Full disclosure: I have purchased all of these socks (except for the lady's but they got rave reveals from the wearer). The pictures and links are affiliate links.
I've spent a lot of time outdoors in severe colds of Northwest Indiana and Boston, MA with only COTTON SOCKS! Even ice fishing for hours (And yes, we were the only brown people out there ever!). My people are originally from the south. So the conventional "wisdom" was to just put on 2 pair of cotton socks.
It wasn't until I was 30 something, that I found out you're aren't supposed to wear cotton on your skin AT ALL in cold climates. Years of needless suffering because I was ill-equipped!
Wool wicks the moisture away from your skin whereas cotton absorbs it and keeps your skin wet. In addition, wool has anti-microbial properties that allow you to wear them for DAYS at a time without needing to wash them. I would allow them to dry in between usage. And to maintain the antimicrobial property you should NEVER use fabric softener when you wash them. Also the warning on washing soda suggest not using with wool. I clean mine by turning them inside out and doing a normal warm wash with a simple detergent. Feel free to also you shampoo in the wash or by hand. I mean wool is animal hair like what grows out of your head; assuming you still have hair.
These Ballston wool socks have the highest wool content I've found at 86% Merino wool, are crazy warm, come with a 1 year warranty; and at around $32, it's like they are damn near giving them away!
Going to be outside a little longer than a couple of hours? Maybe sitting still in a tree stand, snowboarding, skiing, or shoveling out from a Nor'Easter? Then these Ballston 83% Wool Heavyweight Expedition Weight Hunting Sock for Men and Women (3 Pairs) should do the trick!
Now, if you need warranties to go with your warmth, then Darn Tough's Tactical Extra Cushion Wool Socks is your sure bet. It comes with Darn Tough LIFETIME warranty. If anything EVER goes wrong with the sock you send the pair in and they will be replaced free of charge! Plus, this is the only wool sock I've found that comes in all black (my favorite color!) with as high of a week content. The only downside is that they cost $29 each (due to the lifetime warranty and superior weave) and only contains 80% Merino wool compared to the Ballston's 86%.
All the options presented are of course unisex but if you or a small foot having loved one has an eye for flair over function, well you're in luck! Because with the Darn Tough Vermont Hiker Boot Full Cushion Sock or the
Darn Tough Gatewood Boot Full Cushion Sock you can have both!
Darn Tough Vermont Hiker Boot Full Cushion Sock
Darn Tough Gatewood Boot Full Cushion Sock
Mix and match. Buy the 4 pack of Ballstons and 3 pairs Darn Toughs. Whichever way you decide to go with these choices, you can't go wrong. Don't let yourself or your loved ones suffer the pangs out pins and needles from thawing cold feet any more!
And remember....
Stay warm!
