14 Best Pairs of Wool Socks to Step Into This Winter

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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.

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.

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Merino Wool Hiking Socks

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.

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 (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.

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.

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?

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. The are thin on 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 the should not be tumble dried in the dryer, as it will lead them to shrink up.

Cresta Wool Midweight Hiking Socks

Made with a blend of naturally odor-resistant and breathable RWS-certified merino wool, these are L.L. Bean's premium hiking socks. The Crestas feature fabric reinforcement at the heels and toes for enhanced durability, making them a must-add to your hiking gear setup.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 also expect a "put it on, forget it's on" feel, due to their fine-gauge knitting.

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. They are widely praised by hikers and campers.

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.

Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Socks

This particular make of REI Co-op socks is a great lightweight option if you can't stand heavy socks. While they're officially part of the summer collection, they're still great options to wear around the house or to the gym.

Ash Grey Wool Ribbed Crew Socks

Based out of Osaka, Japan, RoToTo as a wool fabric is wonderfully comfortable and long-lasting. They come in a perfected timeless look, which means you can wear them with pretty much all of your winter outfits.

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.

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.

Crosspoint Waterproof Wool Crew Socks

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. They are widely praised by hikers and campers.

Chup Lumimesta Wool Sock in Cloud

These stylish and warm socks are made in Japan from 100% wool. Each pair has a unique pattern and design that takes inspiration from different communities and cultures around the world. We like this Luminesta pair, which are inspired by the Finnish word “Lumimetsä”, a word that describes a snowy forest landscape.

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Unisex Charged Wool Boot Socks - 2-Pack

You'll find Under Armour's unique Charged Wool blend in these boot socks, which consists of a mixture of wool, polyester, nylon, and elastane to provide you with a robust quick-drying experience. They have a great snug fit that allows your foot to breathe, especially when wearing boots.

Hike Wool Crew Socks

Created with nearly 2 recycled PET plastic bottles, these ECO socks live up to their name. However, you can still expect top-of-the-line comfort with features like Wrightsock's Stabilizer Zone™ that holds socks in place and close to the feet to prevent rubbing.

Everyday Sturnsphere Sock

When Smartwool says everyday, they mean everyday. Whether you're going in the office, or a hike with friends, these popular striped socks will keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable thanks to their soft merino wool fabric.

Performance Hike Full Cushion Sock

A solid option if you plan on spending miles on the trail this winter–these performance socks from Smartwool are packed full of cushion and breathability to keep your feet fresh all winter long.

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.

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.

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 Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, put a number of wool socks to the test and evaluated their quality, price point, warmth, and fit. We also considered wool socks that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.

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