How to choose your mountaineering socks

On our shop page with all our socks, you can find all the models categorized according to the type of outdoor activity. In each product sheet, you'll also find information regarding the activities they are designed for, photos, and a video tutorial showcasing the main features of each sock!

However, in this post, we'd like to offer you some extra advice!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF SOCKS FOR THE MOUNTAINS BASED ON YOUR NEEDS AND PREFERENCES

100% Natural, Synthetic, or Mixed Yarn Socks?

In our view, the first thing to understand is whether you want a product made from 100% natural yarn or the best compromise between natural and synthetic for optimal performance.

The NATURE line is made using 100% extra-fine merino wool of the highest quality, organic and chlorine-free. This represents the utmost in terms of eco-compatibility, respect for animals, and customer health.

None of the animals that provided the merino wool underwent treatments with pesticides, as all the wool comes from certified organic farms, preventing any traces of toxic substances from coming into contact with your skin (G.O.T.S. Global Organic Textile Standard). The absence of chlorine in the dyeing process also protects the environment.

ATTENTION: Both the TECH and NATURE sock lines are made exclusively with certified mulesing-free merino wool from New Zealand!

photo @A. Gozzoli - Kilimangiaro Base Camp

photo @ S. Ragazzo - Argentière basin

Generally speaking, we could say that:

• If you engage in intense and prolonged activities, aerobics at a competitive level, are a Mountain Guide, or simply engage in continuous and frequent activities… perhaps, the TECH line might be better suited. It offers optimal performance for sports and prolonged use, easy maintenance, and good wear resistance.

• If you engage in occasional sports activities that aren’t necessarily extreme or activities that don’t demand great energy or sweat expenditure, the NATURE line might be your choice. They are cushioned, reinforced, thermal, and antibacterial socks, ensuring all the technical and qualitative qualities of a product made from extra-fine merino wool.

Thick or Thin Socks: Which to Choose?

The second equally important question is whether you want thick or thin socks. Here, the choice obviously has to be subjective based on your preferences and the type of shoes you intend to wear the socks with.

Consider these suggestions:

• The foot should never be compressed inside the boot, and the toes should move easily, both in summer and winter.

• The thicker the sock, the greater the insulation.

• The thicker the sock, the greater its resistance and durability.

• The thickness of the sock's padding (which, unlike all socks on the market, is made of merino wool instead of polyamide – read our blog post on what we put in our merino wool socks) tends to decrease over time by compacting.

• If you have highly technical ski boots, opt for thinner socks.

• If you have classic, non-extremely technical equipment, prefer thicker socks.

• If you have technical, precise, low approach shoes, opt for thinner socks.

ATTENTION: The increasingly technical boots for ice climbing and mountaineering tend to be lighter and often less thermal.

A good compromise could be a precise and light shoe with a warmer, thicker sock, as suggested by Emanuele Andreozzi during his tests. In this case, choosing the shoe while already considering the type of sock you want to use would be appropriate.

If at this point you still have some hesitations, continue reading and you will find other specific indications to help you choose the best sock for the mountain activities you usually practice.

photo @F. Salvaterra - Alpamayo

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHOOSING ELBEC SOCKS BASED ON ACTIVITY

Hiking in summer: Without a doubt, the series of trekking socks in the TECH version or in the NATURA version if you want a completely natural yarn.

Light summer trekking: For day trips, maybe with little development and a shoe less structured than a hiking boot, then MTB or Hybrid.

Via Ferrata: It depends on the type of shoe you use. If you use a hiking boot, see above for long summer trekking; if you use a lightweight shoe, see above for light summer trekking.

Approach: Complex topic... take a look at the approach socks we have selected, otherwise the perfect choice falls on MTB or Hybrid. If you prefer something thicker, don't overlook the Trekking Light TECH.

Winter trekking or at high altitude: Hiking NATURE or ICE CLIMBING TECH. Here you will find a selection of winter trekking socks.

Snowshoeing: Depending on your preferences, a model of Hiking NATURE or ICE CLIMBING TECH. Here you'll find a selection of thermal socks.

Nordic Walking and Cross-country Skiing: We recommend the Trekking Light TECH, which is receiving excellent feedback even though it wasn't designed for this activity.

Ski Mountaineering and Splitboarding: For ski mountaineering, both amateur and competitive, the SKIMO TECH sock proves perfect in any condition, unless you're a silk sock enthusiast.

Downhill Skiing and Freeriding: Alpine NATURE without hesitation, unless you're affected by silk sock enthusiasm.

Sport Ice Climbing: Definitely ICE CLIMBING TECH for those who love the gaiter, or Mountaineering TECH reaching just below the knee. Same warmth and foot grip.

Mixed routes: Depending on your preferences, ICE CLIMBING TECH but also SKIMO Tech are successfully used, especially towards the end of the season with warmer days.

Mountaineering: Depending on your preferences, Mountaineering TECH or Mountaineering NATURE. Here you'll find a selection of mountaineering socks.

Above 4000 meters and expeditions: Mountaineering TECH represents the top in terms of resistance, warmth, and quick drying. Tested by our experts well above 4000 meters.

Running: Sky Black Tech, especially in mid-seasons and for Trials and Ultra Trials in extreme climates. HYBRID socks as winter running socks designed in collaboration with WILD TEE from Milan.

MTB: Trekking Light Tech and Nature have been used with excellent results in the Dolomites, but then we created specific thermal MTB socks and specific summer MTB socks.

Winter Cycling: The entire Bike Packing line, despite being very lightweight in both TECH and ORGANIC lines, is ideal for gravel cycling and packing in medium to cold temperatures. Try our thermal cycling socks.

Regardless of your activity, remember to also take a look at the ACCESSORIES rigorously handmade in the "Manifattura Diffusa" project that could be useful to accompany you on your adventures!

Get off the beaten path and "choose your way"