Merino Wool Socks
Merino wool socks: Versatility meets comfort in the Best Thermal Socks
Wool is the equivalent of hair that is produced by several different animals including llamas, sheep and goats. However, the crimp and elasticity of wool give it a very different feel to hair and make it much better suited to making clothing.
That said, not all sheep produce great wool. Different breeds have been bred for different purposes. Many of the breeds bred for meat produce a poor quality of wool that is essentially a byproduct. It has little value and is not used to make clothing. Other breeds are almost the opposite and produce luxurious and very valuable fleeces that make high quality woolen garments. Of these breeds, one of the most well known is the Merino.
Merino wool, like all fine wools, has a high crimp. There are around 100 crimps per inch. Some poorer wool may have as few as 1 crimp per inch! Even within the Merino category, there are subdivisions of quality depending on the thickness of wool in microns. The finer the fibers, the finer the quality! Other benefits of wool are that it resists static build up and is very flame retardant when compared to other materials.
Merino wool has certain characteristics that make it perfect for use in athletic clothing. Athletes benefit from Merino’s ability to wick sweat away from the skin (thereby stopping you from feeling wet), to maintain body temperature, to retain warmth even when wet, and to prevent smells caused by bacteria. The softness of Merino is also a real benefit and prevents discomfort caused by friction.
Socks are just one of the clothing products that really benefit from being made out of Merino wool. Merino wool socks are very comfortable and benefit from all the properties we have already discussed. Because of Merino wool’s natural anti-bacterial properties, Merino wool socks are great for people with a propensity for developing foot odor. Merino wool hiking socks are perfect for people contemplating a several day hike who cannot afford to carry extra weight; they provide the comfort and odor resistance that such a venture demands.
Many companies offer Merino wool socks for sale. You can find them online for as little as $3 a pair right up to $10 a pair or more! It all depends on the brand, the thickness and the quality of the wool that is used.
One company that produces many great merino wool products is Smart Wool. From socks and sweaters to slippers, scarves and gloves, they produce all sorts of products incorporating the benefits of Merino wool. Smart Wool also operates under an ethical mission statement. They aim to source sustainably farmed wool and donate a percentage of their profits to great charity causes. More information about their SmartPrint philosophy as well as their complete product lineup can be found on their website.
So if you have been looking for some natural socks that offer benefits superior to many synthetic fibers and that are more comfortable than some cheaper, ‘scratchy’ wool, then Merino wool offers the perfect answer.