The Best Men’s Socks For Cold Weather
When temperatures drop, it's important to have socks that can effectively keep your feet warm. If your feet start to feel chilly, it won't be long until the rest of your body follows suit. Whether you're looking for supportive socks specialized for cold-weather activities or just a warm pair to keep your feet toasty on your work commute, let our comprehensive list of the best cold weather socks for men be your guide.
What To Look For
While conducting our research, we looked for socks that excelled in three essential categories: warmth, durability, and comfort. Any pair of cold weather socks worth your money should provide all of those things and then some. With these core attributes as our guiding principles, we felt Smartwool’s Mountaineer crew socks stood out from the pack in a big way. Thanks to the winning merino wool and nylon blend and supportive arch brace, this pair offers the kind of warmth and comfort we expect from a high-quality pair. On the other hand, if you need something a little more fashionable, Gold Toe’s wool dress socks might be the optimal choice for you. With a breathable design and over-the-calf construction, these cozy socks can keep your feet and legs warm on your chilly work commute. Keep reading to find out what we love about the rest of our top picks.
Smartwool Mountaineer Crew Socks
Toasty toes
If you’re looking for a thick pair of socks to keep you warm and supported during cold weather activities, you can’t go wrong with Smartwool’s Mountaineer crew socks. These socks utilize well-insulated fabric and an elasticized arch brace to keep you feeling cozy and supported when temperatures drop. Featuring a blend of merino wool and nylon fabric, these socks also have natural moisture-wicking properties that work to keep your feet dry and odor-free.
Pros:
- The high merino wool content makes these socks softer than cotton-based alternatives.
- The fabric is so thick and warm that these socks could practically pull double-duty as house slippers.
Cons:
- We appreciate the bulky fabric, but it can make it more difficult to get your shoes on.
Hotfeet Thermal Socks
Brave the elements
If you’re planning on partaking in chilly outdoor excursions any time soon, Hotfeet’s thermal socks might be your new best friend. With a durable fabric blend comprised of acrylic, polyester, and spandex, these socks can provide warmth retention and mobility. Although the fabric is exceptionally thick and well-insulated, it’s also surprisingly breathable. We also appreciate that Hotfeet offers these thermals in a wide variety of patterns and designs.
Pros:
- The comparatively low asking price makes these thermal socks an economically sound purchase.
- The brushed inner lining feels soft to the touch and wicks moisture to keep your feet feeling dry.
Cons:
- The elastic around the cuff is durable, but it might be a tight fit if you have large calves.
People Socks Merino Wool Socks
Cozy and affordable
When it comes to comfort and warmth in socks, many people view merino wool as the superior material, and this pair from People Socks is an excellent reminder of why that is. These socks promote mobility and warmth retention thanks to their diverse blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex. We also appreciate the reinforced toe and heel sections that support the pressure points on your feet.
Pros:
- The medium-thick fabric offers just enough insulation without being too bulky.
- These socks are highly affordable when compared to similar merino wool pairs.
Cons:
- The elastic may start to loosen over time.
Loritta Thermal Socks
Fuzzy and fashionable
If you’re looking for a festive pair of socks to keep you warm and raise your spirits, these thermal socks from Loritta might be just what the doctor ordered. Due to their well-rounded blend of fabrics, these socks offer the warmth and softness of cotton and wool combined with the snug fit of polyester. On top of that, these socks are mighty affordable when stacked up against comparable thermals.
Pros:
- Despite the high wool content, these socks do just fine in the wash.
- The wide variety of patterns makes it easy to mix and match for different outfits.
Cons:
- We wish the fabric were a bit chunkier.
Gold Toe Wool Socks
Stylish and supportive
There are few things worse than frozen feet during a chilly work commute. With Gold Toe’s wool dress socks, you can protect your feet from low temperatures and look fashionable while you’re at it. Thanks to their over-the-calf construction, these dress socks will offer protection to your calves as well as your feet. We also appreciate the breathable fabric and moisture-wicking technology that can help nip odor and sweat in the bud.
Pros:
- The ribbed fabric provides compression and keeps you feeling supported throughout the day.
- The elastic is strong and keeps the socks in place while you’re walking.
Cons:
- These socks might be somewhat difficult to put on if you have larger calves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fabrics are typically used to make cold weather socks?
There are a few sock fabrics that companies continually choose to work with when manufacturing socks for cold weather. Generally, companies use fabrics such as cotton, merino wool, polyester, and nylon for their warmth retention and moisture-wicking. Often times manufacturers will blend these fabrics to synergize the beneficial properties of each.
When should I get new socks?
There are a few telltale signs that should let you know a sock is past its prime. When the elastic around the cuff begins to weaken, you’ll know that the sock might be ready for replacement. Also, holes and frayed fabric are other strong indicators.
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