Wool socks

SwimmingBird said:
Don't know about Wigwam merino wool socks, but SmartWool socks are seriously nice. I got a pair last month and absolutely love them. My older sister has had a pair for 8 years, and just now decided they need replacing.

Hope that helps!
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Love my smartwool uniform socks. For cold weather outdoors, though,I swear by the bass pro lifetime warranty 100% merino socks. Super thick and warm, and durable!
 
SmartWool, Wigwam, and REI brand merino socks are very popular. I should mention that I work pt for REI. We sell more of are own socks then anything else, because they are less expensive. But we also sell a ton of SmartWool even though they are pricey. Wigwam is third in volume I would guess. Very few complaints about any of these.
 
I have several pair of SmartWool socks that I've had for over six years. I generally wear them, with sock liners and throw them into the wash. I wash them in cold water and machine dry them. They have held up fine.

Chad
 
I wear Wigwam socks a lot. Mostly it's theirMerino Comfort Hiker socks, though I do have a few of their light or medium hikers. Some of the Comfort Hiker's I've had for 3.5 years now with no problems. Sometimes I wear them once then wash and sometimes I wear them, let them air out a day or two and wear again before washing. Just depends on my mood. Sportsmans Warehouse used to carry a line of house brand socks almost identical to the Comfort Hiker's and I rather like them also.
 
I have smartwool and REI wool socks. The REI socks don't feel as scratchy as the Smartwool ones. They've both been holding out fine for a few years.
 
Ive tried all the high end socks and IMO Darn Tough socks are a couple steps up from Smartwool. I have over 10 pairs of Smartwools and have switched to Darn Toughs. They last way longer, feel new everytime you put them on, and never smell. They are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty.

I like the both the Hike/Trek and Hunt/Fish Boot Sock Full Cushion. I wear them backcountry hunting and they are one piece of my gear that continues to impress me every time I go out. I hang them up at night and after 10 days of hard hunting they smell fine and keep there elasticity/tightness. Ive never had a blister with my Lowa Tibets Pros.

http://www.darntough.com
 
I wear either SmartWool or OmniWool socks. OmniWool are probably the same or similar as the CostCo socks mentioned above. They are more durable than the SmartWool are, and cheaper in cost. No complaints about them so far. Alot of my SmartWool socks are starting to get thin spots and holes, though they are getting up there in age.
 
I wear mostly Smartwool and Dahlgren Alpaca socks as I have found them to be the most comfortable and durable overall. The Dahlgrens have the edge in comfort and the Smartwools have the edge in durability.

I have worn wool blends from Patagonia, Wigwam, Keen, Under Armour, Columbia and Magellan (Academy Sports store brand). Out of those I like the Columbia's after the Smartwool and Dahlgren socks. I frequently shop Sierra Trading Post and picked up my last pairs of Smartwool and Dahlgrens from under $10 a pair using their coupon codes.

I have tried Bridgedale wool running socks but not their boots socks and I prefer the Smartwool running socks to the Bridgedales, but they are a good product. I have a cousin that swears by Icebreaker wool socks but I have never tried them. I'm going to get around to trying the Darn Tough socks as I have heard great things about them.
 
somber said:
Smartwools at 70% off?! Where?
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Hope this isn't deal spotting, since you have to be signed up for the Dealflyer thing to get the coupons, but I got a package this evening from STP that included a couple pair of heavyweight Smartwools. About $6/pr. They're 2nds and say "irregulars" in 1/4" white letters(they're socks-who cares?), but I can find nothing wrong with them. Started with the one off-brand pair, but got sold on these merino socks quick, and have a bunch in different heights, and three different weights for working out and hiking, work, and daily wear. Got my friend several Smartwools, and a couple pair of the REI brand and she loves them, too.
 
I was given a pair of B.ella 100% Merino wool socks a few years back. Best, most comfortable pair of socks I ever owned. So I bought a couple more. Don't put them in the dryer, but the washer every now and then is OK. They can go many wearings without a wash. They are a bit harder to find but they can still be found online. B.ella also makes other types of socks that are more similar to some that have been mentioned here. They make high quality socks. Here's an example of one: http://www.sockdreams.com/products/bella/bella-gaspare-mens-crew-socks
 
I just "discovered" wool socks about a year ago and that's all I wear now - 4 seasons. The Smartwool's are great, but seem to be wearing a little thin in places. I recently tried these: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...-Crew-Wool-Socks/721731.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&s. (Check out the reviews). Reasonably priced ($8.99/pair if you buy 3 pairs) and so far I'd say they're definitely worth it, at about half the price of Smartwools. YMMV.
 
I bought a couple of pairs of Smartwool Heavy & Extra Heavy Hunting socks at a local sporting goods store clearance sale last week and based upon the first wearing of both last weekend hunting it seems that Smartwool quality has declined. I've been a big fan of Smartwool for many years so this has been a unpleasant surprise.

Both pair seemed to stretch out in the foot area and become loose yet the cuffs weren't as stretchy and comfortable as any of my older pairs. One pair developed heavy piling above the ankle. They seem much thinner than they should be and aren't as comfortable as any of my other Smartwools. I will see how they do after washing them. I got them cheap ($8 & $9) but I would have rather paid twice that for better performance. I'm hoping that I got some from a bad batch, but I'm afraid that Smartwool may be following the old build up the brand then maximize profits by cheapen the product business plan that we have all seen other brands follow.

I'm not giving up on them yet, but I think I might be picking up some more Dahlgren's and maybe giving the Darn Tough socks a try.
 
I wear nothing but wool socks and go shoeless around the house (and even to dash out for the paper and mail) so I wear through them within 3 or 4 months. For that reason I stick with the Costco bundle pack and usually buy a bunch around now since they usually disappear from the shelves come summer.
 
I have some of the Wigwam Comfort Hikers that I got at Dick's Sporting Goods, and think they're great. They're warm, comfortable, and unlike all the Smartwool & Thor-lo socks that I've bought, haven't shrunk in the wash.
 
REI Light Hikers and Expedition socks are great. I wear them all year round. They are a tad over-sized, so it might be best to order a size smaller than you usually wear.
I have several pairs that I bought over 2 years ago, that have been in continuous rotation and are only just know beginning to show wear (Around the top of my little toe).
 
I've tried many (many) brands of wool socks- they are worn daily for work (and on days off for play)

about two years ago I gave Darn Tough a go (based on the many accolades I was reading)- I use their full cushion boot sock for work (and w/ taller boots in the "winter") and their 1/4 cushion socks in the "summer" for hiking

they are very comfortable and very sturdy

easy to care for too- turn them inside out, wash them in cold, let them dry naturally and the will last (and last and last)

family owned and operated in Vermont and a no question warranty- your not satisfied- send them back

<- hasn't looked at any other socks in two years :)
 
I remember years ago trying a few pairs of wool socks that itched like hell and made my feet feel all clammy so I swore off them. After reading this thread and a bunch of reviews I`ve been looking around and went to my local MEC and bought a pair of the Smartwool Light Cushion Hiking for $19Cdn and Wigwam Trail Mix Fusion Merino (for $16Cdn) wool socks to try out. The Smartwool seem ok, haven`t worn them anywhere other than trying them on at home. The Wigwams seem too thick and big for my feet so I may return them (they`re still in the packaging).

Coincidentally I got an e-newsletter from Campmor yesterday and they have the Smartwools on sale for $11.98US so I ordered 3 pr of Taupe and 3 pr of Denim, along with a Marmot Precip Men`s rain jacket so I should get them in a week or two. I thought it might be risky ordering 6 pr of these considering I haven`t really worn them out of the house but didn`t want to pass up the sale. I hope I made a smart choice and will report back after I`ve had a chance to put a pair through their paces.
 
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