Let's Talk About Socks, Baby!
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There can be no doubt that one of the most important pieces of clothing for the woodsman or woodswoman is socks. Socks can make or break an adventure!
Today I’d like to talk about three companies that make socks that I like a lot when the weather gets cold, and it’s no coincidence that all three companies use Merino wool in their socks!
First, there’s the tried and true socks by Darn Tough. It would’ve been enough that Darn Tough made Darn Tough socks, but to boot, they have the best guarantee in the business!
My favorite Darn Tough socks are the Men's Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hiking Sock, which may be the warmest sock that Darn Tough makes, boasting 73% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, and 2% Lycra® Spandex.
The second company that I’d like to highlight is Minus33.com, which makes a particular sock that I think is the most comfortable of all of the socks that I’ve ever bought, namely the Minus33 Mountaineering Expedition Socks which are composed of 82% Merino Wool, 10% Polyester, 5% Nylon, and 3% Spandex.
These socks are warm, but I don’t think that they’re as warm as the Men's Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hiking Sock from Darn Tough. Where the Minus33 Mountaineering Expedition Socks shine, in my opinion, is how comfortable they are.
Perhaps it’s because Minus33 used more Merino wool and less Nylon in these socks compared to the much higher percentage of nylon in the similar product from Darn Tough.
I’m not knocking Darn Tough, but the name of their company isn’t Darn Comfortable, which isn’t to say that they’re uncomfortable, but in my opinion, the Minus33 Mountaineering Expedition Socks are just simply more comfortable.
Finally, I want to talk about a pair of socks from Sealskinz that I bought and wear far less often.
The Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock from Sealskinz is an absolutely fantastic pair of socks for what they’re designed for.
Comprised of three layers for a 100% waterproof pair of socks, they’re neither as warm as the Men's Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hiking Sock from Darn Tough or as comfortable as the Minus33 Mountaineering Expedition Socks, but what the Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock from Sealskinz offers is something that neither Darn Tough or Minus33 boast: 100% waterproof socks.
• Outer Layer - 90% Nylon, 10% Elastane
• Middle Layer - 100% Hydrophilic Membrane
• Inner Layer - 35% Merino Wool, 35% Acrylic, 23% Polyester, 3.5% Nylon, 3.5% Elastane
When you need your feet to stay dry, the Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock from Sealskinz do the trick!
Well, there you have it: three excellent pairs of socks from three of my favorite sock companies…
If I need to keep my feet absolutely dry, I’ll wear the Waterproof Cold Weather Knee Length Sock from Sealskinz.
If it’s cold out, but not too cold, and I want my feet to stay as comfortable as possible, I’ll wear the Minus33 Mountaineering Expedition Socks.
If I want the warmest socks of the bunch, I’ll wear the Men's Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hiking Sock from Darn Tough.
Stay tuned, as in the future I’ll write a blog post about some of my favorite sock liners...
