Good quality socks are needed for both dress wear and for comfortable walking. Natural fibers are the best. Artificial fibers, though long lasting, tend to create excessive friction and hold in moisture. Look for fine wool or linen (or linen/cotton blends) for the best comfort, or cotton for everyday wear.
I have tried The Nines and Flaxsox (see below) and like both. The Nines are comfortable and feel cool, and are of very high quality and look great. I have the blue and khaki (in size 39/45). The Flaxsox are okay and are very cool with such an open weave that they are slightly see-through. Because they are 100% linen the fit is a little loose. The elastic band at the top is too narrow and also tends to roll. They are more a work-a-day sock compared to the dressier The Nines.
The Nines of Paris make fine light linen socks. From their website:
"When it gets really hot in the summer, linen socks are the best choice! Lightweight, breathable, soft and durable, they are the perfect socks for summer, because they give you what you crave most when the temperatures shoot through the roof: a pleasant cooling effect!"and
"With linen socks we say bye bye to sweat and smelly feet! Breathable, soft and durable, linen keeps your feet fresh and comfy during summer."
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| The Nines linen socks in Hazelnut, Blue and Khaki |
These are a linen blend of 60% linen, 30% Egyptian cotton, 7% nylon and 3% lycra.
They also make cotton (85% cotton, 10% Nylon and 5% Lycra), cashmere (30% Cashmere, 50% Viscose, 15% Polyamide and 5% Lycra), and wool (80% wool and 20% polyamide.) socks.
Wool socks are considered to be good for both cold and warm weather: for their insulation characteristics and ability to wick moisture away from the skin, and Merino is considered to be the best type of wool for socks. Many of the Merino wool socks are quite heavy intended for hiking in all weathers. Light-weight Merino, suitable for summer wear, is harder to find, particularly ones that have a high Merino content in their blend. One supplier is Pantherella whose Naish line is 90% Merino and 10% nylon.
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| Pantherella Naish beige | Pantherella charcoal |
Pantherella also make lightweight summer sock which is a 44% Linen, 31% Egyptian Cotton and 25% Nylon blend.
Available from Amazon.ca and Harry Rosen, Toronto.
Another noted maker of fine wool socks is Nobile from Italy. They make a merino wool sock blend of 80% merino, 18% nylon and 2% Lycra. Available colours are black, blue, anthracite [medium grey], smoky grey, dark green, Bordeaux, orange, violet, and ruby red.
They also make Hircus goat cashmere (95% cashmere, 3% polyamide and 2% Lycra), and Mulberry silk (80% class A mulberry silk18% polyamide and 2% Lycra) socks.
Flaxsox is a manufacturer of 100% organic linen socks. From their website:
Men's linen socks made of flax fabric, soft and lightweight. Their mesh-like pattern allows easy respiration for the feet skin. The thread knitting was designed so that the socks are a bit stretchy allowing perfect comfort.Linen is known for its sweat-absorbing as well as antifungal, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties.
- 100% Linen
- Organic Linen, no herbicides nor pesticides when cultivated
- Thin, Breathable
- Perfect for hiking, sports, workouts
- Moisture absorbing
- The socks are made of organic linen cultivated with no herbicides nor pesticides. Linen is known for its great moisture-absorbing properties, making the socks good for humid climates and for activities requiring physical efforts.
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| Men's Thin Breathable Mesh-knitted Organic Linen Socks |
US/Canada Sock size comparison chart
| US/Canada Sock Size | EU Sock Size | Foot Length Range (cm) | Foot Length Range (in) |
| Men’s 9-12 | 39-42 | 24-27 | 9½-10½ |
| Men’s 12-16 | 43-46 | 27-30 | 10½-12 |
| Women’s 5-9 | 35-38 | 22-24 | 8½-9½ |
| Women’s 9-12 | 39-42 | 24-27 | 9½-10½ |
Washing
Unless the maker suggests otherwise, wash linen socks by hand. Here is the preferred method:
- Fill a basin or sink with tepid water and add a gentle hand-washing detergent.
- Agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute the soap and add your linen item.
- Let soak for up to 30 minutes, then rinse.
- Do not wring or twist the linen. Instead, simply press against the side of the basin or sink to remove excess water.
- Lay to dry on a rack; do not hang to dry. Optionally you could press between dry towels to remove moisture before drying.
