we had parents with similar understandings 😅😖😂
We would get actual bread bags (empty ones) that my mom would put over our first pair of tall/knee high cotton socks and then we put on the next pair of tall cotton socks, the idea was the (fully plastic bag) was to help keep the base pair dry, bless her heart, she was really trying to figure it out. 🥴😂☺️
She used rubber bands high on our calves to keep the bread bags up! 😅🤯🤣🤣
I will also add, be mindful in trying NOT to stuff your feet too fully into winter boots or ski/snowboarding boots, etc.
Being able to wiggle your toes is a very good indicator of being able to keep those toes warm, if they aren't able to wiggle fairly easily, or at all, they are going to get colder, faster, guaranteed.
Two thinner pair may very well serve you better than one thick pair and very likely, two thick pair. Consider trying a thin pair (as a base) with a thicker pair second layer, if it is the difference of being better able to wiggle the toes. 👍🏼👍🏼
Wow that was a good deal back in 2019, $13 for 6 pairs. Sad the new ones are not as good and cost more.
Yes, I bought them around 6 packs. Gifted few to my extended family. We in our house use them all the winter. Recently, I have purchased a stock of weatherproof branded bit low profile woolen socks stock(from Costco on deal) to use during NOT-TOO-COLD winters in the house. They area also nice augmentation to cover the feet across the seasons to keep'em warm and cozy.
A side note: I also stock few extra pairs of Costco winter in-house slippers to augment these socks inside house usage.. They really work well together.
30 pairs for $90 after their $25 coupon. Very slick, good post.
True SD'er right there.
I've always underestimated the value of wool socks in the wintertime. I live in a moderate climate, but the wool definitely helps. Plus, I would buy the Kirkland version over an Amazon generic version becuase I already have a Costco membership.
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Merino wool is MUCH more comfortable for most people (it's softer, more finely woven and much less itchy), Generally the higher the content merino wool, the better (at least warmer) the sock should be. Also note there are thin, medium weight and heavy weight/duty (thickest) weaves so buy according to your specific needs.
Nylon is generally the next highest percentage component because it wears really well, meaning it is very resilient to thinning, tearing and ripping.
If you want to get a lot of life out of decent quality and above Merino wool socks (really any socks for that matter), wash them somewhat sparingly (which is more reasonable with wool socks) and always air dry (or at least as as often as realistically able) the heat from the dryer is hard on both the wool and the nylon, which again, should be the two most abundant components in good quality and above winter/cold weather socks.
There is a reason the informed outdoor enthusiasts say "cotton kills", same goes for socks, cotton is fantastic for primary sock construction UNLESS/until it gets wet, once it's wet it quickly becomes a liability, especially in the cold, but also in general because the fibers fill with water and stay wet which then quickly can cause all other sorts of issues.
Sorry if this is TLDR or repetitive, wish someone would have explained some of this to me much earlier in my life. 😖🥴🤦
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Wish this was explained to my dad back in the 80s. (Although he probably couldn't afford it for all us boys.) I was told to just put on another pair of knee high white tube socks with color band at the top and to cram my foot in boots that had little to no insulation.
Trying to climb down out of a tree stand when your feet feel like wooden pegs is not easy.
Miss my dad, but not my frozen feet. Good times.
I buy wool socks at the end of season every year. I've ended up giving everyone of my nephews and my youngest brother that hunts with us a pair of good merino wool socks.
I usually sport a medium sock for most days above 35 and add a heavy sock for below 35. Two heavy socks for below teens and up to low 20s. Boots are just basic 5m neoprene boots.
Socks and thermal wear is a big deal for me to retain heat since I'm very lean.
I don't remember any merino wool socks available in the 80s. Tube socks and cut off jeans were more stylin'.
Recently Costco has changed these from the outdoor trial version here http://costcocouple.co
Recently Costco has changed these from the outdoor trial version here http://costcocouple.com/kirkland-...ool-socks/ [costcocouple.com]
Recently Costco has changed these from the outdoor trial version here
Great prices in 2018. I still remember $3 per sock
Recently Costco has changed these from the outdoor trial version here http://costcocouple.com/kirkland-...ool-socks/ [costcocouple.com]
~$16-17/6-pack with the $25-60 off promos
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~$16-17/6-pack with the $25-60 off promos
These is not a really a deal. You get this same (MERINO WOOL 50% , NYLON 40%, POLYESTER 9% & SPANDEX 1%) at amazon and walmart as well.
make sure to check the percentage of wool.
https://www.amazon.com/FUN-TOES-M...th=1&psc=1
https://www.walmart.com/ip/FUN-TO...lsrc=aw.ds
Wish this was explained to my dad back in the 80s. (Although he probably couldn't afford it for all us boys.) I was told to just put on another pair of knee high white tube socks with color band at the top and to cram my foot in boots that had little to no insulation.
Trying to climb down out of a tree stand when your feet feel like wooden pegs is not easy.
Miss my dad, but not my frozen feet. Good times.
I buy wool socks at the end of season every year. I've ended up giving everyone of my nephews and my youngest brother that hunts with us a pair of good merino wool socks.
I usually sport a medium sock for most days above 35 and add a heavy sock for below 35. Two heavy socks for below teens and up to low 20s. Boots are just basic 5m neoprene boots.
Socks and thermal wear is a big deal for me to retain heat since I'm very lean.
We would get actual bread bags (empty ones) that my mom would put over our first pair of tall/knee high cotton socks and then we put on the next pair of tall cotton socks, the idea was the (fully plastic bag) was to help keep the base pair dry, bless her heart, she was really trying to figure it out. 🥴😂☺️
She used rubber bands high on our calves to keep the bread bags up! 😅🤯🤣🤣
I will also add, be mindful in trying NOT to stuff your feet too fully into winter boots or ski/snowboarding boots, etc.
Being able to wiggle your toes is a very good indicator of being able to keep those toes warm, if they aren't able to wiggle fairly easily, or at all, they are going to get colder, faster, guaranteed.
Two thinner pair may very well serve you better than one thick pair and very likely, two thick pair. Consider trying a thin pair (as a base) with a thicker pair second layer, if it is the difference of being better able to wiggle the toes. 👍🏼👍🏼
A side note: I also stock few extra pairs of Costco winter in-house slippers to augment these socks inside house usage.. They really work well together.
30 pairs for $90 after their $25 coupon. Very slick, good post.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I've always underestimated the value of wool socks in the wintertime. I live in a moderate climate, but the wool definitely helps. Plus, I would buy the Kirkland version over an Amazon generic version becuase I already have a Costco membership.