The Finest Wool Socks of 2024

How We Tested the Best Wool Socks

Our Expert Tester

Based in Carbondale, Colorado, lead tester Heather Balogh Rochfort is a lifelong outdoor recreationalist with nearly 15 years of gear-reviewing experience as a journalist and author of five books. She considers herself a jack-of-all-trades as she isn’t particularly good at any one sport but enjoys them all, including trail running, hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, skiing, bikepacking, paddling, and more. 

She logs more than 50 days skiing each season and at least another 30-40 days spent sleeping under the stars. Balogh Rochfort once tried counting how many human-powered miles she earned yearly, but she quickly gave up — it was a lot. 

Our Testing Process

In addition to extensive research and knowledge, we wore these socks on everything we did over the course of a few months. We wore wool socks while hiking, mountain biking, trail running, camping, alpine touring, and even while lifting weights.

We even turned them into our daily drivers while working and managing school drop offs, if only so we could evaluate their durability and stench resistance over time. Truly, there isn’t a weather condition these socks haven’t seen after concluding our testing process.

For this guide, we first looked at an essential component in these socks: wool. While most of the socks use merino wool, we also considered Alpaca wool as well. From there, we looked at a number of factors, including overall quality, value, design, comfort, quantity of wool, wicking capabilities, and durability.

Since most of these socks were only tested for a few months, we consider longevity with an asterisk since all socks should last longer than that. In those circumstances, we considered brand warranty programs, as well.

Lastly, we considered style. Socks aren’t something that typically top the fashion lists, but it’s nice when they look good and especially nice when they can be worn for a variety of activities. We also considered factors like the sock’s cut since that plays into style preferences.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Wool Socks

Fortunately, choosing the best wool socks for you is a simple task. However, there are a few factors to take into consideration.

Type of Wool

Most of the socks in this guide (like the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight or the Minus33 Boot Liner) use Merino wool. This is a type of wool derived from sheep and is arguably the most common wool used — for good reason.

Merino wool fibers are semi-hollow, which means warm air gets trapped inside and helps retain heat. On the flipside, this semi-hollow structure can hold moisture — like your sweat — which draws it away from your skin. This leaves the sock itself dry, your foot dry, and everyone generally happy.

However, merino wool isn’t the only type of wool out there. We also have the Paka Performance ¾ Crew Sock that is constructed with Alpaca wool. Many argue that Alpaca wool is a superior choice to merino since the fibers are generally smoother so it’s less itchy.

Alpaca wool also has a higher tensile strength than merino and Alpacas are considered to be efficient grazers. They only eat the part of the plant they need and leave the rest compared to sheep that mow on the whole thing, leading to overgrazing and soil degradation.

For the sake of socks, both types of wool will be great — it’s a matter of preference.

Looking for socks for specific activities? Check out some of our sock roundups, including Best Hiking Socks and Best Running Socks.

Quantity of Wool

You’ll quickly notice that while wool is the majority ingredient in all of these socks, it is not the only fiber. That is because wool socks need synthetic fibers (often nylon) to add stretchiness and durability. However, the quantity of wool dramatically varies. For example, the Injinji Outdoor Midweight Mini-Crew socks have 71% merino wool, while the Ortovox Alpine Light Comp Mid only has 39% virgin wool. 

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for a wool sock that has less than 30% wool. While that isn’t generally a bad thing, those socks won’t likely have the classic “wool benefits” like odor resistance and may perform more like a traditional synthetic sock.

Comfort

Once you get beyond the technicalities, comfort is the top consideration. If the sock isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it. For many outdoor enthusiasts, comfort is a matter of preference. For some, heavily cushioned socks like the Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Second Cut Crew socks feel better underfoot thanks to all the padding. But for others, thinner liner-type socks like the Minus33 Boot Liners are more comfortable since they are less apt to bunch or wrinkle.

The cut of the sock is also a factor to consider for performance. Mini-crew cuts typically end just at your ankle bone, so they keep grit out but sit lower than a full crew or calf-length sock. However, some people prefer taller socks like the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight sock that sits about 5 inches above the boot. And further still, some folks like socks that reach to the middle of their calf muscles. There is no one right answer; you just have to decide what you like best.

Durability

We’ve got some good news and bad news. The bad news: all socks will kick the bucket eventually. However, the good news is that wool socks last admirably long — and many brands offer solid warranties to keep you coming back.

Darn Tough has a lifetime warranty on all of their socks, so you can always send them back to get a new pair. We’ve used it before, and it works. While not as generous, Minus33 has a two year warranty if you register your socks with them at the beginning, so you still have plenty of time to use ‘em, abuse ‘em, and replace ‘em.

Price & Value

While wool socks are more expensive than your standard cotton socks from the grocery store, they are performance items. They wick sweat away from your skin, retain their shape, resist odor, and thwart blisters. For us, it’s worth spending the extra money to get all of that protection.

Budget

And for some socks, it’s not all that much extra money. The Minus33 Boot Liners will only run you $18, but they pack a hefty 61% wool blend. They offer all of the moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties of their more expensive brethren, but due to their thinness, they almost certainly won’t last as long. And that’s what you’ll find with most of the socks in this price range — a lack of durability. Bargain wool socks are a great entry point to experience the perks of wool, but eventually, you may want to invest in a few hardier pairs.

Mid-Tier

On average, be prepared to spend anywhere from $20 to $25 on a good pair of mid-tier wool socks. This is the range where most of the best socks reside, and you’ll mostly be adding some thickness, cushioning, and durability. The Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew sock ($25) is an excellent example of what you’ll find in this range — comfortable with a dense weave, these socks are just snug enough to provide support and are so durable that they offer a lifetime guarantee on every pair.

Premium

On the higher end, you can expect to spend $30 and more. That may seem like a lot for a pair of socks (you’d be right), but this is the price range where you start finding specialty socks, like the Ortovox Alpine Light Comp Mid ($35). These compression socks offer a uniform compression that’s designed to reduce fatigue during long days on your feet. If you’re looking for any special features beyond a moisture-wicking, stink-free sock (which is already a lot to ask of a sock), be prepared to shell out a few more bucks.

While these prices are all more expensive than your standard cotton socks from the grocery store, they are performance items. They wick sweat away from your skin, retain their shape, resist odor, and thwart blisters. For us, it’s worth spending the extra money to get all of that protection.

Frequently Asked Questions