Merino wool vs. cotton vs. synthetic: which sock wins the test?

You open your sock drawer and there they are: a pair of cheap sports socks, those basic cotton socks from a textile giant, and that one lovely pair of merino wool socks. Chances are you do not consciously think every morning about the material you are pulling on. Yet the choice of fibre makes a world of difference to how your day goes.

To settle it once and for all, we tested the three most popular materials for you: merino wool, cotton and synthetics (such as polyester and regular nylon). Which sock comes out on top?

Round 1: moisture and sweaty feet

• Cotton: Cotton is a champion at absorbing moisture. Sounds good, but there is a problem: it does not let the moisture go again. Your sock becomes heavy, clammy and cold. The perfect recipe for blisters.

• Synthetic: Synthetic fabrics barely absorb moisture at all. The sweat stays on your skin, which makes your feet slide around inside your shoes.

• Merino wool: Wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture and breathes it straight back out into the open air. Your feet stay dry, all day long.

• Winner: Merino wool

Round 2: the odour test (the ultimate challenge)

• Synthetic: Synthetic fibres are smooth. Bacteria love them and settle into the fabric in large numbers. The result: after a few hours your shoes smell like a changing room.

• Cotton: Because the sock stays wet for a long time, sweat bacteria have free rein. After one day they really do need washing.

• Merino wool: Wool contains lanolin. This natural wool grease is antibacterial. Bacteria cannot get a grip and odours are broken down straight away. You can happily wear them several days in a row simply by airing them.

• Winner: Merino wool

Round 3: impact on the environment

• Cotton: Growing conventional cotton requires extreme quantities of water and harmful pesticides.

• Synthetic: Made from crude oil. Every time you wash them, invisible microplastics end up in the water supply.

• Merino wool: A 100% natural, biodegradable product. And if your wool comes from NATIVA™ farms, like ours? Then you know for certain the sheep have a good life and the soil is protected.

• Winner: Merino wool

The result

Cotton is fine for a lazy Sunday on the sofa, and synthetics are handy for extreme sportswear where elasticity matters most. But are you looking for an everyday sock that is comfortable, does not smell, looks after your feet and does good for the planet? Then there is only one real winner: merino wool. It is an investment in your feet that repays itself many times over.