My dad is older and has diabetes, I’m wondering if there are any socks that actually will keep his feet warm when he goes outside in winter. I’ve seen heat trapping socks, but don’t know how they work or if any one brand is better than others.
Any recommendations? I have already bought him some of those heat packs you put in your shoes, but I’m wondering if there are good socks he can try.
Bonus points if the socks some in a mens size 14, a lot of mens socks only go up to size 12.
Wool. As close to 100% as you can find, and merino wool if you can find it. Merino is very soft and non-itchy and wool has been the gold standard of warm feet for millenia.
What about wetness? I believe my dad prefer to wear waterproof boots in winter, but if they get wet because he is wearing sneakers will that cause an issue?
I will second wool. It has changed my life. But the other post is correct- like “wheat bread” some brands will use a tiny percentage and advertise as wool. But the real stuff is AMAZING. And wool has a neat characteristic that (up to a point) even when wet it retains its insulating properties.
Big. Thick. Wool.: Awesome.
Sure, that will make his feet much colder. Wool and synthetic fibers retain their warmth when wet, but cold wet wool isn’t as warm as cold dry wool. You want to keep your feet dry in winter, you want boots that insulate and block wind/wet. There’s no magic bullet, socks retain heat but if his feet aren’t generating enough heat then he’s going to get cold.
If he has really bad circulation no combination of sock and boot is going to be enough. You might want to look into electric socks.
Can you guys give me a rough ballpark of the price of a pair of true wool socks? I checked amazon, but when I looked at the reviews it says it was fake wool. Is about $15-20 a pair a good price? I don’t want to underspend and end up with fake wool.
Any brands of socks worth looking into?
I will third the real wool (Merino is supposed to be softest and best insulating) - and unless soaked, it will keep his feet warm if they get a little wet.
Something to consider as an alternative: I don’t know what area you are in, but here in New England, alpacas have become a big thing. Lots of small farms have them and often sell alpaca fiber items.
I have a friend whose feet are always cold and I picked up a pair of alpaca fiber socks for her for Christmas. They are supposed to be almost as soft as Merino wool, but better in moist conditions and, since the fibers are hollow, provide better insulation. I don’t know if that is fact or marketing, to be honest, but it’s worth looking into. Also, no lanolin, so if there’s an allergy or sensitivity to lanolin.
Related and possibly helpful thread here.
Do you have Costco? Kirkland brand has men’s wool crew socks that are 80% wool and very nice–six pair for under twenty bucks. Check their website because a lot of stuff they sell you can buy online without a membership. Another good place to look online is Sierra Trading Post, especially look for Smartwool. They’re a little more spendy but one thing that’s good is the way they’re knitted they function as compression socks around the instep, good for those with circulation issues.
As has been mentioned, wool keeps you warm even when they get damp–I wear my -20F waterproof boots in winter with wool socks inside and even when I’m out hiking for hours or shoveling snow and working up a sweat my feet stay toasty.
I’ve had great luck with Darn Tough, SmartWool, and Fox River wool socks for winter hiking and skiing.
I appreciate the recommendation and that’s a good price. I have a Costco membership and a Costco near me.
My only concern is when I look at the reviews for those socks, there are several recent reviews saying they’ve changed the socks and now the new model are much thinner and more flimsy. I’m not sure if they are still good, the recent reviews are mixed.
I’ve got a pair of Smart Wool socks. I can’t speak for other wool socks, but these are pretty warm. However, if he’s going to use them outside of the house on a regular basis he’ll almost certainly need to go up a size in shoes. I’ve never tried, but I’m fairly confident I wouldn’t be able to get my foot inside my regular (ie Adidas/Nikes etc) shoes with these on. I can get them in my winter boots, but those don’t fit like a glove (or shoe, I guess).
Are is feet actually cold, or is does he have neuropathy that makes his feet feel cold? If it’s the latter, I don’t think there’s much that helps. I deal with that with my own father, his feet are always cold, we’ve been to every doctor under the sun, and the answer is “sucks to have neuropathy.”
Either way, the previous answers are good, assuming no neuropathy. If there is neuropathy, don’t add in anything other than warm socks - no electric warmers, no chemical warming packs, etc. Too much risk of a burn since he won’t feel it happening in time to do anything about it.
My solution has always been (1) silk or synthetic sock liners, (2) Merino wool socks, and (3) wearing larger boots. There’s quite a difference in wearing wool socks with size 12 boots or size 13 boots.
Wool socks or not, you don’t want boots to be tight. That little bit of air (or sock, or fur) between your foot and the shoe is what’s keep you warm. If your boots are tight against your foot, the heat is going to transfer directly from your body to your boot and out to the atmosphere.
The current other thread on socks and such.
An elderly gentleman I know swears by Monkey Sox. I remember years ago, long before the internet, they were only available in “Farm & Home” stores in rural areas; viz, hard to find for someone who lived in an urban area as he does.
$15-$25 and in addition to the wool consider the various “stay dry” options. Google “stay dry hunting socks” and several options pop up. I like the LL Bean’s but I’m wearing them riding and not walking and inside leather boots.
I love Voormi. The only problem I have with them is they make their wool stuff for athletic people so I have to be in perfect shape to wear it. Their socks go up to 11+ (too bad I have size 16 feet).
The ones I’m talking about are the Men’s Wool Crew Trail Socks, come in green and blue (not crazy about the lack of variety in color but oh well) and I just bought several sets for my SIL and both grandkids and they’re just as thick as the pair I’ve had kicking around in my sock drawer for about a decade now–mine are a bit worn out at the toes and heels but they’re ten years old! I dunno what those people are complaining about but I have ten years of proof that those are nice thick socks. I think they do top out at size 13 but aside from that I think they’re just what your dad needs.
I find it completely ironic that the socks they sell at Costco labeled “Pendleton” are about 60% acrylic–how the fuck can an iconic maker of classic wool fabric and apparel lend their name to such a pile of crap? It’s like buying a Hudson’s Bay blanket and finding out it’s made of fleece. Dafuq?