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Treat your feet to unparalleled comfort, warmth, and breathability.
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More specifically, Merino wool a softer, more durable wool that comes specifically from Merino sheep.
Washing instructions should be followed closely to prevent pilling.
For my first Scottish hillwalking expeditions, I wore standardeveryday sockswith myhiking boots.
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The Merino is blended with recycled nylon for added durability, with an elasticized arch brace to prevent slipping.
This feature, along with the flat-knit toe seams, prevents chafing to significantly reduce the likelihood of blisters.
The fact that they can be machine washed and dried at all, however, is a major perk.
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Some people may prefer the extra height of traditional full-length crew socks.
The material also wicks moisture and prevents the buildup of odor-causing bacteria.
Colors are limited for this particular model.
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Nothing kills a ski session quicker than cold, tired feet.
A small percentage of spandex and a performance fit prevent chafe-causing slippage.
Conveniently, the socks can be machine washed and dried using delicate parameters.
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Theyre probably too warm for everyday wear.
Theyre meant for summer and arent as warm as others on this list.
Headed somewhere a little less extreme?
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The cushioning also reinforces these areas for long-term durability.
Finally, youll benefit from the frictionless comfort of seamless toe construction and stretchy, supportive arch bands.
The socks must be laid flat to dry, which can be inconvenient when traveling.
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They feature seamless toe closure and enough light cushioning to keep your feet comfortable for hours of regular use.
Meanwhile, reinforced toes and heels increase the socks long-term durability.
One of my pet peeves is socks that bunch up or slip down inside my boots.
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Theyre not the most versatile pick for everyday use.
Full terry loop cushioning provides all-over protection and warmth no matter how long youre on your feet.
Meanwhile, a high percentage of Merino wool keeps these socks breathable and sweat-free.
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The wool is blended with nylon for impressive durability and with elastane for form-fitting stretch.
A mesh arch brace also helps to keep the socks securely in place.
Theyre fairly high maintenance, requiring a cold wash and air drying.
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As such, theyre ideal for everything from post-recovery to long flights.
They lack the high-end construction and technical features of other socks on this list.
Best of all, five pairs cost roughly half the price of one pair of other wool socks.
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Regular sheeps wool comes from any breed or age of sheep.
Lambswool offers all of these properties with the added benefit of extra softness.
Because its stronger than regular wool, its ideal for garments like socks that see a lot of wear.
Fortunately, all wool is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking.
The higher the wool content, the more noticeable these benefits will be.
Don’t forget odor control
Similarly, wool is naturally odor resistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best wool for socks is undoubtedly Merino.
Some Merino socks can even be tumble dried.
Blending them with a hard-wearing synthetic such as nylon helps to extend their lifespan.
The perfect ratio of wool to synthetics depends on your socks thickness, height, and intended use.
Generally speaking, high quality socks will have a wool percentage between 50 and 80 percent.
Wool socks are the ideal choice for air travel because of their ability to thermoregulate.
Related properties including breathability, odor resistance, and moisture control also contribute noticeably to your comfort in transit.
