The Warmest Socks for Women

When the cold temperatures hit, it's time to cozy up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa, your favorite wool sweater, and a warm, snuggly pair of socks. We'll leave the cocoa to you, but we've got the socks covered. To help you weed out the bad socks from the good ones, we've rounded up a list of a few of our favorites. In order to find the best warm socks on the market, we asked ourselves three questions: Do the socks' materials do a good job of promoting warmth and retaining heat? Are they still breathable? Do they stand out in other ways, such as having moisture-wicking properties or grips on the soles? With those criteria in mind, we landed on a few favorites. Leading the pack were Zando's plain, fuzzy socks, which strike the perfect balance between warmth, comfort, and utility. And speaking of utility, we wouldn't dare leave off Smartwool's hiking socks, which aren't just made for outdoor adventures — though for that they are ideal. Made of superior wool, Smartwool's socks are the smart choice for anyone looking to splurge on quality socks that will last a long time. Read on to discover the rest of our favorites and why we liked each of them so much.

Zando Women’s Socks

Like a fluffy cloud

These socks are the perfect blend of warmth and style.
Best Overall

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Consider yourself warned: cozy up while wearing Zando’s socks and you’ll never want to leave the couch again. These buttery-soft, fuzzy socks fit like a fluffy cloud on your feet thanks to their quality chenille fabric and lightweight yet warm feel. Unlike many other similar socks, these are stretchy and one-size-fits-all, but they don’t sag or droop around your ankles. They also boast the perfect amount of thickness. All in all, whether you want warm socks for sleeping, lounging, or everyday wear, these are the ones to get.

Pros:

  • Thanks to their moderate thickness, these aren’t just perfect for everyday wear — they’re also great to sleep in.
  • Whereas socks with bold, loud patterns can attract unwanted attention, these socks’ simple, solid colorways make them easy to match with the rest of your outfit.

Cons:

  • Though we love how affordable they are, it’s true that they’re so affordable for a reason. These probably won’t last as long as more expensive socks.

Azue Warm Socks

Simply adorable

Considering how cute all the patterns are, you'll have a hard time choosing which pair of these to get.
Best Characters

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Put on a pair of Azue’s warm socks and you’ll be feeling oh-so-toasty in no time. Made from a quality polyester and spandex blend, these socks are incredibly warm and soft, providing the ultimate comfort and warmth for your feet all day long. Not only that, but they’re also impossibly cute, too. Take your pick from one of several super-adorable colors and prints that run the gamut from polka dots and stripes to animal paws and stars.

Pros:

  • If you’re looking for playful-looking socks, these are ideal. The cute animal characters are as whimsical as one could ask for.
  • Aside from being a great present to yourself, these socks would also serve as a sweet gift for a friend or loved one — especially for an animal lover.

Cons:

  • If you try to layer these with other socks, you likely won’t be able to wear them with shoes.

SDBing Women’s Socks

No more slipping around

If you're tired of sliding around on wooden floors, then you need these socks in your life.
Best Grips

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When you’re wearing SDBing’s socks, you’ll never have to worry about slipping and sliding around on the floor. That’s because these non-skid socks are designed with silicone rubber grips on the bottom to help prevent falls and slips. They’re also great for anyone who tends to run cold since they’re lined with super-soft fleece. Plus, you can pick from dozens of cool colors and patterns, and they run true to size.

Pros:

  • Whereas plenty of socks in this price range look cheap or otherwise low-quality, these are quite lovely; in fact, when you’re wearing these, you probably won’t want to put shoes on over them because you’ll want to show them off.
  • These are also great socks for elderly or sick people. The anti-slip grips help prevent older or less able-bodied folks from slipping, and the super-soft fleece lining helps keep the feet warm in spite of poor circulation.

Cons:

  • You have to be careful to air-dry these, or else they’ll likely shrink.

Smartwool Women’s Hiking Socks

Hiker-tested and approved

When you're logging serious miles, you'll be glad you're wearing these socks.
Best For Hiking

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Whether you’re a hardcore hiker or more of a low-key walker, you should absolutely have a pair of Smartwool’s ultra-popular hiking socks in your closet. These high-performance socks are the real deal, providing the utmost in support and temperature regulation as you hike, run, or walk. The arch brace holds the sock perfectly in place while you move, and the flat-knit toe seam is super-comfy. Most importantly for anyone on the move, Smartwool’s socks are made from moisture-wicking merino wool that keeps the sweat at bay.

Pros:

  • Folks whose feet tend to sweat more heavily will do well with these socks. That’s because the merino wool is breathable and does an excellent job of wicking sweat away before it has the chance to collect.
  • If shopping for American-made products is a priority to you, you’ll be happy to know that these fit the bill.

Cons:

  • These definitely are on the pricey end of the spectrum, but considering their superior comfort and quality and how long they’re bound to last, they may actually save you money in the long run.

Yoicy Wool Socks

No more cold feet

Say hello to the thickest, plushest socks imaginable.
Thickest Fabric

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Thick and luxe to the max, Yoicy’s wool socks are meant to be worn on long, bitterly cold nights. Lined with soft, fluffy wool, these super-cozy socks come in a three-pack, so you’ll always have a pair on hand when the cold temperatures hit. Factor in the affordable price and the ultra-cute colors on offer and this pick is a no-brainer.

Pros:

  • We appreciate the blend of fabrics that comprise these socks. Made with cotton, wool, spandex, and polyester, the fabric blend makes these socks breathable, moisture-wicking, stretchy, and durable.
  • If you can already tell you’re going to like these socks and you want to buy more than three pairs, the company also offers them in five-packs.

Cons:

  • We wish there were even more color options, but we are pretty impressed by the ones that are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the warmest fabrics for socks?

Look for socks made with fabrics like cashmere and wool, as these trump all other fabrics in terms of warmth.

What are some other must-have features to look for in a pair of warm socks?

Aside from seeking out the warmest, thickest fabrics, consider opting for a pair of socks that’s moisture-wicking so that they dry fast in case your shoes get wet. High-rise socks are better than low-rise since they keep your whole calf warm. And of course, pick a pair with a pattern or color that you love.

Can I wash my wool socks in the washing machine?

It’s always best to hand-wash your wool socks to preserve them for as long as possible, but if you do put them in the washing machine, just make sure it’s on a gentle cycle. Then, dry your wool socks by laying them out flat.

About the Author

When she isn’t doing yoga, writing, or cooking, Justine adores shopping secondhand and frequently peruses popular vintage and thrift shop social media accounts for new looks and the latest trends. She firmly believes that everyone deserves to have well-fitting clothes that they love and feel great wearing, so she's here to help you find the perfect items for you.

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