The four-way debate of merino wool vs. wool vs. synthetics vs. cotton has been going on for a long time, and we've decided to weigh in on it. In this article, you'll learn about the different materials used for socks, how they perform, and how to maintain them.
What Are The Different Sock Material Types?
The material of your socks can determine whether you'll have a great experience wearing it or not. In this section, we'll give a quick rundown of the most common types of stocking material you should know.
Merino wool
According to Woolmark, merino wool is considered the finest and softest wool in the world. It’s also rare and beneficial to the skin because the micron of the fiber is very fine.
Additional research has shown that superfine merino wool can help people with atopic dermatitis and eczema manage prevailing symptoms like redness, itchiness and skin dryness. It's also very breathable and has a high wicking capacity, which allows it to absorb moisture during physical activities or in damp areas.
However, as great as merino wool is, it has a drawback. The superfine nature of the material means that you need to handle it carefully to prevent it from shrinking when you wash it.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most common sock materials on the market and for good reason. It’s soft, breathable and great for your feet. There’s also been evidence that cotton socks date back to 300 to 500 AD.
100% cotton socks are rare and expensive because the raw material is expensive and cotton shrinks a lot. It also has low moisture wicking properties and won’t keep your feet warm when it’s cold but does that mean you shouldn’t wear cotton socks at all?
The answer is no!
Cotton is a great material for socks when it’s mixed with other durable materials like nylon, spandex or polyester. There are three common types of mixed cotton socks you should know and they are ordinary, combed and mercerized cotton socks.
- Ordinary cotton socks often have less than 50% cotton and are often mixed with nylon and polyester. They’re also the cheapest type of cotton socks because they’re easier to manufacture.
- Combed cotton socks on the other hand has about 60% cotton and the impurities in the short and long staple cotton fiber are usually removed during the manufacturing process with a comb. Combed cotton socks are also softer because they have more cotton than ordinary cotton socks.
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Mercerized cotton socks have the highest amount of cotton you should look out for in cotton socks. They are often made from long staple cotton and are also expensive because of the long manufacturing process. Since mercerized cotton socks have very high cotton content, they may also suffer from some of the drawbacks of 100% cotton socks.
Wool
Wool socks are very insulating. They’re also very durable and capable of withstanding rigorous physical activities. They’re also as soft as cotton without any of the downsides of cotton socks. They have high moisture-wicking capacities and are wrinkle-resistant.
Socks with wool material are ideal as gifts during the Christmas season and for winter because they are cozy and can prevent your loved one’s feet from getting cold. Wool stockings are also great for hiking and other outdoor events because of their water absorbing quality.
Bamboo
Bamboo socks are a new innovation with a sustainable twist. So, if you care about the environment, this one's for you.
Bamboo socks are usually made from bamboo stems and leaves. The manufacturer crushes these materials with sodium hydroxide or caustic soda until it becomes bamboo viscose. After that, the manufacturer then spins this viscose into threads that can be mixed with another material like nylon to make very durable and eco-friendly stockings.
Apart from softness and durability, bamboo socks also have antifungal and antimicrobial capacities because of the anti-microbial feature of bamboo-kun which is a material that’s present in all bamboos.
Silk
Silk socks are in a whole new category of classy and comfortable. The material for silk socks (silk) comes from a protein fiber found in silkworms. It’s very soft, breathable and luxurious. It also has the ability to keep your feet cool during hot weather and warm during cold weather though not as warm as cotton or wool.
Silk stockings are delicate and smooth which makes them suitable for both formal and casual settings. They’re also resistant to mould and dust mites which makes them hypoallergenic and great for people with sensitive skin.
However, if there’s a downside to silk socks, it’s that they’re very delicate and can’t stand the rigorous nature of everyday use. They also require special care to keep them in tip-top shape which is why most people only wear them when they want to dress up and look fancy.
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic secondary clothing material that comes from petroleum. This means it doesn’t usually stand alone as a clothing material. Instead, manufacturers mix it with other synthetic materials like polyester or polypropylene to make clothes or socks. Some manufacturers also mix it with naturally occurring materials like cotton and wool to increase its durability.
This material is most common in hiking socks because of its high moisture-wicking quality. It’s also soft to touch and can provide even compression while you engage in any rigorous activity.
The downside of nylon is that it can trigger some allergic reaction if you have sensitive skin. It’s also not as stretchy as it should be. That’s why many manufacturers mix it with lycra or spandex to make it elastic enough for everyday wear.
Acrylic
Acrylic material is a type of synthetic fiber that comes from polymer. It’s closely related to nylon and is very lightweight. It’s also very durable and has great moisture-wicking capacities. However, as great as acrylic socks are, they’re not as insulating as natural fibers like wool.
Unlike most natural fiber socks, acrylic socks are affordable and highly breathable which makes them great for sporting activities like hiking and running.
Another great thing about acrylic fabric is that it can withstand frequent washing because it has a strength range between 22.1 to 48.5cN/dtex. This means it can go through numerous cycles in the washing machine without its quality or durability reducing in any way.
Thermolite
Thermolite is another synthetic sock material. It’s created from hollow core fibers with the capacity to trap in warm air even when it’s wet. It’s lightweight, breathable and has great moisture-wicking capacities.
This fabric is an alternative to natural insulators like wool and cotton but is even better in some situations. For example, even when thermolite gets wet,it dries faster than both cotton and wool.
In addition, many manufacturers use Thermolite in sporting socks that require high durability and insulation. The only downside to this material is that while it’s not expensive, it’s also not cheap. In fact, some Thermolite socks are as expensive as merino wool socks which is the most expensive type of socks on the market.
Climayarn
This material is what happens when manufacturers mix thermoplastic polymer polypropylene with merino wool. It has all the benefits of wearing merino wool socks like durability and softness with the breathability of other synthetic materials. This means it’s great for sporting activities and can store warmth in colder climates while preventing overheating in warmer ones.
Comparing Performance Sock Materials
Knowing how your preferred sock material performs against others can let you know what's best for each activity and guide your socks shopping.
Merino Wool
Merino wool socks come with some of the finest and thinnest wool fibers in fabric which makes them soft and ultra-comfortable to wear. They don’t itch like traditional wool and they also come with fibers with 24 microns to 15 microns and below. Conversely, regular wool can have up to 40 microns.
For context, one micron is equal to one-millionth of a meter. This means merino wool is more durable and resilient than other types of wool. Another great thing about merino wool socks is that it has natural insulation to keep you warm during cold seasons.
In warmer climates, merino wool can wick away moisture from your skin during physical activities. This can keep your feet dry and prevent any funky smell from developing because you constantly wear stockings.
Wool
Wool stockings here refer to all other types of wool apart from merino wool. This could be bison wool, alpaca wool or other types of sheep wool. As we’ve previously mentioned, wool stockings are great for colder climates which is why they’re so common during winter.
One major downside of wool socks in relation to merino wool, cotton and synthetics is that getting a good wool socks can be sort of a hit or a miss. Some wool socks with high microns can become very itchy the more you wear them.
Since manufacturers don’t write the microns of the wool on the label, it can be difficult to figure out when you’re buying the socks. Our advice is that you buy your wool socks from brands you trust.
Synthetics
Synthetics is a compound name for all artificially made materials like nylon, spandex, polyester can mean more than one material including polyester, nylon, acrylic and spandex.
As we’ve already discussed, many of these materials can wick away moisture from your skin and are present in lesser quantities in most socks to reinforce their durability. Some of them also have the qualities of natural fibers and are often used as a substitute for these materials by manufacturers.
For example, polyester can be used as an alternative to merino wool because it can be as insulating. However, it doesn’t absorb moisture as well as merino wool and isn't highly resistant to stains. As a result, it leaves behind blemishes and spots that are hard to remove.
Nylon is also another durable material in stockings but unlike cotton or wool, it fades quickly. It’s also a terrible choice in white socks that require bleaching to keep them pristine. For instance, some white nylon socks can become yellow when you expose them to chlorine bleach.
However, to reduce the downsides of synthetic materials, many manufacturers mix them with natural occurring fiber like wool, cotton and bamboo fabric. This makes them perfect for almost all activities you’ll ever need socks for.
Cotton
Cotton is a very durable material but with low moisture-wicking ability. It gets damp easily because it absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin. On the other hand, it has great breathability which means it can give your feet more air than wool but less than some other synthetic materials.
Most cotton socks are mixed with synthetic materials to make them more durable, elastic and moisture-wicking. However, even after mixing them with synthetic materials, they’re still not as great as merino wool and ordinary wool for wet and cold weather.
Which Material Type is Overall Superior
Each stocking material has its benefits and downsides. So, to choose the best stocking material, you need to ask yourself; “What exactly do I need?” If you're looking for a comfortable material with durability and resilience, merino wool is your best bet. Traditional wool is also an excellent option if you want versatility.
If you want something different and affordable, synthetics are the answer. You can choose either nylon, polyester, or silk and get a quality item.
How To Maintain Socks Material
How you maintain your socks may differ based on the material it's made of. Here are some tips you can use for keeping various sock materials in good shape;
Merino wool socks
- Turn the socks inside out before washing
- Avoid hot water, fabric softener, and bleach. This can damage the wool and cause it to fade
- Lay your socks flat in a drawer when storing them. This prevents the material from getting squeezed.
Wool Socks
- Use only cold water when washing
- Set your machine to a gentle wash and only use a mild detergent. This limits the damage to the wool fiber
- Avoid using a dryer. Instead, hang it outside and let it air-dry
Synthetic socks
- For nylon socks, use only a mild detergent and cold water. Wash dark and light colors separately to prevent color transfer.
- Use only detergent made for polyester socks. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can damage the fibers.
- For spandex, wash it in a garment bag and air dry when possible. Only use cold water with a normal wash cycle.
Cotton socks
- Wash your cotton socks only at a temperature no higher than 30 degrees in your washing
- Use only a mild,enzyme-based detergent. This works as an effective stain remover by breaking down stains and soils that damage the fibers
Conclusion
Socks are made with different materials that are perfect for diverse needs and tastes. So, it's not that simple to say one sock material is superior to the next. Instead, it comes down to the specific event or occasion you have in mind. That said, you can head over to our online store to choose the best socks for your next activity.
FAQ
What is the best material for socks?
The best material for your socks depends on your specific needs. If you want durability and resilience, you can go with merino wool. Conversely, synthetics can give you quick-drying properties at an affordable price.
Are cotton or merino wool socks better?
Cotton is good for absorbing moisture but quickly loses the ability to keep your feet warm. Merino wool has an advantage here as a high wicking ability for removing moisture. It can also retain warmth and has five times more durability than cotton.
Is 100% wool good for socks?
Yes, 100% wool is good for socks as it insulates your feet and keeps you warm during winter.
How long should you wear socks before switching material?
You should change your socks daily. However, you should change it more often if you sweat a lot.
