The Warmest Socks You Need This Winter (2024)

Warm socks are a must for winter, especially if you spend time outdoors. For those of us who bike through the winter, winter socks are a must. While thick wool socks used to be the go-to, they can be difficult to wear under tight boots. Now that there are more technical iterations available, including thin thermal socks, there’s a wide range of choices for highly insulated socks. Keeping your feet warm and comfortable has never been easier with these winter socks!

Here are the best winter socks that’ll keep you insulated during the cold months:

Organic Basics Recycled Wool Socks

What material are the warmest socks? Wool, by a long shot! These recycled wool socks from Organic Basics are thin enough that they don’t make your shoes feel tight, but they’ll keep your feet warm. The mid-rise, ribbed version are a top choice: the slight texture makes them a little less boring, and the mid-rise looks great with any type of shoe. These are the ideal every day winter socks! Plus they’re made from recycled wool so you can feel good about the sustainability factor.

Organic Basics makes it easy to prepare for the winter with their packs, so purchase a pack of ten and then all your sock needs are taken care of for a long time.

Get 10% off your Organic Basics order with the code STANDARD10.

L.L. Bean Socks

L.L. Bean makes durable, functional outdoor clothes and accessories, including their beloved Bean Boots. The socks are great as well, especially their warm merino wool rag socks. L.L. Bean’s items are known for lasting for a long time, so these socks will be in your drawer for years to come.

ARKET Socks

Though Swedish brand ARKET has a range of socks, their recycled cashmere socks are the best for winter – warm and high-quality. Cashmere is notoriously hard to source ethically, so recycled cashmere is a fantastic compromise. These are some of the thinnest and warmest socks that we’ve found!

Peak Performance Socks

Swedish technical-wear company Peak Performance makes highly functional outerwear; their cold weather gear is particularly good. Their small range of socks includes ski socks and ultra warm socks that wick moisture and will definitely keep your feet toasty through even the coldest winters.

Patagonia Socks

Patagonia is known for their technical wear that transcends the category, making it easy to wear as every day clothing too. Their socks can be worn for hiking or skiing, but they’re just as good for day-to-day wear. Patagonia is known as a highly responsible and ethical brand that sources well and treats their employees right, making purchasing their products an easy choice.

Hand Knit Socks

There’s nothing quite like hand-knit socks, is there? This selection includes colorful and patterned options, big chunky wool options, and lots of well-crafted socks that will keep your feet warm all winter, in boots or while lounging at home.

Smartwool PhD Outdoor Socks

With a name like “Smartwool PhD” you’d think these socks were trying too hard, but they’re the real deal! With an ultra-thick, cushioned construction and long-wearing elastic, these socks will be your constant companion through all your outdoor activities. You may find they’re a bit thick for your day-to-day shoes, but they work well with most snow boots, rainboots, or ski boots.

Warrior Alpaca Socks

A tall, over-the-calf sock that is made from an alpaca blend (totally wool-free, for those with allergies), these socks keep your toes extremely warm while also wicking away moisture and allowing feet to breathe. They’re terry-lined with an elastic at the top to keep them from sliding down, making them ideal for cold-weather sports like skiing, or just wearing your everyday boots.

Blue Flame Thermal Socks

Known as “the warmest thermal socks in the world,” these socks are great for daily wear in cold climates. They’re thick, but not overly so, and should fit into your usual shoes. The socks have a cushioned bottom, fleece-like lining, and are odor resistant (win for everyone!). These are great value for the price, so if you’re looking to stay really warm on a budget, these thermal socks are for you.

Bombas Merino Wool Calf Socks

Are socks sexy? When it comes to winter socks, probably not, but Bombas come about as close as you can get without losing any functionality. They are, at least, stylish. These wool calf-length socks are medium thickness and wick moisture to keep your feet dry. While they may not be ideal hiking or skiiing socks, they’re great for every day wear. They come in a number of fun colors, making the winter just a little brighter.

QILOVE Battery Heated Socks

Reviews of these socks are consistent: they’re really good for people with cold feet. Whether you want them for skiing, hiking, keeping toasty at work, or just lounging at home, these battery-operated and rechargeable socks will do the trick. The battery pack is located at the top of the sock in a small pouch, so be aware of how tall your boots are in relation to the battery; it may not be comfortable if the boot hits the battery pack. Other than that, these socks are a great way to ensure your feet stay ultra warm throughout the day. What a great gift for the icy-footed people in your life!

Warm Winter Sock FAQs

What is the warmest material for socks?

Wool socks, and specifically merino wool socks, are typically the warmest type of socks. This is because of wool’s natural moisture-wicking, as well as insulating, abilities. Even thin wool socks can be incredibly warm. They also wash well and will last for a long time. A bonus: if you get a hole in your sock, wool socks can be easily mended thanks to the strong yarn.

Do socks help you sleep?

This is a divisive question! Some feel they simply cannot sleep with socks on, while others are sure it’s the only thing that lets them drift off into dreamland. Obviously, go with what works for you, but scientifically speaking, wearing socks (i.e. keeping your feet warm) does facilitate sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping and you don’t usually wear socks to bed, give it a try and see if it helps!

What are the best running socks?

If you’re a runner who runs outside through the winter, you know what it’s like to need a sock that’s both warm and has excellent performance. That’s where Injinji socks come in. Why are in Injinji socks so good? It’s not the aesthetics – it’s truly the functionality, with blister prevention and moisture management coming in at the top of the list.

Done with warm socks and want cool socks instead? See the coolest Scandi sock brands.

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