Incorporating socks into a layering system enhances their effectiveness, providing a comprehensive approach to foot comfort and protection. By carefully selecting and layering socks, you can confidently tackle hiking, cycling, running and mountaineering.
Our socks are designed in the UK to meet your specific needs across a range of activities and environments. From cold-weather hiking and mountaineering to summer cycling and running, each sock in our range is designed to provide comfort, durability, and performance.
Whether you’re on a high-altitude trek, a summer road ride, or an all-day multi-activity adventure, our socks are built to support you every step of the way.
Happy feet
At the heart of our sock design process is a commitment to happier feet through thoughtful, innovative, and high-performing products.
By focusing on key issues such as comfort, durability, moisture management, and versatility, we ensure that each sock meets the specific needs of hikers, mountaineers, cyclists, runners, and multi-activity users.
Moisture management for summer activities
In warmer conditions, keeping feet cool and sweat-free is crucial, especially when cycling and running in the summer. Our cycling socks feature mesh zones for enhanced breathability and moisture-wicking. The polyamide construction is highly durable and fast-drying, ensuring quick drainage and drying after encountering water. This design keeps your feet comfortable through varying weather conditions and minimises cushioning to transfer power efficiently into your drivetrain.
Our running socks are designed to provide maximum comfort and durability for runners, especially those tackling high-intensity and warm environments. With breathable panels and an ankle-length cut, these socks excel at keeping feet cool and dry. The slight stretch ensures a close fit, reducing blisters and hot spots, making them ideal for all-day wear.
Reduce blistering with the two-sock system
Our two-sock system, featuring the liner sock, addresses friction issues by reducing hot spots and blisters. The liner sock sits next to the skin, rubbing against the hiking sock, which then rubs against the boot. This layered approach minimises friction, enhancing comfort over prolonged periods. The Merino liner adds effective sweat-wicking, insulation in cold temperatures, and excellent odour control, making it a versatile addition to any outdoor gear.
Versatility for multi-activity use
Our merino blend socks are designed to amplify all the core benefits of merino wool. High wicking and breathability combined with Coolmax for enhanced performance and Thermolite for insulation create a sock suitable for various activities. Whether hiking from Easter to Halloween, cycling off-the-beaten-track, or for everyday use, our socks provide durability, comfort, and protection. The polyamide-reinforced sole ensures they last mile after mile, making them reliable for everyday performance.
Comfort and warmth in cold weather
For hikers and mountaineers braving colder weather, thicker and warmer socks are essential. However, managing moisture is equally important to prevent blisters and maintain comfort. Where this is important our socks use lambswool for its soft, next-to-skin comfort and excellent moisture-wicking properties. The midweight construction perfectly balances insulation and breathability, making them suitable for 3-4 season use in the UK. These socks are built to last, with zoned polyamide reinforcement in high-wear areas, ensuring they withstand the rigours of multi-day trekking. Additionally, the natural odour-resistant qualities of wool keep your feet fresh over long distances.
How do socks keep your feet comfortable?
- Moisture Management: Keeps feet dry, reducing the risk of blisters and fungal infections.
- Temperature Regulation: Provides insulation in cold weather and breathability in warm weather.
- Comfort and Support: Cushions feet, reducing impact and foot fatigue during long activities.
- Versatility: Adapts to various weather conditions and activity levels, ensuring optimal performance and comfort.
Where do socks fit into the layering system?
Socks play a crucial role in an effective layering system, providing comfort, insulation, moisture management, and protection. Here’s how they fit into a comprehensive layering strategy:
Base Layer (Liner Socks)
Purpose: The base layer, or liner sock, is the first layer worn next to the skin.
Function: Liner socks are designed to wick moisture away from the skin, keeping feet dry and reducing the risk of blisters. They are typically made from materials like merino wool or synthetic fibres that provide excellent moisture-wicking properties and are soft for added comfort.
Benefits: By managing moisture, liner socks help maintain a comfortable foot environment, preventing hot spots and blisters during long hikes or intense activities. They also add a thin layer of insulation, which is beneficial in colder conditions.
Mid Layer (Primary Socks)
Purpose: The mid layer, or primary sock, provides the main insulation and cushioning for your feet.
Function: These socks are often made from thicker materials like lambswool, merino wool blends, or synthetic fibres. They offer significant insulation to keep feet warm in cold weather and provide cushioning to absorb impact and reduce foot fatigue.
Benefits: The primary socks enhance comfort by providing additional padding and support. They also work with the liner socks to manage moisture and regulate temperature, ensuring your feet stay warm, dry, and comfortable.
Outer Layer (Weather-Resistant Layer)
Purpose: An additional weather-resistant sock layer can be worn in extremely cold or wet conditions.
Function: This layer is typically waterproof and windproof, designed to protect your feet from external elements like rain, snow, and wind.
Benefits: This outer layer ensures your feet remain dry and warm even in harsh weather, enhancing overall comfort and preventing conditions like frostbite or trench foot.
10 benefits of outdoor socks
We put a lot of thought into the design of our socks, so you don’t need to. Here are some of the most important things we sweat to make our socks special.
- Durability and Longevity: Outdoor socks often wear out too quickly, especially in high-stress areas. To combat this, our socks are reinforced with polyamide in the heel, toe, and sole, significantly extending their lifespan and ensuring they withstand the rigours of long treks and intense activities.
- Insulation and Temperature Regulation: Maintaining comfort across varying temperatures is crucial. We use lambswool and merino wool blends, which are natural insulators that trap and release heat efficiently. This design keeps your feet warm in cold weather and cool in warm conditions, adapting to your body’s needs.
- Moisture Management: Excess moisture can lead to discomfort and blisters. Our socks incorporate wool’s natural moisture-wicking properties and Coolmax fibres, which transfer moisture away from the skin, keeping your feet dry and reducing the risk of blisters, regardless of activity level.
- Comfort and Fit: Ill-fitting socks can cause discomfort and distractions. We address this with medium-length elastane, providing the perfect amount of stretch. This ensures a snug fit that maintains its shape over time without becoming too tight or loose, offering consistent comfort.
- Breathability: Overheating and sweat buildup are common problems. Our socks feature breathable mesh weave and anatomical mesh zones in the upper sections. These enhancements maximise ventilation, keeping your feet cool and dry during high-intensity activities.
- Seamless Construction: Seams can cause blisters and hot spots, leading to discomfort. Our seamless construction eliminates these pressure points, ensuring a smooth, irritation-free fit that enhances overall comfort, even during prolonged wear.
- Multi-Activity Versatility: Outdoor enthusiasts often need different socks for different activities. Our designs cater to various activities, from hiking and mountaineering to cycling and running. The versatile crew length works well with both shoes and boots, providing arch support and protection.
- Odour Control: Socks can quickly become odorous after extended use. Wool’s natural odour-resistant properties ensure our socks remain fresh, even after long days. This makes them ideal for multi-day trekking and other extended outdoor activities, enhancing comfort and hygiene.
- Cushioning and Support: Lack of adequate cushioning can result in foot fatigue. Our socks feature anatomical cushioning zones in the heel, sole, and toe box, providing extra padding where it’s needed most. This design reduces impact and enhances comfort during long hikes or intense activities.
- Hypoallergenic Properties: Many people suffer from allergies and skin sensitivities. Lambswool is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making our socks suitable for sensitive skin. This ensures comfort and safety, allowing more people to enjoy their outdoor adventures without worry.
Example: Cold weather hiking
- Liner Socks: Start with a thin, moisture-wicking Merino wool liner sock to keep your feet dry.
- Mid-Layer Socks: Add a midweight lambswool sock, like the Ushbar, for insulation and cushioning.
- Outer Layer (if necessary): In extremely wet or snowy conditions, add a waterproof sock layer.
Example: High-intensity summer trail running
- Liner Socks: Wear a lightweight, moisture-wicking liner sock.
- Mid-Layer Socks: Use a breathable, lightweight sock like the Stage, which offers moisture management and cooling properties.
Where we make our socks
Our products are made in the best factories in the world. We know the factories personally, and they have all signed up for our Code of Ethics in our supply chain. This includes the Ethical Trading Initiative base code, fair pay, safe working environments, no child labour, no modern slavery, no bribery or corruption, no materials from conflict zones and humane farming methods. All our factories sign up to our Code of Conduct.
We are carbon neutral under PAS2060 and offset our Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 operations and transport emissions. We recognise that offsetting is not part of the solution but a point to pass through on a journey to Net Zero. Carbon Neutral is just a step in that journey.
We have joined the Science Based Targets Initiative, which sets independent targets for us to achieve and do our bit to limit global warming to 1.5°C. We aim to halve our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025 based on our 2018 base year and reduce our total carbon intensity by 15% every year to achieve genuine net zero by 2050.
Footnote
Incorporating socks into a layering system enhances their effectiveness, providing a comprehensive approach to foot comfort and protection. By carefully selecting and layering socks, you can confidently tackle various outdoor activities, knowing your feet are well-supported, dry, and comfortable.
