Best wool socks

[Scott Weersing]

I am headed to Bandon in three weeks and I need to get some wool socks or high performance walking socks (do they exist?)

What would you recommend?

I searched the site and Kentwood socks came up from the 100 hole hikers.

[PCCraig]

Scott,

Check out Smartwool socks. I wear them to work nearly every day. Thin but very warm wool socks.

[Bill_McBride]

Kentwool is the best.  Mr. Whitaker turned me on to Kentwool. 

[Ken Moum]

I am headed to Bandon in three weeks and I need to get some wool socks or high performance walking socks (do they exist?)

What would you recommend?

I searched the site and Kentwood socks came up from the 100 hole hikers.

I am a total geek for Smartwool.  One thing they do is feature merino wool content above 75%.  I have also had excellent luck with Cabelas socks that are 78% merino.

They all cost 15 to 20 bucks a pair.

I have looked into Kentwool and although they use merino, it's a "proprietary" blend with synthetics.  I am sure they are great, but I'm stuck on high percentage merino wool, it's that good.

K

[Michael Whitaker]

Kentwool are the finest golf socks in the planet... period. You will never be disappointed with Kentwool, guaranteed.

[Bill_McBride]

I like Kentwool short socks in the summer.  Very cool walking.  Maybe it's the pooh!

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Kentwool are the finest golf socks in the planet... period. You will never be disappointed with Kentwool, guaranteed.

I couldn't agree more!!

Kentwool socks are life changing.  I say that because I used to struggle with blisters and sore feet, and Kentwool socks have virtually taken care of that.  I wear them year round even down here with the bootie length during the summer.  Once I got a good feel for how great they are, I got hooked.  I basically won't wear anything (golf, works, whatever) else unless I don't have any Kentwool socks clean. 

They are not cheap, but how do you put a price on your own comfort and convenience?

[Tommy Williamsen]

I am not familiar with Kentwool socks but I use Smart wool sock for skiing and my feet have never been warmer.

[Ronald Montesano]

Having tried every wool sock on the planet, I can proclaim that the best is ...

Oh, wait, no one has tried every wool sock, so the "best" contained herein are subjective observations.

Kentwool is one I've worn and a good choice.

Smartwool walking socks: http://www.smartwool.com/socks/walk.html?gender=9914

Kentwool:  http://shop.kentwool.com/cart.php

[Jim_Kennedy]

My enthusiasm just waned  

From their website:

• KENTWOOL will offer for retail its performance enhancing line of golf socks to some of the world's top-ranked golf clubs, utilizing current Golf Digest rankings as a primary basis for qualification. KENTWOOL reserves the right to adjust the qualification criteria.

We're talking socks here - GMAB!    Sorry, but my feet aren't that elite.

[mike_beene]

Kentwool. I bought three pairs over 5 years ago and they are like new.

[A.G._Crockett]

I love Smart Wool socks, BUT let me save you a LOT of money.

Go to Costco and buy a 4 pack (or two or three) of their version of the Smart Wool socks; they are under the Kirkland label, but I kind of suspect that Smart Wool makes them.  They are a superior product that I wear constantly; winter golf, cycling, around the house, and so on.  I think the price is around $16 for the pack of 4.

You can thank me later.

[Josh Tarble]

Kentwool socks are amazing, and probably what you need for cold weather.

However, for warmer weather, the best socks are SwiftWick.

[Bill_McBride]

I like Kentwool short socks in the summer.  Very cool walking. 

[Ben Carey]

+1 for Kentwool

I love them so much that they are now all I own. I threw out all of my other (including casual and dress) socks and filled up my closet with Kentwool. My only regret is that I wish I would have done it sooner.

[Carl Johnson]

Don't forget waterproof / water resistant / water repellant shoes, if wet weather is a concern.  Wool socks, in theory, keep you "warm even when wet," but I learned by sad experience on a golf trip that the socks were not enough to do the job with shoes that were not water resistant, etc.

That having been said, I've been happy with Smartwool for years - they make a wide variety of socks in thickness and styles.  Choose carefully.  However, based on A.G.'s advice I'm going to check out the Kirklands at Costco.

Edit: P.S. - my Costco did not have the men's in stock.  They did have the women's Kirkland "Trail Socks" which appeared to like Smartwool -- 3-pair package for $9.99.

[Pete Blaisdell]

   Scott

      I spent 28 years in the sporting goods business which included winter gear(Downhill & cross country especially). I know what it is to be cold but I picked up a tip from Penny Pitou (Olympic skier and longtime friend ) many , many years ago that I can share with you and others at GCA who play in brisk and/or cold weather.

      There are many brands of very good sox that offer comfort from the cold/sometimes wet conditions at Bandon .

      Basic , over the counter, VASELINE!!--Lather up your feet , especially your toes and in betwwen your toes, about an hour before you tee it up. It might feel funny but it works. I 've been doing this for 30 years. The VASELINE ACTS AS AN INSULATOR. i SWEAR BY IT!!

      Try it. Let me know what you think. Enjoy Bandon!!

[Craig Sweet]

Smart Wool sux...they wear out..thin out.

THE BEST wool sock is Darn Tough!  Made in Vermont...lifetime guarentee.  They cost no more...often less...than SmartWool....but you will not wear them out....ever. 

http://darntough.com

[Howard Riefs]

I'm a huge fan of Kentwool. My first introduction to them was their being a sponsor of the 2012 Hundred Hole Hike. I was initially somewhat shell-shocked in buying $20 for a pair of golf socks, but I wouldn't wear any other socks now. The socks are heavily padded and keep your feet warm and dry, which is all that matters especially in colder, wet environs.

Kentwool's customer service is also top-notch. Last summer, a few pairs snuck into the dryer and noticeably shrunk. I called up Kentwool on the oft-chance that they would replace them. They did just that and told me not to worry about sending back the old pairs -- to just throw them away. Little things like that matter.

[Ben Carey]

I forgot to mention this in my prior response, but Kentwool makes the wool that is used for Smart Wool socks

[Terry Lavin]

I'm buying some of these socks if this thread makes it to 2 pages.

[Michael Whitaker]

Terry,

On the off chance the thread doesn't cooperate PM me your mailing address and I will send you a pair.

Mike

[Chris Shaida]

Just trying to get it past 2 pages! and also, on the advice of Dr Wellmon, I changed pairs every round during the 100hh and they and that worked like a charm (although I probably should have been wearing kentwool underwear as well, but that's a hole nother story...)

[Ronald Montesano]

All socks wear out. If they don't, you have a sock trophy case in your closet.

[Garland Bayley]

Go buy some socks already!