Why More Wool Isn't Always Better (Especially in Socks)

A customer named Vera asked:

"Dear Sid I’d buy more of your socks but found only one kind of wool over 90%. What happened with other Socks? Why do you have to add so much polyester? Please reconsider. Sincerely, Vera "

Here's the honest answer: when it comes to socks specifically, chasing the highest wool percentage can actually work against you.

Durability comes first. Pure wool fibers are beautiful, but they're also fragile under repeated friction. Your heel, ball, and toe take a beating with every step. A small percentage of nylon or polyester woven into those high-wear zones dramatically extends the life of the sock — sometimes doubling it. A sock that pills, thins, or wears through in a season isn't doing you any favours, no matter how premium the wool.

Comfort isn't just about softness. Wool regulates temperature and wicks moisture brilliantly — but it has almost no natural elasticity. Without a touch of synthetic fibre, a sock loses its shape, bunches inside your shoe, and stops fitting the way it should. That bunching? That's where blisters come from. A sock that fits perfectly and stays put is a more comfortable sock, full stop.

Function follows fit. Whether you're hiking, commuting, or just living your life, a sock needs to move with your foot — not slide around inside your boot. The right blend lets us engineer structure, cushioning, and compression exactly where you need it, without adding bulk.

We're not adding polyester or nylon/spandex to cut corners. We're adding it because the sock performs better, lasts longer, and fits the way it should.

That said — our Icelandic 30 Below and Cashmere Weekender lines push wool content as high as we responsibly can while keeping all of the above intact. If you're looking for maximum natural fibre, those are your best bet.

Thanks for caring enough to ask, Vera. That's exactly the kind of question that keeps us honest.