Men’s wool socks are probably one of the most important but also the most overlooked of winter necessities.
When you have to change everything in your closet for the colder weather, the last thing you want to think about is how well your thinner socks will keep out the cold. After all, those big coats and thermal shirts should do the job just fine, right?
You’d be surprised. Socks can keep your feet warm enough to make up for a 10-degree temperature difference just by insulating your feet. In today’s article, we explain why and how men should buy good quality woolen socks.
What is the best style of wool sock for winter?
Saying that wool socks are great for winter is like saying that shirts are great for black-tie events.
It’s a general term that can be confusing because a man can choose from many different kinds of wool.
So, here are the 4 best types of wool socks you should buy this winter, according to me.
Merino Wool
This type of wool is thinner and softer, making it perfect for men who don’t like how thicker, coarser wool feels against their skin. Merino wool will also keep its shape and not pill as easily as other types of wool.
Merino wool socks should be thin enough to be worn with both dress shoes and sneakers. Most of the time, these will have 80% or more wool and be made with other materials like nylon or Lycra to make them more durable and stretchy.
Lambswool
Lambswool is another fine type of wool that is good for people who don’t like how thicker wool socks feel. The main difference between lambswool and merino wool is that lambswool is less expensive and doesn’t last as long.
We think it’s best to stick to thicker, more casual styles of Lambswool socks that can be worn with boots or sneakers. Most of the time, these socks are made with 60–70% wool and other materials like acrylic or polyester.
Coarse Wool
Coarser wools are better at keeping heat in, so your feet will stay warm even when it’s freezing outside.
These include Shetland, Icelandic, and Peruvian wools, which are great at keeping out the cold and are often found in heavier socks. If you live in a really cold place or if you feel the cold more than most people, these wool socks might be the best choice for you.
Why? Simple: Coarser wools are better at keeping heat in, so your feet will stay warm even when it’s freezing outside. When it comes to socks made from coarser wool, we suggest sticking to a thicker, more casual style that can be worn with boots or sneakers. Most of the time, these socks are made with 60–70% wool and other materials like acrylic or polyester.
Cashmere
Cashmere is made from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats.
This type of wool is one of the nicest and most expensive ones you can buy. Cashmere is made from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. It is valued for being warm, soft, and long-lasting.
When it comes to cashmere socks, we suggest choosing a thin style that can be worn with both dress shoes and sneakers. Most of the time, these will have 80% or more wool and be made with other materials like nylon or Lycra to make them more durable and stretchy.
There are socks that are made entirely of cashmere. These are the most luxurious socks you can wear, and it will feel like you’re walking on clouds when you wear them. But you should be careful when you wear them. They don’t last as long as socks made from other types of wool and it’s easy for holes to form in them.
How Should we Take Care of My Wool Socks?
Now that you know more about wool socks and have seen some of the best brands that make them, let’s talk about how to take care of them. After all, if you buy a good pair of wool socks, you want them to last as long as possible.
How to Wash Wool Socks for Men
You should never put wool socks in the dryer, which is the first thing you need to know about washing them. Wool can shrink because the heat from the dryer can break down the fibres and make them shorter.
Instead, let your wool socks dry in the air. Laying them flat on a towel or drying rack is the best way to do this. Once they are dry, you can put them in a drawer or sock organiser.
When it’s time to clean your wool socks, you have a few choices. The first way is to wash them by hand in cold water with a mild soap. This is the best way to keep the wool’s fibres in good shape and make them look their best.
If you don’t have time to wash your socks by hand, you can also wash them in a machine with cold water and the delicate cycle. Just make sure to use a mild detergent and stay away from fabric softener, which can hurt the wool fibres.
Once you’ve washed your socks, you shouldn’t let them sit in the water. Wool is a natural fibre, and if you let it soak in water for too long, it will shrink.
How to Clean Men’s Wool Socks
There are a few things you can do to get stains out of wool socks. The first step is to use a pre-treatment solution like OxiClean or Zout to treat the stain.
Let the solution sit on the stain for a few minutes, then wash the socks as you normally would. If the stain is really hard to get out, you may need to do this process more than once.
If you want to get stains out of wool socks, you can also soak them in vinegar or lemon juice. Again, let the socks soak for a few minutes before you wash them.
Always let your wool socks dry in the air after washing them to keep them from shrinking.
How to organize your wool socks
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to storing woolen socks. First, keep them in a cool, dry place at all times. Ideal is a drawer or sock organiser.
Second, if you want to keep your wool socks for a long time, put them in a bag that lets air in, like a cotton pillowcase. This will help keep them from getting smelly over time.
Lastly, if you plan to keep your wool socks for more than six months, wash them and let them dry naturally before putting them away. This will help keep pests from destroying the wool’s fibres.
Why are wool socks so much better than cotton socks?
Cotton socks are soft and can let air in, but they aren’t the best choice for winter and cold.
In the colder months, which would keep you warmer: a cotton sweater or a cable-knit wool sweater? The answer should be obvious, right?
Socks are the same way.
Cotton socks are soft and can let air in, but they aren’t the best choice for winter. Cotton is an absorbent material, which means it will get wet from the moisture on your feet. And cold socks are socks that are wet.
Wool, on the other hand, is a material that repels water more than cotton. This means that even if you walk through snow or slush, your feet will stay dry and warm.
Plus, wool is a great way to keep warm. It keeps heat in, so even when it’s cold outside, your feet will be nice and warm. So, if you want the best socks for winter, wool is the best choice. And if you’re looking for the best wool socks for men, we’ve got you covered up top.