Our socks are woven together from many different materials. We use cotton, camel hair, wool, silk, synthetics… Here we tell you about each of the different fabrics in our socks.
Acrylic is a warm, soft, light man-made fiber. Artists and sockmakers makers use acrylic because of its ability to retain bright hues.
Camel hair is sheared from Bactrian camels using cruelty-free, sustainable methods. Camel hair is a major improvement over wool because it is softer, lighter, and less bulky than wool.
Cotton, a light fabric, easily absorbs water. Added to that, it’s durable and abundant. Cotton is more grown than made: 90% of cotton is cellulose. When it comes to socks, cotton is often blended with nylon, a nonabsorbent material, to remove moisture from the foot.
Know that cotton will shrink if it is exposed to heat… beware hot water and drying machines. To preserve your socks’ original size, wash in cold water and drip dry on a line.
The following variants of cotton can be found in some our socks.
Elastane, Lycra, and Spandex are identical; they differ in name only: all are made from polyurethane, a stretchy, synthetic fiber. Polyurethane provides elasticity and comfort. It supports the curved areas of your feet.
Freakishly flexible, elastic is made by coating rubber (or spandex) in nylon. The result is a highly elastic fabric.
Nylon is strong, versatile, hard-wearing. Nylon socks come in many shapes and sizes. Nylon is often blended with other fabrics to increase its elasticity or to improve durability.
Polyester is a synthetic, hydrophobic fiber treasured for its durability and colorfastness.
Rayon is made from plant cellulose. Its sheen, softness, and sweat-wicking properties are well known. The term ‘rayon’ often indicates that a fabric has been made from plant material.
Rubber, aka rubber latex, is made from rubber trees and used to increase elasticity in socks.
Silk is exceedingly smooth. It boasts moisture absorbing and heat retaining properties. It is obtained from silkworms, a type of caterpillar!
Wool is a catchall phrase for a fiber that comes from sheep and other animals, such as rabbits, goats, and muskoxen. It boasts excellent heat- and moisture-retention.