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Shop from top-rated brands to keep your feet dry and cozy no matter what you’re doing.
Few items of clothing are as cozy and warm as a pair of wool socks. When the weather turns and cool breezes change to flurries of snow, you’ll want a pair to warm your feet. In fact, when cold weather strikes, your extremities—especially your toes—are often the most at risk of over-exposure to the harsh elements. And few things are as uncomfortable as stinging toes.
Wool stands out from other fabrics because it’s extremely soft (for comfort) and offers more insulation (for warmth). It also has moisture-wicking properties, so your socks won’t feel soaked just because your feet start to sweat.
So whether you’re Netflixin’ at home or having a snowball fight in the yard, wool socks will keep your toes toasty and dry in your winter boots. They aren’t just for boots, though. If you’re in search of a pair to wear with your favorite sneakers, we’re also sharing top-rated ones that hit just below the ankle that won’t interfere with your overall look.
Ahead, we’ve corralled some of the best wool socks available online, from top brands like Carhartt, Merrell, and more. No matter your style, we’re sure you’ll find a pair here that will warm your sole (and soul!).
A blend of merino wool, nylon, acrylic, and spandex come together to make a top-selling sock with a near-perfect Amazon rating. This extra-thick pair is designed to keep feet warm through the coldest of winters, while also naturally wicking away moisture and sweat.
“These are the best socks I’ve found to keep my feet warm. I don’t find I get sweaty in them unlike other socks, the bulk is not bad, and so far in outside weather, they’ve done a good job,” says one Amazon reviewer. “A must-buy for the person who can’t seem to find a sock that will keep them warm.
When you’re running in cold weather, you don’t always want a high sock. These wool socks from Merrell sit low on your ankles and have a tab in the back to prevent irritation from rubbing. They’re also built with arch support and have reinforced heels to help them maintain their form and shape.
“Really comfy socks! Moisture wicking. I love the fact [that] they don’t smoosh your toes all together—they aren’t binding, but don’t give you blisters,” writes an Amazon reviewer.
These hiking socks are primarily made of top-quality merino wool. The blend of 59% merino wool, 39% nylon, and 2% lycra give these socks a barely-there feel yet keep feet warm, dry, and cozy. Plus, they have a seamless toe construction and cushion for added comfort. Customers say these socks are very durable, outlasting hikes, camping trips, and biking activities.
Made of wool, polyester, and spandex, these socks move with you, making them the perfect socks for both lounging at home or going for a hike. Plus, you get five pairs in a pack, meaning you have plenty of pairs to tide you over until you do your next load of laundry.
“Bought these for my girlfriend to wear at work. She is on her feet a lot and outside in the cold. She absolutely loves them,” one reviewer raves. “She says they are very comfortable and warm. They are holding up well even after washing several times.”
The merino wool and nylon combo of materials in these mid-length socks make these socks extra breathable and lightweight, so you can wear them during any season. They have a medium-heavy thickness and feature a reinforced heel and toe to provide support for all-day wear.
“My feet always run cold and nothing keeps them warm and dry like wool socks. I’ve tried many different brands at various prize points. But I have a new favorite—these People socks! They feel terrific—thick, fluffy and every bit as warm as my most expensive wool socks,” says an Amazon reviewer.
A soft blend of wool, cotton, and polyester makes these colorful wool socks extra comfy. They aren’t too thick either so you can wear them comfortably under work shoes and boots. Reviewers say they will make you a sock lover, even if you typically prefer to go without them. Before you know it, you’ll be wearing them around the house too
“These socks are amazing! Yes, I know they’re just socks but you can’t put a price on cozy, comfy feet when winter sets in. These aren’t like the scratchy, itchy, stiff wool socks I remember wearing as a kid. They are soft and really do hold the heat in well under my snow boots or even with a pair of plain old sneakers,” writes one Amazon reviewer.
Made to keep you warm during your winter workouts, these wool socks by CloudLine have rave reviews from Amazon shoppers. The brand’s light cushion socks have padding under the foot for adding comfort, but no padding on the top of the foot for breathability.
“Perfect! Not too thin, not too thick. 100% comfort and fit,” one reviewer writes. “Did not shrink after a round in the wash and dryer. My new favorite!”
Just looking at these wool socks makes us want to cozy up to a fire and read a good book. Made with high-quality wool, cotton, polyester, and Spandex, these socks are soft and will keep your feet comfortably warm. They’re great for the at-home office, running errands, cold-weather hikes, and other outdoor activities.
More than 4,500 Amazon reviewers love these socks for their super soft feel: “I have never bought wool socks before. I thought they would be itchy, but now I can’t believe I waited this long! I live in Ohio, and the winters can get pretty cold. These socks really keep my feet warm and are not too thick so my boots still fit,” writes one reviewer.
More than 3,000 Amazon customers give these wool socks a nearly perfect 5-star rating for their thickness and warmth. In addition to merino wool, these socks are also made with nylon, Spandex, and elastic, which give them flexibility and stretch. They also feature a cushioned heel for built-in arch support, making them a great pick for people with plantar fasciitis or those who like hiking, skiing and snowboarding.
One reviewer tested them on the trails of Colorado: “These socks kept me dry in snow and below-freezing conditions of tough hiking every day. There was an elevation gain of 4,000 to over 10,500 feet, where I had my base set up. I choose to use non-insulated lighter boots, so I was counting on these 80% merino wool socks.”
These breathable socks are great for a variety of activities, like hiking, biking, running, skiing, or just walking around the neighborhood. They have a seamless toe design to prevent blisters and have medium cushion to absorb impact with every step.
One Amazon reviewer says, “I’m a longtime Smartwool fan and these are my favorite hiking/boot socks. They’re cushioned, comfortable, don’t allow any kind of chafing or rubbing anywhere, and wick sweat, keeping my feet happy. They also help keep my narrow heels and ankles from sloshing around in my boots.”
Breathable yet super warm, these socks will fight the harshest winter elements, whether you’re trekking trails, skiing slopes, or snowshoeing in the backcountry. Designed with a mix of merino wool, polyester, nylon, and Spandex, these socks are less itchy than other pairs despite their high wool count, and they have a bit of stretch in them too.
“I have been wearing Merino Wool socks almost every day for a long, long time. I think these Alvada socks are the best. They wear well and do not get the annoying strings inside that catch your toes when you are putting them on,” a happy reviewer writes.
Extra cushioning in the heel and toe, as well as a seam that won’t rub in the wrong areas, mean these wool socks protect your feet during hiking, backpacking, or going for long walks in the park. These socks also have a high-density knit with ribbed support so they're designed to anatomically fit with no bunching or slipping.
While several reviewers mention they keep them comfy for long days standing at work, another says they’re an absolute must on the trail: “I hiked to Havasu Falls this past weekend with six other people. Only one other person had merino wool socks while the other four wore regular socks. Each of the regular sock wearers got more than eight blisters, while I was completely sweat-free, blister-free, and subsequently, pain-free.”
These socks will keep your ankles warm without your shins overheating. The brand’s light elite cushioning offers amazing impact protection with targeted cushioning at the ball and heel of the foot. Meanwhile, the added elastics offer greater stretch.
“I had to get these for a backpacking trip. I usually wouldn’t spend this much on a pair of socks but in the end it’s worth it. Now I wear these socks all the time and regret not getting some sooner! I’m a women’s 8 and I got the mediums which fit well, I’m not sure if the small would have been too small,” says one reviewer.
These socks are perfect for the season. A snowflake-like design offers up a festive touch, while the moisture-wicking merino wool makes them functional.
“I love these socks,” one reviewer writes. “They stay up. I was so happy to get this beautiful pattern, a pleasure to wear. And you can wear them more than once without washing—unlike other socks. Then, even though they’re wool, they wash fine in with my darks, then into the dryer without shrinking.”
Talk about soft, cozy, and breathable! These high-quality wool socks can be worn with hiking boots, dress shoes, and even winter boots. They have an elastic cuff that helps them stay securely around your calves and feature a stretchy toe design to give your feet some room to breathe. Some reviewers say they’re a great alternative to slippers if you want to wear something warm around the house.
“These fit perfect, don’t itch, aren’t as thick as I would have thought, but are perfectly warm to wear in shoes/boots or even around the house as slippers. Love them!” says an Amazon reviewer.
Odor-fighting, moisture-wicking, and comfortable, these merino wool socks will keep your feet dry when snow strikes. They have Spandex stretch around the collars that help them stay put, and a cushioned heel for support and comfort. Available in 11 different colors and prints, these wool socks are great for a variety of outfits.
“I decided to look for affordable wool socks that were at least 80% wool. These socks are just the best,” one reviewer raves. “They keep my feet totally warm and dry. They don’t get stinky at all, and they don’t shrink. Best of all, they are oh so soft.”