Need a Wool Sock Recommendation
#26
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 71
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
Swiftwick... https://swiftwick.com/collections/mens-pursuit-socks
#27
Full Member
Swiftwick... https://swiftwick.com/collections/mens-pursuit-socks
32% nylon
Many of Smartwool's socks are only 50% or less wool.
My go to sock company is Fox River. They make a quarter crew in wool.
Only 31% wool. These are mostly acrylic and nylon socks.
I've also worn these for years in the past. The ones I wore were actually 72% wool. They are much less costly than Darn Tough but they don't last as long. Even so, they're still 27% nylon.
Many of Darn Tough's socks are mostly nylon. That is, in fact, what makes them 'tough.' They do offer some socks with as much as 79% wool, but they tend to be over $32 a pair and even at that price they still have a lot of nylon.
100% wool socks can be had. I wear 100% wool now, but they're not ankle socks.
The OP was asking specifically about ankle socks. I don't have a source for 100% wool ankle socks, but besides the nylon blend socks mentioned above, I will mention Thermohair. These are 75% Mohair and 25% nylon. They do make ankle socks. I don't know about the ankle socks, but the crew/calf length socks are thick and very warm. They're made in Canada and prized by people in the north. The thing I've noticed is that they tend to be very slippery. I don't know if that's the Mohair or the nylon, but my feet slide around less inside the boot with wool socks.
Likes For BikeLite:
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=
The OP was asking specifically about ankle socks. I don't have a source for 100% wool ankle socks, but besides the nylon blend socks mentioned above, I will mention Thermohair. These are 75% Mohair and 25% nylon. They do make ankle socks. I don't know about the ankle socks, but the crew/calf length socks are thick and very warm. They're made in Canada and prized by people in the north. The thing I've noticed is that they tend to be very slippery. I don't know if that's the Mohair or the nylon, but my feet slide around less inside the boot with wool socks.[/QUOTE]
Just a note of clarification. Considering the socks I have cycled with, the ankle socks tended to be thinner than the crew. For summer, I want a thin merino wool sock. If a crew sock fits the bill, that would be fine, I just haven't seen that. Yet anyway.
The OP was asking specifically about ankle socks. I don't have a source for 100% wool ankle socks, but besides the nylon blend socks mentioned above, I will mention Thermohair. These are 75% Mohair and 25% nylon. They do make ankle socks. I don't know about the ankle socks, but the crew/calf length socks are thick and very warm. They're made in Canada and prized by people in the north. The thing I've noticed is that they tend to be very slippery. I don't know if that's the Mohair or the nylon, but my feet slide around less inside the boot with wool socks.[/QUOTE]
Just a note of clarification. Considering the socks I have cycled with, the ankle socks tended to be thinner than the crew. For summer, I want a thin merino wool sock. If a crew sock fits the bill, that would be fine, I just haven't seen that. Yet anyway.
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for pointing that out. Do you know what % possum down is optimum? And how long is not long? When I started wearing wool socks, I remember people saying they didn't last.
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
32% nylon
Many of Smartwool's socks are only 50% or less wool.
Only 31% wool. These are mostly acrylic and nylon socks.
I've also worn these for years in the past. The ones I wore were actually 72% wool. They are much less costly than Darn Tough but they don't last as long. Even so, they're still 27% nylon.
Many of Darn Tough's socks are mostly nylon. That is, in fact, what makes them 'tough.' They do offer some socks with as much as 79% wool, but they tend to be over $32 a pair and even at that price they still have a lot of nylon.
100% wool socks can be had. I wear 100% wool now, but they're not ankle socks.
The OP was asking specifically about ankle socks. I don't have a source for 100% wool ankle socks, but besides the nylon blend socks mentioned above, I will mention Thermohair. These are 75% Mohair and 25% nylon. They do make ankle socks. I don't know about the ankle socks, but the crew/calf length socks are thick and very warm. They're made in Canada and prized by people in the north. The thing I've noticed is that they tend to be very slippery. I don't know if that's the Mohair or the nylon, but my feet slide around less inside the boot with wool socks.
32% nylon
Many of Smartwool's socks are only 50% or less wool.
Only 31% wool. These are mostly acrylic and nylon socks.
I've also worn these for years in the past. The ones I wore were actually 72% wool. They are much less costly than Darn Tough but they don't last as long. Even so, they're still 27% nylon.
Many of Darn Tough's socks are mostly nylon. That is, in fact, what makes them 'tough.' They do offer some socks with as much as 79% wool, but they tend to be over $32 a pair and even at that price they still have a lot of nylon.
100% wool socks can be had. I wear 100% wool now, but they're not ankle socks.
The OP was asking specifically about ankle socks. I don't have a source for 100% wool ankle socks, but besides the nylon blend socks mentioned above, I will mention Thermohair. These are 75% Mohair and 25% nylon. They do make ankle socks. I don't know about the ankle socks, but the crew/calf length socks are thick and very warm. They're made in Canada and prized by people in the north. The thing I've noticed is that they tend to be very slippery. I don't know if that's the Mohair or the nylon, but my feet slide around less inside the boot with wool socks.
#32
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,641
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4739 Post(s)
Liked 1,533 Times
in
1,004 Posts
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,096
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times
in
744 Posts
Uhm... read the label. Of course they make different types. There is a reason manufacturers blend other materials with wool when making socks. Wool is more delicate than synthetics, so adding synthetic material will allow the sock to retain its shape better, and last longer. A blend of wool and synthetic is also easier to care for. Saying "Many of Smartwool's socks are 50% or less wool," is like saying, "Many of GM's cars are small cars," it has no real significance, other than offering a choice for differing needs.
There are reasons for different blends, and Smartwool offers many, including 74%, 77%, 66%, and many many more. I actually prefer a blend due to comfort, better longevity, they hold their shape better, and stay up better.
There are reasons for different blends, and Smartwool offers many, including 74%, 77%, 66%, and many many more. I actually prefer a blend due to comfort, better longevity, they hold their shape better, and stay up better.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
For cycling, Swiftwick Pursuit are my hands-down favorite (tbh, they're my favorite for non-cycling, too - I'll wear them any time). Dense and cozy cushion under the heel and forefoot, but thinner and breathable elsewhere. My second choice would be Smartwools in Light Elite - similar to Swiftwick Pursuit, but not quite as nice, though they can often be had at deeper discount than you'll generally find for Swiftwick.
#35
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
Hmmm...I have 1 pair that I have used and washed a few times. I have not noticed any shrinking. I don't do anything special with the washing or drying, either.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
Likes For WhyFi:
#37
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,099 Times
in
3,833 Posts
#38
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,641
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4739 Post(s)
Liked 1,533 Times
in
1,004 Posts
I'm a warm and hot guy by default
Likes For MrGastrognome:
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
Okay. I don't know what to tell you. I've owned a dozen or so pair of merino Swiftwicks over the course of several years and none have shrunk. Maybe reach out to them; they seem to be pretty customer-friendly.
#42
Full Member
Uhm... read the label. Of course they make different types. There is a reason manufacturers blend other materials with wool when making socks. Wool is more delicate than synthetics, so adding synthetic material will allow the sock to retain its shape better, and last longer. A blend of wool and synthetic is also easier to care for. Saying "Many of Smartwool's socks are 50% or less wool," is like saying, "Many of GM's cars are small cars," it has no real significance, other than offering a choice for differing needs.
There are reasons for different blends, and Smartwool offers many, including 74%, 77%, 66%, and many many more. I actually prefer a blend due to comfort, better longevity, they hold their shape better, and stay up better.
There are reasons for different blends, and Smartwool offers many, including 74%, 77%, 66%, and many many more. I actually prefer a blend due to comfort, better longevity, they hold their shape better, and stay up better.
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,096
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times
in
744 Posts
Well, the OP posted that it got them thinking about what blend would in fact be ideal for their use. Nylon, acrylic, polyester and lycra are certainly more durable than wool, and cheaper. The durability that nylon adds could be important if a very thin sock like pantyhose is desired. In determining your preference for synthetic blends, did you try any 100% wool socks?
Likes For phughes:
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
Yup. I wear a lot of merino and prefer 100% wool for shirts, sweaters, base layers, hats, gaiters, etc, but prefer a blend for technical socks. Compression, staying in place, retaining size/shape, etc - all better with blends.
#45
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,051
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2244 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times
in
1,804 Posts
There are only so many $15/pr socks one can buy. These, however, are in near infinite supply.
Pro tip: buy all of them the same color so you don't have to sort them.
Likes For Polaris OBark:
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
I am looking to replace my wool ankle high Pearl Izumi socks. It appears they don't make them anymore, except in woman's sizes. (The largest is too small for me, I've tried it). I'm looking for a sock that is 1) wool, 2) ankle high, 3)thin and 4)has no big seam across toe area. I wear wool year round for its anti-bacterial properties and feel. I've looked at crew length, since Pearl Izumi still makes them, but they seem to be thicker, which I don't prefer for warmer riding. Thanks in advance!
Cheers
#49
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,227
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 5,649 Times
in
2,924 Posts
For cycling, Swiftwick Pursuit are my hands-down favorite (tbh, they're my favorite for non-cycling, too - I'll wear them any time). Dense and cozy cushion under the heel and forefoot, but thinner and breathable elsewhere. My second choice would be Smartwools in Light Elite - similar to Swiftwick Pursuit, but not quite as nice, though they can often be had at deeper discount than you'll generally find for Swiftwick.
Yes they are, in the words of Larry David, “pretty, pretty, pretty good”. Haven’t had them on the road but around the house, muy comfy
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For rsbob: