Merino Wool Crew Hiking Sock - Moisture Wicking

Size 10.5 Shoe, large fits perfect. These socks are awesome, really awesome. Very similar to the Smartwool hiker medium crew in fit and feel but these are 85% merino wool whereas Smartwool current hiker medium crew is only 66% (and slightly cheaper). So what does this higher content of wool mean in a sock/garment?1: I think Merino wool is warmer than acrylic / synthetic.2: Wool is renewable and also bits and pieces don't live in our oceans and waterways forever with each wash like synthetics. Search 'fleece particles in ocean water'.3: They do regulate the temperature of your feet better. I can wear these all day in a 68°F house but acrylic or cotton socks of similar weight I am taking them on and off.4: Yet not least. You can wear them 3-4+ times without washing them. I joke not. Wool has antimicrobial properties that kill odors and bacteria. That's why sheep don't stink like crazy. However acrylic and synthetic (as well as cotton) are prime surfaces for bacteria to grow. Very similar to the wood vs plastic cutting board. search "UC-Davis cutting board research". I have 100% merino wool long sleeve base layer shirts from Minus33 and have wore them for a week (showered daily) went out hiking, biking, sleeping and never taking them off basically and had them to my GF say "does this smell fine" her response "yes, doesn't smell at all". If you live where it gets below freezing or your feet get cold in the cooler months around the house get you a pair of these your feet will be happy.5. The only downside is they may take a little bit longer to fully dry than acrylic as acrylic holds a slightly lower percentage of water than acrylic. Dry times aren't even in the same realm as cotton though, not even close. If you know you will be hiking multi days in really wet conditions you might consider a pair of acrylic for this reason as they might dry over night a little more.Also for what its worth my mother claimed wool made her itch like crazy. I gave her a pair of these for christmas and she wears them all the time.

These are my favorite wool socks! They are soft and not at all itchy, as other wool socks can be. I find that they do run a bit large. I wear women's size 11 shoes, and the large socks are a bit too big for me. The medium fits better, even though the sizing guide on the Minus 33 site recommends a large. I live were sub-zero temps are normal. I love Minus 33 and routinely wear their socks, tops, and bottoms as my base layer during the winter.

nice and warm

Hands down one of two of the finest socks made (in my humble opinion)! The other being “Darn Tough”, I’m not certain I will ever be able to pick a winner between the two but either way I believe anyone purchasing these socks will love them!!!

super warm kept my feet warm the whole time in Iceland. love it will only wear Merino woolfrom now on

I had been a loyal Smartwool sock customer, but they have reduced the wool content in most of their socks, or certain higher wool content socks are no longer available. The Smartwools have characteristically worn out at the heel and on the side behind the small toe at a significantly faster pace than the rest of the sock. By comparison, these Minus33s have a higher wool content (85%) AND DO NOT WEAR OUT like the Smartwool socks! I prefer the thickness of these over the various Smartwool offerings as well.

Warm, fit as expected, comfortable and durable. I will buy these again. They are perfect for cold/winter conditions. Your feet will feel like they are in front of a fireplace.

Material was itchy; merino wool is not suppose to itch.