![14 Best Pairs of Wool Socks to Step Into This Winter (1) 14 Best Pairs of Wool Socks to Step Into This Winter (1)](https://i0.wp.com/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/mh-11-3-socks-1-1667489940.png?crop=0.503xw:1.00xh;0.497xw,0&resize=640:*)
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A dedicated pair of wool socks will keep your feet warm and dry for winter stepping. Wet and soggy feet can lead to blisters and other foot problems that are sure to ruin your favorite hike or, even worse, your commute. And unlike cotton and other similar fabrics, wool is naturally water-repellent due to the organic hydrophobic coating of its fibers. That makes wool a great material for socks—especially when the cold weather rolls in.
Best Wool Socks for Wearing with Boots
Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion
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best wool socks for work
Carhartt Men's Heavyweight Crew Sock 4 Pack
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Best wool socks for hiking
Danish Endurance 3 Pack Merino Wool Light Hiking Socks for Men
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Most Timeless pair
L.L. Bean Adults' Merino Wool Ragg Socks, 10" Two-Pack
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Best wool socks for Snow Sports
Stance Performance Wool Snow Otc Socks
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best over-the-calf wool socks
Darn Tough Over The Calf Extra Cushion Sock
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What's the Difference Between Wool and Merino Wool?
Don't be confused when you see "wool" and "Merino wool", as both fabrics are largely similar. The main difference between the two is wool from any type of sheep, your traditional wool, is going to be much warmer than Merino wool. On the other hand, Merino wool, named after the wool that comes from a breed of sheep found in Australia called a Merino sheep, is more breathable and better at moisture wicking. Merino wool is becoming one of the most popular materials for socks geared toward outdoor activities due to these natural qualities. Nearly all of the best Merino wool socks also contain a blend of nylon or other stretchy material, helping to provide a boosted breathable and flexible fit.
Whether you’re looking for a thick and toasty tradition wool sock or a performance optimized wool sock for activities, there's a wool sock in this roundup for you. Keep scrolling to see our list.
Best Winter Boots | Best Menswear Brands on Amazon | Best Moisture-wicking Socks for Men | Best Clothing Brands for Men | Best Men's Socks on Amazon | Best Winter Gloves | Best Winter Coats | Best Snow Jackets
Bringing you three pairs of socks for only $20, this deal is hard to pass up. These Alvada socks are highly rated on Amazon and offer superior warmth and comfort. They also feature enhanced cushioning in their footbed to ensure a more comfortable next hike. On the inside of the sock is a textured loop weave that's soft and smooth on the skin. The only downside is they aren't outfitted with any special features to wick away moisture like other performance wool socks. Alas, the price point packs a ton of value, and if you're looking for an everyday wool sock (and not a sport wool sock) then this is the pair for you.
Material | 80% Merino Wool, 15% Polyester, 4% Nylon, 1% Spandex |
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Cushioning | Added cushioned footbed |
Care | Wash cold. Air dry or tumble low. |
Best Wool Socks for Wearing with Boots
Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion
Best Wool Socks for Wearing with Boots
Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion
Darn Tough makes a handful of premium wool socks to choose from. First up is this hiker boot sock, made specifically for (you guessed it) hiking boots. The sock is more breathable than we anticipated, likely thanks to the heavy usage of Merino wool. The sock also has a thick reinforcement of cushioning on the bottom of the foot to help add some comfort on top of your hiking boot soles. You won't regret grabbing a pair of these.
Material | 66% Merino Wool, 32% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex |
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Cushioning | Medium to heavy |
Care | Machine washable |
best wool socks for everyday wear
Bombas Merino Wool Calf Socks
best wool socks for everyday wear
Bombas Merino Wool Calf Socks
Bombas has put its socks through years of R&D to ensure that they're bringing you top-quality in each product. Their Merino Wool Calf Socks are designed with chilly winter days in mind, so you can be sure your feet will be warm and dry until spring comes back around. They are perfectly stretchy, super breathable, and stylish enough to pair with any type of outfit. We call these "incognito wool socks."
Material | 77% Merino Wool, 21% Polyester, 2% Spandex |
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Cushioning | Extra footbed cushioning. |
Care | Machine wash cold on gentle cycle, mild detergent, do not bleach, tumble dry low. |
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best wool socks for work
Carhartt Men's Heavyweight Crew Sock 4 Pack
best wool socks for work
Carhartt Men's Heavyweight Crew Sock 4 Pack
Carhartt's reputation as a leader in cold weather gear is renowned, and these socks only continue its legacy. Their thick wool construction makes them a perfect choice for a cold snow day trip to the office. They are machine washable and come in a four-pack that clocks in right at $25. What more can a working man want?
Material | 54% Polyester, 30% Acrylic, 8% Nylon, 6% Wool, 2% Elastane |
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Cushioning | Heel, arch, toe, instep and leg cushioning. |
Care | Machine washable |
Best wool socks for hiking
Danish Endurance 3 Pack Merino Wool Light Hiking Socks for Men
Best wool socks for hiking
Danish Endurance 3 Pack Merino Wool Light Hiking Socks for Men
These uber-affordable Merino wool socks have been tested on camping trips from editors here at our office. They have great compression and are much thinner than other hiking socks we've tested. They don't have a lot of compression, so don't expect to get a luxe, cloud-like feel when wearing these. The socks are excellent at moisture-wicking though. The last detail to be aware of is they should not be tumble dried in the dryer, as it will lead them to shrink up.
Material | 30% Merino Wool, 36% Nylon, 33% Acrylic and 1% Elastane |
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Cushioning | Light targeted cushioning |
Care | Machine washable. Do not tumble dry. |
Most Timeless pair
L.L. Bean Adults' Merino Wool Ragg Socks, 10" Two-Pack
Most Timeless pair
L.L. Bean Adults' Merino Wool Ragg Socks, 10" Two-Pack
Toasty, stretchy, and not-too-tight, this wool pair of socks from L.L. Bean are suited to be your daily steppers all winter long. Sure, they aren't outfitted with any special performance blends, but that's not the point. You're going for warmth and comfort here. And there's no better timeless pair of wool socks than these puppies.
Material | 77% merino wool, 21% stretch nylon, 2% Lycra elastane |
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Cushioning | Medium |
Care | Machine wash and dry |
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Best Legacy pair
Wigwam Merino Comfort Hiker 2-Pack Black
Best Legacy pair
Wigwam Merino Comfort Hiker 2-Pack Black
If you only foresee a handful of hikes in your future, WigWam's are a trusted go-to. WigWam socks have been made out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin since 1905 and feature an iconic toasty and breathable wool blend. It's entirely possible your grandfather owned a pair of these at one point or another.
Material | 62% Merino Wool, 34% Stretch Nylon, 2% Polyester, 2% Elastic |
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Cushioning | Full cushioning through sock. |
Care | Machine washable. |
Best wool socks for Snow Sports
Stance Performance Wool Snow Otc Socks
Best wool socks for Snow Sports
Stance Performance Wool Snow Otc Socks
Socks are one of the most important elements in your ski and snowboarding outfit. Ill-fitting socks can rub your feet and cause blisters; however, that's not the case with Stance's wool snow socks. Expect legendary mountain performance in these bad boys.
Material | Merino wool blend |
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Cushioning | Medium impact protection cushioning on footbed and throughout sock. |
Care | Machine wash. Tumble dry low. |
Best ankle cut wool sock
Swiftwick Pursuit One Merino Wool Socks
Best ankle cut wool sock
Swiftwick Pursuit One Merino Wool Socks
Built for activities like running, cycling, and golf, these low-cut socks from Swiftwick are made with a blend of moisture-wicking Merino wool and stretchy nylon. We love the fact the socks are versatile enough to wear for all types of activities, thanks to the targeted cushioning and high breathability that lets sweat escape.
Material | Merino wool |
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Cushioning | Targeted mid-level cushioning |
Care | Machine wash |
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best over-the-calf wool socks
Darn Tough Over The Calf Extra Cushion Sock
best over-the-calf wool socks
Darn Tough Over The Calf Extra Cushion Sock
Darn Tough's Mountaineering socks come with an over-the-calf design to keep more of your leg protected from the elements. Users can expect a "put it on, forget it's on" feel, due to their fine-gauge knitting. One feature we absolutely loved was how the sock stayed in place up on the calf, yet it wasn't too tight to the point where we had indentations all over our leg after multiple hours of wear.
Material | 79% Merino Wool 19% Nylon 2% Lycra® Spandex |
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Cushioning | Full cushion |
Care | Machine wash in warm water on gentle cycle with socks inside-out. |
Best Waterproof wool socks
Showers Pass Waterproof Breathable Multisport Crosspoint Wool Crew
Best Waterproof wool socks
Showers Pass Waterproof Breathable Multisport Crosspoint Wool Crew
Lined with Merino wool and woven with an Artex membrane, these waterproof socks repel moisture and ensure breathability when outdoors. In a lot of ways, they feel like a quality compression socks. We recommend keeping a pair of these while hiking and camping, especially during the wet seasons.
Material | Merino wool lining, Artex membrane |
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Cushioning | Thin cushioning through entire sock |
Care | Machine washable |
best wool socks with reinforced cushioning
Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew Merino Wool Socks
best wool socks with reinforced cushioning
Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Crew Merino Wool Socks
For those who are particular about their sock comfort, Farm to Feet's Damascus has light cushioning in the places you need it most. In the spots you don't necessarily need the padded, the brand has added ventilation strips throughout to help your feet stay cool. These socks have the perfect amount of cushioning without going overboard (too thick and too hot).
Material | 61% Merino Wool, 34% Nylon, 5% Spandex |
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Cushioning | Targeted cushioning on top of foot, footbed, heel, and more. |
Care | Machine washable. |
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Best Low cut wool socks
Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Low Ankle Socks
Best Low cut wool socks
Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Low Ankle Socks
Built for the outdoors, these low-cut socks from Smartwool are made with a blend of moisture-wicking Merino wool and stretchy nylon. We love the fact the socks are versatile enough to wear every day, thanks to added cushioning where it counts and the fact they're thin enough to get in all types of shoes.
Material | 57% Merino Wool/11% Nylon/30% Recycled Nylon/2% Elastane |
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Cushioning | Light cushioning on footbed. |
Care | Wash inside out. Machine wash cold or warm. Gentle or delicate cycle. Tumble dry on low heat |
This particular make of REI Co-op socks is a great lightweight option if you can't stand heavy socks. We love how the stretch arch bands provide added support, as well as how thin and breathable the sock is when wearing for hiking or for the gym. There are reinforcements at the heels, toes, and footbed, but the cushioning is not as thick as other pairs on this list. They aren't so much winter-ready, but rather built for all-year wear (including summer).
Material | 79% RWS merino wool, 20% nylon, 1% Lycra spandex |
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Cushioning | Light cushioning throughout |
Care | Machine wash in cold or warm water, no bleach or fabric softener; tumble dry low. |
What to Know About Wool Sock Blends
You might be confused reading all the different blends used in wool socks these days, but for the most part, this is a good thing. You don't really ever want a wool sock made of 100% wool, as the fabric won't hold shape on your feet and could prove to be itchy or scratchy. A sock made with 100% wool can also trap too much heat, resulting in sweaty feet.
Instead, look for wool socks with respectable percentages of wool—some use up to 80% of wool while others might use as low as 20%. Also, most of the best wool socks today are made with Merino wool, since you still get natural thermoregulation from that fabric but it's also breathable and moisture-wicking. Other added fabrics like nylon, spandex, and elastane are good signs to see too because you'll know the sock has a level of stretch and a snug fit to your foot.
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How to Wash Wool Socks
Wool socks aren't fragile, but you don't necessarily want to treat them like any old pair of cotton socks you might have. In order to extend the lifespan of your wool socks make sure to wash them according to the care the respective brand provides. Some brands mention washing their socks in cold, while others might recommend washing on warm—a warm wash will probably be listed for socks that are made with a higher percentage of wool since the wool fabric can tend to lose its shape over time.
For drying, try to air dry your wool socks. This will ensure the fibers don't come undone or get mangled. Most wool socks can be set to tumble dry on low, so if you don't have time drying your wool socks this way via machine is your next best option.
Are Merino Wool Socks Better?
Regular wool is warmer than Merino wool, so if you are going for warmth then stick to the traditional fabric. Merino wool, on the other hand, is typically much softer and more breathable—hence why many performance socks carry a blend of Merino wool. Merino wool carries these specific qualities because it comes from Merino sheep in Australia—a type of sheep breed that's likely adapted to the climate in the country over many generations.
The two wool fabrics are too different to declare one wool being better than the other, but rather they suit separate needs. There's no wrong answer on what you choose so long as you understand the purpose of what you want in a pair of wool socks.
How We Selected
For the past two years, we've consulted with Men's Health's editors and writers on the best wool socks for men. Experts, including our Senior Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, put a number of wool socks to the test and evaluated their quality, warmth, and fit. We also considered price point, as some wool socks provide a better overall value than others.