Looking for recommendations for thicker high quality socks

[skalogre]

Backstory:
Took the car in to have tyres rotated & rebalanced Saturday. As usual I just started walking around the area doing some shopping while I was waiting. Wore my RM Williams which I have walked several miles in previously with no problems. Due to a tactical error the socks I wore were not particularly good and I ended up with three blisters, two of which were right where the seam was on the toes.
So, my question is this:
I know that Pantherella, among others, makes socks with comfortable or almost unnoticeable toe seams (whatever that is called) but is there a manufacturer that makes thicker socks as good as that?
I have only seen dress socks and slightly thicker socks from Pantherella before.
Extra points if they come in deranged colours!

 

[tiger02]

Smartwool and Rohner. I get both from stp.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by tiger02

Smartwool and Rohner. I get both from stp.

Thanks Tom. ANy specific model or range?

 

[tiger02]

No problem Stelios...It depends on how thick you want to get. They both make everything from "walking" to expedition weight. Smartwool's walking socks are maybe twice as thick as average dress socks, which isn't much. Expedition weight is good for serious expeditions or slippers, not much else. Especially in the desert

I think most of mine are trekking weight, which is good for walking around in the winter in NYC. My feet get hot really quickly and sweat a lot, as a reference point.

One thing to look for is a long calf, longer than you usually get. The normal length is just long enough to poke out the top of a hiking boot, and the Rohners especially are prone to slip down.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by tiger02

No problem Stelios...It depends on how thick you want to get. They both make everything from "walking" to expedition weight. Smartwool's walking socks are maybe twice as thick as average dress socks, which isn't much. Expedition weight is good for serious expeditions or slippers, not much else. Especially in the desert

I think most of mine are trekking weight, which is good for walking around in the winter in NYC. My feet get hot really quickly and sweat a lot, as a reference point.

One thing to look for is a long calf, longer than you usually get. The normal length is just long enough to poke out the top of a hiking boot, and the Rohners especially are prone to slip down.

Thanks for the advice regarding height. The Rohner's just have weaker elastic then?
I assume that the toe stitching/link is less obtrusive, correct?

 

[tiger02]

Smartwool's heavier models don't have a toe seam at all. Their lighter ones, as well as Rohner's have a seam that is very discreet, and is on the outside of the sock where it belongs anyway. I don't know what's up with the elastic in the Rohners, it's like they decided it wasn't worth it. Maybe newer or higher-topped versions are different, I don't know. It's too bad, because otherwise they are really outstanding.

 

[Artisan Fan]

SmartWool as well and ThorLo may be a possibility.

 

[RJman]

Emma Willis sells very heavy shooting socks...

 

[sho'nuff]

if you are interested in a little more funkiness, NAgrani socks are very good as well. they are of a thicker material too.
very substantial socks and seem to be handmade if you turn the socks inside out you can see all the intricate hand woven aspects.

 

[bookish]

Lands' End merino wool socks are worth considering, though their main line is of average thickness. They have thin, unobtrusive seams, hold up very well and hardly pill at all.

I had some Smartwool socks a couple years back and they pilled horribly - after a couple months they looked like bad shag carpet.

I wear the same Lands' End socks to the office and while out riding my horse (under boots, obviously). They still look great. Get 6 or 9 pair and rotate them. I've not walked more than a few miles in them at a time, but they seem suited for hiking as well.

LE has some "active" socks as well, but I haven't tried them.

 

[Jutter]

Falke (coolmax) !!!!!!

Look at :
www.sportabteilung.de

 

[Lucky Strike]

I just bought ten pairs of these on sale here in Norway - they seem to be more or less what you're looking for, as the toe seams seem to be "seamless", that is whole-knit. I also liked the red tops.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

I just bought ten pairs of these on sale here in Norway - they seem to be more or less what you're looking for, as the toe seams seem to be "seamless", that is whole-knit. I also liked the red tops.

Those look good. As I am not in Norway

, any idea of there are any online distributors?

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by skalogre

Those look good. As I am not in Norway

, any idea of there are any online distributors?
No idea, just found them by coincidence. I'll have a look around, though - the brand is fairly well-known here. Edit: And they have a sale: http://www.wolseyonline.com/

Wolsey is one of the oldest textile companies in Europe and renowned for producing quality, classic menswear. The range includes outerwear, underwear, and of course socks. Whether you are a small or kingsize, there is classic Wolsey clothing perfect for you. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Their heritage spans 250 years and they are very proud to hold two Royal Warrants for services to the British Royal Households. The Wolsey name, inspired by Cardinal Wolsey, has a unique heritage and status within the textile industry with the company's past, present and future firmly rooted in Leicester.

Knee socks[/FONT]