Merino wool vs. cotton vs. bamboo - how to choose the right sock material for different needs?

When choosing socks, the material of the sock will determine a lot about the well-being of your feet. Even high-quality shoes can perform poorly with the wrong kind of sock. Does the sock insulate you from the cold? Does it breathe? Does it prevent sweating? Can it withstand wear and washing? We compared merino wool, cotton, bamboo and synthetic fibresso that you know exactly which material is suitable for which situation.

1. Merinovilla - nature's own smart sock for outdoor activities

Pros:

• Warms and cools: Insulates in the cold and breathes in the warm - works all year round.
• Cools and insulates while cooling and cools - it keeps you cool and cools in the winter: Keeps feet dry
• Antibacterial: Does not collect odours, cleans by ventilation - less frequent washing
• Does not absorb airborne odours: Works even when wet
• Natural and biodegradable: Ethically produced by sockmasters from mulesing-free, open-sourced NATIVA merino wool
• Long-lasting: When properly maintained, merino wool products have the properties to last through use

Cons:

• linting
• Higher price compared to cotton and bamboo

Best suited for: Outdoor and outdoor sports, work shoes, camping, hiking, everyday use - especially in cold and variable conditions.

In just four products, you'll have a sock for every condition:

• Lifestyle socks - Thin patterned merino wool socks for everyday wear. 
• Repo - medium thickness merino wool socks for outdoor use 
• Malla-liner + Arctics - thin technical liner merino wool socks combined with thick merino wool socks for cold weather (loose winter footwear). Liner socks can also be worn on their own with a light, slim-fit shoe.

2. Cotton - a classic, but not the number one outdoor choice

Pros:

• Affordable and readily available
• Soft against the skin
• Good wear resistance

• Easy to wash and maintain

Cons:

• Absorbs moisture, but doesn't wick it away: Wet cotton socks feel cold and can chafe
• Does not warm up when damp
• Dries slowly

Best suited for: For everyday use and exercise in dry conditions, not recommended for active outdoor activities, wet shoes or cold conditions.

Sockmakers' recommendations: 

• RetroSport tennis socks - High quality tennis socks for everyday and indoor sports.
• Pirne - high sneaker length terry socks for everyday and indoor sports
• Taati - sneaker length socks for everyday wear in warm weather, great with sneakers
• Maalo - non-stretch socks for everyday wear
• Saana - technical wool socks for sports and outdoor activities 
  

3. Bamboo socks - super soft feet

Pros:

• Hypoallergenic - also suitable for sensitive skin
• Very soft

Cons:

• Wear resistance often weaker
• Does not insulate from cold
• Easily wetted 
  
• Dries slowly

Best suited for: Summer use for everyday wear, outdoor, indoor and/or sleepwear

Sukkamestarit for everyday use, for summer wear, for indoor and outdoor use: 

• Vaaru - technical bamboo socks for outdoor activities
• Cape - technical bamboo socks for outdoor
• Naatu - soft sleep socks for better nights
• Download from - ankle socks for everyday wear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Synthetic fibres (polyester, polyamide, elastane, polypropylene)

Pros:

• Excellent wear resistance
• Excellent durability
  

• Good in combination with other fibres (e.g. merino wool blends)

Minuses:

• Not natural - manufacturing consumes energy
• May accumulate odours
• May become electrified or feel plastic against the skin 
  

Best suited for: Technical sports socks for indoor use, where socks need to withstand heavy wear and dry quickly

• Front low -technical sneaker length socks for running
• Front -technical ankle length socks for running
• Contact -technical ankle length socks for heavy duty / tactical gear