Never Freeze Again: The Best Socks for Cold Feet!
Note: If your feet are constantly cold regardless of your surroundings, check with your doctor for underlying circulatory issues. This blog is not intended to offer medical advice.
I’m sitting here in New York City during what feels like the fourth straight week of cold weather and winter storm advisories and warnings. We’ve had snow fall on what seems like a daily basis, and every day feels chillier than the next. I can’t wait for Spring to come and thaw not out not only the environment and the streets, but my toes as well!
Our natural body heat escapes through our hands and feet faster than any other place in the body due to increased rates of changes in blood flow that come with the sharp temperature drops in winter. As we sit here in February with the colder weather having no end in sight, it’s natural for our feet to feel cold every so often. With all the additional time we’re spending indoors these days, there are a few ways you could approach this:
-you could turn up the heat in your home, but that would increase your energy bills and make everyone else around you warm
-you could wear thick boots around the house, but that is impractical and uncomfortable
-you could wear warm socks!
Even slight changes to the socks you wear at home can have drastic impacts on how cold or warm your feet feel. Important factors to keep in mind when selecting socks for cold feet include fabric composition, fit, leg coverage, and moisture control. Additionally, fun designs to remind you of warming times can add a small psychological boost to help your feet feel warmer. In this blog, we’re going to break down each of these factors, and show why Tall Order Extra Cushioned Socks are the perfect blend of warmth and functionality.
What Material is Best for Insulating Cold Feet?
There’s no one best fabric composition to create the world's warmest sock. Different materials offer different types of functionality and different comfort experiences. Many socks for cold feet today are made from a combination of several materials to provide a custom feel and performance. We’re going to break down some popular materials, and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Cotton
The most classic material for socks. When you think socks, the image that likely comes into your head are cotton socks.
Pros - Cotton is very lightweight and soft, it has that classic sock feel. Cotton is durable and easy to maintain, which means it can handle washing machines and dryers with no problems. It’s also a good choice for people with sensitive skin who may be allergic to other fabrics.
Cons - Cotton retains moisture, which can lead to excessively sweaty feet. Sweat evaporates to produce a cooling effect, so too much sweat and moisture can leave feet cold. Moisture also means there is a greater chance of chaffing and friction, so cotton is not a great choice for winter activities outdoors.
Wool
Another classic winter sock material. Thick winter socks usually means they’re made of merino wool.
Pros - Wool is an excellent insulator due to its thickness. High-quality merino wool is extremely soft and comfortable. Good wool can be water-resistant, protecting excessively sweaty feet from becoming cold.
Cons - low-quality wool can be very itchy and uncomfortable. High-quality merino wool is expensive, thus it is impractical to fill your top drawer with only wool socks. It is also a very thick material, making it functionally restrictive when trying to do outdoor activities. Wool is also notoriously difficult to maintain, as machine washing and drying is not recommended. This material also carries ethical concerns, since it is sourced from sheep.
Polyester
Polyester is a man-made synthetic material used in many athletic wear products.
Pros - polyester is extremely durable and easy to maintain, making it one of the longest-lasting fabrics you can own. It also blends easily with other fabrics to create custom feel and durability combinations. Polyester holds its shape well over time, and will not slide down off your calf.
Cons - polyester is slightly less breathable than other fabrics, so is frequently paired with a fabric with moisture-wicking properties to control the rate of sweat evaporation.
Spandex
Spandex is another synthetic material well regarded for its stretchability and how it retains its shape. It is also a great moisture-wicking addition to other synthetic materials.
Pros - Spandex is flexible, stretchable, and snug to provide a great fit. Spandex is lightweight and breathable and provides water resistance to fabrics with which it is blended.
Cons - Not a great insulator, not organic, can pill if not maintained properly.
Having Socks that Properly Fit Makes a Difference!
In order to keep your feet warm throughout the cold winter months, you need to ensure your socks for cold feet have the proper fit! If they’re too loose, cold air can seep in causing the air around your feet to be colder. Conversely, if they are too tight, you run the risk of cutting off circulation to your feet. This can not only lead to cold feet, but also sore calves because tight socks dig into your lower legs.
Especially for guys with XL feet and XXL feet, the fit of your winter sock is extremely important. You want to ensure you pick the right size - check if the socks you are buying are truly fit to your size or are a “one size fits all” style. Generally, “one size fits all” isn’t very accurate or built for guys with oddly shaped legs and feet. However, most manufacturers avoid selling extended sizes for convenience of having one size.
Tall Order takes no “shortcuts” in offering socks for big feet of all sizes, with offerings in Size 9-20 that have enough flexibility and stretch to stay up on your foot and calf without slipping down. They also strike the perfect balance of not too tight but not too loose so as to best regulate the temperature of your foot.
The More Coverage the Better!
The longer the socks you wear, the more heat from your legs those socks can retain. Additionally, extra layers such as cushioning can provide insulation so that the coldest parts of your feet are covered.Tall Order cushioned crew socks provide the perfect length for your socks, as they are designed to sit on the top of the calf to provide full foot, heel, ankle, and calf coverage. Additionally, our socks include a layer of super comfortable cushioning to not only provide all-day comfort, but also add a layer of warmth to your footbed without the need for excessive compression socks or an additional sock liner.
The Best Socks for Cold Feet are Moisture-Wicking!
Our bodies produce sweat as a natural way to cool us down. However, many socks for cold feet are thick socks, which can trap moisture. When that moisture meets the colder air, the result is colder feet. It’s not enough to have socks that can absorb moisture, the sweat needs to evaporate in a way that doesn’t cool your feet off too much, making them cold. The fabrics need to assist by wicking away the moisture.
All Tall Order Extra Cushioned Socks are moisture wicking, so that your socks stay warm and dry even when your feet are at their sweatiest. The moisture wicking fabric helps keep your feet comfortable and helps regulate your temperature better than other socks for cold feet. Whether you’re hiking, walking in the park, going for a run, or shoveling snow, the all-day comfort and moisture control of Tall Order socks makes them the perfect way to wrap up your feet in warmth this winter!
Warming Designs and Prints Can Help You Feel Warm!
When you envision yourself in a warmer situation, your body can sometimes feel slightly warmer thanks to psychosomatic responses by the body. Try one of our warming designs such as our Surf Dogs, which evoke days on the beach, or our Red Plaid, which brings about holiday memories by the fireplace.
Tall Order Has the Perfect Socks for Cold Feet!
When searching for the right socks for cold feet this winter to keep you warm, take a look at Tall Order Extra Cushioned crew length socks. They tick all the boxes on the checklist of what to look for in the best socks for cold feet:
-made from a blend of premium fabrics for optimal moisture wicking, softness, breathability, and warmth.
-extra length and stretchability to fit feet of all sizes, ranging from Men’s sizes 9 to 20
-comfort band at the top to ensure a not too tight fit while not slipping down throughout the day
-3D printed designs to match any personality or activity
Check out our Extra Cushioned Collection today!
