big surprise, smartwool chunky socks

**Alan H** · 18th December 13, 12:03 PM

I came across a bin of smartwool over-the-knee socks in "natural"...read "off-white" ... at the local outdoor goods/mil surplus store the other day. For those of you who aren't familiar with Smartwool, it's a brand of merino wool clothing that is mixed with a small amount of synthetics to make a "friendly" alternative to polypropylene fleece and long underwear. They also make socks.

Now, usually the smartwool socks I see, even the "over the calf" styles are not chunky enough to look all that great with a kilt. This goes double for Yours Truly with my outsized calves. Their over-the-knee and knee socks for the lasses are great....just not so much for the guys. However, these were *significantly* more substantial than anything I've seen before. Not only that, but what was originally $26 was now $10. YAY! So I bought three pairs.

I'm set for everyday off-white kilt hose for the entirety of next year and probably the year after that!

**ratspike** · 18th December 13, 06:45 PM

Lucky score. I have the same problem with so-called chunky socks. Between size 12 feet and big legs nothing ever seems to actually be chunky on me.

<3 Smartwool. I've got several long sleeve baselayers that are really warm and have put up with a ton of abuse. And the best thing of course, is that they don't get stinky.

**jhockin** · 18th December 13, 09:49 PM

Photos Alan ...photos! ( good score)

**Spartan Tartan** · 19th December 13, 03:51 AM

I just picked up a couple pair of smartwool socks. Very comfortable. Of course, they are not tall/knee high and can not be used with my kilt, however, I do like the material. I would love to see pictures. The thickness of mine would be perfect. I suppose I COULD use them for my kilt if I were to be doing a run in my kilt...

Sounds like a great find and an even better deal.

**Derek** · 19th December 13, 06:33 AM

Sounds a great bargain .. nice one Alan
Iechyd Da

Derek

**Tobus** · 19th December 13, 01:28 PM

I've been a fan of Smartwool for several years. I credit one of their under-shirts for saving my life (long story involving freezing temperatures and hurricane-force winds on top of Guadalupe Peak). All my hiking socks are Smartwool, as well as most of my everyday dress socks that I wear to the office. I'm wearing Smartwool socks right now, in fact. But I've always been disappointed that they don't make long, thick socks that would work as kilt hose. I can't even find any over-the-calf socks of theirs at my local store that carries Smartwool. Maybe I'll have to go look again.

**Llama** · 20th December 13, 07:35 AM

I love Smartwool too. They're somehow the perfect mixture of warmth and breatheability.

Do the socks that you bought have a style name on them, Alan?

**frank_a** · 20th December 13, 08:21 AM

I've had Smartwool socks for years and have stopped wearing them. After a number of washes, they are so tight as to cause cramps in my feet. I agree with you gents though, wonderful stuff. I have some Smartwool tees that I love. Frank

**Alan H** · 20th December 13, 01:47 PM

Wow...responses. I didn't think I'd get many!

Of course, I've gone and cut the label/joiner cardboard off of the socks so I don't know the "model" of the socks any more. Mind you, I'll be wearing these "scrunched down" as they're pretty tight around my calves. It's just that most of the smartwool socks I've seen are pretty thin, and these were more like normal "kilt weight" sox than I've usually seen from them. I'll see if I can't get a pic or two next time I wear 'em.