Wool Socks

I use Fox River and they are great. I have several pairs that are many years old and still working well.

 

I like SmartWool and Wigwam products. Campmor usually has some pretty good prices on the Wigwam socks. Some of the GI surplus wool socks are a good value as well (if you can find a surplus store that does not have over inflated prices.

 

Same here, Campmor is hit and miss on some sizes though. Size too big (mine) and size too small (the woman) are sometimes hard to find.

 

I forgot about wigwam. They're nice too.

 

My wife and best friend do a lot of backpacking (not together mind you) and they both swear by Smartwool. I'm just starting to get up to long hikes of 5 miles or more. Maybe in a year if I do good I'll try a backpack too..

 

Sierra Trading Post is another possible source. Like Campmor they are hit and miss on the sizes. You can by smart wool socks @:

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm

 

I have never worn wool socks, but I wanted to share about how much my fiance and I love the Snapon socks. They are about $5 a pair but I recommend them to everyone due to the fact that my feet sweat a lot and this wicks away the moisture and are very comfortable.

 

How about CoolMax?

 

You could always buy Chinese socks.

 

I've worn the USGI cotton/wool blend socks (horrible), Wigwams (wear out too fast and don't really keep my feet warm), ThorLos (Worse than the USGI ones on my feet), and SmartWool (too fragile, they never last me more than two or three wearings).

The best wool socks I've ever found are the Carhartt ones I pick up at the local farm store. Big R in most of the NW, Coastal here in the Willamette Valley, TSC in parts of the South. I have probably two dozen pair, cause I pick up a couple pair every year, fearing they'll discontinue them. I have several pair that I've worn regularly for over two years and they're almost as good as new. They've been worn on backpacking trips, cowboying all day in tight buckaroo boots, and worn in the winter under my pacboots. I can't destroy them, although I've had several pairs stolen.

 

They make them in several colors actually, I've seen red, green, black and blue. I've only worn the green ones, so I cannot say if the other colors will wear as well. In my experience, sometimes different color dyes can affect longevity of fabric in different ways. HIGHLY recommend the Carhartt socks though!:2thumb:

I've got some serious foot problems, some as a result just of being an infantryman and rucking alot, some as a result of serious nerve and tissue damage from second-degree frostbite at a JRTC rotation when I was 19. My feet haven't functioned properly since then (i.e. I can't keep them warm barefoot, even in the heat of summer, and some other issues as a result of that.). Carhartt's socks have been amazing.

 

I have recently purchased "RedHead" socks from Bass Pro Shops here in Calgary. These socks are very thick and warm. Wore them when I was out hunting last month, and, as long as I was moving, the socks kept my feet nice-n-toasty!

The socks also have a "life-time" warranty, so, if I wear them out, bring them back in and they will replace for free .. :congrat:

 

Here is the link to the reviews on the Bass Pro site ..

Bass Pro Shops RedHead® Lifetime Hunting Socks for Men Customer Ratings & Reviews - Top & Best Rated Products

My little lady bought a pair for when we snow-shoe and got me a pair .. I was skepticle on their claims, but, after wearing them, I was quite impressed. I am only in my first season of wearing them so I can only comment on my few times wearing them, but, so far, great socks!

 

I've recently picked up wool socks at Sams. The brand says OmniWool and there are 3 pairs of socks for $14.95. I'm pleased thus far with the comfort of the socks but I don't have any long term experience with how they will last.

 

I wear smartwool year round, and they last me quite a while. Recently I was able to pick up 25 pair at Rei for $2 a pair. My DD and wear the same size so that is another plus. My husband swears by the carhartt socks mentioned above, they last forever. He uses them for work so we rotate about 15 pair and I pick up 2 or 3 new pair each year. He has been wearing the blue ones most recently.