Technically the best socks?

[johnnytheboy]

So what would be technically the best socks you can buy for warmth? merino wool, rag wool, neoprene, cotton, silk?

The socks I have always worn from cabelas have been discontinued so I need to find a replacement!!

 

[BearInTheWoods]

I always use woollen thousand-mile socks and would not be without them.

 

[dwardo]

I keep going back to mountain warehouse and buying their two for £15 merino wool socks. Not cheap but you will go through many a pair of cheap socks before they wear out. Thats not to mention they are warm comfy and bacteria resistant, very infact.
I am sure there are other "brands" available but merino anyway.

 

[Nomad]

I keep going back to mountain warehouse and buying their two for £15 merino wool socks. Not cheap but you will go through many a pair of cheap socks before they wear out. Thats not to mention they are warm comfy and bacteria resistant, very infact.
I am sure there are other "brands" available but merino anyway.

Which ones is that? The Merino Explorer sock? If you've tried it, how do they survive a 40° machine wash and tumble dry?

 

[dwardo]

Which ones is that? The Merino Explorer sock? If you've tried it, how do they survive a 40° machine wash and tumble dry?

Not sure. Its their clearly labelled merino wool sock. £15 buy one get one free. (pair)
40 Wash is pretty general here with having a little 3 year old lad. Would avoid a tumble dry just incase but they dry fast anyway.
Avoid there other material socks. Just cheap stinky materials.

 

[John Fenna]

Merino all the way
I like SmartWool socks but have also used other brands that are pretty darned (or undarned) good!

 

[Mesquite]

Merino all the way
I like SmartWool socks but have also used other brands that are pretty darned (or undarned) good!

What were the socks that you got a sample of at the OTS John? The ones with a lifetime guarantee.

 

[Nomad]

Thanks dwardo. The web site only shows pure merino at £7.49 a pair, and merino/coolmax mix at £8.49. There's a branch near me, so I'll have a look.

John, I've got a pair of the Smartwool mountaineering ones and really like them with my combat boots, but it's hard to spend nearly 20 quid a pair on socks.

 

[Shewie]

Woolpower 400g & 600g long socks are my choice for the cooler months, if I'm standing around in snow I need to layer up, otherwise I get cold toes due to my Lundhags rubber toe box.

 

[Goatboy]

Thanks dwardo. The web site only shows pure merino at £7.49 a pair, and merino/coolmax mix at £8.49. There's a branch near me, so I'll have a look.

John, I've got a pair of the Smartwool mountaineering ones and really like them with my combat boots, but it's hard to spend nearly 20 quid a pair on socks.

I personally find it strange that you wouldn't. We spend a huge amount of time on our feet and it makes our hobby accessible. And we moan like crazy when they let us down. I must admit that it does take a chunk out of our budgets but as much as I love shiny new toys I love being comfortable to enjoy what I already have more. Look after your feet, take time to find the right socks and boots with someone who knows what they're talking about and wont rip you off and you'll thank yourself for the wee bit extra - and as said they do tend to last longer than the nasty's anyhow.

Sorry if I sound proselytising it's just I've seen so many folk have a cack or potentially dangerous time due to bad feet. And hey it may work out that the cheaper socks are the ones that work for you.

ATB,
GB.

 

[Dave Budd]

for most of teh last 15+ years I've been wearing several 'models' by Brigedale. I bought a couple of pairs of their thickest polar ones earlyon and they are still going. Currently I have a pair on that I think are an autumn range (I honestly don't know what models they are, I just look at a picture/the sock and pick it up if it is what I want). The warmer weather ones with pile toes, soles and heels but thin fabric elsewhere weren't quite so good but still did years.

Mostly these days I look on Ebay for seconds and end of lines, s they cost a fiver each instead of ten quid. Normally seconds is a small hole that develops at the toe, but that is a few stitches and is done.

BTW, I don't just wear these socks a few days a month. I have worn them as my daily socks in steel toecaps for the last 14 years too

 

[Wayland]

The best socks I have ever used were some that I found in Jokkmokk this year.

they were labelled "Eskimo" and looked like these.

Absolutely brilliant.

 

[John Fenna]

What were the socks that you got a sample of at the OTS John? The ones with a lifetime guarantee.

Unfortunately they are artificial fibres....

 

[John Fenna]

for most of teh last 15+ years I've been wearing several 'models' by Brigedale. I bought a couple of pairs of their thickest polar ones earlyon and they are still going. Currently I have a pair on that I think are an autumn range (I honestly don't know what models they are, I just look at a picture/the sock and pick it up if it is what I want). The warmer weather ones with pile toes, soles and heels but thin fabric elsewhere weren't quite so good but still did years.

Mostly these days I look on Ebay for seconds and end of lines, s they cost a fiver each instead of ten quid. Normally seconds is a small hole that develops at the toe, but that is a few stitches and is done.

BTW, I don't just wear these socks a few days a month. I have worn them as my daily socks in steel toecaps for the last 14 years too

Bridgedale were my sock of choice - until I found Smartwool
Excellent socks in their own right

 

[santaman2000]

For hot weather I still haven't found anything that's great, as I stated in another thread

But for cold weather, I like the military issue Arctic socks

 

[Chainsaw]

I used to pick up pairs of Columbia Falmouth merino socks when I was over in the US. I have about half a dozen pairs now but I couldn't find them last time I was out so I picked up a pair of Gold Toe Merino mix. They have not had the same work out as the Columbia ones but they are ok. The Columbia ones are ace, I'll be buying them if/when I see them.

cheers

Alan

 

[Teepee]

For warmth, technically nothing comes close to RBH Vaprthrm socks. Polyester fleece laminated to a silicon membrane and then to a copper impregnated aluminized polyester wicking layer. 1 pair of these is as warm as 2 or 3 pairs of terry loop socks. I've actually had ice on my socks inside my boots but still had warm feet. As a vapour barrier, they eliminate cooling by evaporation.

I wouldn't recommend them for general use for the UK though, unless it was cycling or proper cold winter use.

For a warm sock system for the UK, I like thin merino liner socks(currently using Aldi merino dress socks) with a reasonably thick pair of terry wool socks over the top. I rate the Smartwool and Bridgedale 4 season models. It's all too specific though-one socks won't fit well on others plates as well. I think it's a case of trying on and then buying from a decent shop is best.