Why Merino Wool Works In Performance Socks

What Merino Does That Synthetics Do Not

Merino wool moves moisture as vapour before it becomes sweat, and it keeps insulating when damp. That combination is why a merino sock stays comfortable across a wide temperature band instead of working well only in cold or only in heat. Merino is also naturally antibacterial, which is the real reason a merino sock can be worn for several days on a trip without the odour that forces a synthetic sock into the wash.

Why Merino Is Always Blended

Pure merino has two weaknesses in a sock: it abrades quickly at the heel and toe, and it has no elastic recovery, so the cuff stops holding after a few washes. Every serious merino sock therefore carries nylon or acrylic for abrasion resistance and elastane for recovery. Our boot sock runs 75% merino wool, 23% nylon and 2% elastane. Our kids ski sock runs 35% merino wool, 35% acrylic, 25% nylon and 5% elastane, where the acrylic also carries the jacquard colour.

How To Read A Composition Label

The percentage tells you what the sock is made of, not where the performance sits. A 35% merino sock with merino on the face yarn and synthetic in the structure can outperform a 50% merino sock where the wool is buried. When you brief a supplier, specify the face yarn and the zone, not just the headline percentage.

Read the full specification for Merino Wool Socks

Responsible Wool And What It Proves

Responsible Wool Standard certification verifies that the wool is traceable and produced with respect for animal welfare and land management. Shanghai Hicon Industrial Co., Ltd holds Intertek RWS 2.2 scope certificate ITS-TE-00027792-RAF-00038200 covering socks and hosiery, which is what allows an RWS claim to be carried onto a retail hangtag.

Specifying A Merino Sock That Lasts

Three things decide whether a merino sock survives its second season: reinforcement at heel and toe, elastane content high enough to hold the cuff and arch band, and a wash instruction the end user will actually follow. Cool wash, no fabric softener, dry flat. Softener coats the fibre and kills the wicking that the merino was bought for.