lachyzee
Distinguished Member
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- Nov 23, 2010
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I am not sure if you're drawing a distinction between "wet" and "sweat"?
Wool wicks moisture a lot better than cotton. If cotton gets wet or sweaty, it stays that way for a long time. This leads to smells.
I wear Smartwool merino socks in summer - they never really smell, even after a solid day of walking. I can't stand thin socks, though.
Most good quality ski socks and baselayers are wool these days too, or poly, but not cotton.
If poly gets sweaty a few times it retains a smell that just can't be removed, though. So wool is the fabric of choice out of the three.
So all in all, cotton socks would have to make me sweat substantially less to make up for it's drawbacks in terms of wicking and smell and, for me, it just doesn't work. Maybe in a very thin sock but, as I said, I don't like thin socks personally. I suppose one advantage of cotton which I acknowledge is that it can be woven far thinner than wool and still be reasonably durable. It's also cheaper.
Wool does tend to smell if it gets wet though. If you've ever worn a woollen jumper for a bit in the rain you'll know what I mean. In the case of a good wool suit airing overnight usually fixes the issue so it's not a big deal, particularly if there is no poly lining.
As for socks, does anyone wear woollen ones in summer? Genuine question; I generally avoid them at this time of year because they are noticeably hotter to me than thin cotton socks (as you'd expect).
I am not sure if you're drawing a distinction between "wet" and "sweat"?
Wool wicks moisture a lot better than cotton. If cotton gets wet or sweaty, it stays that way for a long time. This leads to smells.
I wear Smartwool merino socks in summer - they never really smell, even after a solid day of walking. I can't stand thin socks, though.
Most good quality ski socks and baselayers are wool these days too, or poly, but not cotton.
If poly gets sweaty a few times it retains a smell that just can't be removed, though. So wool is the fabric of choice out of the three.
So all in all, cotton socks would have to make me sweat substantially less to make up for it's drawbacks in terms of wicking and smell and, for me, it just doesn't work. Maybe in a very thin sock but, as I said, I don't like thin socks personally. I suppose one advantage of cotton which I acknowledge is that it can be woven far thinner than wool and still be reasonably durable. It's also cheaper.
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