I am planning on getting a pair of wool socks for the cold weather. I like to wear a pair of Ice King liners inside a boot blanket while on stand. I have always wore cotton gym socks and want to try something heavier. What should I look for?
Two words. Merino wool. The higher the content, the better.
Merlino wool and a pair of polypropylene or silk under socks for the wicking of sweat.
Smart Wool socks are worth looking in to.
https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm
I really like the Filson wool socks. I believe that they are a merino wool.
The warmest I've found are icelandic wool socks available from the Steger Mukluk company.
I have a pair of Smartwool and they are nice and I'm happy with them. I admittedly usually think most all of the Bass Pro Shop Redhead brand stuff is junk, jmo. But a friend said I should try there lifetime wool socks! I got 2 pair for the same price as one pair of the Smartwool and I like them better. So I highly recommend the Redhead lifetime wool sock, if you wear them out they'll replace them, great heavy sock. I was suprised !!!
Ullfrotte or Woolpower
http://www.woolpower.se/en/asp/produkter_3.asp
I've been wearing SmartWools for several years; they are warm, have good cushioning, and wear well.
Another vote for SmartWool. Like you I used to just use cotton, but I bought a couple of pairs of the SmartWools and now just buy 1 pair a year (cause I'm a tightwad). I now have four pair and the original two are still going strong. Very, very good sock. I like mine in warm or cold weather. It's all I wear while hunting now. I prefer the medium weight.
Good luck to you!
Travis
Darn Tough full cushion wool boot socks.
http://darntough.com/
Made in the USA.
Smartwool socks are nice I just like Darn Tough better.
Like I said I have Smartwool and I have Woolpower, for $9.99 you won't believe how good these are. I'm not there salesman, just tring to get the word out on a deal. I choose them over my others, try them guy's you won't be sorry!
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_34713_999046543_500000000_999046542?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL
RLA, thanks for the tip, and I see they are even made in the USA! I will be giving them a try.
I will second the BP lifetime. I have most of the high dollar wool from base layer to outer and theses rate with it all.
The only caveat I have is mine are green and well over the calf and I don't see those online.
I have beenusing them for five or six years and was looking at picking up some more. Now I'm afraid I am going to be bummed out.
I have the new ones and they stop below the knee. But they stay up good and are real heavy weight, mine are gray.
!!!SMARTWOOL!!!! !!!SMARTWOOL!!!! !!!SMARTWOOL!!!! !!!SMARTWOOL!!!!
with smartfit
I too like wool power
GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY!!!!!
Don't you know cotton is "white death" in cold weather?
Seriously, cotton holds moisture terribly. When you sweat while walking it soaks your socks whether you realize it or not. Then when you stop, the moisture gets cold quickly and drops the temp of your feet pretty fast.
All the brands here are great, I've used 'em all. Don't forget the toe heaters when it really gets cold.
Another vote for SmartWool, or Cabela's wool sock over polypropylene, or silk sock. This wicks moisture away from the skin. I do not like cotton clothing when outdoors, because it traps moisture and does not dry out quickly.
Cotton has killed more people in the mountain than anything else.
I use battery heated socks with polar tech liners over them, all I gotta say is warm, warm!!
The BassPro Lifetime Wool socks are topnotch.
Another vote for Smart Wool!
Smart Wool for me in MI's northern winters. A pair of silk liners underneath is the key, even with the wool socks.
Well I went to the store and they did not have SmartWool so I bought a pair of Work n' Sport Outdoor Socks. They are made of 71% Merino Wool, 21% Nylon, 7% polyester, 1% Spandex Will these work? They are not really heavy. I can take them back, but I grabbed them because I was there.
I have several pairs in several thicknesses for the different boots I may wear during the season. Some were expensive some were BP/walmart specials. Anything with 70 plus of wool and no cotton seem to work fine.
I'm partial to Carhardt and Wigwam. :saywhat:
QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Surtees:
Smart Wool socks are worth looking in to.
https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm
+1
Smart wool here also!
been real happy with smartwool. I might take a look at those icelandic socks northwoods recommends. I read that Romny and Icelandic sheeps wool are the best wools available.
Smartwool here as well.
I really like smartwool!
Smartwool and Thorlo work great for me.
Smartwool is the way to go. I've got five pairs and have had them for a few years. I hiked the Grand Canyon with them twice and they're still just like new.
Smart Wool all the way.
My favorites are the SmartWool (http://www.cabelas.com/fryprod-0/product--SmartWool-Expedition-Trekking-Sock--721299.uts.shtml) and L.L. Bean Boot Socks (http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/38194?page=llbean-boot-socks) .
I've been using these for a few years now and I think they are the bomb! A lot like my Smartwool socks (which I also like) but much thicker and they seem to stay up better.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clothing/Mens-Hunting-Clothing/Mens-Socks/Mens-Hunting-Socks%7C/pc/104797080/c/104748480/sc/105550380/i/103991580/Cabelas-Ultimate-1334-Heavyweight-C rew-Wool-Socks/721730.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fclothing-mens-hunting-clothing-mens-socks-mens-hunting-socks%2F_%2FN-1102453%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103991580 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clothing/Mens-Hunting-Clothing/Mens-Socks/Mens-Hunting-Socks%7C/pc/104797080/c/104748480/sc/105550380/i/103991580/Cabelas-Ultimate-1334-Heavyweight-Crew-Wool-Socks/721730.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fclothing-mens-hunting-clothing-mens-socks-mens-hunting-socks%2F_%2FN-1102453%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103991580)
Fox River and Bridgedale. I only wear wool socks, even in the summer. I don't even own cotton socks. I have had one pair of Bridgedales for 7 years. Smartwools are great as well and I have some but they don't outlast the first two I mentioned.
smartwools are the bomb!!! But at half the price I buy Rocky wool hikers at the local big box mart and it works for my area!!! 85% or so Merino wool... 95% of the performance at a much lower price...
Silk liner and basspro lifetime merino wool socks
Smartwool and Filson. To me the Filson feel better.
I think icebreaker is the best when it comes to merino wool. Smartwool and wigwam are good for socks, although I have had some scent issues with smartwool products...never with icebreaker. Spendy though.
I wore one pair of wigwam socks on a 50 mile backpacking trip over 4 days. They were still keeping my feet comfy, dry, and semi non-stinky. I have gone a week wearing one sock on less intense trips and they smell fine afterwards. Crazy how well merino wool works.
SmartWool. I wear them daily and they last for years!
I admit I may be drinking the koolaid, but it's ALL Smartwool for me. I don't mess with success.
Bass pro shop sell there wool sock that are life time , if they wear out or get mess up , they will give you a new pair , there warm and feel good to me .
QuoteOriginally posted by amicus:
Smartwool and Filson. To me the Filson feel better.
x 2. I have both, and they're both great, but when you can find a deal on the Filsons, grab 'em.
Darn Tough boot socks I will second that but I havent tried any others yet.
In the cold, cotton is "white death". Holds moisture and will kill ya!
All good stuff recommended here. I love merino, and layer it to match conditions.
We are very lucky to have a outlet type mom & pop store that carries 71% merino wool socks for $2.50 a pair !!! I wear them all winter work and hunt. In late season when it drops to the teens I switch to my Cabelas calf length wool socks that are taller and thicker. I think they were $12 a pair ? May buy some Smartwools or others that are closer to 100% merino or Icelandic wools to try if I get the chance..... :coffee:
I get Browning wool socks for x-mas every year. Usually use a combo of those and poly pro.
Rob
Darn tough for me!
Under every pair of socks should be a pair of polypropelene or silk sock for its wicking abilities. It aalows your feet to stay dry and warm.
The ones my wife knits for me with Maine wool. How Cool is that.
For got to add that's 100% wool from sheep in Maine.
Smart wool with liner socks also.
You is one lucky man Whittler ! :readit:
I went on a serious binge last month at Costco :D They sell a 4 pack of Kirkland wool socks for $11. The blend is similar to Smartwool and the quality seems decent. Also made in the USA. Get'em while you can, they're a seasonal item!
Smart wool, wool power, Browning, Filson, are all realy good socks. I got a catalog from Orvis the other day and they have a sock that look realy good and they are at a realy good price!
Thoro Mountaineering socks, Bass Pro sells a Merino sock at a good price. If I had to choose - Thorlo hands down the best sock I've ever used.
Some people don't fare well with a poly layer for sweat wicking under the wool. Personally makes my feet a LOT dang colder. Have a friend that has the same problem.
Merino wool up here in northern ontario.