Wool socks for summer?
March 19, 2019 1:14 PM Subscribe
I have almost no summer socks due to the vile preppy practice of wearing my summer shoes without socks. I'd like to have some summer socks. Should they be wool or not? Where should I buy them?
Some people say that thin wool socks are better for summer, last longer, etc. But OTOH, wool. I will be wearing these socks with casual oxfords and vans, so two types of sock may be required. What do you recommend?
Some people say that thin wool socks are better for summer, last longer, etc. But OTOH, wool. I will be wearing these socks with casual oxfords and vans, so two types of sock may be required. What do you recommend?
Woman or man? I am a guy so:
I happily wear wool socks all summer now. Usually they are black, which is fine with khakis but out of the question with Bermuda shorts (when I wear low-cut wool-blend socks in light colors). You can get many patterned/colored socks that are primarily marketed to women, as my wife has done with socks from Darn Tough (and, previously, Smart Wool).
There are many lightweight wool socks, blended with some synthetic to make them more durable for presumably-sweaty summer use. I also tried some bamboo fiber socks last summer, but wasn't persuaded to give up my woolies.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:22 PM on March 19, 2019
I happily wear wool socks all summer now. Usually they are black, which is fine with khakis but out of the question with Bermuda shorts (when I wear low-cut wool-blend socks in light colors). You can get many patterned/colored socks that are primarily marketed to women, as my wife has done with socks from Darn Tough (and, previously, Smart Wool).
There are many lightweight wool socks, blended with some synthetic to make them more durable for presumably-sweaty summer use. I also tried some bamboo fiber socks last summer, but wasn't persuaded to give up my woolies.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:22 PM on March 19, 2019
I have a mix of the newfangled wool (which started with Smartwool but now there are lots of similar brands of very fine-spun wool) and regular old cotton socks, and personally I do not think that the wool ones last that much longer than cotton. As with most socks, I think their lifespan is largely determined by how your shoes fit and if there's any motion at the shoe/sock interface to cause wear. Loose-fitting or slip-on shoes seem to cause more wear than securely laced ones, according to my totally unscientific research, particularly to the area just above the heel.
You can get wool socks that last a long time, e.g. Darn Tough Socks gets recommended a lot on forums for people who like long-lasting stuff, but my experience is that they're pretty thick, and that's presumably why they last so long. I don't like them for summer wear except for hiking. YMMV of course.
That's not to say I don't like modern wool socks—I do—but I wouldn't buy them solely on the basis of them lasting much longer than wool socks.
Personally I like Smartwool as a brand; specifically I am fond of the "PhD Ultralite" line. They are not quite as thin as (mens) synthetic dress socks, but they are thinner than normal cheap cotton athletic-style socks. They have them in both men's and women's versions (which is to say, "girl colors" and "boy colors", basically) and in various heights, from no-show up to calf height.
Periodically they go on sale at REI for less than they go for on Amazon, but only (that I've seen) in-store as clearance items.
posted by Kadin2048 at 1:32 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
You can get wool socks that last a long time, e.g. Darn Tough Socks gets recommended a lot on forums for people who like long-lasting stuff, but my experience is that they're pretty thick, and that's presumably why they last so long. I don't like them for summer wear except for hiking. YMMV of course.
That's not to say I don't like modern wool socks—I do—but I wouldn't buy them solely on the basis of them lasting much longer than wool socks.
Personally I like Smartwool as a brand; specifically I am fond of the "PhD Ultralite" line. They are not quite as thin as (mens) synthetic dress socks, but they are thinner than normal cheap cotton athletic-style socks. They have them in both men's and women's versions (which is to say, "girl colors" and "boy colors", basically) and in various heights, from no-show up to calf height.
Periodically they go on sale at REI for less than they go for on Amazon, but only (that I've seen) in-store as clearance items.
posted by Kadin2048 at 1:32 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
From a comfort perspective, absolutely yes. From a preventing smells perspective, also yes. From a fashion perspective, I am unqualified to say, but wool socks come in many shapes and sizes so probably yes.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 1:33 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 1:33 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
Bresciani makes linen socks. I'm a woman who wears a size 9 US shoe.
posted by brujita at 1:40 PM on March 19, 2019
posted by brujita at 1:40 PM on March 19, 2019
I'm a fan of wool clothing. I've been advocating it for years. I own tons of it. That said, I recently decided that it's unlikely that I'll buy wool socks again, and for two primary reasons.
First, unless you buy super thick (as in "winter") socks, wool socks fall apart quickly. It seems to happen with all brands. I have Icebreaker socks, Smartwool socks, Darn Tough socks -- all of them develop holes and/or wear quickly. Yes, cotton socks do this too, but from my experience over the past decade, wool socks do it more quickly.
Second, they're far more expensive than cotton socks. I typically pay $10 or $15 or $20 a pair for wool socks at REI (or wherever I happen to buy them). If they lasted longer and/or looked better, then fine. I'd happily pay that much. But they don't. They last the same amount of time (or maybe even less time) than cotton socks, so the price per use is much worse.
If you think you might want to try wool socks, don't go all-in. Buy one pair. Maybe two. Give them a go. See how long they last. As for me, I'm moving on. I'll still purchase wool socks for travel (due to the odor-free thing, which means I only need to take two or three pairs even for several weeks of travel). But henceforth, wool socks will not be a part of my standard wardrobe, although I'll continue to purchase all sorts of other wool clothing.
posted by jdroth at 1:52 PM on March 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
First, unless you buy super thick (as in "winter") socks, wool socks fall apart quickly. It seems to happen with all brands. I have Icebreaker socks, Smartwool socks, Darn Tough socks -- all of them develop holes and/or wear quickly. Yes, cotton socks do this too, but from my experience over the past decade, wool socks do it more quickly.
Second, they're far more expensive than cotton socks. I typically pay $10 or $15 or $20 a pair for wool socks at REI (or wherever I happen to buy them). If they lasted longer and/or looked better, then fine. I'd happily pay that much. But they don't. They last the same amount of time (or maybe even less time) than cotton socks, so the price per use is much worse.
If you think you might want to try wool socks, don't go all-in. Buy one pair. Maybe two. Give them a go. See how long they last. As for me, I'm moving on. I'll still purchase wool socks for travel (due to the odor-free thing, which means I only need to take two or three pairs even for several weeks of travel). But henceforth, wool socks will not be a part of my standard wardrobe, although I'll continue to purchase all sorts of other wool clothing.
posted by jdroth at 1:52 PM on March 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
Bamboo fiber is a nice summer weight, and super-soft.
posted by Miss T.Horn at 1:53 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Miss T.Horn at 1:53 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
I wear wool socks year-round, and did back when I worked construction. They let your foot sweat escape, don't get clammy when wet (like cotton socks), and are well, amazing. I'm the only one in my family that doesn't have foot problems, and the only one who wears wool socks exclusively.
posted by notsnot at 1:53 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by notsnot at 1:53 PM on March 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
They don't have to be wool. They can be cotton/synthetic blends.
posted by SemiSalt at 2:46 PM on March 19, 2019
posted by SemiSalt at 2:46 PM on March 19, 2019
I am one of those people who suffer from always-hot feet and used to seek out 100% cotton socks on the premise that they would keep my feet cooler. Wrong. Now that I wear exclusively wool socks my feet stay much cooler, even in gym shoes in the summer. Personally, I tend to wear Smartwool socks, but largely that's because I have small feet that are lost in "one size fits all" socks.
posted by DrGail at 3:16 PM on March 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by DrGail at 3:16 PM on March 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
Hmm I do not find that my thin wool socks wear out any faster than other fibers. I guess nylon probably lasts longer but I have Smartwool and Darn Tough socks that I’ve worn weekly for years and they’re still in wearable shape. I think the distinguishing factor that makes socks wear out more quickly is usually the thickness and twist of the yarn (thick, low-twist yarns wear out faster).
Anyway I find thin wool socks (like a thin running sock or fashion sock) comfortable year round. Not too hot at all. I also like thin synthetic socks but I don’t have a specific brand or fiber to recommend.
posted by mskyle at 3:19 PM on March 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Anyway I find thin wool socks (like a thin running sock or fashion sock) comfortable year round. Not too hot at all. I also like thin synthetic socks but I don’t have a specific brand or fiber to recommend.
posted by mskyle at 3:19 PM on March 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Secret (the hosiery company) has a line of bamboo fiber socks in a range of heights and solid colours that are super comfortable and inexpensive.
posted by porpoise at 3:23 PM on March 19, 2019
posted by porpoise at 3:23 PM on March 19, 2019
Try Kentwool.
I wear these and these at the gym and love them.
posted by jgirl at 4:47 PM on March 19, 2019
I wear these and these at the gym and love them.
posted by jgirl at 4:47 PM on March 19, 2019
Not wool, but Gekks will give you the no-socks look you’re used to, without the foot stank.
posted by samthemander at 9:45 PM on March 19, 2019
posted by samthemander at 9:45 PM on March 19, 2019
I only wear 100% wool socks from Darn Tough, including when it gets to be 100F+ here in Southern California.
posted by sideshow at 7:52 AM on March 20, 2019
posted by sideshow at 7:52 AM on March 20, 2019
> What do you recommend
Hello, I'm another preppyish sock-hater. I want to love Darn Tough socks and own several pairs, but I find they run small and don't stretch the way I like, and aren't as durable as synthetics. Purely from a practical standpoint, I recommend these Drymax socks. They last forever, they're comfortable, and since it's a multipack I can rip them off as soon as I get home, lose them under the sofa, and then put on a fresh pair when I head out again.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:29 AM on March 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Hello, I'm another preppyish sock-hater. I want to love Darn Tough socks and own several pairs, but I find they run small and don't stretch the way I like, and aren't as durable as synthetics. Purely from a practical standpoint, I recommend these Drymax socks. They last forever, they're comfortable, and since it's a multipack I can rip them off as soon as I get home, lose them under the sofa, and then put on a fresh pair when I head out again.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:29 AM on March 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
« Older Possibly leaving for Denver after half a century... | Is this normal with Lemi Shine? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by carrioncomfort at 1:22 PM on March 19, 2019 [5 favorites]