GQ Fitness: Why Smart Summer Athletes Wear Wool
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When you hear the words "wool socks," you may automatically picture itchy, inch-thick foot-warmers that you stuff into fur-lined boots on snowy days. And yet lately the sports-apparel world is arguing that merino wool counterintuitively keeps your feet cooler than plain-old cotton socks. Now how can that be?
"Merino wool has some unique properties, in that it not only can absorb some moisture and wick that moisture away, but it then propels the moisture," says Alex Kor, a podiatrist at Johns Hopkins and fellow of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
In other words, merino—a wool that can be spun into finer yarn, which is in turn softer and doesn’t itch—keeps your feet dry when it’s hot out, while cotton (and some of those fancy synthetic socks made with a cocktail of fabrics) can end up sweat-soaked like a wet rag. "The typical synthetic, acrylic, or cotton combination may not be doing you a service and what can happen is your foot becomes soggy," Kor says. "The merino wool acts as a vehicle to get rid of the moisture."
The first time I ran in merino socks (on a hot day in the burning New York City streets), I was an instant convert. Five miles into a dreaded marathon training run on a steamy day, a pair of low-cut merinos had kept my feet cool and dry. I’ve since invested in various cuts, from 1/4 (great for trail running) to the 3/4 crew (in the right colorway, you can wear them with oords). I’m actually wearing the indestructible low-cut socks as I type this—they’re not just functional, you can wear them with shorts without some garish logo peeking out of your shoes.
There are countless other merino socks on the market, from Darn Tough, which are as study and long-lasting as their name suggests, to the industry’s patient zero, Smartwool.
My favorite are Farm to Feet, 100-percent American-manufactured socks that just hit stores last fall. They’re as soft as your childhood blanket and provide ample cushioning in the heel. I wash them in the sink as soon as I take them off and hang dry them so they’re ready to wear on a moment’s notice.
But all these companies aren’t exclusively churning out socks for hardcore cyclists and backpackers. They make lightweight socks in bold solid colors and playful stripes that would work with a suit or a blazer and jeans. And if you really catch the fever, you can swoop on a pair of Icebreaker’s merino briefs.
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