Socks for Sweaty Man Feet

June 5, 2010 6:41 AM

Recommendations for crew-length dress socks for my sweaty-footed boyfriend? He has hyperhydrosis and is looking for moisture-absorbent dress socks that hit right below or at the calf. Regarding Smartwool: we live in south Florida, where the temperature is 90 degrees for half the year, so he's concerned that wool will make his feet very hot and sweat even more.
posted by tatiana wishbone to clothing, beauty, & fashion (9 answers total)

I knit socks. With wool. I live in fort lauderdale.

Wool has amazing insulating properties and actually makes my feet feel cooler in the summer.

Part of that is because wool will absorb 3 times its weight in liquid before feeling wet.

He should try the smart wool. I promise they won't be worse than nylon, and I'd bet money they'll be better.
posted by bilabial at 6:52 AM on June 5, 2010

My guy wants me to tell you to look at the Magellan's catalog - many of their travel socks are designed to wick away the moisture and some of them aren't made of SmartWool.

Good luck!
posted by ladygypsy at 7:18 AM on June 5, 2010

I live in hot humid Washington, DC (seriously, it is 88 degrees right now ... ugh). I would recommend he try some merino wool blend dress socks. I wear these type of socks in the summer and have no problem with feeling too hot in them.

What bilabial said is right on the money:
Wool has amazing insulating properties and actually makes my feet feel cooler in the summer. Part of that is because wool will absorb 3 times its weight in liquid before feeling wet.

Here is an example of SmartWool socks of the type I mean (I love SmartWool). Searching amazon.com for merino wool dress socks will also get you a number of examples, and here are some from Lands' End.
posted by gudrun at 10:27 AM on June 5, 2010

I resisted wool socks because my feet got too hot and sweaty with cotton. Come winter I bought some cashmere blend dress socks, and now I much prefer them in summer - they are more comfortable and less soggy and seem cooler. I don't know which of those are causes or effects. :)
posted by -harlequin- at 10:28 AM on June 5, 2010

Merino wool socks are fantastic. Very soft and great for sweaty feet. they can be found at any good backpacking store.
posted by txmon at 10:29 AM on June 5, 2010

My husband is a sweaty type and will wear nothing but wool, no matter the weather.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:44 AM on June 5, 2010

I have the same issue with my husband and he wore Smartwool socks when we lived in Florida with no trouble...but I noticed that his favorite socks were these.
posted by funfetti at 10:52 AM on June 5, 2010

Another vote for Smartwool. It was 80 degrees here yesterday and I wore mine. Very comfortable. IANASB (I am not a sweaty boyfriend)
posted by desjardins at 11:04 AM on June 5, 2010

Ok, y'all have convinced him that Smartwool is the way and the light and he got some on sale from Sierra Trading. Thank you!
posted by tatiana wishbone at 5:01 PM on June 5, 2010