Socks are an essential part of winter clothing, as they can be the main reason we get cold or stay comfortably warm. By choosing socks wisely, you can make sure you stay warmer in winter, even if you often get cold. So what socks are best to wear with sneakers in winter?
Thick crew or knee-high socks made from warm materials such as merino wool and cotton are the best socks to be worn with sneakers in winter. For winter socks, choose socks made from natural materials as they are breathable and retain heat in the shoe. You can wear lined socks for extra warmth.
Continue reading if you are interested in what socks are best suited for wearing with sneakers in winter. At the end of this post, I’ll show you my favorite winter socks that you can get at a very good price.
What socks to wear with sneakers in winter?
In winter, we need to wear long socks to protect our skin from the cold. The longer the socks, the more of the leg they can protect and warm. That is why crew and knee-high socks are the best to wear in winter.
If you dress in such a way that you also wear long socks with sneakers in summer, you can wear the same socks in winter. I have written about how men and women can combine long socks with clothes, you can read that post here. In this post, however, we will focus more on choosing long socks to wear in winter.
In addition to the length of the socks, the choice of materials is also important to keep us warm in winter. It’s best to choose socks made of natural materials, as these are good conductors of heat (they keep you warm in winter and cool you in summer). Choose socks made of cotton, merino wool, or bamboo. The advantages of each material will be discussed later in this article. Now I’d like to show you how to pair socks wisely with the clothes and sneakers you wear in winter.
How to match socks with trainers and trousers in winter?
In winter, darker colors, such as black, navy blue, brown, burgundy, grey, purple, etc., dominate. Your socks should be like that too. Choosing socks according to the color of your trousers is important, as socks are an extension of trousers and should match in shades. If you wear jeans, you can have socks of all the colors listed above. However, it is not recommended to wear white socks, you can read more about this here where I describe which shoes to wear with white socks.
If you wear dress trousers or chinos in winter, consider their color and match the color of your socks to it. You will likely wear darker colors in winter (black, navy blue, brown), as in summer, we wear lighter colors (light blue, beige). I suggest you read this detailed article on how to combine the color of your socks with your trousers, shoes, and tie.
Now let’s see which sock materials are best for winter.
Wear Merino wool socks with sneakers in winter
Merino wool is the warmest and most comfortable material for socks. Contrary to popular belief, merino wool also works well for summer wear as it breathes well and absorbs a lot of sweat, so we are less hot and sweat less. In winter, the thick wool fibers protect our skin from the cold. Merino wool is a type of wool extracted from the Merino sheep. It is a slightly more expensive material compared to cotton as it is less available and is only harvested 1-2 times a year.
These are the benefits of merino wool for winter socks:
| Benefits of Merino wool sock |
| They are very comfortable and pleasant to wear all day long. |
| They retain heat well, so we don’t get cold, even if we are out in the cold for a long time. |
| They absorb a lot of sweat but still feel dry and comfortable to the touch. |
| They breathe well, ensuring we don’t start sweating later. |
| They do not retain odors. |
The only drawback of all wool garments is that they need more careful care to avoid shrinking. It is recommended to hand wash wool garments in cold water or on a special program in the washing machine (20-30°C).
I recommend these socks for wearing with sneakers in winter:
Danish Endurance merino wool socks are made for hiking, but are still thin enough to wear with sneakers and not look weird. Unlike traditional wool socks, these socks are not so thick, and you can quickly put on sneakers because those socks do not feel bulky. More than 25,000 users have recommended these socks because the price and quality are excellent. You can get 3 pairs of men’s, women’s, or children’s socks on Amazon for just $31.95, which is a very reasonable price for quality merino wool socks.
Wear cotton socks with sneakers in winter
Cotton is one of the most widely used materials in all types of clothing, so it is with socks. Cotton is also a good material to wear with trainers in winter, but it is not as warm as merino wool. If you are a person who gets cold a lot, I advise you to get wool socks. You can wear regular cotton socks if you don’t need the extra warmth.
These are the benefits of cotton for winter socks:
| Benefits of cotton sock |
| They are very comfortable and pleasant to wear all day long. |
| They retain heat but not as well as wool. If you don’t get cold quickly, you won’t get cold, even if you have been in the cold for a long time. |
| They absorb a lot of sweat. |
| They breathe well, ensuring we don’t start sweating later. |
| They do not retain a lot of odors. |
I recommend these cotton socks for wearing with sneakers in winter:
Dickies Men’s Dri-tech Moisture Control Crew Socks are made for anyone who needs a warm pair of socks for cold weather work. These socks are made from thick and comfortable cotton that dries quickly and retains heat. These socks are more than suitable for anyone who will be spending hours or just a few minutes outdoors in winter. More than 185,000 users have recommended these socks because the price and quality are excellent. You can get 6 pairs of socks on Amazon for only 25-30$ (price depends on size), which is a very reasonable price for quality cotton socks (up to 6$ per pair). You can get socks in all possible sizes, which are also suitable for those with big feet.