Lightweight warm socks

[Ian Schumann]

For sleeping on cold nights, for the last few years I've just been using these very soft, fuzzy, all-merino crew length "hiking" socks from Eddie Bauer that I picked up for I think $4/pair. They weight about 2.4oz/pair, and honestly are not durable enough to use as hiking socks. They're fine for a cold day in the city, or for wearing in camp on a cold night backpacking.

But, I'm ready to upgrade to something a little warmer.

The market seems kind of thin for warmer socks that are still lightweight.

• PossumDown socks were probably a good example of what I'm looking for — although they were extremely delicate from what I remember — and anyhow I can't seem to find them for sale in Medium anywhere on the web.
• Goosefeet down booties are definitely ultralight, and warm, but they are more expensive than what I'm shopping for. And they're probably warmer too.

So, if anyone can help out, here's the ball park of what I'm looking for:
– Under ~$30/pair (preferably much less)
– Under ~5oz/pair
– Warmer than your typical midweight wool sock

Again this will just be used for in-camp and sleeping, so the idea here is not to waste weight with a reinforced sole, blended nylon for durability, or that sort of thing.

Any suggestions?

[BlackHatGuy]

I have no real idea if these would be warmer, but I have a pair of black fleece socks like these (might not be Acorn Muir but they're pretty much the same): http://www.rei.com/product/837821/acorn-muir-woods-fleece-socks

They're very light, I don't know exactly how light but lighter than socks, I think.

They fit my 8.5 feet just fine, would probably fit a 9 easy enough. You can have 'em for shipping if you want 'em.

[Ian Schumann]

And then there's something like these:

Baffin Cush Slipper
Weight: … 3-4oz/shoe? or per pair?
http://www.backcountry.com/baffin-cush-slipper-mens

Seems like an interesting option.

[Ian Schumann]

Thanks Doug, I will consider that! I had looked at those previously. Will PM ya in the next day or so if I'm interested.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if they're still selling them, but Land's End use to sell socks made out of 200 wt Polartec Aircore fleece (slightly warmer than regular fleece possibly). I have a couple of pairs, they are warm enough, but the fit and sizing is a bit weird. Wouldn't wear them hiking (especially since they have bumps on the sole for traction), but for sleeping they are good. Don't remember the weights though.

(I actually tried to make a sock shoe out of the above, by plastering silicone glue on the bottom and sides to attempt to make them waterproof on the bottom. Didn't quite work out so well.)

But for warmth while hiking, i combine a lighter Merino-synethic sock (i like a good amount of nylon in there), with a heavier polypropylene sock outer sock. Polypropylene is quite warm stuff when in a bulkier knit or woven because it's the least thermally conductive material commonly used for garments–thermal conductivity does seem to matter some more for thinner, woven or knit garments as compared to say puffy insulation.

Also, layers of equal thickness to one thicker layer tend to be a bit warmer i think. The Merino-synthetic is for both next to feet comfort and to reduce odor buildup that normally would be bad with just polypropylene socks.

[Anonymous]

Also, if it's just for sleeping, boiled all wool slippers are fairly warm, though a bit heaiver.

If you want serious warmth for lightest weight, you're going to have to go with a down sock or booty though.

[Desert Dweller]

Alpaca is really warm and reasonably light. These below are not the heavy duty hiking socks, they are lighter, although those are very nice too and can do double duty if necessary.

http://www.dreamspunalpaca.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=133

[Andy F]

Wigwam Ice Socks: http://shop.wigwam.com/p-2399-wigwam-the-ice-sock.aspx

[Ian Schumann]

Nice! Thanks Andy, I'll have to have a look at those.

[Tommy Nelson]

These work well for me…but they are not too much warmer than a typical midweight wool sock. They work well in chilly temps with 20-30mph of wind chill though (i.e. on a bike)

http://www.defeet.com/718735/products/Wooleator-Charcoal.html

[Elizabeth Tracy]

Angora. Supposedly 7x warmer per weight than wool.

I believe it. My feet ROAST in my light-as-a-feather angora sleep socks – and that's coming from a cold sleeper.

– Elizabeth

[Jim Jessop]

I expect this UK supplier would ship to you if you can't find a New Zealand supplier. They're great!

http://www.chocolatefishmerino.co.uk/merino-possum/socks.html

[Ian Schumann]

Elizabeth,
I'm intrigued, where did you get yours? Do you still have a link?

[BPLwiia]

Do a search in BPL of Dachstein mittens and you will find accolades of just how incredibly warm they are. The same company makes boiled-wool socks.

http://www.sweatersintl.com/norsocks.html

[Brian Camprini]

Ian-I came across this angora site a while back. Never ordered from them, but if you do I'd like to hear your feedback. Several of their products look interesting, not only the socks.

http://www.warm-feet.com/Products.html

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