The best socks I wore in the military year round were the wool boot socks. My feet were going to be hot no matter what I wore, but the wool sock simply performed and held up better over the long run.

My favorite kilt hose are Gaelic Themes Piper Hose which are 70% wool and 30% nylon. They are great here in the foothills of GA. The Cotton hose I've worn from Hamilton Dry Goods are great options also considering they are $8 vs. the $30 - $50 for Pipers Hose. All the negatives to the cotton are true but they are able to be overcome with footy socks and garters to hold them up. For a casual, economical sock, cotton can serve fine but if the means are there, go for the wool hose.