The best socks you’ve ever owned

Machka9

ritzvin wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Different people will like different socks... so this is another one of those threads where recommendation may or may not be relevant to you.

For hiking and similar - Ibex, crew, midweight
For running - Smartwool or Swiftwick, ultralight/thin
For cycling - Smartwool or Swiftwick, light weight

In all cases, I prefer wool, polyester, or a wool/poly/stretchy blend. No cotton. Ever. Never.

A million times this. Why TF do cotton socks even exist?! They hold moisture, lose warmth when damp/wet, and tend to cause blisters when damp/weight. I can't think of a single purpose where they don't suck compared to other materials. (I feel similarly about cotton gussets FYI).

I love my Asics ankle socks with 2 tabs, except for winter mountaineering (not warm enough). I have a few Alpaca socks (forget the brands) that are great for that (or will throw liner socks under the summer socks).

edit: fixed brand name typo

Yes!!!


And yet you go to a store and 95% of the socks advertise as "cotton rich" like it's a good thing.

Or maybe it's a warning. These are cotton rich so you don't want them for any sort of exercise.

clicketykeys

I hate to sound really, REALLY ignorant, but...

... is there a difference between "men's" socks and "women's" socks other than colors and patterns and the way the sizes are numbered??

aokoye

Nativestar56 wrote: »

Not the most helpful for you but the best socks I've ever owned I made myself. I used to think people who knit their own socks were a little weird, but I figured I should at least try it before I dismissed it and I found there's nothing quite like socks that ACTUALLY fit. I find it so annoying that manufacturers make socks to fit sizes 4-8. Something that will comfortably fit a size 4 foot (22.5") with negative ease will NOT also comfortably fit a size 8 (25.9cm). I'm fed up with sock heels on the soles of my feet.

I also vote for anything merino, it's great for being warm but breathable.

I don't make my own running socks though. My favourite running socks are Hillysocks. Their ranges are more reasonable; a medium is sizes 6-8.5 (UK sizes).

I see your hand knit socks and up your socks knit with wool that you've spun yourself. One of the reasons I like spinning my own yarn is that I can control what I knit with. I can spin a yarn with a much tighter twist than I can buy. Never mind the fiber content.

But yeah - I'm totally with you, you just beat me to the punch

DancingMoosie

I'm allergic to all wool. My favorite socks are c9 duo dry from Target. They're years old, so not even sure they still carry the same ones...

earlnabby

clicketykeys wrote: »

I hate to sound really, REALLY ignorant, but...

... is there a difference between "men's" socks and "women's" socks other than colors and patterns and the way the sizes are numbered??

Not really. I think men's crew socks might be a little higher and wider in the calf than women's crews but I don't even know that for sure.

Nativestar56

.. is there a difference between "men's" socks and "women's" socks other than colors and patterns and the way the sizes are numbered??

Not that I've noticed and I've bought mens socks before because the sizes made more sense for me.

Nativestar56

I see your hand knit socks and up your socks knit with wool that you've spun yourself. One of the reasons I like spinning my own yarn is that I can control what I knit with. I can spin a yarn with a much tighter twist than I can buy. Never mind the fiber content.

That's cool, I don't think people realise sometimes that its not just the fibre content but the way its spun that can make a big difference.

aokoye

Nativestar56 wrote: »

I see your hand knit socks and up your socks knit with wool that you've spun yourself. One of the reasons I like spinning my own yarn is that I can control what I knit with. I can spin a yarn with a much tighter twist than I can buy. Never mind the fiber content.

That's cool, I don't think people realise sometimes that its not just the fibre content but the way its spun that can make a big difference.

I agree wholeheartedly. The way yarn is spun makes such a big difference the properties of the garment.