Best Wool Socks for Winter: Blending Warmth, Comfort, & Quality

I’ve always lived by the mantra that if your toes are warm and cozy, the rest of you feels warm and cozy as well.

Staying warm in the winter can take a myriad of forms. From sitting in front of a heater all day while being snowed in Buffalo, New York or drinking copious amounts of hot tea, we all have our methods. But, the cold should never stop you from getting outside or enjoying a relaxing evening at home. Maybe you've already invested in some great winter boots, but what goes inside of them is just as important! So, we’ve put together a list of the best wool socks for winter to keep all parts of you happy and warm.

Wool has become the material of choice for winter socks because of its durability, resiliency, warmth, and odor-resistance. Wool keeps you warm when it’s wet, and keeps the stink at bay for quite a while. So, get excited for a myriad of wool socks that will keep your toes warm, ankles supported, and feet looking good this winter!

1. Darn Tough Vermont Merino Wool Micro Crew Cushion Socks

Proudly made in Northfield, Vermont, Darn Tough stands firmly behind their socks. They’ve tested their wool socks in some of the harshest conditions in the lower forty-eight states. This has led them to develop a stellar sock that they guarantee for life. Yes, you read that correctly. They are unconditionally guaranteed to be sturdy and warm forever. So, this displays that this company doesn’t skimp on anything. They use 100% ethically sourced Merino Wool from around the globe. Holding their suppliers to the same standards they hold themselves is just one of the ways they put out such a brilliant product. They hold fast to the motto, “Nobody ever outsourced anything for quality”, and it shows.

This being said, Darn Tough makes socks for every occasion. Athletic socks, hiking socks, crew socks, and no show socks are all part of their inventory. Our favorite pick for the best wool socks for winter goes to the Darn Tough Vermont Women's or Men’s Merino Wool Micro Crew Cushion Socks. An exceptional blend of comfort, style, and performance, these socks perform well both at home and on the mountain. Certified to not slip, bunch, or give you blisters, these socks are well worth the money. The Merino Wool is naturally anti-bacterial and will keep you warm in any environment. Other features of this sock include a seamless toe, high density knit, and ribbed support. But the best part of all is none of these features have compromised quality.

Oh, did we mentioned that they come in a myriad of colors as well? So, if you’re looking for the truly best wool socks for winter, look no further than Darn Tough’s sock collection.

2. Smartwool Hiking Crew Sock

Smartwool is another marvelous US company committed to bringing you the best wool socks for winter. With designers and testers in the Rocky Mountains, Appalachia, and the Colorado Front Range, you can be assured these socks have been put to the test. The factories are located in Tennessee and North Carolina, allowing for ethical oversight of the manufacturing. While not certified for life, Smartwool does stand behind their product unconditionally for two years. That’s still a pretty good deal if you ask me.

While Smartwool also offers many different designs to cover your toes, there is one that is most loved. That is the Hiking Medium Crew sock. Landing high enough on your ankle, it will give ankle support and protection without giving off the nerd look. You will also have an elasticized arch brace for a little extra arch support on those long hiking days. These socks will leave you feeling close to the farm, and thankful for the sheep that provided this for you. One sheep can produce enough wool to make forty-eight crew socks per year! So, next time you see a sheep, give them some affirmation for keeping you warm in the winter, but also cool in the summer. So, for a great merino wool sock for winter at a few dollars less than Darn Tough, try the Smartwool Hiking Crew Sock.

3. Danish Endurance Hiking Sock

When a sock has been tested and approved by Navy Seal Erik B. Jørgensen, you can assume it is going to be top quality. Danish Endurance has worked with athletes and outdoor professionals for years in order to bring you a phenomenal product. Being made in Europe, you can be assured of the consistency and quality of the final product. Danish Endurance has gotten such a following that their socks will be on athletes in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. So, if you’re ready to feel closer to an Olympian, keep reading.

The Danish Endurance Hiking sock has targeted ventilation mesh zones allowing great airflow to keep your feet dry. With their perfected blend of Merino Wool, Acrylic, Polyamide, and a smidgen of Elastane, they provide a more athletic and moisture wicking sock than many other choices on our list. So, these socks could be known as the most athletic choice for the best wool socks for winter.

4. Kirkland Signature Trail Sock

We wanted to make sure to put a slightly softer, more cushy, and budget-friendly option on our list of the best wool socks for winter. That’s where the Kirkland Signature Trail Socks step in. Coming in a myriad of designs, you can be rocking fun colors and patterns while staying warm and dry. These socks are made with an extra cush footbed and reinforcement on the heels and toes. This provides a little more durability for long hikes or the many cold winters in your future.

The toe seam has been finished smooth, so you won’t go finding any uncomfortable threads while your toes move around. Additionally, the high percentage of merino wool helps manage moisture while keeping the smell down. Kirkland Signature is a larger brand with more production volume, so these socks will come in at a lower price point as well. So, for a happy middle ground on our best wool socks for winter list, check out the Kirkland Signature Trail Sock.

5. J.B. Icelandic -30 Below Classic Winter Socks

Just like sleeping bags are made to keep you warm at a certain temperature, this next pair of socks has also been put to the test. Said to keep you warm if you’re staying active at thirty degrees below zero, these easily earned the title of the best wool socks for winter. Having been pre-shrunk, you won’t need to fret about these socks changing sizes if you dry them. In addition, the J.B. Icelandic -30 Below Classic Winter Socks are wrinkle resistant and made to keep their color and shape. With the extra-high terry cushion, you will have additional comfort, warmth, and protection as well. There is a slight trade off with breathability because these socks are simply so incredibly warm. So, if you’re someone who just can’t stay warm, this just might be the sock for you.

6. Wigwam’s Comfort Hiker Midweight Crew Length Socks

Founding in 1905, Wigwam has been keeping America’s feet warm for over a hundred years. They have long established a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Being made in the USA, Wigwam is also the only company on our list that sources almost all of its wool from American farms as well. The Wigwam’s Comfort Hiker Midweight Crew Length Socks are the best seller, thus making our list of the best wool socks for winter. However, if you explore more of their inventory, you will be astounded by the fun colors, patterns, and variety of styles they carry. So, for an American-made Merino wool sock with a little spunk, check out Wigwam.

7. Fox River Trailmaster All Weather Socks

Fox River began making socks for lumberjacks out of Iowa over a century ago. If that doesn’t speak into the history and quality of the sock, I’m not sure what will convince you. Fox River began in 1900 and has been on the cutting edge of the sock industry ever since. Yes, even the sock industry has technological advances! They introduced the first performance and moisture wicking sock onto the market in 1985 and were the first ones to make a women’s specific sock as well. This isn’t just about different colors either. They adapted the toe boxes and heel pocket to fit women even better. So, Fox River truly understands their customer!

The Fox River Trailmaster All Weather Socks makes earned a spot as one of the best wool socks for winter quite easily. Between its softness, moisture wicking ability, and American-made quality, we have fallen for this sock! It is important to note that Fox River was the original home of the Sock Monkey as well. So, if you’re looking for more of Fox River quality, peruse their website for just as great socks with some spunk!

All in all, these are the best wool socks for winter right now. Certified to keep you warm, even for life, you won’t have any cold feet before diving into this next winter!

Are you ready to invest in Darn Tough’s socks that will keep you warm for life? Or, are you ready to simply enjoy the plush comfort that Wigwam offers? Wherever you land on the list of the best wool socks for winter, we hope these suggestions leave you with the right knowledge to keep your toes happy and your spirits up. Don’t shy away from making a great cup of coffee either while out on the trail to help keep you warm, either. If you’re looking for full body warmth, we can also make sure you’re equipped with the best sleeping bag as well. But, whatever your needs are, I hope you stay warm when the snow begins to fall!

Related Article: Best Winter Boots For Women: 6 Cold-Weather Styles To Keep You Warm