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.