me: hello yes I would like some “100% fully wool socks”
Every single website in the search results: would you like a wool blend? Polyester? Fleece? Which is cotton. Would you like a cotton blend sock?
Me: Cotton will make me cold if it’s wet. 100% wool please.
Website: this one is wool
Me: 100%?
Website: it’s % Wool.
Me: WHAT PERCENT
Website: 15%
Me: Fine, at this point as long as it’s not blended with cot-
Website: 85% cotton.
commission me for secret 100% handspun and dyed wool socks
the secret part is a bit ominous but for real send me some details
Wait, wool doesn’t make you cold if it’s wet??:/
yeah the point of wearing wool or wool blends when you’re working outdoors is so if you get wet, you stay warm. Anyone who does outdoorsy stuff in cold climates knows the phrase “cotton kills,” because cotton saps the ehat out of you once it’s wet.
Wool is far more water-resistant, especially if it’s wool with lanolin specifically made for wet work, and it’ll keep ya warm. Wool and wool blends are The vital base layers. If you’re allergic, synthetics are also doable. Just Never Cotton.
LISTEN I am PASSIONATE about my wool socks. I hike, like 3/4 of the year. I camp nights on end with almost nothing on my back (ultra light camping is fun!) I cross rivers to get to places and keep hiking for kilometres after that with wet feet. Not only will wool keep you warm when wet, it will also keep your feet from blistering when wet, which is such a godsend when you’re on day one, river one, of several more to go.
Darn Tough is my favourite brand. They make socks for every sport (hiking in the summer, hiking in the winter, running, biking, etc) that are all specialized in how they fit, how they’re cushioned, etc. If you can manage to wear a hole in them, they will replace them for free so they can study your old socks and see what the problem was so they can improve things. Now YES they are a blend and not 100% wool (have nylon and spandex, not cotton), but they’re mostly wool, and they’re great.
Smart Wool is also fantastic. Almost if not just as durable, though no lifetime warranty. Also a mostly wool blend with nylon and spandex.
Treat yourself to a pair of wool socks if you do anything outdoors, you won’t regret it. Gift them for Christmas. Gift them for birthdays, going away presents, graduation gifts. Everyone needs a pair.
Don’t know where to buy them, don’t want to buy them off amazon? Go to your local camping store, better yet if they’re a small chain that carries quality brand instead of your generic walmart style store that sells camping gear that isn’t worth it’s salt. If you’re in Canada, try MEC.
