Keeping Feet Warm In The Winter

Keeping your feet warm during the winter months is not as difficult as what we make it. Making the move to a quality merino wool sock will keep the toes warm even in the harshest of temperature. Most importantly, put those cotton socks away for the winter.

Just the word “wool” invokes memories of those itchy rag wool sweaters we wore as kids. Not the case with merino wool. The fibers from the merino sheep are finer than human hair and very soft.

The benefits of merino are many. Here are just a few.  (1) It wicks moisture away from the skin to the surface of the sock where it evaporates. A dry foot is the first step in keeping warm. Cotton causes the foot to sweat and keeps the moisture on the skin. Doubling up on cotton socks only makes it worse. (2) Merino is antimicrobial. In other words, the bacteria that are the source of foot odor cannot survive on the fibers. The socks can actually be exposed to air for a few hours and worn again.

It’s important to allow a pocket of air between your foot and boot interior. Not only is air a natural insulator, but it also helps to evaporate moisture. Don’t get a tight fit!

And, when shopping for merino wool, be careful about your selection. No sock is 100% merino. In fact, it wouldn’t hold together. The exterior of a quality sock will typically be a different material that helps hold the wool together but will not contact the skin. It's this material that adds to the durability. Some socks advertise merino but have a low wool content. Look for socks that are great than 60% merino to enjoy warmth during the winter months.

Our favorite brands include Smartwool and Fits, an American made sock with exceptional quality.