Well, after years of looking, I might have found some warm socks.

I have merino wool socks, different brands. They have done an OK job, but I still thought there was something better, as my feet would still get cold.

Well, I think that I found the answer. Alpaca wool socks! I bought a couple of pairs of lightweight, a couple of pairs of medium weight and a couple of pairs of heavy weight alpaca wool socks. I have worn the lightweight the last couple of days, and the temperature has been from 21° in the morning to 40° in the afternoon. My feet have been warm and dry, I will say, at 21° the lightweight apaca wool socks might not have been THE warmest, but my feet were warmer than if I was wearing my medium weight merino wool socks.

I'm really impressed with them, they are Warrior brand and the prices aren't too bad, between $17.00 to $35.00.

I have paid more for merino wool socks, that didn't have the same performance. The alpaca wool socks are thinner also, so fitment is better in shoes and boots.

I'm going to be investing in more alpaca wool socks and I'm going to look into alpaca wool blanket.

ARman

I've spent an ungodly amount of money the last two months on winter (hunting) socks. Apparently a touch of neuropathy, my feet are cold all the time now and I froze last hunting season. (I was blaming my boots getting old, but I realize that wasn't the whole story).

Anyway I've purchased several brands and types of wool sock for this season. The problem I'm just realizing is, most of them are not marked in any fashion, so if one does turn out to be better than another, I won't know which brand it is to buy more! lol

On to alpaca.. I bought an alpaca wool hat last year. I thought that I would try some alpaca socks. But what I was find was, the percentage of alpaca wool in them all was pretty low. With merino wool, the percentage seems to be between 70-80% wool, the rest acrylic and spandex for example. Abut the alpaca socks were all in the mid to high 40% range of alpaca wool???
Okay so it's warmer than merino, but that's half as much of it? Don't quite get it, so I don't buy any. (besides I'd already spent a couple hundred bucks on socks at that point and really had too many, even after culling many of my old ones)

What type of activity are you engaged in while wearing the socks?

Bison wool socks will make your feet sweat at 32˚F

Where did you buy them, ARMan?

quote:

Originally posted by Cookster:
What type of activity are you engaged in while wearing the socks?

Well Friday was at work, driving the school bus. Can put a man on the moon, can't figure out how to heat a school bus.

Today, light yard work and rising the car off, no really a wash job. With an early morning dog walk with temperatures around 28°.

ARman

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Where did you buy them, ARMan?

I bought the first batch directly from them, I ordered one of each weight, then I found them on Amazon, and ordered the next batch added to an order that I was making.

ARman

I keep warm with Smartwool socks.

My mom got me some alpaca socks after my stroke. They put me on Coumadin which is warfarin, a strong blood thinner. I know why old people are always cold...

Those socks saved me....it took several months to get me fixed up and after I quit taking the stuff I went back to my normal body temp. But those socks were the shit. Mom made me a will cap from Bre’s knitting plan for them and it keeps my noggin warm.

Wool, will keep you warm even when wet.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
I keep warm with Smartwool socks.

I have a smartwool sock, and like the other wool socks, don't keep my feet as warm as I would like, so far these alpaca wool socks from Warrior have been all around better. I wish that I found out about them sooner.

ARman

Sort of the same topic, but going in a different direction: I understand that wool has great insulating properties, and is also good for warm / hot weather.

Would wool socks be good for summer use here in Florida? If so, any particular variety of wool? Or wool blend?

Yes, people wear wool socks for comfort and durability. REI shoe people will be thrilled to turn you on to quality socks.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Sort of the same topic, but going in a different direction: I understand that wool has great insulating properties, and is also good for warm / hot weather.

Would wool socks be good for summer use here in Florida? If so, any particular variety of wool? Or wool blend?

I wear my Smartwool socks summer and winter.

I have come to the conclusion nothing will keep my feet warm if I'm sitting still hunting.

However my feet are always toasty when Im walking.

Dahlgren socks have a blend of Alpaca and Merino...Dahlgren Socks

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
I have come to the conclusion nothing will keep my feet warm if I'm sitting still hunting.

However my feet are always toasty when Im walking.

They issued us lehigh boots when I was in the service. Wool felt liners half an inch thick. When I was hunting in NC in the mountains, I’d wear those boots. Never got cold feet.

Your feet will also stay warmer if your shoes/boots are slightly big. The extra "channel" of air between your feet & boots acts as an insulator. Same idea as when birds ruffle their feathers up in the cold, they are trapping the air for warmth.

I have looking for a cheaper alternative than my Vermont DG socks.

I bought these and so far they are nice, not too heavy and they wear well.

The warmest I have had wear the issue arctic socks but you had to have your boots sized up a full size or more due to their thickness.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
They issued us lehigh boots when I was in the service. Wool felt liners half an inch thick. When I was hunting in NC in the mountains, I’d wear those boots. Never got cold feet.

Are these the mickey mouse boots people refer to? If so they seem horrible for walking.

Great place for all your sock needs - watch for the sales:
https://www.gobros.com/?utm_so...1d7a10c0f3df84c5707d